Estevan

It was a strong night on the ice for Estevan hockey clubs, as both the SJHL’s Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins and the U18AAA Innovex Estevan Bears picked up preseason wins on Wednesday.

Saskatchewan schools and parent groups can now apply for funding to create safe, accessible playgrounds, with up to $50,000 in matching grants available per project.

The School Playground Equipment Grant Program supports school-operated properties across the province and can be used to build new playgrounds, add equipment, or replace components on existing structures. Applications opened yesterday and will remain open until Feb. 25, 2026, on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is administered in partnership with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA).

Prime Minister Mark Carney named the first five projects on the federal government's fast-track list on Thursday — part of his plan to attract outside investment and bolster the Canadian economy.

The projects include planned energy development, mining and port infrastructure projects from the West Coast to Central Canada.

The government also released an expanded list of projects not quite ready for prime time that includes additional initiatives in Eastern Canada and the North.

Estevan’s literary scene will take center stage on September 20th as 17 local authors gather for the Plains of Imagination Book Fair at the Estevan Public Library. The event highlights the growing number of writers in Southeast Saskatchewan and offers the public a chance to connect directly with authors.

Kyle Brokenshire, a member of the Estevan Writers Group, shared excitement for the event. “It’s really a great time to be doing something like this,” Brokenshire said, noting that several books have been released in the past year, with more in the pipeline.

Estevan’s United Way campaign got a boost this week as SaskPower staff and executives joined the kickoff event to show their ongoing support for local initiatives. The utility has been a major contributor to the organization, donating nearly $1.6 million since 2011.

Estevan is gearing up to host the ICED Rural Conference 2025, a national event focused on rural innovation under the theme Energy and Education. Returning for its third year, the conference will take place from September 23 to 24 at Affinity Place, bringing together 300 to 500 innovators, educators, policymakers, and Indigenous leaders from across Canada.

The Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association wrapped up its four-day fall training symposium in Estevan this week, drawing staff from municipal and regional parks across the province. Now in its third year, the event offered hands-on courses designed to improve skills in parks and recreation management.

The Estevan Public Library is keeping the community engaged with a variety of free programs for all ages, from teens and tweens to adults.

Teen Programs

The company will start commissioning the Saskatchewan canola plant in the next couple of months

Canola growers finally have some good news to celebrate.

Cargill’s brand-new Regina crush facility is coming online just as farmers are reeling from the loss of their top export market.

“At a time of uncertainty in the canola markets, to have domestic demand is a really good opportunity for farmers,” said Cargill Limited president Jeff Vassart.

The number of emergency department visits for pneumonia more than doubled last fall over the previous year, the Canadian Institute for Health Information says.    

The new data released Thursday said young people between five and 19 years old were the hardest hit. 

"This is actually the largest increase in pneumonia-related emergency department visits that we've seen post-COVID," said Tanya Khan, CIHI's manager of hospital data advancement and engagement, in an interview.