Tara Garcia

Update written December 28 5:57

According to the Highway Hotline this morning, the following roads are closed to travel:

Highway 1 from Carmichael to Mortlach;

Highway 4 from the Saskatchewan Landing to Blumenhof;

Highway 19 from Morse to Hodgeville;

Highway 363 from Neidpath to Shamrock.

Original story written December 27 21:23

The icy conditions across southwestern Saskatchewan have forced authorities to close a few highways in the area. 

Saskatchewan residents including road travel in their holiday plans are reminded to include the Highway Hotline in their plans. 

The provincial road information system is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the maps and information are updated at least three times per day or as conditions require. 

The hotline provides information on highway conditions, road closures, construction zones, ferries, and border crossings. 

While the weather outside is frightful, many will likely be spending more time indoors during this holiday season. 

As a result, furnaces, heaters, and other fuel-burning appliances will be working overtime. 

In order to ensure everyone has a safe and happy holiday, SaskEnergy is providing customers with their top three natural gas safety tips for this time of year. 

A very special aircraft will be landing at the Swift Current airport tomorrow evening and plans are in place for its arrival. 

Todd Schultz, Airport Superintendent says with potential snow in the forecast they have had the snowplows working and have ensured all runway lights and navigation systems are functioning for the annual visit from the man in red. 

Schultz says they are ready for his furry friends as well.

Holiday ornaments hold a special place in our hearts. With our Christmas Keepsakes promotion, we asked you to submit a photo of your most treasured Christmas decoration/ornament and tell us why it's so special to you. We wanted to share some of our fantastic entries with you. 

Richard's submission

While the weather outside is frightful, many will likely be spending more time indoors during this holiday season. 

As a result, furnaces, heaters, and other fuel-burning appliances will be working overtime. 

In order to ensure everyone has a safe and happy holiday, SaskEnergy is providing customers with their top three natural gas safety tips for this time of year. 

Christmas came early for the choir at Central School as they recently found out that they have been selected to perform as part of the entertainment for Telemiracle 2023. 

Celia Hammerton, Arts Ed and Music teacher with the school provides details on what the audience can expect from the performance. 

With the big day just around the corner, CAA Saskatchewan are reminding customers to stay safe this holiday season whatever their plans may be. 

Christine Niemczyk, Director of Communications provides some useful reminders regarding household decorations. 

"If you are staying home for the holidays and you have Christmas trees, make sure that if it is an artificial tree, that you have checked to see that it is fire resistant. Live trees as they say should always be kept fresh and moist and keep all trees away from fireplaces and heaters and other heat sources as well."

It appears as though many southwest Saskatchewan residents will be ditching their winter gear for sunscreen as they head to warmer destinations. 

Travel Consultant with Marlin Travel in Swift Current, Kelly Cavanagh provides some input on the most popular destinations this year. 

"Lots of people are looking for a break from the cold that Saskatchewan is famous for. We have been booking a variety of destinations including Mexico, Hawaii, Cuba, Dominican to some further away like Vietnam and Cambodia, Ireland, Egypt, and even Italy." 

Work continues towards the building of a new inclusive playground as discussed at this week's city council meeting on Monday evening. 

Jim Jones, General Manager for Community Services with the city of Swift Current provided an update on the work already done.