Tara Garcia

Update #2

As of 1pm Sunday afternoon highway conditions across the southwest have improved however travel is still not recommended for the majority of roads. 

A portion of the Trans-Canada Highway between Moose Jaw and Regina remains closed. 

A news release sent out by the RCMP is reminding motorists to avoid unnecessary travel in poor weather conditions. Weather is still impacting road conditions due to snow and gusting winds. Drivers are being asked to avoid travelling on the highways if possible. 

With snow soon to become a regular part of the forecast, CAA Saskatchewan is reminding drivers to be winter ready along with their vehicles. 

Christine Niemczyk, Director of Communications & Public Relations with CAA provides some helpful winter driver tips. 

SGI has announced that tough new penalties for stunting and racing will be coming into effect as of October 1st. 

Manager of Media Relations for SGI, Tyler McMurchy provides some insight into the updated penalties. 

The diverse culture of our city will be celebrated over the next month as part of Culture Days. 

Nicole Spenst, Event and Program Manager for the City of Swift Current details the importance of the month-long celebration. 

"Culture Days is really a great way to celebrate what culture means in our community. So it's a chance to check out all of the different cultural opportunities celebrating visual art, creative art, dance, literacy and cultural differences, languages, and backgrounds in our community."

In a recently released monthly e-newsletter, Cypress Hills/Grasslands MP Jeremy Patzer took the opportunity to focus on a few key agriculture issues.

Patzer says they continue to receive letters from rural communities declaring drought-like conditions and he says he wants to make sure this issue gets recognition. 

"So it's making sure government programs be more responsive. We saw some changes made last year that I think generally helped and were well received but I think we need to continue to make sure we have a system in place that supports our producers."

Saskatchewan residents can get back to nature and help gather useful information during the 3rd annual National Backyard Bioblitz. 

The bioblitz begins today and runs throughout the weekend and it's easy to participate as Kayla Burak, Engagement Manager for the Nature Conservancy of Canada explains. 

With the increased outdoor temperatures last week, SaskPower saw a new summer record for electricity demand on July 13th. 

The all-time record was set in the Winter of last year, but a spokesperson for SaskPower Joel Cherry explains they saw a summer record peak. 

"The level that we hit was 3551 megawatts. That was just higher than the 3547 megawatts record that was set on June 30th last year. That was during that historic heatwave with extremely high temperatures across Western Canada."

With the summer season, comes an increase in road traffic and CAA Saskatchewan is reminding all users of the road to stay summer safe. 

Christine Niemczyk, Director of Corporate Communications with CAA Saskatchewan provides some helpful road ready tips for all types of vehicles. 

Local youths in grades 5 through 12 will have the opportunity to have some fun and make some new friends at the Youthfest event happening tomorrow 

Youthfest is being put on by the city of Swift Current as Summer Programs Coordinator for the city Mackenzie Acton explains more details. 

An annual summer tradition started up again this past weekend with the first Market Square of the season taking place on Saturday.

Vendors selling everything from baked goods, to fresh vegetables and crafts were set up downtown and one vendor Sherri with Pokey Lizard Creations explains why her and her sister have participated in the market for the past three seasons.

"We like to get our name and our faces out there. Were an at home business so we like to promote ourselves and say "hey this is our face if you see us say hi.""