Conserved land expands nearly tenfold near Consul

A chunk of southwest conservation land has recently expanded by more than 1,000 hectares.

Nestled deep into the southwest corner of the province, Zen-Ridge was initially 195 hectares of grasslands, rolling hills, seasonal creeks and streams, and home to several at-risk species. 

The Nature Conservancy of Canada's program director for the southwest, Michael Burak, is thrilled with their recent purchase which now totals 1,235 hectares of protected flora and fauna near Consul.

Stop and smell (and photograph) the roses

This August long weekend the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has an opportunity for southwest residents to slow down and connect with nature, even if it's just in their backyards. 

It's easy, free fun for the whole family to take part in the fourth annual Big Backyard BioBlitz, and the data that biologists collect from the event helps conservation organizations across the country.

Kayla Burak, engagement manager for the NCC, explained that all people have to do is take a picture with their phone and upload it to the app iNaturalist. 

Surgery information now available through MySaskHealthRecord

The province recently spent a little over one million dollars to enhance a feature on the MySaskHealthRecord app.

With the new Surgical Procedures addition, patients can see information such as a scheduled procedure date, the specialist/surgeon's name, the location and facility, and the status. 

Accounts will also contain information about surgical procedures performed from 2018 onwards.

Minister of mental health and addictions, seniors, and rural and remote health, Tim McLeod, announced the new feature on Tuesday. 

CRA warns of scammers possessing targets’ SIN

Tax season is in full swing, and fraudsters are taking full advantage. 

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) are warning the public nationwide of a recent scheme hitting the digital world.  

CRA spokesperson David Nunes, said in this recent case, the scammer has possession of their target’s Social Insurance Number (SIN) and uses that to pose as an employee of the CRA.  

Measles case in Sask. has healthcare professionals on alert

The measles has made its way into Canada already this year, with seven cases currently active including one in Saskatchewan. 

While concern isn't very high at the moment due to strong vaccination rates against the virus nationwide, it is extremely contagious; more than 90 per cent of people who aren't immune to measles and who come into contact with the virus will be infected.

FOUND: Assiniboia woman still missing

 

UPDATE: RCMP provided a press release on March 1 that said Jayleen McNab has been found.

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Original Story

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Since first issuing a Missing Person Advisory on Saturday, the Saskatchewan RCMP have shared more information on a woman they're trying to find. 

Jayleen McNab is 24 years old with brown eyes and long black hair. She was reported missing on Friday evening. 

The last time her loved ones saw her was two weeks ago in Regina.

Multi-semi collision closes lane of Highway 1 for hours

A collision had traffic backed up eastbound of Swift Current on the #1 Highway for hours this morning.

According to an RCMP Media spokesperson, a semi-truck jackknifed around 5:30 a.m. near Rush Lake, and a second semi collided with it shortly after.

Multiple first responder crews were on the scene, including the Swift Current Fire Department. Firefighters had to extricate one driver from his vehicle, and RCMP reported that one person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.