Trees Being Decorated and Stolen in Wakamow Valley

 Someone in Moose Jaw is playing Grinch and has cut down and stolen a 'Christmas tree' from within Wakamow Valley.

General Manager of the Wakamow Valley Authority, Todd Johnson, says this isn't a new problem, but it's still something that shouldn't be happening.

"We've had trees cut down in the past right around this time of season, and it's always the same type of tree; the 'Christmas tree'. We just want to make everyone who walks the paths aware of it, and they can make us aware if they noticed anything strange happening."

"We've just noticed the one [that's been cut down this year]. It was a tree that was probably about 15-feet tall. They had climbed up, snapped it off halfway, and then cut off the top of the tree. They really damaged the tree, so we'll have to see if it survives."

Johnson says if anyone sees anything suspicious within the park, to call the Wakamow Valley office or the Moose Jaw Police Service.

On a brighter note, Johnson goes on to say that there has also been a group of residents heading to Wakamow Valley and decorating some of the trees along the walking trails.

"This year it seems to be something that everyone is taking up. We encourage people to decorate, but to decorate with stuff that is friendly to nature, and if it's not friendly to nature we ask them to take it down after the Christmas holiday. It's something special to walk around the park and see small trees decorated with different things, I think it adds a lot to the park, but we're just going to ask people that if they don't put up decorations that degrade or dissolve, to pick them up after the holidays."

The Wakamow Valley Authority also wants to remind everyone in Moose Jaw that while the valley is a great place to go to enjoy the outdoors this time of year, that it has not been nearly cold enough for the river to freeze over. Residents are asked to stay away from the ice and wait until it's much colder before venturing on.