Estevan

A new era is officially underway for the Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins as Drew Kocur takes over as head coach and general manager. After finishing out the 2024-25 season in an interim role, Kocur now has full control of the bench and the locker room, and he's got a clear vision for the future.

“This is a prestigious organization. I’m honoured to be the next head coach,” Kocur said. “Now it’s about putting our stamp on it. We’ve had a good spring camp, we’re looking toward fall camp, and our eyes are on building a successful team for the 2025-26 season.”

The South Semi-Finals swim meet was held in Estevan on Saturday, drawing about 250 athletes from across southern Saskatchewan, including teams from Weyburn, Swift Current, Regina, and Oxbow. The host club, the Estevan Golden Eels, had a strong showing, with several swimmers earning high-point awards and many qualifying for Provincials.

The U17 Estevan Elite girls fast-pitch team capped off a successful 2025 season with a solid showing at the Softball Saskatchewan U17B Provincial Championships this past weekend in Rosthern.

The tournament featured 21 teams from across the province, and Estevan opened pool play Friday with an impressive 14–7 victory over the Regina Saints — the top B-ranked team from the Queen City. Sadie Aspinall earned Estevan’s Player of the Game honours in the win.

Update: As of Wednesday morning, Environment and Climate Change Canada has retracted its air quality warning for the southeast area.

Local smoke is still present in the forecast for the Estevan area today, but leaves the forecast on Thursday.

The current forecast has rain coming in later today in the main seat, but the moisture's set to be replaced by some smoke that's heading towards the southeast. The hazy weather will be followed by some potential hail and strong winds tonight as cooler air settles in the southeast.

Work continues fighting forest fires up north, with crews working on those around the clock, including those from the southeast. Estevan Fire Rescue (EFR) has sent four firefighters and one fire engine to a wildfire raging up north near Patuanak, with other southeast communities also sending their members.

Company works with Farming Smarter Association as it searches for options other than the century-old Russet Burbank variety.

Russet Burbank has been the go to potato variety for Canadian farmers and consumers.

This year, McCain Foods in Chin, Alta., has entered a corporate partnership with the Farming Smarter Association to explore the viability of other varieties in its food processing plant for farmers to consider.

Farming Smarter is using one of its commercial plots to do a research trial growing four varieties using six treatments.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has written to the federal government asking for emergency use of strychnine to control gophers
 

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan wants strychnine reinstated under emergency use provisions.

The organization has asked the federal agriculture and health ministers to “urgently” consider the request.

APAS said there is a significant uncontrolled increase in the population of Richardson’s ground squirrels costing about $9 million a year.

Firm behind plan to build Saskatchewan fertilizer plant had to recently deal with former CEO’s financial problems

 It is full steam ahead at Genesis Fertilizers despite a tumultuous June, say proponents of the proposed Saskatchewan mega-project.

“It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when we get this project off the ground,” said Terry Drabiuk, vice-president of business development with Genesis.

The project is a proposed $2.89 billion, farmer-owned nitrogen fertilizer plant to be built in Belle Plaine, Sask.

Saskatchewan producers will benefit from major enhancements to the AgriStability program for the 2025 program year, aimed at strengthening support amid trade uncertainty and ongoing drought conditions.

Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers met virtually last week and agreed to increase the compensation rate from 80 per cent to 90 per cent, and doubled the maximum payment cap from $3 million to $6 million per operation.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison announced the changes yesterday on a farm at Rush Lake.

The long-simmering tensions between the village of Richmound and the followers of self-proclaimed "Queen of Canada" Romana Didulo boiled over last week, leading to the indefinite closure of the village office and a physical altercation with RCMP that resulted in one arrest.