WestCentral

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.

A new poll indicates an overwhelming majority of Canadians are in favour of regulating artificial intelligence, and almost half are worried it will contribute to cognitive decline.

The Leger poll found 85 per cent of respondents believe governments should regulate AI tools to ensure ethical and safe use. More than half, 57 per cent, said they strongly agreed with that statement.

"It's very clear Canadians want government involved," said Jennifer McLeod Macey, senior vice-president at Leger.

A new national report on how abuse and maltreatment are handled in sport says "Canadian sport has lost its way" and the federal government must act to better protect athletes across the country. 

The Future of Sport in Canada Commission released its preliminary report Thursday, saying it heard that there are "deeply ingrained" issues across the country, from a culture of silence that has led to abuse and maltreatment to underfunding and a lack of diversity. 

The Kindersley Jr. Klippers have been hard at work this week ahead of a pre-season road trip to Alberta this weekend. 

 If you’ve been eyeing the branches of your backyard elm, the wait to prune them is almost over.

The province’s annual ban on elm tree pruning, in place from April 1 to Aug. 31, lifts Sunday at midnight. The measure is designed to reduce the risk of spreading Dutch elm disease, a fatal fungus carried by elm bark beetles. Fresh pruning cuts made during the ban period can attract the insects and spread the disease to otherwise healthy trees.

Lloydminster and Maidstone RCMP are investigating a series of incidents involving counterfeit Canadian bills circulating in the area.

Since mid-August, police say they have received seven reports of counterfeit money being used at local businesses, primarily in $50 and $100 denominations.

Sgt. Christopher Byford of Lloydminster RCMP urged businesses and the public to remain vigilant. “Counterfeit money directly impacts businesses and the community as a whole,” he said. “We encourage vigilance and reporting to help us stop the circulation of these bills.”

A 45-year-old man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant has been found.

Kindersley RCMP confirmed that Curtis Mikituk, who was being sought by Correctional Service Canada for breaching his parole, has been located.

Mikituk had last been believed to be in the Kindersley area, prompting RCMP to ask the public to report any sightings.

RCMP remind the public to report any suspicious activity to your local RCMP detachment or anonymously through Crime stoppers.

Saskatchewan’s privacy commissioner says the Town of Unity improperly disclosed a landlord’s personal information to former tenants after a dispute over an unpaid utility bill.

In a report released Aug. 18, the Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner found that the town committed a privacy breach when it issued tax receipts to tenants that included the landlord’s property tax roll number and civic address.

Unity RCMP responded to a wide range of calls over the past week, including several complaints under the Mental Health Act, suspicious activity and property disputes.

Officers handled multiple mental health-related complaints, speaking with those involved on four separate occasions. Members also mediated a property dispute, looked into trespassing and vehicle damage complaints where there was not enough evidence to proceed, and investigated a report of uttering threats that remains under investigation.

Saskatchewan livestock producers who have been forced to cut herd sizes due to dry conditions will be eligible for rent relief on Crown grazing land this year.

The Ministry of Agriculture announced Tuesday it is extending the Crown Grazing Lease Rental Reduction Program for the 2025 grazing season.

Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison said the program is intended to support ranchers who continue to face limited forage after consecutive years of dry weather.