WestCentral

Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch for portions of west-central Saskatchewan, warning that conditions are ripe for the development of funnel clouds and possibly brief, weak tornadoes.

The advisory, issued at 1:26 p.m. CST on Monday, covers a wide swath of the province, stretching from the Alberta border to Rosetown, and extending south to the South Saskatchewan River and north toward Lloydminster.

Canada's supply managed sector is breathing a sigh of relief with the passage of Bill C-202 which protects it from any further concessions in future trade talks.

An identical bill died on the order paper in the last session but this time moved quickly through Parliament and the Senate, before receiving Royal Assent last week.

The Dairy Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Egg Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada, and the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers issued a joint statement supporting the legislation. 

Another week of court proceedings started Monday morning in Rosetown, pertaining to the high-profile human trafficking trial taking place out of the West Central community.

Before court last broke on June 6, a brand-new set of disturbing allegations charted the course for another interesting week at Rosetown Provincial Court as the trial continues. New claims from the victim, whose name is unavailable under a publication ban, attempted to substantiate attempts at manipulation, coercion, and blackmail over a span of months at the hands of the accused Mohammed Masum.

Funnel cloud advisory issued for parts of West Central Saskatchewan
Kindersley, Sask. – June 23, 2025 (CP)

Residents across West Central Saskatchewan are being advised to remain weather-aware Monday, as Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather statement warning of conditions favourable for the development of funnel clouds.

A Regina man who led police on a cross-border pursuit from Saskatchewan into Alberta has been sentenced to 180 days in jail.

Jeffrey Thomas McLean, 41, was sentenced June 13 in Drumheller Court of Justice after being convicted of flight from police, driving while prohibited, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. With credit for time already served, McLean has 98 days remaining in custody.

Two people are facing a lengthy list of charges after Battlefords RCMP seized a loaded semi-automatic firearm, drugs and other prohibited items during a traffic stop last week.

On June 17 around 11:30 a.m., officers were patrolling the area of 100 Street and 15th Avenue when they spotted a vehicle with a licence plate that didn’t match its make or model. Police pulled the vehicle over and arrested the driver, who did not have a valid licence.

Short Line Railways have received a significant increase in funding for rail maintenance on the 2,123 kilometres of track they operate in Saskatchewan.

Highways Minister David Marit says up to $1 million dollars is available from the Province for the 13 short lines through the 50-50 cost shared Short Line Rail Improvement Program (SRIP), which brings the total rail infrastructure investment up to $2 million for this year.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have completed an eastern sweep to start the 2025 CFL campaign.

Two people are dead following a small plane crash near Vermilion, Alta., Saturday afternoon.

Vermilion RCMP say they were dispatched around 12:24 p.m. to a reported aircraft crash approximately 1.2 kilometres short of the local airport runway, north of the town.

Emergency crews located the wreckage and confirmed that both occupants of the aircraft were deceased at the scene.

RCMP identified the victims as a 46-year-old woman from Slave Lake, Alta., who was piloting the plane, and a 76-year-old man from Mannville, Alta., who was onboard as a passenger.

A potent storm system soaked communities across West Central Saskatchewan Saturday, bringing heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and a brief tornado touchdown near Cabri.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued multiple warnings as the low-pressure system pushed through the region on June 21, dumping upwards of four inches of rain in some areas and triggering localized flooding.

The highest rainfall total was recorded in Coleville, where 127 millimetres (5 inches) fell. Other notable totals included:

• 4 inches on in Unity