Tara Garcia

The halls of the Stockade were decked out this past Saturday as the 12th annual Christmas Spirit Tradeshow took place. 

Jennifer Collinson one of the Co-Organizers said they were happy with the turnout this year. 

"It was a really good day. We had over 100 vendors. Every booth was full. We had lots of traffic coming through the door and we had great weather. It was really a good day."

According to Collinson, the show continues to improve each year.

Motorists were surprised this afternoon to see a car on fire under the Trans-Canada Highway overpass. 

Swift Current RCMP and the Swift Current Fire Department were on the scene and the blaze has now been extinguished. 

Swift Current Online will provide more details if and when they become available. 

Local residents will have until Sunday to drop off any shoe boxes they have packed for children in need as part of the annual Operation Christmas Child campaign.

Frank King, News and Media Relations Manager with Samaritans Purse Canada provides details on the annual campaign.

"Generous Canadians pack shoe boxes full of toys, school supplies, and hygiene items and they drop them off at hundreds of locations across the country."

Local residents will be able to attend a one stop Christmas shop this Saturday at the 12th annual Christmas Spirit Tradeshow. 

Kirby Leisle coordinator of the show along with her sister Jennifer, provides some insight into what attendees can find this year. 

"We've got plants, bath products, make up, skin care, macrame, welded art, woodworking, photography, canvas art, jewelry, candles, pottery, vacation planning, wreaths, Christmas decor, books, home wear, and baby wear. Clothing for babies, kids, men, women even pets."

Lights will shine bright on the Swift Current Comprehensive High School stage next week for their upcoming production of A Wrinkle In Time. 

Based off the book of the same name, the show will be presented from November 22nd through to the 25th.

Cast member Jorja Yates, says the production tells the story of Meg Murry a 13-year-old girl whose father is missing. Along with her younger brother Charles Wallace, the two embark on a giant adventure. 

He was always a natural-born leader with a brave soul and a brave heart. This is how Luke Hildebrand will forever remember his older brother Joseph. 

Joseph recently lost his life while fighting in the war in Ukraine.  

Luke provided details on how Joseph ended up in Ukraine and how important the mission was to him. 

"He has always been a natural-born leader with a brave soul and a brave heart to him. He didn't care for the oppression that Russia was trying to put on Ukraine. He decided that was his place in life to go to the fight and help Ukraine out."

SGI is doubling its focus on impaired driving this month with the launch of a new awareness campaign. 

Tyler Mcmurchy, Manager of Communications for SGI provides some details on these ads being distributed across social media, radio, and television. 

"What it is is an uplifting and heartwarming campaign that we hope resonates with people because it makes the point about how you can make good choices and those good choices can help you and others be safe. When it comes to impaired driving the idea is helping the loved ones that you have in your life get home safe."

A big-time voice in the province's healthcare scene weighed in last week on the current healthcare staffing situation.

Tyler Bragg, the vice-chair of the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), said the lack of healthcare workers is a nationwide crisis that Saskatchewan is feeling some effects from.

Grade 11 and 12 students will have the opportunity next week to see what their post-secondary learning life could look like. 

Great Plains College will be holding their "Spend-A-Day" event on November 17th as Recruiting and Events Coordinator for Great Plains, Keely Chalk explains. 

"It's an opportunity for students to come and get a real good idea of what post-secondary could look like and feel like and then ultimately make an educated decision on the path that's best for them from there."

In addition, Chalk says they offer a wide variety of programs of study. 

Despite the wintery weather, Rider fans flocked to Abbey on Saturday night to attend a special evening with former Saskatchewan Roughrider Chris Getzlaf

Jonathan Coburn, Chair of the Board for the Sportsmans Banquet provides some details on the event. 

"It's an annual banquet we've been having for about 24 years now. It's a fundraiser for our arena in town."

Coburn adds that the money raised covers the annual operating costs and the cost of any maintenance issues that may arise throughout the year at the arena.