WestCentral

Saskatchewan kicked off its 2025 storm season with a bang Tuesday evening, as Environment Canada issued the province’s first severe thunderstorm warning of the year for parts of the West Central region.

The alert, issued at 5:49 p.m. CST, warned of a thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-sized hail and wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h. At 5:45 p.m., Doppler radar showed the storm cell located about 5 kilometres west of Eston, moving east at 30 km/h.

Saskatchewan’s latest provincial budget includes sweeping tax relief and affordability measures, aimed at making the province the most cost-effective place in Canada to live and work, according to the government.

The 2025-26 budget, tabled in March, includes more than $250 million in new tax savings this year and ongoing affordability initiatives that total over $2 billion annually.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is asking young Canadians to help name a group of newborn horses that could one day be part of its iconic Musical Ride.

This year’s “Name the Foal” contest calls for names starting with the letter “B”, as the RCMP continues its tradition of assigning each year’s foals names beginning with the same letter of the alphabet.

As many as 10 foals are expected to be born this spring at the RCMP’s breeding farm in Pakenham, Ont., and the selected names will be given to each.

The incumbent Cypress Hills-Grasslands MP is embracing the latest boundary changes ahead of the April 28 federal election.

Swift Current-Grasslands-Kindersley Conservative Party of Canada candidate Jeremy Patzer, who's seeking a third term in Parliament, said it's an honour and privilege to have his name on the ballot again. The riding has been redistributed after 28 years and 11 federal elections.

The Kindersley Jr. Klippers are officially ready to enter offseason mode. The Klippers held a three-day spring camp over the weekend, and Monday marked the start of the ice removal process inside Inter Pipeline Arena in Kindersley.

The threat of measles has the Saskatchewan Health Authority busy. They are doing their best to keep up with the spread and combat it by sharing different things like exposure risks and access to vaccines. 

On Monday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority sent a request to the Sun West School Division asking them to distribute a letter containing information on measles to their various schools and communities. Dated March 25, the release shared that various factors such as declining measles vaccinations and international travel is a big reason for the recent increase in cases.

The annual weekend of curling for the West Central Saskatchewan Oilmen's Association took place this past weekend in Kindersley.

The Biggar RCMP had themselves a short list this week. The April 7 report featured 33 various calls for service, including 18 different drivers receiving a lesson from officers in traffic safety.

The detachment was called into action after a few different emergency calls to 911. The first call came regarding a domestic dispute on 5 Avenue East, and then another 911 call came as an individual sought assistance dealing with an aggressive 90-year-old female.

The Kindersley Kids Academy Early Learning Centre (ELC) fundraiser has received a significant boost thanks to a $100,000 donation from Synergy Credit Union

The cheque was presented on April 3. In recognition of the contribution, Synergy Credit Union will receive naming rights for the building’s staff room.

There will be a familiar face on the federal election campaign trail.

William Caton is running for the Liberal Party in Swift Current-Grasslands-Kindersley.

"We're so conservative where I live in the southwest corner," Caton said. "I really don't like (Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre)'s attitude about things or his policies. I just thought it was time to stand up and talk about the things that I thought are important."