Humboldt

Advance polls in a historic federal byelection for Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot open today.

For the first time ever, Elections Canada says voters must fill out a blank ballot.

The agency lists a record 214 candidates running in the rural riding, with voting day on Aug. 18.

The majority are part of the Longest Ballot Committee, a protest group calling for various changes to Canada's electoral system.

Winter is coming and one of the surest signs of its upcoming arrival is the installation of the ice surface inside of the Elgar Petersen Arena.  

Director of Community and Leisure Services Mike Ulriksen explains that the process, which takes approximately two weeks, began last week with the ice plant being turned on.  

Over the August long weekend, workers began putting water down on the surface.  

Facing elimination after dropping Game 1 on Wednesday night, the Saskatoon Berries turned to Merek Yeager for a crucial start on the mound for Game 2.  

The Muenster product delivered with a quality start as the Saskatoon Berries hammered the Moose Jaw Miller Express 15-6.  

With the win on Thursday night, the Berries evened the best of three series 1-1.  

Humboldt RCMP are reminding residents to protect themselves from individuals fraudulently offering services – including those who offer asphalt and paving services.

They said to remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Be wary of unsolicited offers of discounted or cheap paving or deals on asphalt “leftover” from another project.

RCMP cautions to be wary of any individual who is forcing you to make a quick decision or is putting unreasonable pressure on you.

Just as the price of food started to cool in Canada, grocery stores may have to hike their prices to offset lost revenues from the United States. 

Food Professor at Dalhousie University Sylvain Charlebois says currently, produce prices are stable, with veggie prices down from last year and fruit prices only slightly up. He says bread and dairy are also stable, with only the cost of meat on the rise.  

In Thursday’s wildfire update, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) says there are 13 communities currently under an evacuation order, affecting approximately 3,200 people being forced from their homes.

The SPSA adds that the number of values impacted by wildfires this year currently stands at 2,160 with two additional values in the last two weeks.

The majority of the losses are from the Denare Beach and East Trout Lake areas.

Bolt Brain Buster:

Which herb is the main flavour in pesto sauce?

Text your answers to the Humboldt Sobeys Talk and Text line 306-682-0107

Tune in to the morning show or check back tomorrow for the answer!

Answer: basil

Métis leaders left a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday saying they're confident they will be included in talks about major projects Ottawa hopes to use to bolster the economy in the face of a trade war with the United States.

"When things really matter, Métis governments come together and we get the work done," said Métis Nation of Ontario president Margaret Froh.

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs says it's time for Ottawa to stop studying the idea of a national forest fire co-ordination agency and take action.

The organization's president wants the federal government to take inspiration from the U.S. Fire Administration to establish a similar office in Canada.

The U.S. office is part of Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, but Ken McMullen says a Canadian version could be simpler and less costly.

Saskatchewan Open Farm Days runs August 9th and 10th and is organized by Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan.

Event Coordinator Ashley Stone says agriculture is one of the biggest industries in the province, and the overall goal is to bring people together to get a better idea about life on the farm and where our food comes from. 

She notes this year they have 34 hosts participating from across the province.