WestCentral

A man from Tramping Lake stood trial in Kindersley provincial court this week, arguing the RCMP violated his Charter rights during his arrest.

Curtis Skinner, 43, represented himself at the Aug. 26 trial after making a plea of not guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, impaired operation, and refusal to comply with a breath demand.

The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 30, 2024, in Kerrobert.

A line of powerful storms that ripped through Alberta and Saskatchewan on Aug. 20 caused widespread wind and hail damage, including at least one confirmed tornado, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP).

Based on witness accounts, ground surveys and satellite analysis, the NTP has confirmed several distinct events as the long-lived supercell system tracked more than 400 kilometres across the Prairies.

Wilkie RCMP say a 20-year-old man from the community is facing an impaired driving charge following a recent traffic stop.

Police also reported a series of other calls, including fraud complaints, one of which remains under investigation, along with reports of property damage and theft where there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

Officers executed an outstanding warrant after locating an individual reported lying on the side of the highway, and also investigated an abandoned vehicle later determined to have been stolen in North Battleford.

Shirley ELVISS Obituary

1951 ~ 2025 (age 73)

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Shirley Elviss, 73, on Tuesday, August 27th, 2025.

Beloved wife of Lynden; mother of Samantha and Teresa; and grandmother of David.

A Graveside Service will be held for Shirley on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at Brock Cemetery,
SE 3-29-20 W3, or GPS 51.446075°N   108.729614°W, north west of the village of Brock, SK.

We put the country back in Country 104 during this week's Scoop with Coop.

As teased last week, country music superstar Luke Combs was the main topic of this week's morning show segment. 

We tried to get Combs as a guest; but had to settle for the knockoff version (aka Cooper Douglas circa Halloween 2020).

Harvest is continuing to move along at a slow pace around West Central with only six per cent of the regional crop reported out of the ground.

That number might be among the lowest in the province, and a far cry from the nearby southwest who lead the province at 23 per cent of the crops off, but it does have to do with a lack of field activity. The only regions behind are the northeast at three per cent, and the northwest at two per cent, and then going up the list the east-central region is 11 per cent done, trailing the southeast at 14 per cent done.

West Central residents should know how to keep cool by now after a week of sweltering conditions around the region.

When we spoke with Environment Canada meteorologist Crawford Luke earlier in the week, he shared a fool proof way to beat the heat.

"If you are able to go for a quick jump in a lake, or a pool, that is always a fantastic way to cool off if you have that of access," said Luke, as a backyard pool would work too for anyone who hasn't taken it down.

You're advised not to swim at Clearwater Lake.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has put up a warning at the lake that there are high levels of harmful bacteria present in the water.

It says they may pose a risk to your health.

The advisory says the water is not suitable for swimming.

The Clearwater Lake park office noted to Swift Current Online that they were told the levels were only an issue at the main beach rather than the whole lake. 

Kyle RCMP responded to a series of calls over the past week, including a mischief complaint and a report of a suspicious person.

On Aug. 25, officers received a call about an individual acting suspiciously in Kyle. Police say it was later determined the person was attempting to locate someone in order to serve legal documents.

Two days later, on Aug. 27, RCMP were called to the RM of Monet for a report of mischief. Members spoke with all of the people involved and determined no further police action was needed.

New concrete barricades installed in the Kindersley Mall parking lot are causing confusion and frustration for drivers trying to access the McDonald’s drive-thru.

The barriers, placed at both the drive-thru entrance and exit, appeared late last week. Kindersley Mall management and property owner Lavad declined to comment on the installation despite requests from West Central Online.

Reaction from residents on social media has been swift and pointed.