WestCentral

A 62-year-old man is in custody after allegedly stealing a trackhoe and using it to target the RCMP detachment in Bonnyville, Alta., ramming five police vehicles and dumping boulders in front of the building.

Mounties say the bizarre and destructive incident began around 6:55 p.m. on May 3, when a trackhoe was stolen from a local business. The suspect, later identified as David Merko of Bonnyville, is alleged to have driven the machine through a fence before heading toward the nearby detachment.

Prairie skywatchers are in for a celestial treat this week as the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, fed by the ancient dust of Halley’s Comet, lights up the early morning skies.

Peaking in the pre-dawn hours of May 5 and 6, the meteor shower is one of the most anticipated of the season, with up to 40 meteors per hour visible under dark skies — many of them fast, bright fireballs leaving glowing trails.

A packed house and a flurry of bingo cards helped West Central Abilities raise funds for its programming during a community bingo night on Sunday, May 4, at the Elks Hall in Kindersley.

More than 80 people turned out to support the event, which featured bingo games, Nevada tickets, drinks, and popcorn. All proceeds will go toward completing raised garden beds behind the WCA building, part of the organization’s goal to provide inclusive and engaging activities for its participants.

Team Canada, featuring Macklin native and WHL superstar for the Victoria Royals Cole Reschny, went undefeated on their way to claiming IIHF U18 gold down in Texas.

Canada finished the group stage 4-0 to earn a spot in the quarterfinals against Czechia, a team who has been a thorn in the Canadians side going back to the past few world juniors. Staying pesky, Team Canada needed overtime to beat Czechia 3-2 as Reschny scored the game-tying goal and subsequent winner.

It was a great weekend of badminton competition around Saskatchewan this past weekend as athletes vied for a spot in SHSAA provincials this coming weekend in Estevan. Regional competitions were held in four different locations, with the top two finishers earning the right to advance to the final bracket.

The only local team to move on came out of Wilkie's McLurg School. Wilkie's girls' double team of Suchan and Leinenweber finished 2-1 in the group stage with wins over Turtleford and Kindersley to earn a spot in the final bracket.

For Tony Linner, receiving the 2025 Arbo's Award for Contributions to the Professional Organization is more than a personal achievement—it’s a meaningful recognition of a career spent fostering growth, collaboration, and care in Saskatchewan’s education system.

Presented during the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) Spring Council before a crowd of around 300 representatives and staff from across the province, the award celebrated Linner’s years of service not only in classrooms but also at the heart of educational leadership and policy.

Saskatchewan Government Insurance is putting the spotlight on intersection safety this May, highlighting the importance of driver attentiveness at some of the province’s busiest and most collision-prone locations.

According to SGI, 37 per cent of all vehicle collisions in Saskatchewan occur at intersections, making them a key area of concern for traffic enforcement and public education.

Winnie Larson Obituary

April 8, 1931 ~ February 11, 2025 (age 93)

Winnifred Phyllis Larson was born on the farm near Camp Lake, Saskatchewan on April 8, 1931. She passed away in Kindersley on February 11, 2025, at the age of 93. Winnie lived in Canwood where her six children, Carolyn, Anne, Walter, David, Debra, and Terry were born.

The family later moved to Kindersley where her husband, Ted started working for L.F. Wyman and Sons. Winnie began working outside the home at the Downtowner Motel and then at the Kindersley Union Hospital.

William Houston Obituary

1963 ~ 2025 (age 61)

It is with great sadness that the family of William Glenn Houston announce his passing on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at the age of 61 years.

Beloved father of Jesse (Robin) Houston, Hugh (Natalie) Houston, & Catrina (Colby) Anderson, Beloved grandfather of Carter, Blake, Marli and one more on the way.

He was also a beloved brother of Sherry (Kevin) James, Holly (George) Meyer & Laurie (Vern) Parenteau and nephew of Wilda Hungerford.

Donna Stasiuk Obituary

January 25, 1939 ~ April 30, 2025 (age 86)

Donna Marie May was born on January 25, 1939, to Clare and Ruth May of Mantario, Saskatchewan.  Donna’s younger years consisted of taking care of her five younger siblings, helping with various chores and family businesses.  Donna completed her schooling in Mantario and Eatonia.  She spent a short time inn Calgary working at Montreal Trust.