Shawn Slaght

Gas pumps across the province saw a hike in cost recently, with many seeing a ten-cent or more increase during the weekend.

According to GasBuddy Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan, the Canadian Prairies and the United States’ Midwest have seen gas prices increase due to a power outage at a major refinery near Chicago. 

Running air conditioners, fans and any other appliances to keep cool will be driving up power bills in the coming days and could lead to a new summer peak power usage record for SaskPower. 

During the first wave of heat last week, Saskatchewan came extremely close to the summer peak record. On July 11, SaskPower registered a peak of 3,655 Megawatts. It was just shy of the 3,669 Megawatt record that was set on July 31, 2023. 

“It still hasn’t fully sunk in.” 

Darby Klassen of Central Butte was shocked to learn when she went to Country Thunder in Craven last weekend that she was the one millionth fan to walk through the gate. 

“It’s so awesome. I’m completely speechless and it doesn’t seem real, but I’m so excited,” Klassen said. 

And it didn’t seem real at first. 

It started with a phone call, but Klassen thought it was a scam call and didn’t pick up. 

The cold and wet weather we experience in late spring and early summer has kept the population of grasshoppers at bay, according to Ministry of Agriculture entomologist Dr. James Tansey. 

While grasshopper damage among crops was widespread last year, producers are mainly seeing “hotspots” throughout the province this year. 

Motorists passing through Chamberlain heading to Country Thunder had to be on their best behavior. For the eighth year, the Saskatchewan RCMP had a check stop set up in the village on Wednesday and Thursday before the big country music festival. 

The check stop included Saskatchewan RCMP, Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Conservation Officers, and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol. 

Motorists passing through Chamberlain heading to Country Thunder had to be on their best behavior. For the eighth year, the Saskatchewan RCMP had a check stop set up in the village on Wednesday and Thursday before the big country music festival. 

The check stop included Saskatchewan RCMP, Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Conservation Officers and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol. 

Southeast business owner Charmaine Franken is keeping a close eye on the worldwide shortage of extra virgin olive oil. 

Franken is the owner of Lion’s Creek in Moose Jaw, which specializes in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 

She said Spain is the world’s largest producer of extra virgin olive oil, but in the past two years the country has experienced record droughts, reducing olive oil production by 40 per cent. 

Southeast business owner Charmaine Franken is keeping a close eye on the worldwide shortage of extra virgin olive oil. 

Franken is the owner of Lion’s Creek in Moose Jaw, which specializes in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 

She said Spain is the world’s largest producer of extra virgin olive oil, but in the past two years the country has experienced record droughts, reducing olive oil production by 40 per cent. 

Missing man 80-year-old Glen (Archie) Bell has been located deceased.

Police say his body was found in a remote greenspace within Moose Jaw city limits around noon today. His next of kin has been notified.

The search for Bell included Moose Jaw Search and Rescue, the Moose Jaw Fire Department, Moose Jaw RCMP, numerous emergency personnel and hundreds of volunteers from the community.

The Moose Jaw Police Services is thanking all those involved in helping search for Bell.

Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Greg Lawrence has pleaded not guilty to a pair of assault charges during Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Wednesday.

Defence lawyer Estes Fonkalsrud appeared in court on Lawrence's behalf to enter the pleas. Fonkalsrud told the court they would be looking for a full day for the trial.

Judge David Chow said, that before court dates can be canvassed, further discussions would need to happen with the court manager about bringing in an out-of-town relief judge. Provincial Crown Prosecutor Rob Parker confirmed that he could stay on the file.