Local News

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is encouraging Airdronians to take precautions this summer when coming across wildlife and insects to prevent bites and infections.

"Insects can carry viruses and diseases in Alberta. West Nile virus is an infection spread by mosquitoes that can affect your brain and give you flu-like symptoms," explained AHS.

AHS also shared that ticks can carry Lyme disease, an infection that can cause problems with your skin, joints, nervous system and heart.

Here are some ways to prevent mosquito and tick bites according to AHS:

A substantial number of southwest residents can expect to experience a planned power outage on Wednesday morning 

The outage is scheduled to take place south, southwest, and southeast of the Town of Shaunavon from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Joel Cherry, spokesperson for SaskPower, shared that 180 customers will be affected.

"That work is necessary to cut over a new line," he said.

For both planned and unplanned outage updates, visit the outage map on SaskPower's website.

A hands-on Field Day hosted by the Saskatchewan Soil Association is set to take place this Friday near St. Victor, Saskatchewan, offering a unique opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural enthusiasts to witness the power of regenerative farming in action.

"The event is for anybody who has an interest in rejuvenating their soils or looking for soil health practices that will improve the health of their soil," said Tanya Craddock, an executive producer for Sask Soil. 

After a successful debut in 2024, Cochrane’s Community Tree Fruit Round-Up is back—and organizers hope it will yield even more fresh fruit for food banks and wildlife rehabilitation, while reducing the potential for unwanted wildlife encounters in local neighbourhoods.

Final preparations are underway for the Midwest Shrine Association Summer Conference, which will bring more than 500 Shriners and their families to Moose Jaw from August 20 to 23.

It’s the first time the summer conference has ever been hosted in a city this size — and local organizer Aaron Ruston says it’s an opportunity to show off what makes Moose Jaw special.

Residents of two communities were preparing to head home Tuesday, while another community was being evacuated, as crews continued to battle wildfires across a large swath of the Prairies.

Some of the 2,400 residents of Tataskweyak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba started making their way back, two months after they were forced to leave by encroaching fire.

"It's very good news this week," Chief Doreen Spence said in a video posted to Facebook on Monday night.

Every summer, cyclists can be seen braving the long stretches of prairie roads—some riding purely for the joy of it, while others are driven by a mission.

Among them is Glenboro resident and Canadian Forces member, Major Steve Sloat, who has teamed up with retired Lieutenant Colonel Robert Poirier to raise funds for the Gunner Peer Support Network, a charity affiliated with the Royal Canadian Artillery.

Our communities continue to step up and do what they can to support Northern Manitoba wildfire relief efforts.

This summer, members of several of our local fire departments took to the streets during the many community festivals that took place - using the regular boot drive to raise funds for the Canadian Red Cross. 

Among them, the St. Jean Fire Department which partnered with two other services to help bring in about $4,000. 

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) brought its touring debt clock around the province, aiming to raise awareness about Manitoba’s growing provincial debt.

According to the CTF, the province’s debt has surpassed $35 billion and continues to increase.

"It's going up about $4,000 a minute, or $5.5 million a day," says Gage Haubrich, prairie director for the federation.

Development is on the rise in the RPGA Planning District.

In the first six months of the year, the organization issued 95 new building permits - that's an increase from 74 during the same period last year. 

"That's a fairly big jump and it's keeping me very busy," noted Lucie Maynard, General Manager. 

"Lumber prices have come down, and so have interest rates, so it's kind of driven the demand," she added.