Hayden Michaels

So far this winter, snowmobilers in Saskatchewan have had even odds of breaking some rules.

During the holidays, RCMP who were out patrolling the trails and checking in with sled enthusiasts had less than stellar numbers of unregistered sleds being operated. 

It was revealed in a release that about 50 per cent of snowmobiles pulled over were not registered. The fine for failing to plate a sled is costly, at $175 per sled operating without registration. 

This month, SGI is reminding people to buckle up their seatbelts when they take to the roads.

"Buckle up, it's just that easy" is the slogan for this month's campaign. With seatbelts being required by law for 45 years now in Saskatchewan, it's a little surreal to think that it's not automatic yet for some.

Every month in Saskatchewan, around 341 people are ticketed for not wearing their seat belts. 

Tyler McMurchy, a media spokesperson for SGI, is encouraging people to ensure their safety by simply strapping in.

A new year means some new regulations for the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) in Saskatchewan when looking into serious incidents.

The changes are a result of the Police Serious Incident Response Team Amendment Act, 2021, coming into force as of January 1, 2023.

These changes will enable an expansion of operational capability for the SIRT. The goal is to better enable its ability to engage in any serious incident involving local police.

In the new year, SaskEnergy will be continuing to focus in on sustainability goals.

As the Crown Corporation continues to march into a more efficient and sustainable future, it's looking back at the success had over this last year.

In a release, it was revealed that in 2023, SaskEnergy will be continuing to work toward a 35 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030. This goal is well underway after the work done in 2021 and 2022.

Today marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest, and possibly one of the coldest, days of the year.

The Winter Solstice is the point in time when daylight hours have the smallest duration. After today, days will get longer again, get longer again, adding more daylight back into everyone's lives.

Terri Lang, a meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, has some insight into how the Solstice's approach has been playing out.

The City of Swift Current is left watching as the City of Martensville was approved for a grant that Swift Current was passed over for. 

Martensville was recently approved for a grant via the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to the tune of $32 million for a new community rink. 

Swift current also applied to the same program earlier this year and was turned down. Swift Current would have used the funding to build new civic facilities. 

The older members of the community can always attest to the kindness seen in Swift Current over the years.

This holiday season, you can help repay their many years of kindness in the community with the Adopt a Senior program. The program offers people the chance to donate a gift to a senior in Swift Current.

This year, Fresh Start is taking over the project that was launched by Kathy Jennings during the pandemic. Jennings has since moved from Swift Current, but the spirit of the event is alive and well under its new management.

Kids at crosswalks depend on those around them to help keep things safe.

That fact has always been true, but with the school year continuing into the winter months, it will become an even bigger factor in crosswalk safety.

As the year gets colder, more people will be using their vehicles to go to and from schools, whether that be dropping off or picking up kids.

Angel Blair, senior communications specialist and school safety patrol coordinator for CAA, would like to encourage people to keep their eyes open when passing by.

As the fall season moves in, it's important for folks to keep an eye out for the season's winged nighttime purveyors.

Bats do have a season, and Saskatchewan is in the middle of its bat season. This year especially is seeing an explosion in the bat population all over the province.

The issue isn't so much that there is a large number of bats roosting in barns and attics, but the fact that they present an increased risk for exposure to rabies.

It was a hot day of work for one Maple Creek area farmer as his tractor suddenly combusted beneath him.

Walter Ehret was trying to load his hay bails onto his trailer unit when he felt the cabin getting warmer. Quickly from there, the blaze consumed his tractor, but not before his quick thinking saved the field from further ruin.