Rhino’s Ramblings - A Month To Go

By Robert Thomas Opinion/Commentary

For those of you who follow this column the active news gathering of the latest news will end in just over one months time.

It’s been quite a run over the past six years.

So what does this all mean?

Simply put is we will not be actively out and tracking down news after June 30th.

The only exception being is that if promises were made and/or stories were started then the June 30th deadline does not apply.

The commitments made will be honoured to the best of my abilities.

I will tell you I have mixed feelings on all of it as I look back over 35 years ago when I first started in journalism. The days of being a bright eyed and bushy tailed - but really naive - reporter are so long ago.

The people I idolized back then in the industry are either long retired but in many cases long ago passed away.

I can tell you it was a lot of work as a cub reporter back then in a lot of small towns.

In this industry you move on using your skills, talents and things you’ve learnt over the years to bigger outlets. You improve your education with the realities of life.

People may laugh at me and MJ Independent but over the six years of our existence we have quite often punched above our weight. Or at least more than a few people have told me this.

Some people are asking what does that mean when it comes to the stories we have been working on? Are they simply going to be left to hang unfinished?

The answer to that is a stern no.

To put it to you in simplest terms I’m going to be finishing off stories we have started and finishing out our commitments past June 30.

In small but concentrated ways I will be digging around tying up loose ends.

Quite honestly I have a bunch of Freedom Of Information requests I need to write on and finish off.

Then there is the Dr Isabelita Joven murder case that recently finally ended in one last tragedy. I’m trying to figure out how to relate the things I was told in secret and put the ink to paper.

My guess I’m the only media member to have that half an hour chat.

If I don’t get the things I was planning to get done I’ve long thought turning over the files to an investigative reporter I know in Regina I know.

It is as simple as that.

Of course there has been a lot of highlights over the past six years that aren’t so dramatic.

Despite what some might think I’ve been thanked by an area community, not once but twice, for asking questions.

Questions that have spared them - by their own admission - lots of pain on two issues that were set to blow up in their faces.

Throughout the controversy it’s often tough to portray the community news as really the top priority.

They are the little things some will portray as not really newsworthy but deep down they are.

There is a large chance I might continue to cover one sports group until the end of October so long as my health hangs in there.

I promised them to give them a couple of years and really it adds up to only one.

I won’t be covering high school sports per say but I did promise to help out - if I’m able - to cover the Gravelbourg team for the paper in basketball.

We have had more than a few people ask us to stay on - especially in the area of local sports.

Others have asked us to simply continue on but restrict our coverage to weekends only.

That way the news they want - but aren’t getting in their opinions - will be there.

It sounds intriguing but I’m going to say it’s highly unlikely to happen.

For myself personally I’m slated on July 1st to start rehab I was suppose to start in November last year but put off.

I’m hoping it’s going to help my health improve that flying 27 hours - including layovers - is physically something I can do.

War or not I promised my friends I will be returning to Ukraine. I’m hoping to be able to make it in February 2025 after rehab.

I’m actively talking to some people I know about stringing opportunities for the bigger media when I’m abroad.

Oh yeah I’m also hoping to slowly get my yard into shape. It’s something I’ve really forgone over the last six years.

Life goes on as they say it’s as simple as that.