WestCentral

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

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.