Local News

June is usually the wettest month of the year, giving the prairies a good dose of rain as the summer stretches on, but this month was a bit drier. Environment and Climate Change Canada took a look at their data, gathering up the rainfall totals from a number of systems that passed through Estevan.

The total is a lot lower than what we usually get, says Meteorologist Crawford Luke.

A growing number of rural municipalities in southwest Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency as relentless drought conditions continue to strain farms, ranches, and rural communities.

The RMs of Maple Creek, Fox Valley, and Enterprise have joined the RM of Big Stick in officially declaring emergencies due to extreme dryness, lack of feed, and increasing fire risk.

The unfolding drought has forced livestock producers to make difficult decisions, with many reducing herd sizes and stretching already tight resources. 

The City of Grande Prairie has advanced its 2025 capital construction season with road rehabilitation work beginning today (Wednesday, July 2) on Crystal Lake Drive between 124 Avenue and Lakeland Drive, helping extend the life of the roadway and improve driving comfort. This work includes asphalt overlay paving in areas requiring surface improvements but not full reconstruction.

Additional work in Crystal Ridge is scheduled to begin around July 7 at the following locations:

·123 Avenue between Crystal Ridge Road and 97B Street.

The Alberta RCMP Serious Crime Branch advise that an arrest has been made in connection with a June 22, 2025, homicide on Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. On June 29, 2025, Branden Munro (35) was arrested in British Columbia and charged with the second-degree-murder of 28-year-old Isiah Cordell Cardinal.

Munroe has been remanded into custody and will be transported back to Alberta where an additional hearing will take place to determine his next court appearance.

Despite this arrest, the Alberta RCMP Major Crime Unit continues with the investigation.

Drivers in Lacombe should expect delays and detours near the city’s well-known 5-way intersection as construction continues on 53 Street.

The south portion of 53 Street to 52 Avenue is currently closed for a water valve replacement and is expected to remain closed until the end of the day Thursday.

In addition, the north portion of 53 Street, just beyond the 5-way intersection, will remain closed throughout the summer for sewer improvements.

A 35-year-old man is facing weapon and drug-related charges after the keen observation of a mall employee over the weekend. 

On June 30, a mall employee saw a male putting a gun into his satchel. Security were made aware and kept a safe eye until police arrived. 

Around 7:15 p.m., officers from East District responded to the report of a man seen with a firearm at a shopping centre in the 1200 block of St. Mary’s Road. No injuries were sustained and no threats were made. 

Canada turned 158 years old yesterday - and a small southeast Saskatchewan town threw a large party to celebrate. 

A Medicine Hat man has been found not guilty on a litany of charges after his trial last week in Swift Current. 

Nicolas Belanger appeared in Swift Current Provincial Court last Tuesday and Wednesday, facing criminal charges stemming from an alleged assault involving a firearm that was reported to have taken place in October 2024. 

The Find Waldo in Okotoks challenge has returned for another summer of local fun.

Launched in 2012 by Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association, Find Waldo Local invites bookstores and local businesses to hide small cutouts of the iconic children's book character for people to find.

In Okotoks, the event is organized by Yooneek Books, which first hosted the July-long scavenger hunt in 2023. It quickly became a hit and returned last year.

A heat warning has been issued for much of Southern Manitoba.

Environment Canada says with humidex values expected to reach 40 in the coming days, that could be the most humid weather so far this summer.

Environment Canada says a hot and humid air mass will move into Southern Manitoba on Thursday. Under a mainly sunny sky, Steinbach will see a high of 32 degrees. However, the humidity will make it feel more like 37 degrees. Friday is supposed to see a high of 30 degrees before a cold front tracks through the province later in the day.