WestCentral

A pair of rural municipalities near Wilkie are now under fire bans, as warm temperatures, gusty winds and dry conditions ramp up the risk of wildfires in West Central Saskatchewan.

Deputy Fire Chief Craig Sittler with the Wilkie and District Fire Department said Thursday that both the RM of Buffalo and the RM of Tramping Lake have implemented fire bans until conditions improve.

Two kicks at the can this weekend for the Saskatchewan Rush to clinch a berth in the NLL Finals.

Facing the Halifax Thunderbirds in a best-of-three semi-final series, Saskatchewan won 16-7 in Game 1 last weekend on the road, now back home Saturday for Game 2, and Game 3 on Sunday if needed. The Rush were led by former Thunderbird Austin Shanks who scored six goals, helping provide a nice cushion for goalie Frank Scigliano who made 41 saves in the win.

A British Columbia researcher in South Asian affairs said Thursday that concerns about the current India and Pakistan tensions are justified, given that the region has not seen conflicts this intense in more than 25 years. 

M.V. Ramana, professor at University of B.C.'s school of public policy and global affairs, said the last time there was a realistic risk of nuclear weapons being used was the conflict between the two sides in the Kargil region of Kashmir in 1999. 

A senior medical advisor with the Public Health Agency of Canada says the country could lose its measles elimination status if the highly contagious disease continues to spread into the fall.

Dr. Marina Salvadori warned of the possibility Thursday as cases in Ontario grew by nearly 200 infections, adding that would only occur if prolonged spread continued beyond mid-October 2025.

Senior baseball season is nearly here, with teams in the Coteau Hills, Fertile Valley, and North Saskatchewan River Baseball Leagues gearing up for opening day.

A new online therapy course is now available in Saskatchewan to support the mental health of new and expecting parents.

Launched through the University of Regina’s Online Therapy Unit, the Wellbeing Course for New and Expecting Parents is designed to help people experiencing depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges during and after pregnancy. The province is providing $380,000 to support the initiative.

Swift Current Rural RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a stolen vehicle last seen north of Waldeck.

The vehicle is described as a black, two-door 1990 GMC 1500 pickup truck with a short box step side. Police say the vehicle may be bearing Saskatchewan licence plate 532 MNA.

RCMP are urging the public not to approach the vehicle if seen, but instead to report any sightings or related information by calling 310-RCMP.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Veterans, diplomats, members of the Armed Forces and political leaders gathered Thursday at events across Canada commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

"Nearly every family knows somebody who suffered from the effect of war," said Fraser McKee, a 100-year-old veteran who helped to lay a wreath at the Toronto ceremony.

"This is to remember people that will have to go to war, as well as remembering those that went and didn’t come back."

Gerald Busch Obituary

1934 ~ 2025 (age 90)

A life well lived, a legacy well left.

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Gerald Arthur Busch, age 90, on May 5, 2025 at Circle Drive Special Care Home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He passed away in his sleep, surrounded by the love of his family.

A new pope has been elected following the death of Pope Francis. White smoke began billowing from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling the decision by the College of Cardinals.

A large crowd in the thousands erupted into cheers as the words “Habemus Papam” ("We have a pope") rang out in St. Peter's Square, about an hour after the smoke first poured out. The new pope then came out onto the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and greeted the crowd.