Local News

In the first Swift Current city council meeting of the year, the Swift Current SPCA had some great news delivered. 

City council gave notice of motion to the public if it intends to consider a change to the existing discretionary use at 2101 Knight Crescent, due to the proposed new humane animal facility. 

The Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division (SECPSD) held a regular meeting of the Board of Education on November 20th. Chief Financial Officer Shelly Toth says the division ended the fiscal year with a $1.1 million deficit, just slightly below the budgeted deficit of $1.2 million.  

The division saw $3.5 million in unrestricted surplus, which Toth explains has decreased by $26 000 in the last year. She says they are fortunate to have surplus from prior years to draw from when there are deficits. 

The Estevan Community Hamper and Angel Tree programs are preparing to bring holiday joy to families in need, with a crucial deadline of December 1 for applications.

Jolie Bayda, a representative for the programs, said the initiatives aim to ensure no child or family is left behind during the festive season, providing toys, gifts, and meals to those who need them most.

“Every year, we try and collect brand-new presents for all the kids in town whose families might not be able to afford them or are having a tough month,” Bayda said.

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) has expressed optimism following key announcements in the provincial Throne Speech on Monday. The speech outlined commitments to municipal revenue sharing, healthcare improvements, and enhanced funding for community rinks, addressing several long-standing concerns for Saskatchewan’s urban municipalities.

The start of a two-week session of the Saskatchewan legislature began yesterday with a Throne Speech focused on affordability, healthcare and education. 

Megan Patterson, Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA is excited for what this new session will bring to the residents of Moose Jaw. 

In a unanimous vote earlier this month, the Rocky View County (RVC) council approved a joint application with the Town of Crossfield that will result in the creation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Master Plan.

The plan's goal is to support, monitor, and analyze the County's water and wastewater system equipment and procedures.

Desiree Vetter, the acting manager of utility services at Rocky View County explained where the idea for the plan came about.

The snow cleaning is moving along in Swift Current, with the City of Swift Current working to keep ahead of any additional snow.

Currently, Swift Current has two shifts of crews operating both night and day. The split of personnel means that they are much less visible during the day, as more members are working at night. 

Greg Parsons, general manager of infrastructure and operations for the City of Swift Current, is happy with the progress they have made on the priority maps. 

A Freedom of Information request to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health has revealed that 385 patients died while waiting for surgery during the 2023-24 period.

This figure represents a slight decrease of 17 deaths compared to the previous year, but SecondStreet.org’s communication director, Dom Lucyk, says it underscores deeper issues within the healthcare system that need urgent attention.

Three Foothills-area senior lodges recently launched a fundraising campaign.

Sandstone Lodge in Okotoks, Medicine Tree Manor in High River, and High Country Lodge in Diamond Valley have released a 2025 "Seniors Just Wanna Have Fun" calendar as part of the fundraising efforts for a new bus.

RedFern Farm Services is partnering with the Westman Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Association to help bring counselling support to the Westman Region, this after winning a total of $30,000 through the Raise the Barn contest.

The annual ag retailer contest is hosted by WinField United, where farm service providers have a chance to win $10,000 for their provincial region and then they have an additional chance at the national prize of $20,000.