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The Saskatchewan RCMP has updated its monthly list of wanted individuals, highlighting offenders considered to present a significant risk to public safety across the province — including two with known ties to communities in West Central and Southwest Saskatchewan.

You might have noticed a flurry of social media action figures this week on social media.

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— Darren Dupont (@darrendupont) April 10, 2025

Without further ado, introducing your AI generated WestCentralOnline news crew: 

(All figures created by ChatGPT AI)

We had the honour of speaking with local pro hockey player Kolby Johnson earlier this week.

What was supposed to be a sit-down conversation about his pro career turned into a bit of breaking news, as before we could get things going, Johnson dropped the bombshell news that he would going to play pro hockey in Australia for the spring and summer months.

A time capsule sealed by the Rural Municipality of Winslow council in April 2000 was opened Wednesday morning, 25 years after its creation.

The community gathered at the Dodsland Museum on April 9 to witness the unveiling of the contents, with coffee and cookies available for attendees.

Canada has imposed retaliatory 25 per cent tariffs on vehicles imported from the United States, a move Unifor says is both necessary and justified as tensions escalate over cross-border auto trade.

The counter-tariffs, which took effect Thursday, apply to fully-assembled vehicles imported into Canada from the U.S. that do not meet requirements under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Vehicles compliant with CUSMA will only be taxed on content not originating in Canada or Mexico. The measure does not extend to U.S. auto parts brought into Canada for manufacturing.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney said Thursday he would pass tougher laws to stop people from being harassed at their places of worship, part of a suite of crime and justice measures he unveiled at a campaign stop in southern Ontario.

The promise comes after more than a year of reports of rising hate targeting Jews and Muslims in Canada following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, and the war in Gaza.

The Manitoba Crop Alliance has a new leader at the helm as Jonathan Hodson recently stepped into the role of board chair. Farming near Lenore in western Manitoba, Hodson brings years of experience to the position and a deep understanding of the organization, having been involved since its formation five years ago. 

Hodson has served in various roles over the years, including most recently as vice-chair. Before the formation of the MCA, he was a director with the Manitoba Corn Growers Association, one of the organizations that merged to form the alliance. 

One more hockey story before we switch over to the Ball Report.

After finishing his college career at the University of Minnesota, former Kindersley Jr. Klippers goaltender Justen Close caught on with the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen this season, and the 26-year-old goaltender turned in a great season with a 16-10-2 record, 2.32 GAA, and .932 SV% in 29 games played.

Close was rewarded on Wednesday for his standout season, earning the goalie spot on the ECHL's 2024-25 All-Rookie Team.

Humboldt Watrous MLA Racquel Hilbert issued an apology on Wednesday for a statement she made in the legislature calling the federal New Democratic Party leader ‘a terrorist.’ 

Hilbert made the comment during a debate on the provincial economy and the efforts of the Sask Party government to secure trade agreements with international partners.  

Saskatchewan is turning to its southern neighbour in a bid to attract more doctors, launching a digital recruitment campaign aimed at encouraging American physicians to relocate and practise in the province.

The campaign, developed by the provincial government in partnership with the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency (SHRA), targets physicians currently working in several U.S. states. It promotes the province as a destination for medical professionals seeking greater stability, competitive compensation and a better work-life balance.