Local News

Early Tuesday morning, July 1 at 2:10am Lacombe Police interrupted a Break and Enter in progress at the Lacombe Best Buy.

Two male suspects were in the store and upon seeing police, dropped the items they were holding and fled the store through the rear emergency exit.

An extensive search was conducted that also involved the services of the RCMP Canine Unit. A vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects was located and seized by Lacombe Police for forensic examination, however, the two male suspects remain at large.

The emergency room at Watrous Hospital closed Tuesday morning for a two-day period, marking what may be the longest service disruption at the facility so far this year. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has not issued a formal public explanation for the closure, prompting concerns from local leaders and provincial opposition members. 

The City of Red Deer reminds residents of fireworks safety rules for Canada Day.

This Canada Days celebrations usually involve fireworks, and you can't just go lighting them off in your own backyard.

The City of Red Deer is reminding residents to follow local fireworks bylaws to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday.

The Fireworks Bylaw regulates the sale, possession and use of all fireworks, including consumer, display and pyrotechnic, within city limits.

 Alberta Health Services has announced the addition of a locum nurse practitioner (NP) to the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre. The NP will be providing overnight coverage in the ED from 6 p.m. July 2 to 7 a.m. July 3, allowing the Emergency Department to remain open during a gap in physician availability.

During this time, some patients may be diverted to other facilities for higher level emergency care. As always, patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS will be available to transport patients if required. 

As escalating gopher populations are causing increasing concern for Saskatchewan landowners, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is teaming up with the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) to offer practical assistance.

Darrell Crabbe, SWF's executive director, says the partnership was born from landowners needing help with the pests.

A federal by-election is now officially underway in the Alberta riding of Battle River–Crowfoot, with voters heading to the polls on August 18 to fill a vacancy in the House of Commons.

Elections Canada confirmed Monday that its office in the riding is now open and preparations are underway for electors to cast their ballots. The vacancy comes as Conservative MP Damien Kurek steps aside, paving the way for Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre to seek re-entry into Parliament following his defeat in the last federal election.

Estevan Fire Rescue detailed some of the fire calls they went out to over the final week of June.

On June 25, at around 10:06 a.m., crews were dispatched to a commercial fire alarm in the Northeast area of the city. After responding, they found that no emergency was occurring, with the alarm attributed to ongoing cleaning.

West-central Saskatchewan is set to ring in Canada Day under a blazing sun, as Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts a string of hot and dry days to kick off July.

Temperatures are expected to surpass 30 C across much of the region starting Tuesday, with daytime highs reaching 35 C or higher by Wednesday in communities including Kindersley, Rosetown and Leader. Forecasters say a ridge of high pressure settling over the Prairies will deliver several days of intense heat before slightly cooler air arrives later in the week.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) has concluded its 2025 June Division Meetings after covering more than 2,200 kilometres and visiting all six divisions across the province.

From June 16 to 19, SARM leadership and staff met with municipal representatives in North Battleford, Langham, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Kipling and Kelvington. The annual tour gave rural leaders a chance to raise concerns, share solutions and hear updates directly from SARM.

This weekend, the village of Torquay, Saskatchewan, will mark a remarkable milestone: 100 years of resilience, progress, and neighbourly spirit. From its modest beginnings as a farming settlement, Torquay has grown into a vital hub for agriculture and oil, shaped by generations of hard work and shared vision.