WestCentral

Since the mid-’90s, west-central Saskatchewan oilman Clarence Rye has been closely tuned in to what’s pumping in the patch

Using data from the Government of Saskatchewan, Rye digs into the local drilling numbers, so you don't have to.

The Toronto Blue Jays have one player leading their respective position in votes for the upcoming MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta on July 15.

The latest voting tabulations were shared on Monday by MLB, and Blue Jays first basemen Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is holding a narrow edge over New York Yankees one-bagger Paul Goldschmidt for the top spot. Vladdy topped the list with 1,192,604 votes, Goldy not too far behind with 1,118,501 votes. 

No surprises for Kindersley Jr. Klippers fans as the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League unveiled the date and opponent for each team's 2025-2026 home opener on Monday. 

As usual the Klippers will travel to face the Battlefords North Stars to open the season on Friday, September 19, and then on Saturday, September 20 the Klippers welcome in the rival North Stars to complete the annual season-opening home and home.

West Central Saskatchewan was once again under the gun Monday afternoon as a round of severe thunderstorms prompted tornado watches and warnings across the region, following a weekend of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.

A staffer in the office of Saskatchewan Party MLA Doug Steele testified Monday in the ongoing Rosetown human trafficking trial, saying he was asked to help transport an alleged victim from a cold, unfinished basement in Elrose to a women’s shelter in Swift Current.

Sean Checkley, who works for Steele, told the court he was directed to the Elrose residence by the MLA in March 2023 and helped the woman, a Bangladeshi national, pack her belongings and leave the property. Checkley said the woman appeared “very nervous” and in a hurry to get out of the house.

SaskEnergy is advising residents in parts of West Central Saskatchewan to expect large visible flames in the sky this week as crews carry out scheduled maintenance involving controlled natural gas flaring.

A 40-foot flame may be visible southeast of the Village of Plenty on Tuesday, June 24, as SaskEnergy conducts a controlled flare at its Meter Station Site in the RM of Mountain View. The flare is expected to occur between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., depending on operational needs.

Outlook Elementary School is one of fourteen community projects across Western Canada to receive funding through the Co-op Community Spaces program, receiving an allotment of $50,000, out of the $1 million being invested in the program's eleventh year. 

Wheat producers are being advised that Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYVD) has been found in two wheat fields in Northwest Saskatchewan. 

Crop Extension Specialist Quinton Cubbins says they did a couple of tests for the virus, which was found in the Medstead area, as it's earlier than they might normally see it. 

BYD Virus is spread by aphids, so controlling their population in the field is important.

Once the wheat is infected, there are no effective treatments.

Protein Industries Canada says a new soybean breeding program will open new opportunities for producers and processors.

The new $4.3 million initiative for Canada's identity-preserved non-GMO soybean is being led by NRGene Canada, Pulse Genetics, Hensall Co-op, and Yumasoy Foods Ltd. 

The project, involves the launch of a new breeding program to develop early-maturing, high-protein, non-GMO soybean varieties suited to Canada’s northern climates, including Manitoba and northern Ontario.

Normally, a shop truck is a purely utilitarian implement.

However, the Leader Electric truck isn't your normal parts-getter. This custom 1942 Dodge body has been paired with a three-quarter-ton frame from a 1992 Dodge. Old meets new and becomes something original thanks to the efforts of John Butt.

Butt owns both the Truck and Leader Electric. Originally, he had planned to use this black and orange monster for doing mud bags, hence the 39-and-a-half-inch tires.

"It didn't do very good (at the Lancer pits)," said Butt. "It still has the stock transmission."