WestCentral

Canada Post customers may face delays as tens of thousands of workers swear off overtime shifts, though a much bigger disruption was averted after the union backed down from a strike threat.

Nonetheless, the possibility of escalating job action could continue to scare off customers who pulled their shipments over the past couple of weeks, draining more business from the cash-strapped organization.

“I’m scared for the future,” said Edmonton mail carrier Dustin Ellis, who recently went on leave to study for a new career in social work.

It was a short work week following the May Long weekend.

The four day stretch on our website featured a story out of Kindersley as local healthcare workers hit the picket line. Other local news in charitable gaming grants being distributed around the province, and then a trio of sports related stories.

Find more on the top five local stories from the past week below:

The water is still warming, but that's not going to stop people from hopping in the lake this early summer season. Swimming might be a bold move, but people can get on top of the water with boats or personal watercrafts (PWC). 

Hopping on watercraft such as Sea-Doo's is a summertime tradition, and the brand behind it shared a few tips on responsible riding prior to the season ahead. Just like any horsepower driven toy, certain precautions need to be considered to ensure safety, especially when on the water.

Top officials at the Canada Revenue Agency say mounting job cuts will impact how the agency is able to deliver services.

Commissioner Bob Hamilton and deputy commissioner Jean-François Fortin said in a message to staff Thursday that up to 280 employees will lose their jobs at the agency.

The agency has been examining its operating budget for more than two years to meet a demand from the government to find savings. 

The Saskatchewan government is increasing funding for summer respite camps for adults with intellectual disabilities by $200,000 in its 2025-26 budget.

Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said the investment will improve access and safety at the camps, while also providing a break for full-time caregivers.

May 23 marks National Don't Fry Day, an annual reminder of the risks associated with overexposure to the sun and the importance of sun safety for all Canadians.

In Saskatchewan alone, approximately 4,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, including more than 300 cases of melanoma, according to Sun Smart Saskatchewan. While anyone can develop skin cancer, the risk is higher for individuals with fair or freckled skin, a large number of moles, or those who use tanning beds.

Crop would be eligible for biofuel tax credit under recent budget proposals in Congress

U.S. President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” could contain some beautiful news for Canada’s canola growers.

The U.S. House of Representatives’ ways and means committee has released its draft proposals for the U.S. budget reconciliation bill.

The proposals include provisions to amend the controversial 45Z clean fuel production tax credit so that canola oil-based biodiesel and renewable diesel would be eligible for the credit.

Construction is underway at the University of Saskatchewan that will see critical facility improvements within the College of Agriculture and Bioresources.

Two new facilities are being built - the Harrington Plant Growth Facility and the Soil Science Field Facility - while a portion of the Crop Science Field Lab is being renovated to provide additional workspace for the Crop Development Centre. 

Producers are entering the home stretch for seeding operations around West Central. The Ministry of Agriculture’s May 13–19 crop report shows seeding in the region is now over 80 per cent complete, thanks largely to dry conditions that have allowed farmers to stay in the field.

West-central Saskatchewan saw the biggest jump in progress this past week at 38 per cent, now tying the northwest region at 81 per cent, those regions second only to the southwest which leads the province at 89 per cent complete.

Senior baseball around west-central Saskatchewan will be in full swing after the weekend with the final league left to start play, the Fertile Valley Baseball League, finally getting things going with a pair of games in Rosetown and Oyen.