WestCentral

May long weekend typically presents a busy weekend for police, but that wasn't the case for the Biggar RCMP as Sgt. Dereck Crozier called this past weekend "uneventful" in the latest detachment report dated May 20.

During the week there were 35 occurrences in total handled by police, and then over the long weekend there were a few false alarm calls, four 911 calls, and several suspicious vehicles complaints. One of those suspicious vehicles had occupants reportedly tossing alcoholic beverage cans out the window while parked on Salter Road, but no further updates were given. 

A series of cases appeared before Kindersley Provincial Court on May 20, including charges related to transportation offences, impaired driving, and child endangerment.

Uncle Dick’s Trucking and several individuals entered not guilty pleas to five charges under the Highways and Transportation Act. The charges relate to alleged weight and dimension violations. A trial has been scheduled for Oct. 7.

With warmer weather pulling kids outdoors, the RCMP is encouraging families to have important safety conversations to help children recognize risks, build confidence, and stay safe.

As children walk to friends' houses, visit parks or play outside more frequently, officers say it’s a critical time for parents and caregivers to discuss boundaries, online safety and what to do when something doesn’t feel right.

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is announcing some key moves within the organization.

Jennifer Babcock has been promoted to the Chief Government and International Affairs Officer.

She has a proven track record of advocacy successes.

Babcock will lead CCA’s initiatives to promote and protect the interests of Canada’s beef cattle industry domestically and internationally.

In a recent CCA Action News Blog, Babcock says she looks forward to her new and expanded leadership role on CCA’s advocacy efforts.

A U.S. company develops a trait that it says provides genetic resistance to sclerotinia, which can be challenging for growers.

A San Diego company is closer to commercializing a trait that could protect canola from sclerotinia.

In April, Cibus announced that two of its disease resistance traits for canola have been designated as “not regulated” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We are encouraged by USDA-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) broad designation for these traits being developed,” said Cibus co-founder Peter Beetham.

Manitoba's latest potato report shows planting in the province is now estimated to be 95 per cent complete. 

Planting has been going very smoothly, with most farms now finished.

Potato and Horticulture Crops Pathologist Vikram Bisht says with planting nearly over, it's now time to take care of cull piles in and around fields and farmyards, as cull piles can be a source of disease inoculum and may harbour Colorado potato beetles and aphids.

Scott Jespersen has been named the acting chair for Alberta Grains. 

Chair Tara Sawyer is taking a leave of absence effective immediately following her appointment by Premier Danielle Smith as the United Conservative Party (UCP) candidate for the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills by-election. 

Sawyer, a wheat and barley farmer from Acme, Alberta, was elected as Alberta Grains’ inaugural chair in 2023 after the amalgamation of the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions.

The training agreement will establish an environment, social and governance program that will be offered to students in Uzbekistan.

Countries across the globe are seeking out Canadian post-secondary institutions for partnerships focused on learning and exchanging knowledge.

Olds College in Olds, Alta., is one of the latest, signing an international training agreement with Uzbekistan April 29 following a memorandum of understanding signed last November.

Weak instability across southwestern Saskatchewan is expected to spark isolated, non-severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening, with a risk of funnel clouds extending from Swift Current through Cabri, Leader, Fox Valley and the Eatonia area.

Drake Meats has announced a significant expansion with the construction of a new federally inspected plant in Saskatoon. This marks the first major expansion for the company, which has been operating out of its original plant in Drake, Saskatchewan.