Estevan

The final week of the summer has come and gone, with Estevan Fire Rescue working through a busy week with plenty of calls to respond to.

On August 25, the week started with crews dispatched to a two-vehicle motor collision in the Southeast area of the city just before 8:00 a.m. Crews assisted along with EPS and EMS, with one vehicle suffering enough damage that it needed to be towed. No injuries were reported from the incident.

The Estevan Police Service responded to 81 calls for service over the Labour Day long weekend, including drug and weapons charges against an Alberta man, several wellbeing checks, and multiple fraud and theft investigations.

On Aug. 29, officers checked on a woman believed to be using drugs and struggling with mental health issues. She was found to be healthy and well.

A theft at a downtown business remains under investigation. A separate cellphone theft at the Estevan Public Youth Centre was quickly resolved when the phone was recovered before officers arrived.

As harvest operations begin across the prairies, CN Rail is monitoring the impact of weather on the harvest and working with customers as it prepares to ramp up grain movement. 

David Przednowek,Vice President of Grain for CN Rail says with the seasonal decline that they usually see in shipping, they move some of the hopper car fleet into long-term storage, and it's time to bring them back out and get them ready to roll.

Fall is officially in swing in the southeast, and the first week may bring about a bit of frost onto Saskatchewan's grass and fields. The forecast is showing a drastic drop in temperatures this week, below the seasonal average and dipping very close to freezing overnight.

Scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Christy Climenhaga, says that we're seeing quite the sudden shift into a chill.

The Saskatchewan RCMP are giving drivers some basic safety reminders as the back-to-school season begins with students and teachers back in classes. That means kids walking to and from school, and an extra factor to consider for drivers and children alike.

Saskatchewan RCMP listed off the following school safety precautions as the season picks up again:

A new report released as students across the country return to school finds bullying, poverty and mental illness are on the rise among Canadian youth and urges action from policy-makers to improve the lives of children. 

The Raising Canada report says more than 70 per cent of Canadian youth between the ages of 12 and 17 experienced bullying in the last year, and more than 13 per cent of children were living in poverty by the end of 2024.

The Estevan Public Youth Centre (EPYC) wrapped up its summer fundraising season with a sold-out event at Eddie Webster’s Lounge, drawing strong community support.

The evening featured live performances by local musician Connor Piche, who donated his time and talent to the cause. He performed two sets — one before and another after a lively trivia contest — which co-executive director Bonnie Chepil-Kvamme called an act of overwhelming generosity.

The Estevan Mermaids Artistic Swimming Club is diving into a new season, with registration well underway and an open invitation for families to get involved.

Club representative Kelsey Potoma said the youngest group, the Mini Mermaids, is already full, but there’s still room in both the recreation and competitive programs. “Our Mini Mermaids have already been filled up so we're really looking to fill our recreation limited and have some more people join us in our competitive program,” she explained.

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.

The Estevan Sharks Water Polo Club is welcoming new players of all ages as the team gears up for another exciting season. Tracey Ward, representing the Sharks, highlighted the benefits of the sport for kids.

"It's a good way for kids to learn to swim, become strong swimmers while playing a fun team sport," Ward said.