Vanese M. Ferguson, Saskatoon Media Group

The Saskatchewan RCMP says they have seen an 81 per cent increase in fraud reports in the last decade.

In a news release the RCMP say their crime analysts compiled the statistics which point to a 200 per cent increase in fraud greater than $5,000 and a 335 per cent increase in fraud related to theft, forgery and misuse of credit card, all between 2014 to 2024.

Sergeant Lorna Dornstauder with the Saskatoon Provincial General Investigation Section says, “The internet gives everyone instant access to information – including fraudsters who use it for financial gain.”

Candle Lake Emergency Services is increasing wildfire preparedness. There is a news conference this morning after the SPSA moved their Incident Command Centre previously located at Lower Fishing Lake, to the Resort Village community grounds. This took place between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. this morning.

The Fire Chief Jim Arnold, in the Resort Village of Candle Lake, says that the Camp and Shoe fires escalated and forced the move of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency personnel.  Over 125 people are working in the SPSA Incident Command Centre.

Hospital Home Lottery has announced this spring’s top prize winners. Leah Joelson from Neuanlage is the winner of the $2.2 million grand prize showhome in Ravenswood Estates plus $50,000 cash.

The 50/50 add-on cash prize goes to Ronalyn Bradshaw from Saskatoon. Her half of the pot equals $629, 975.

Karla Markevich of Waseca goes home with the Early Bird Prize which was a Porsche and Paradise or $125,000 cash.

And the Membership Incentive of $25,000 cash has been awarded to Cora Matugas from La Ronge.

Even though you may have signed your organ donation card and have the sticker on your health care card, your family has to be on board.

Dr. Mike Moser is a kidney transplant surgeon who practices in Saskatoon, and he says if the family doesn’t agree, the organ donation cannot move forward. He says it happens a few times a year.

Lloydminster RCMP say four people have been arrested in connection to a traffic stop back on February 26th.

Chief Bobby Cameron with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says if an over-abundance of elk was a problem, the landowners could have contacted nearby First Nations during the fall hunting season.  The FSIN is calling on the government to stop a March hunt of elk.

He notes that First Nations hunters, with inherent treaty rights, don’t have to buy tags and some kind of communication could have prevented an extended antlerless elk hunting season which Chief Cameron calls ecologically irresponsible and culturally insensitive.

Saskatchewan has made the top five in a list released Thursday of the 10 worst health care stories in Canada in 2024.

Think tank SecondStreet.org released the list after combing through news stories throughout the year, filing information requests with governments and talking with patients. The Saskatchewan story, in fifth place, features Cherise Trott of Yorkton who, since having an operation for a hiatal hernia and her gallbladder removed, has continued to suffer pain and inability to eat but was told it could be up to a year to see a gastroenterologist.

Saskatchewan has made the top five in a list released Thursday of the 10 worst health care stories in Canada in 2024.

Think tank SecondStreet.org released the list after combing through news stories throughout the year, filing information requests with governments and talking with patients. The Saskatchewan story, in fifth place, features Cherise Trott of Yorkton who, since having an operation for a hiatal hernia and her gallbladder removed, has continued to suffer pain and inability to eat but was told it could be up to a year to see a gastroenterologist.

Saskatchewan has made the top five in a list released Thursday of the 10 worst health care stories in Canada in 2024.

Think tank SecondStreet.org released the list after combing through news stories throughout the year, filing information requests with governments and talking with patients. The Saskatchewan story, in fifth place, features Cherise Trott of Yorkton who, since having an operation for a hiatal hernia and her gallbladder removed, has continued to suffer pain and inability to eat but was told it could be up to a year to see a gastroenterologist.

If you receive a cheque from the Ministry of Social Services, you need to pick it up in person.

The Ministry issued a statement indicating that although Canada Post has resumed service, due to the backlog of mail, the government has made the decision to continue with in-person pick-up of benefit cheques at local service centres across the province. They say this is to ensure there is no delay for ministry clients.