WestCentral

Combined federal and provincial government debt interest payments will cost Canadian taxpayers an estimated $92.5 billion in 2024/25, or between $1,937 and $3,432 per person, depending on the province, according to a study released Thursday by the Fraser Institute.

A Calgary man is facing several charges after a 12-year-old boy was allegedly abducted in Airdrie earlier this week.

RCMP say they were called around 7:50 p.m. on Aug. 18 after the boy managed to escape from a vehicle when the driver stopped at a red light. The child called 911 and provided police with details about the incident.

An RCMP officer from the Battlefords detachment was seriously injured after their vehicle rolled over while responding to a call on Highway 4 near Cochin.

Police say the officer was driving an unmarked vehicle with emergency lights activated when the crash happened.

A passerby stopped to help before emergency crews from Meota and District Volunteer Fire Department, the RM of North Battleford Fire Department, EMS and other Battlefords RCMP officers arrived.

The officer was taken by ambulance to Saskatoon with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening.

A rural municipality in the southwest could be experiencing increased water flow. 

The RM of Miry Creek recently posted on their Facebook page about the continuation of a program from the Water Security Agency, and how it might affect them, including the community of Lancer. 

The provinces best U13 softball players will be competing against each other at the 2025 U13 District Showcase tournament this weekend in Regina.

Six regional teams along with Saskatoon and Regina round out the list of eight competing this weekend. Rivers West is the local representative, in the White Pool with Southeast (District 1), Parkland Valley (District 4), and Lakeland (District 8), while the Green Pool sees Regina (District 2), Southwest (District 3), Prairie Central (District 5), and lastly Saskatoon (District 6).

Kyle RCMP were busy responding to collisions, neighborhood disputes, and erratic driving reports over the past week.

On Aug. 18, officers attended a motor vehicle collision near Beechy on Highway 342 with no injuries reported. A separate incident in Rosetown involved a vehicle striking a wall at a local business, causing minor damage but no injuries. Kyle RCMP also investigated a neighbor dispute in Rosetown, which remains under review.

Drivers in West Central Saskatchewan will have more options for fueling up during late-night and early-morning hours.

The Kindersley & District Co-op says its cardlock stations in Kindersley, Coleville and Marengo have been upgraded to accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and debit cards, giving customers access to fuel 24 hours a day.

Residents of Biggar have a variety of activities and programs to participate in this week, with options for all ages, from toddlers to seniors.

The Biggar Library will host the Summer Reading Program Wrap-Up Party on August 23, celebrating the conclusion of its summer reading activities. The Family Centre will offer several youth-focused programs, including Teen Group and Toddler Craft Club on August 24, as well as Kids Craft Club and Tween Craft Club on August 26.

A Kindersley woman has been handed a conditional sentence order after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges.

Amanda Watson pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Saskatchewan's financial fortunes this year have taken a dramatic hit.

The province had budgeted a $12-million surplus this fiscal year, but a first-quarter update issued Friday announced that the modest surplus is now on track to be a $349-million deficit.

It's tying the reversal to a $172-million drop in revenues, most of it from its Crown agency, SaskPower.