WestCentral

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

Eaton School has spent a very long time on a project allowing students to experience gardening and agriculture in their outdoor classroom. Unfortunately, last August, the teepee, water fountain, watering system, and all the plants the students had grown were vandalized and destroyed. This year, Nichole Bredy and her class are working hard to restore the classroom to what it was prior to the vandalism.  

When word got out that Prairie Cresting Company was closing its doors earlier this year, it sparked concern throughout the Kindersley community.

“We didn’t want to lose this service,” recalls Carissa Graham. “We didn’t want to have to go to the city for things. We wanted to keep it local.”

Most areas of the prairies received some rainfall over the weekend. 

Environment Canada issued a number of special weather statements warning about significant rainfall and the potential for flooding in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Many areas saw torrential rain and even tornadoes that caused significant damage, along with cooler temperatures and a risk of frost in some areas in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

A tip from the public helped RCMP locate and arrest a suspect in connection with a stolen vehicle and a string of property crimes in east-central Alberta.

Coronation RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at the Castor Fish Pond on June 16. Officers located the vehicle and identified the driver, who fled the area by driving through private properties, causing damage to the Town of Castor’s water treatment plant.

Saturday's storm system brought steady rain to the region through the day, but a sudden downpour Saturday evening triggered flash flooding at Eston Riverside Park, leaving a trail of damage through roads, trails and the adjacent golf course.

Faced with growing pressure to build faster and more efficiently, Canadian construction leaders are embracing digital tools to boost productivity, according to a new report from KPMG in Canada.

The biennial survey found that nine in 10 industry leaders agree advanced technology is key to addressing challenges in the sector, including labour shortages and sluggish productivity. Roughly 81 per cent of construction firms say recent investments in technology are already improving efficiency on job sites.

West Central's news cycle this week was marked by major economic milestones, severe weather events, and community concerns. The province led Canada with the largest surge in building permits, signaling strong growth despite stormy skies that brought hail, fire, and tornado warnings to West Central Saskatchewan. Meanwhile, police investigations continue into a $3,500 fraud case in Lloydminster, shareholders demand transparency after Northwest Terminal’s secretive AGM, and early tornado activity keeps storm watchers vigilant across the region.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling for de-escalation after the United States carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday.

Carney issued a social media post saying the U.S. military action was "designed to alleviate" threats posed by Iran, but the situation in the Middle East remains "highly volatile."

He says stability in the region is a priority and is calling on parties to get back to the negotiating table to find a diplomatic solution.

The federal government is increasing the maximum compensation amounts for cattle destroyed due to reportable disease outbreaks, aligning with current market prices to better support Canadian producers.