How important is a strong snowpack for producers?
Soil moisture levels in Saskatchewan have been dealt a rough hand so far this winter.
The snowpack in the region has ranged from non-existent to below average for much of the last three months.
Historically winter precipitation accounts for a small percentage of moisture received throughout the year. Although growing season rains are more critical, the winter months can set producers ahead if there's a large snowpack that melts slowly.
Influenza on the rise
The second season of influenza has begun making its rounds.
Influenza B had spiked positivity rates from 5.6 per cent in early January back up to 8 per cent over the last three weeks.
Dr. David Torr, the medical health officer for the southwest region, said the decline to begin the year can be attributed to influenza A dying out before the second strain took over.
Company fined $65K for worksite injury by Elrose
A workplace injury near Elrose over two years ago has resulted in a hefty fine for an out-of-province oil and gas servicing company.
Alberta's WSK Well Service Inc. pleaded guilty in Rosetown Circuit Court last month to violating occupational health and safety regulations. The violation will cost the company $65,000, with the court sanctioned fine coming in at $46,428.57 and the surcharge being $18,571.43.
The incident took place on Jan. 18, 2022, close to Elrose, as a worker was struck by a rod and seriously hurt.
Morse detachment temporarily closed
Flood damage to the Morse RCMP detachment has forced the facility to be closed for an unknown timeframe.
Officers from the Morse RCMP will still continue responding to calls for service and patrolling their detatchment area.
Morse RCMP can be reached by the public for assistance at 306-629-4100 or 310-RCMP.
Anyone looking to obtain a criminal record check or report a crime to police are encouraged to visit the Swift Current Rural RCMP at 50 George Street West.
Travelling fraudster caught, linked to other incidents
A woman using stolen credit card numbers to buy lottery tickets in Swift Current has been arrested.
The Swift Current City RCMP caught 36-year-old Joanna Scholz at a hotel in the city on Monday night, the same day a Saskatchewan Crime Watch notification regarding her was issued. Police also performed a search warrant on her hotel room uncovering more vital information linking her to several other fraud incidents in other jurisdictions.
RCMP recover stolen truck and ATM by Shaunavon, money still missing
A few more details regarding an ATM theft from a business in Shaunavon over the long weekend have been released.
The Shaunavon RCMP was notified of the incident at midnight on December 30 as an alarm to the building had been set off.
After a police investigation, they determined that the suspects used a stolen truck and a chain to steal an ATM.
Year in review #4: Plane uses Trans-Canada Highway in Swift Current for landing
The following story is the 4th top article published to Swift Current Online in 2023; keep coming back as we unveil the rest of the lineup over the next week.
Emergency crews in Swift Current received an unorthodox phone call last night which concluded with a successful plane landing on the Trans-Canada Highway.
The call came into the Swift Current Fire Department at 1:24 a.m. as a Cessna Skylane with a lone occupant needed to make an emergency landing.
Year in review #6: Swift Current resident lands STARS Lottery 50/50 win
The following story is the 6th top article published to Swift Current Online in 2023; keep coming back as we unveil the rest of the lineup over the next week.
A Swift Current man is now $1 million richer... actually plus another $162,422.50.
Aaron Phoenix won the 50/50 for the STARS Lottery yesterday taking home just over $1.162 million in winnings.
The memorable phone call came from STARS in Regina in the morning and was quickly followed up by another from STARS in Saskatoon.
Year in review #9: Remarkable Radiothon establishes new record
The following story is the 9th top article published to Swift Current Online in 2023; keep coming back as we unveil the rest of the lineup over the next week.
The Pharmasave Radiothon for Healthcare blew past its goal as support poured in from across the southwest the past two days.
Their goal of $150,000 was eclipsed by a record-setting $172,493 leaving the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation overjoyed.
Could EV shift change gas prices?
The federal government is moving forward with plans to shift to battery-operated vehicles by 2035.
Canada's Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has unveiled more details regarding the shift earlier this week.
Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said with the rapid change for automakers, it will be interesting to watch the price of gas leading up to that mandate and after.