Kirsty Hanson

Families in east central Saskatchewan are encouraged to be aware of a highly contagious infection called pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

Whooping cough gets its name from the gasping sound a person with whooping cough makes after coughing, other symptoms can include nasal congestion, extreme fatigue, vomiting, and can even be fatal. 

Residents, families, and community members from the Town of Herbert will soon have access to improved emergency health services with an accessible and efficient care strategy.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced yesterday that Herbert will be implementing a virtual physician program.

Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan's Minister of Health, noted that Herbert will be the ninth community to receive the benefits of a virtual physician program.

Landowners and rural residents across the region are encouraged to be mindful of a threatened species that's young are beginning to head out and explore at this time of the year.

The ferruginous hawk is the largest hawk species in Saskatchewan, resembling an eagle with white and rust-coloured plumage, and can commonly be found in pasture land and native prairies.

Local landowners and rural residents are being asked to keep an eye out for a threatened species that calls southwest Saskatchewan home.

Sprague's pipit is an elusive at-risk species that prefers prairie grass that isn't too tall or too short, earning it the nickname the 'Goldilocks bird'.

Emily Putz, habitat stewardship coordinator for Plovers on Shore, Shrubs for Shrikes, and the Stewards of Saskatchewan banner program at Nature Saskatchewan, encourages community members to watch for these special birds.

Debut song, It's Summer, was recently released by 10-year-old Saskatchewan artist, Sienna Supreme.

The upbeat, feel-good song was released on June 11 of this year and a music video and complete choreography will be coming soon.

Eden Sienna, who goes by the stage name Sienna Supreme, enjoys singing and dancing and hopes to be a worship leader or kindergarten teacher when she grows up.

"This was my first song that I made," she said. "I started singing when I was really young actually, I started singing other people's songs and I loved it.

With school officially out for the summer, the Saskatchewan government aims to remind river and lake-goers about provincial watercraft inspection stations.

Watercraft owners are advised to thoroughly clean their crafts and all equipment and drain all water. As well as allow time to dry, ideally for five days, and remove the plug before transporting, as it's mandatory. 

This includes boats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis, paddleboards, and more, even if the subject is just passing through. 

With school officially out for the summer, the Saskatchewan government aims to remind river and lake-goers about provincial watercraft inspection stations.

Watercraft owners are advised to thoroughly clean their crafts and all equipment and drain all water. As well as allow time to dry, ideally for five days, and remove the plug before transporting, as it's mandatory. 

This includes boats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis, paddleboards, and more, even if the subject is just passing through. 

The second Native Prairie Speaker Series webinar will be taking place this afternoon in conjunction with Native Prairie Appreciation Week.

Carolyn Gaudet, manager at the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan, encourages everyone to attend the free webinar which is set to take place over noon hour.

An insect that many Saskatchewan residents regard as a bit of a nuisance is beginning to pop up again.

Tent caterpillars are known to strip the leaves from trees in their 'march' for food and are especially attracted to aspens.

Rory McIntosh, provincial forest insect and disease expert in the Forest Service Branch of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, hopes to alleviate concerns about environmental harm from tent caterpillars. 

With the school year coming to a close, many students are considering getting a summer job or are already applying.

Youth can begin working at the age of 16, or with the completion of the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course, can begin at the age of 14 or 15. 

Glen McRorie, executive director of the Employment Standards Branch with the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, notes that the course can be completed online.