WestCentral

Recent incidents surrounding the self-proclaimed "Queen of Canada" have Saskatchewan's political parties trading words.

The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for a major, multi-agency review in response to what they call "widespread failures" to act quickly against the occupation of the former Richmound School by Romana Didulo and her followers.

The Town of Leader is reminding residents to properly use community recycling bins after reports of overfilled containers and debris blowing around the area.

In a notice posted this week, the town said bins at the municipal shop have been filled beyond capacity, with items stacked above closed lids or left on the ground.

Officials are asking residents to hold onto recyclables if bins are full rather than leaving them beside the containers.

Federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture met in Winnipeg from Sept. 7 to 9 to discuss ways to support a resilient and competitive Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.

Ministers highlighted challenges, including dry conditions, wildfire impacts, and uncertainty caused by recent tariffs on canola, peas, pork, seafood, and other commodities. They emphasized collaboration to support producers and processors in navigating trade issues, expanding market access, and strengthening critical infrastructure.

The Rosetown Royals senior football team should have a nice crowd for their home opener on Friday against Maple Creek.

Rosetown Central High School students will get out of class early for the 2:00 PM kickoff, meeting a busload of students from down road in Elrose, and also local elementary school kids who will make the trek over from Walter Aseltine School.

Royals head coach, and RCHS teacher Mitch Wintonyk looks forward to the game every year.

"It's a good, fun time for our kids. They really look forward to it."

Police are looking into thefts at two local work sites.

Swift Current Rural RCMP are investigating thefts at sites in the RM of Riverside between August 5 and September 6.

Police say an unknown individual damaged fences at the sites and stole wire.

If you have any information on this incident, you can contact 310 RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Canada has a need for a co-ordinated flash flood warning system and could deepen its European partnerships as the United States cuts climate- and weather-related funding, says a new report digging into the future of Canada's weather service. 

The independent assessment prepared for Environment and Climate Change Canada says significant cuts to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration threaten a wide range of weather and water monitoring in Canada, from the Arctic to the Great Lakes. 

Canada's ministers of finance and procurement have given officials in charge of most federal contracting 45 days to come up with a plan to review all existing and planned federal contracts to find ways to save money.

The directive made by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Public Works and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound is the latest cost-savings directive from the federal cabinet as Prime Minister Mark Carney looks to cut government operating spending by 15 per cent over the next three years.

The Kindersley Jr. Klippers rattled off four straight wins to end the pre-season, capping the early game slate on Wednesday night with a 5-4 win against the only team to beat them this pre-season, the AJHL's Drumheller Dragons.

The five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial can return to the NHL when their suspensions end "no sooner" than Dec. 1, the NHL announced Thursday.

The players, who are all unrestricted free agents, can sign with a team on Oct. 15 as they wait for full reinstatement.

Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart were all charged with one count of sexual assault stemming from an encounter with a woman after a 2018 gala celebrating the world junior team's gold medal. All five pleaded not guilty when the trial opened in April.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says the emergency room at the Outlook Health Centre will be closed from 4 p.m. to midnight Thursday.

During the closure, emergency services will not be available in Outlook. Patients in need of urgent care are advised to seek services at the Rosetown and District Health Centre, the Kindersley Integrated Health Facility, or Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital.

The Town of Outlook, posting the notice on behalf of the SHA, said residents with questions or comments should contact the health authority directly at 306-867-5020.