WestCentral

LLOYDMINSTER, Alta. — RCMP are investigating what they say was a targeted firearms incident at a power substation in Lloydminster early Sunday that caused significant damage, a major oil spill, and widespread power outages.

Police responded to a call about a power outage around 4:40 a.m. on May 19. Officers later determined the cause to be a deliberate shooting at the ATCO substation located near 12th Street and 75 Avenue.

UNITY, Sask. — A Unity man is facing an impaired driving charge and another driver received a 72-hour roadside suspension during traffic stops in the region, according to the latest RCMP report for May 13 to 19.

Unity RCMP say the 37-year-old man was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle. In a separate traffic stop, another motorist was issued a roadside suspension after failing a breath test.

There’s lots going on within your community, and the Town of Kindersley Council strives to keep residents up to date on upcoming changes and plans. The first change on the radar? The retirement of Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Corporate Services Audrey Hebert

Audrey Hebert became the Town of Kindersley’s CAO in 2018. Accomplishments in the tourism sector include finishing the swimming pool, upgrading nearly all the parks with irrigation and playground equipment, and making the beach an even greater attraction.

The head of one of Canada's largest federal unions says the federal government needs to focus on repairing the relationship between public servants and management.

Nathan Prier, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees, said this is a "delicate moment" and that new Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali has his work cut out for him.

Prier said the Trudeau government made several questionable decisions that eroded trust among workers. They included a messy return-to-office rollout that was conducted without consulting employees, he said.

Signs that underlying inflation was picking up in April put the Bank of Canada in a tricky position ahead of its June interest rate decision, with some economists arguing a second straight pause is now more likely.

"It is going to make it a much more challenging backdrop for the Bank of Canada to continue cutting rates, at least in the near term," said Benjamin Reitzes, managing director of Canadian rates and macro strategist at BMO Capital Markets.

Conditions are favourable for tornado formations in southwest Saskatchewan.

Environmental and Climate Change Canada has released a special weather statement for southwestern RMs, warning of possible twister formations. 

The specific weather formations causing these concerns are scattered thunderstorms, and a low-pressure system moving in from Alberta. 

The threat should dissipate early in the evening, but until then, the following RMs are at risk. 

Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for SaskPower is heading to Poland next week to promote the province’s nuclear energy potential on the international stage.

Jeremy Harrison will lead a provincial delegation to the World Nuclear Supply Chain Conference in Warsaw, where he plans to showcase Saskatchewan’s uranium assets, growing nuclear sector and its commitment to supporting global energy security.

With a 38% increase in traffic fatalities so far this year, the Saskatchewan RCMP is urging drivers to keep road safety top of mind, especially following the busy May long weekend.

As of mid-May, 29 people have died in collisions on roads patrolled by the Saskatchewan RCMP, a sharp rise compared to the same period in 2024. The message from police is clear: safe driving saves lives.

A chilly, rainy, and dreary May long weekend provided some vital precipitation for southwest producers.

Rainfall reached the region on Saturday, with parts of the southwest experiencing precipitation on all three days. 

The light persistent rain in the Swift Current area, amounted to 22.3 millimetres from Saturday morning till Tuesday at 10 a.m. Maple Creek received the exact same amount, although record a staggering 10.6 millimetres in one hour on Saturday at 5 p.m.

A rainy day did not stop SEIU-West members from holding an information picket in Kindersley on Tuesday.

According to a union spokesperson, the hour long picket in front of the Kindersley and District Health Centre was to highlight their struggles with the current round of bargaining, and the action was supported by a group of local healthcare workers including the ones pictured above. 

Jeanne Javinal, member of the Bargaining Committee and Executive board member for SEIU-West, provided the following comments in the midst of the picket.