Tara Garcia

The numbers are in from Statistics Canada, and they show that the provincial unemployment rate has dropped to the second lowest in Canada. 

Job numbers for the month of November in the province set a record after adding nearly 12,000 jobs. 

Statistics Canada revealed the stats which show that provincial unemployment has dropped to the second lowest in Canada. Seasonally adjusted, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.6 percent in October to 4.2 percent in November and is down from 5.3 percent since last year. 

Three lucky southwest residents are $5000 richer thanks to a new monthly sweepstakes promotion at Standard Dodge. 

Since September Standard Dodge in Swift Current has been running the sweepstakes allowing customers who come in and test drive a vehicle to receive one entry and those that go on to make that final purchase of a new or used vehicle will receive an additional four entries. 

General Manager at Standard Dodge, Jason Dyck explains the purpose behind the new promotion. 

Some have described this upcoming winter season as a respiratory virus party. 

Dr. David Torr, Medical Health Officer for Southwest Networks 4, 5 and 6 says that the influenza virus has come up fast, furious and aggressively.

Dr. Torr describes that what was observed first and foremost was that when we were going through Summer here and the Southern Hemisphere was going through Winter, they had a pretty intense influenza season, and it is now likely that we can expect much of the same. 

Toys, toys and more toys was the theme at Canadian Tire this weekend as part of the 4th annual Toys Days program put on by Canadian Tire in Swift Current and the Salvation Army.

Bill Mailman from the Salvation Army in Swift Current reflected on the generosity shown by the local community once again this year.

Swift Current Municipal RCMP are on the lookout for a dangerous driver.

On the evening of November 29th, 2022, at approximately 5:00pm, RCMP were called to a suspicious vehicle near a residence on the 800 block of 8th Ave NE. 

Officers identified the vehicle which was a white 2017 Range Rover and identify the driver. Two patrol cars attempted to stop the vehicle and speak with the driver, however the driver proceeded to continue without stopping. 

With over 500 toys collected last year, Canadian Tire and the Salvation Army hope to surpass that number with their 4th annual Toys Days event which kicks off today. 

Throughout today and tomorrow, toys can be dropped off at Canadian Tire in Swift Current during store hours.

There are multiple ways to donate as General Manager at the Swift Current Canadian Tire, Tyler Lemieux explains.

Many motorists in the southwest may have adjusted their travel plans today due to the blast of wintery weather. 

Jennie Moen was driving into Swift Current from Stewart Valley on Highway #4 this morning and details the driving conditions. 

Swift Current was rocking around the Christmas tree last night at the annual Christmas tree lighting. 

Market Square was filled with holiday spirit as Marlene Johnson from the city explains.

"I just love this event. It brings the whole community together and there's so much to do and the kids just love it. Swift Current Broncos are here, the fire trucks are here, and Santa. It's awesome."

With concern over speeding in school zones, the school community of Gull Lake recently reached out to CAA Saskatchewan to complete a school zone safety assessment. 

The assessment took place on November 16 with the help of staff from the Town of Gull Lake, Swift Current Rural RCMP, volunteers, and the CAA Assessment App. 

Angel Blair, Senior Communications Specialist with CAA Saskatchewan provides more details on the app. 

Morse RCMP are currently on the lookout for a suspicious vehicle. 

At around 11:00am on November 21st a small white 4 door car, possibly a Nissan, possibly with Alberta plates, was in a farmyard south of Morse/Herbert. 

The two male occupants of the vehicle proceeded to go up to the house and look in the windows of the residence and were seen walking around the deck. 

Anyone seeing a vehicle that matches this description, is asked to please call the Morse RCMP at 306-629-4100.