Estevan

To comment on the end of Justin Trudeau's time as Prime Minister, Brad Wall had to break one of his mother's rules.

"My mom taught me, as most moms did, that we should probably not say anything if we don't have anything nice to say," the former Saskatchewan Premier said. "I know how she felt too about the Trudeau government so maybe she'd be OK with it."

Saskatchewan continued on the path to recovery as another year saw conditions remain closer to normal following the droughts earlier this decade.

The ag sector is hoping to see more progress on that with a good snowpack over winter helping to balance that moisture deficit.

Daryl Harrison, Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture, talks about the province's economic fortunes over 2024.

The Estevan Police Service (EPS) has reported mixed results in its most recent statistics for 2024. Police Chief Jamie Blunden said the numbers reflect ongoing challenges, while also showing progress in some areas, such as impaired driving.

Blunden noted a 27 per cent drop in alcohol-related impaired driving incidents in 2024. However, cases of impairment due to drugs increased by 13 per cent, a trend Blunden said highlights the need for more public education.

Liberal MPs are meeting in Ottawa today for the first time since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will step down.

The national caucus meeting, set to take place both in person and online, was originally set to last six hours to give MPs time to discuss Trudeau's previous refusal to resign.

Now, the focus will be on next steps for the party as it begins a national search for a leader who can hold their own against popular Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump has been courting controversy in Canada since his election victory, with threats to impose whopping tariffs on Canadian goods and musings about the country becoming "the 51st state."

While Trump's comments have drawn anger and fear among Canadians, reaction from Americans who live, study or work in Canada has been mixed – and largely influenced by how they voted in the presidential election. 

Jacqueline Marie (Shier) Boettcher
June 26, 1963 – January 4, 2025

Jacqueline Boettcher, late of Estevan, SK passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the age of 61 years.

In keeping with Jackie’s wishes, a formal funeral will not be held. The family will celebrate Jackie’s life privately.

In lieu of flowers or donations, Jackie requested that you take a friend out for lunch and make some memories.

The last month of the year brought some ideal conditions for Christmas with warmer and snowier weather.

Conditions did sometimes dip below the seasonal average but that was not the norm, explains Environment Canada meteorologist Danielle Desjardins.

"We've recorded temperatures that are warmer than normal, anywhere from 0.7° above normal in Regina. To 2.7° above normal in La Ronge, so it was another warm December."

The U18 South East Estevan Kinette Club Viragos will have a new coach at the helm this year as Matthew McGillivray takes on the role. While it may be the off-season, the team is preparing to get into fighting shape for the upcoming season.

Winter workouts for the Viragos begin Jan. 26, running every Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Spruce Ridge School.

The workouts are open to females who will be in Grades 8 to 12 in September 2025.

“They’ll be eligible to play for us in the 2025 fall season, which is our main season,” McGillivray said.

The Estevan Police Service responded to various incidents from January 3 to January 6, including cases of animal cruelty, criminal harassment, fraud, and traffic violations, with several matters still under investigation.

On January 3, police received a report from a local business, obtaining a statement and surveillance footage to assist in the ongoing investigation. Officers also responded to the north side of the city after receiving a report of an injured animal. A man was charged with injuring or endangering the animal and was released with a court date set for February.