Marna McManus

The loss of the Happy Nun Cafe to a fire just yesterday has left a void in the southeast Saskatchewan community, but the memories made there are happy ones indeed. 

This is the sentiment of philanthropist and country musician Dan Cugnet of Weyburn, who was not only a regular patron of the Happy Nun, but he also had the opportunity to play there in April of this year.

The five-day forecast is calling for above-seasonal temperatures for much of this week.

"We have a big ridge of high pressure that's building over western Canada, and that's thanks to an atmospheric river that's hitting the coast of BC, so that pumps the jet stream to the north, which puts us on the warm side of the jet stream," said Meteorologist with Environment Canada, Terri Lang.

She said this results in southwesterly winds, which are warm and dry.

The five day forecast is calling for above-seasonal temperatures for much of this week.

"We have a big ridge of high pressure that's building over western Canada, and that's thanks to an atmospheric river that's hitting the coast of BC, so that pumps the jet stream to the north, which puts us on the warm side of the jet stream," said Meteorologist with Environment Canada, Terri Lang.

She said this results in southwesterly winds, which are warm and dry.

While not everyone will be getting on board with eating insects, they can usually get on board with the birds that do. Purple Martins are a bird-watcher's favourite, and they're eating all the bugs currently before they fly south for the winter.

This is according to Wildlife Ecologist with the Fish, Wildlife and Lands Branch of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Katherine Conklin.

While not everyone will be getting on board with eating insects, they can usually get on board with the birds that do. Purple Martins are a bird-watcher's favourite, and they're eating all the bugs currently before they fly south for the winter.

This is according to Wildlife Ecologist with the Fish, Wildlife and Lands Branch of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Katherine Conklin.

Our provincial parks will be seeing a $13 million investment from the Saskatchewan government over the next year.

"We're committed to providing facilities in our parks that are safe, accessible, and well-maintained for park visitors," said Jennifer Szakacs, from the Park Planning and Facilities Management with Saskatchewan Parks. 

She said they are planning infrastructure upgrades in the parks here in the southeast. 

Alexis Ashworth of Oungre is in Birmingham, England, enjoying the high of having competed in the Commonwealth Games, and earning the Silver medal in weightlifting. 

Ashworth finished second in the women's 71-kilogram division with a total lift of 214 kilograms. Sarah Davies of England was first at 229 kilograms. India's Harjinder Kaur (212 kilograms) earned the bronze medal.

Nickle Lake Regional Park saw an excellent turnout on Saturday for their annual Nickle Lake Day.

"We had lots of people through the gates out enjoying the Car Show, the live music, and the beer gardens, kids activities and our glow golf was very busy that evening as well," shared Kylie Beck, office supervisor. 

She said they had five teams competing in the Slow Pitch Tournament throughout the weekend. 

If you see someone drowning, do not attempt to rescue them, unless you're a strong swimmer, and you should always use a floatation device.

This is the advice of Swimming and First Aid Trainer, Krista Therens of Moose Jaw, in recognition of National Drowning Prevention Week in Canada. 

"There have been too many drownings," she commented. "We're working really hard with public education all over Canada, so really looking to raise awareness and have people know the risks when they're going to be in, on, or around water this summer." 

A research team from the University of Saskatchewan is asking land owners in the area to help them out with locating barn swallows and little brown bats for them to study.

"We have seven areas of interest around the province, including southeast Saskatchewan, so we're looking to get in contact with land owners who know that they have barn swallows, or even if they have old, abandoned barns on their property," shared Brynna Spence, B.Sc.Bio.