WestCentral

After some balmy evening weather ended the month of August, the West Central region has been experiencing a massive swing in overnight temperatures to start September.

That trend has resulted in some troubling weather for anyone with plants or crops in the ground. Double-digit lows were a common sight through the long weekend, but as the calendar flipped, so did the script, as frost made its way into the Environment Canada forecast with lows of around 2 degrees.

Alberta RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit is again asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant, noting he has ties to North Battleford.

Christian Nyabirungu, 35, is wanted for first-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault in connection with the September 2018 killing of Aldane Mesquita in Strathcona County, Alta.

RCMP say Nyabirungu may have changed his appearance but is described as being six-foot-two, about 240 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and dark skin.

SaskPower is facing a $136-million loss in the first three months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, prompting warnings from Saskatchewan’s NDP that residents may see increases on their electricity bills.

The Crown utility’s first-quarter financial statements, released this week, show the corporation is moving further into the red, with debt levels rising. The provincial government had projected $126 million in net income for the year in the 2025-26 budget.

The Kindersley and District Plains Museum is set to host the second annual “Meet A Machine” event on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving families the chance to explore a variety of vehicles and meet the people who operate them.

The free event is designed to provide a hands-on experience for children and adults alike. Attendees can climb into the driver’s seat of machines ranging from tractors and tow trucks to police cruisers and graders, while learning directly from the operators who use them every day.

Wilkie RCMP say they received several complaints during the week of Aug. 26 to Sept. 1, including reports of stolen vehicles, an abandoned vehicle and a possible break and enter.

Police are investigating after receiving a report of an individual not complying with a court order. A separate break and enter complaint did not result in charges due to insufficient evidence.

You can tune in to what's going on around the province every week with Rob Carnie in the Morning and the Cross Sask Check Up airing over on Classic Hits Radio. 

RCMP say two people, including a suspect, are dead after a mass stabbing at Hollow Water First Nation in Manitoba.

They say at least six people are in hospital after the attack this morning in the community 200 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

Health officials say two victims were airlifted to Winnipeg, while others were taken by ground ambulance.

RCMP describe the attack as a "senseless act of violence."

The Riverhurst Ferry is temporarily closed due to weather conditions, according to Saskatchewan’s Provincial Highway Hotline.

As of the morning of September 4, the Riverhurst crossing is not in operation, while most other provincial ferries continue to run under normal conditions or with light-load restrictions. Travellers are advised to plan alternate routes and monitor updates from the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline.

Alberta RCMP say 1,661 traffic safety infractions were recorded during enhanced enforcement over the Labour Day long weekend.

From Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, officers issued 789 speeding tickets, 34 distracted driving tickets and 19 tickets for seatbelt violations.

Mounties also removed 99 impaired drivers from the road. Seventy drivers received Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) FAILs, while 19 received IRS WARNs.

Despite the enforcement effort, RCMP said there were 54 injury collisions during the holiday weekend, four of which were fatal.

With the first day of school out of the way, the high school football season officially starts today around West Central.

Related Stories:

• Pre-season preparations underway for high school football
• SHSAA website

There are four games active in local conferences on Thursday, all starting at 4:00 PM.