Kash Knight

Influenza cases have increased across the province, with youth under 19 years of age making up 61 per cent of influenza cases in the province, a rate that's continuing to increase.

As of November 10, about 15 per cent of the Saskatchewan population have received influenza vaccinations according to the Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program (CRISP).  

A recent phone scam has the Saskatchewan Health Authority advising residents to beware of calls regarding monkeypox.

According to the SHA, callers are claiming the receiver is a close contact to someone infected with monkeypox, and asks them to press a number on their phone.  

They have advised residents to hang up immediately if targeted, and stated that there are currently no known cases of the virus in Saskatchewan.

Monkeypox is a rare viral illness and according to the province, the risk to Canadians remains low.

Saskatchewan RCMP is asking for public assistance in finding Kurt Bloomfield.

He is a 28-year-old male facing charges for a number of incidents that occurred in the Cumberland House area on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. 

Bloomfield is described by RCMP as 5-foot-eight and 150 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. He has the word “Bloomfield” tattooed across his chest. 

UPDATE: At 1:45 p.m. the suspect fled on foot in Pense and is now travelling in a freshly stolen Dodge Ram, brown in color. The last known direction was north from Pense towards Lumsden.

UPDATE: At 12:11 p.m. the vehicle was reported to be northwest of Briercrest.

A black Jeep Wrangler has been reported stolen in Moose Jaw, with license plate 909MIT.

According to a recent release from RCMP, the vehicle was last seen actively evading police southwest of Moose Jaw and there is a team of units on the lookout.

Update written August 23

The Saskatchewan RCMP has released a report that the 15-year-old boy from Rosthern, Saskatchewan has been found safe. 

Update written August 22

Police believe the boy may be attempting to travel to Medicine Hat, Alberta.  The boy was possibly seen hitchhiking on Highway #11 on August 20, but could also be following the South Saskatchewan River.

It's possible he was wearing white DC shoes and a black ball cap. 

Original story written August 20

In a recent release, Saskatchewan RCMP are alerting the public of a text message scam being reported in the province. 

The victims reported receiving a text message claiming to be from an escort company, accusing the receiver of owing money for services.  This continues with demands of payment, and threats of harm on the victim or their family if money isn't sent.

Graphic images of assaults and homicides have been sent along with the texts. 

It's no secret that purchasing a lottery ticket can lead to rewards, but this unique lottery helps fund a children's hospital and community youth foundation in Saskatchewan. 

Jon Halvorson is the marketing and fundraising associate for the Saskatchewan Roughrider’s Foundation, the charitable branch of its football club.  

Meghan Chisholm joined five other Saskatchewan women in a swim across Lake Diefenbaker to raise money for a women's and children's organization recently.

They estimated the length to be roughly 163 km and cleverly advertised the event as 1 lake, 6 ladies, and 3 days. 

The swim started at a brisk 5 a.m. at the Saskatchewan Landing, and the women swam in one hour increments, relay-style, to finish at 1 p.m. later on that Thursday at the Gardiner Dam.

A major aspect of beef production in Canada is validating responsible on-farm practices, and that’s just what the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) Program does.   

Erica Stewart is the coordinator for the VBP+ in Saskatchewan and is responsible for delivering the national program to beef producers in the province.   

It’s time to open the blinds and turn off the lights as natural gas bills are set to rise next month. 

Alana Johnson is the director of strategic communications for SaskEnergy, and said they filed a proposal with the Rate Review Panel for an increase.  

They’re looking to increase their commodity rate from $3.20 per gigajoule to $4.20 per gigajoule, as well as a three-year delivery rate increase of eight per cent in the first year, then five per cent in the second and third years.