WestCentral

While the recent rainfall is more than welcome across the province, it's been putting a solid dent in first pitch plans for local baseball teams.

One of those teams in particular, the WCBL's Saskatoon Berries, played a doubleheader over the weekend against the Energy City Cactus Rats. After their Saturday game at Cairns Field was rained out, in Ernie Banks fashion on Sunday it was a great chance to play two, and the Berries walked away with a pair of wins 4-3 and 4-0 to send fans home happy after a long day at the ballpark.

The Biggar RCMP's latest report detailed quite the joyride through a local park.

The detachment's June 23 list was headlined by the impaired operator of a black and red side-by-side, who fled police after reports of the four-wheeler making its way through Buckingham Park located along 3 Avenue E in Biggar.

Failing to stop for police, the side-by-side ended up crashing into the bushes and trees located towards the end of 4 Avenue, leading the driver to flee on foot. No other information was given, though Sgt. Dereck Crozier shared some thoughts.

A motor vehicle collision on Kindersley’s east side Tuesday morning resulted in injuries.

At 7:40 AM, the Kindersley Fire Department were dispatched along with EMS and RCMP to the scene of the motor-vehicle-collision at the corner of 7 Ave. E and 1 St. E.

Oil prices are something to watch with the current situation going on in the Middle East, and a notable drop off is being noticed to start the week.

Using data taken from oilprice.com, Western Canadian Select (WCS) fell the most. Prices on Saturday were listed at $61.49 a barrel, and after no movement on Monday, WCS finally updated on Tuesday for a total of $56.16 per barrel representing an 8 per cent drop.

With one confirmed tornado north of Cabri on the weekend, another funnel cloud is being looked into as a possible second.

Saturday was ripe with funnel clouds in the lower west-central region, with the Thursday to Saturday stretch seeing a large amount of both confirmed twisters and even more still under investigation.

Crawford Luke, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, confirmed that June has had four tornadoes confirmed so far, before last Thursday.

RCMP are appealing to the public for information as they investigate a serious assault that left one man hospitalized in North Battleford last week.

Around 8:10 p.m. on June 19, Battlefords RCMP responded to a report of an injured person on the 1200 block of 108th Street. Officers arrived to find an adult male on the street with injuries described as serious in nature. He was transported to hospital for treatment.

Swift Current Rural RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a reported break and enter in the community of Webb.

Police say the incident happened around 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. According to investigators, an individual approached a residence and attempted to gain entry but was unsuccessful. The suspect then broke into two outbuildings on the property. RCMP say nothing appears to have been stolen.

Officers continue to investigate and have released a photo of the suspect in hopes of identifying him.

A top federal official said fixing the payroll problems caused by Phoenix cost taxpayers more than $5 billion — and they'll keep paying extra to run two public service payroll platforms at once as Ottawa weans itself off the problem-plagued system.

Alex Benay, associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, said the alternative to running the Phoenix system in tandem with its replacement, Dayforce, would have been worse.

"The unfortunate situation is there's no easy path," he said. "This is the one that's going to impact employees the least."

Saskatchewan's Crown corporations are reporting consolidated net earnings of $510 million for this year, slightly lower than last year.

Among the province's largest money-makers was Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan, bringing in $223 million.

Saskatchewan's big four — SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskEnergy and SGI Canada — raised $291 million before adjustments.

Consolidated net earnings were $578 million last year.

This year, the corporations will pay $240 million in dividends to the province's general revenue fund.

A survivor of a rockfall last week in Banff National Park is remembering his 33-year-old roommate, who didn't make it out alive from under the rubble, as a kind and generous friend.

Khaled Elgamal says Hamza Benhilal of Surrey, B.C., was one of two people who died after a slab of mountain gave way Thursday, raining rock down on hikers at Bow Glacier Falls, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary.