Shawn Slaght

In conjunction with International Snowmobile Safety Week, this week marks Provincial Snowmobile Safety Week in Saskatchewan. 

Saskatchewan has over 11,000 km of snow-covered trails and safety should be top of mind before you head out. 

The Estevan area has been hit with plenty of snow lately, which means it's time to dust off your snowmobile. 

In conjunction with International Snowmobile Safety Week, this week marks Provincial Snowmobile Safety Week in Saskatchewan. 

Saskatchewan has over 11,000 km of snow-covered trails and safety should be top of mind before you head out. 

Several income tax changes are coming for the 2024 tax season. 

There will be a higher tax bracket that will give a break for people in certain tax brackets. In 2023, anyone making $53,359 or less was taxed at 15 per cent federally. Now in 2024, the rate has increased to $55,867 or less will be taxed at 15 per cent. 

Aaron Ruston with Purposed Financial said the higher tax brackets will create a bit more of a gap between each category. 

Starting in the new year, Saskatchewan residents will not be paying the federal carbon tax on their home heating bills. 

SaskEnergy and SaskPower have removed the federal carbon tax which will result in savings for 98 per cent of Saskatchewan families. This is the provincial government’s response to the federal government exempting home heating oil from the carbon tax. 

It’s expected that the removal of the carbon tax from SaskEnergy bills will save the average customer $400 per year. 

Saskatchewan RCMP are warning the public that a dangerous strain of fentanyl is circulating in southern Saskatchewan - including the Moose Jaw and Swift Current areas. 

The RCMP's Crime Reduction Team and Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team believe this new strain does not look different from other circulating strains but it may be resistant to naloxone, a fast-acting drug used to temporarily reverse the effects of overdoses caused by opioids. 

Saskatchewan RCMP are warning the public that a dangerous strain of fentanyl is circulating in southern Saskatchewan - including the Moose Jaw and Swift Current areas. 

The RCMP's Crime Reduction Team and Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team believe this new strain does not look different from other circulating strains but it may be resistant to naloxone, a fast-acting drug used to temporarily reverse the effects of overdoses caused by opioids. 

Recently, several RCMP Crime Watch Advisories have been issued as conservation officers are looking for information about hunted animals that have been left to waste. 

Hunters are being reminded that in Saskatchewan it is illegal to waste, destroy, allow to spoil or abandon the edible meat from game birds or big game animals, except black bears and wolves, unless authorized. 

A new 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is getting praise after it was launched Canada-wide last week. 

The service helps those who are thinking about suicide or are worried about someone they know. By calling or texting 9-8-8, they will be directed to a mental health crisis or suicide prevention service free of charge. 

It was a packed house at the Moose Jaw Events Centre on Saturday as the Saskatchewan Rush hosted the Calgary Roughnecks in a pre-season game in the first National Lacrosse League game to be held in Saskatchewan outside of Saskatoon.

Despite it being a pre-season matchup, the game had a regular season feel as it was standing room only in the arena.

Snowplows will soon be out on the highways making sure they are clear of ice and snow so that they are safe to travel on. 

However, motorists are being reminded not to get lost “in the snow cloud” and to use caution around plows. 

“As you can see, our trucks are very large units, and you want to give us as much space and room as possible. As the saying goes, stay back and stay safe,” said snowplow operator Bryan Sherman.