Tara Garcia

This Valentine's Day is going to the dogs and cats thanks to the Pawsitivly In Love plant sale fundraiser being put on by the Swift Current SPCA.

The public can purchase a variety of plants through the Pawsitivly in Love plant sale as fundraiser manager for the Swift Current SPCA, Ashley Muhle explains.

"They can choose to buy any kind of plant, we've got seven different kinds. There's tropical, roses, mini gardens that kind of thing. There's an option for delivery and another option for a dog to do the delivery with us."

The Language Explorers Club, a program run by the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Center recently received a helping hand in the form of a $25,000 Community Initiatives Fund grant.

Executive Director of the center Deanna Baje provides some details on the weekly program for school-aged newcomers that provides them with the chance to practice and strengthen their English language skills. 

"We have classroom time focusing on themes like seasons, environment, community, money, and directions to build on their information and knowledge about Canadian culture as well"

Haggis will be served and pipes will be played coming up this Saturday night at the Swift Current Legion in honor of Robbie Burns.

Neil McCrie a member of the Green Brae's Pipes and Drums provides details on the night's program.

"We'll have a supper, we'll have some entertainment with Scottish dancing and some piping. And then there will be social dancing for everyone afterward."

One of Swift Current's most prominent summer festivals is seeking sponsors for their upcoming event.

SaskPower Windscape Kite Festival is taking place June 22nd and 23rd and this non-profit, free-to-attend event requires sponsorship from the local community.

The coordinator of the festival Keely Williams provides details on where the sponsorship money goes.

"The sponsorships go towards things like artist fees, the children's activities themselves. So sponsors can pick kite building workshop or face painting or other activities on site."

A recent poll by CAA revealed that speeding remains a major concern among Canadian residents. 

A press release from CAA reveals that 88 % of Canadians are worried about speeding in residential areas while 22% of respondents admitted to doing so. 

"According to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, traveling even 10km/hr over the speed limit increases the likelihood of a collision by 60%, while saving the average driver only four minutes on a trip" as stated in the press release. 

While cooler temperatures may have some feeling chilly the Coldest Night Of The Year event actually takes place next month.

The 4th annual CNOY walk put on by The Center takes place February 24th and Executive Director of The Center Nathan Wiebe details their mindset going into the upcoming event.

"We're looking to surpass our goal last year. We're looking to raise a lot of money to go towards our free counseling and our support services building."

Get ready to test your trivia skills each Monday and Friday morning between 10 am-12 pm on CKSW/CJSN as you play the Impossible Question brought to you by Sister's Family Restaurant. 

Tune in to hear the skill-testing question of the day if you think you know the answer call or text at 306-778-3247. Each correct answer will be entered into the daily draw to win a $50 gift card to Sister's Family Restaurant. 

As temperatures continue to cool many anglers will be looking forward to beginning their ice fishing season. 

Matt Tyree, Director of Fisheries with the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment reminds participants why it's particularly important to practice caution this ice fishing season. 

"We have had unusually warm temperatures this year as everyone is aware," he said. "And it's impacted the ice and ice thickness, variability of ice thickness, and the safety of the ice. It's just something that we want to keep top of mind for any anglers." 

Saskatchewan families will begin the new year with a bit of financial relief. 

As of January 1st, 2024, SaskEnergy and SaskPower will be removing the federal carbon tax from home heating. 

According to a governmental press release, this will result in savings for roughly 98% of Saskatchewan families with a savings of approximately $400 in 2024. 

Residents of the southwest have been voting daily for the past week on their favorite southwestern Saskatchewan critter in our annual Christmas Critters contest on Swift Current Online. 

With over a hundred submissions this year many furry four-legged friends were vying for votes. 

This morning we announced that "Vern" was our lucky winner receiving the most votes out of the 400 that came in.