Local News

Four people are dead and a young pilot is in hospital after a plane crash in northern Manitoba.

Island Lake RCMP say they received a report of the crash around 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 13. The aircraft went down about 40 kilometres south of St. Theresa Point First Nation, near Makepeace Lake.

Police said the flight had departed from St. Theresa Point and was headed for Makepeace Lake.

Cochrane-area residents once again showed their commitment to Terry Fox’s enduring legacy, coming together on Sept. 14 for the 45th annual Terry Fox Run/Walk.

For many, it was more than a fundraiser — it was a chance to honour the young man who gave Canadians a message of courage and hope that still resonates around the globe decades after his death.

STARS, the non-profit air ambulance organization, and Bunge, a leading global agribusiness company, unveiled the 2026 STARS calendar, marking more than three decades of partnership and commitment to providing critical care across rural and remote communities. 

The Estevan Art Gallery and Museum has had a busy and inspiring summer, offering a mix of community programming and engaging exhibitions. Curator and director Tye Dandridge-Evancio shared that the gallery’s summer kids’ camp was fully booked and well-received, giving local youth a hands-on introduction to art.

From major provincial updates to local courtroom news, readers flocked to a wide range of stories this week on West Central Online. Here are the top five most-read articles, from construction progress in Saskatoon to the long-awaited resolution of tensions in Richmound, and more.

The flea beetle is a common pest for farmers and gardeners alike in this corner of the province. However, there is more to the species than meets the eye. Provincial Insect and Vertebrate Pest Management Specialist for the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. James Tansey, says that the term “flea beetle” covers approximately 5,000 species worldwide, in a subfamily called the Alticinae.  

As summer in the southwest speeds towards autumn, residents and visitors alike can continue enjoying and exploring nature at Saskatchewan Parks.

Saskatchewan's numerous provincial parks, including Cypress Hills, the Saskatchewan Landing, and Buffalo Pound, are still offering a plethora of outdoor and family-friendly adventures. 

Royce Pettyjohn, parks manager for Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, shared that Meadows, Deer Hollow, and Rainbow are the three campgrounds currently open in Cypress Hills.

The first group of students of BHP Potash Academy at Carlton Trail College have completed their training and studies.  

On Friday, the graduates were honoured with an event held at BHP’s Discovery Lodge located at the Jansen Potash Mine.  

The University of Saskatchewan piggybacked off a government release earlier this week with their own statement on the new training program aimed at expanding the uptake of students in the physcian assistant profession.

The Land and Property Rights Tribunal has upheld Rocky View County’s approval of a cannabis cultivation facility east of Calgary, rejecting a neighbour’s appeal that raised fire, safety and compliance concerns.

In a written decision dated Aug. 26, the panel said the rural site was “appropriate for the use” and that the development “will not materially interfere with or affect the use, enjoyment or value of the neighbouring residential unit despite the relaxed distance from the Facility – nor will it unduly interfere with the amenities of the neighbourhood.”