WestCentral

If west-central Saskatchewan has any say in this year's Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton better start planning a parade.

We shared a poll last week once the finals rematch between the Oilers and Florida Panthers was confirmed, and the votes tallied show some strong confidence in the Oilers to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993.

Fertilizing your forage stand is a significant investment; protect that investment by ensuring you are utilizing the appropriate source, rate, timing and placement of fertilizer. This is known as the 4R’s of forage fertility.

The following considerations should be incorporated into your fertility plan:

Ideally, soil sample in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season, to assess initial soil fertility. Then use the results to create a fertilizer blend that also takes into consideration the targeted yield.

Proposed federal legislation would give authorities new powers to search mail, make it easier for officials to pause or cancel immigration applications and expand the Canadian Coast Guard’s role to include security activities.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree introduced the Strong Borders Act in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

The government says the wide-ranging, 127-page bill aims to keep borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and crack down on money laundering.

Canada's tourism industry might be in for a boost as Canadians boycott the United States and spend their travel dollars closer to home this year.

In a report released May 29, the Conference Board of Canada estimates the net economic benefit for the domestic tourism sector could be as high as $8.8 billion.

The think tank said its April travel intentions survey suggests roughly 27 per cent of Canadian respondents are considering a trip to the U.S. in the next few years - down from more than 50 per cent in the same survey last November.

Fire bans are on for a majority of the West Central region as we continue through the first week of June.

Hot weather and a lack of rain to end the month of May led to a flurry of fire ban designations for local RM's, towns, and villages. Between May 26-30 alone there were 27 different fire bans issued around west-central Saskatchewan, as part of over 30 currently active around the region.

Canadian National Railway Co. says it plans to invest approximately $290 million in Saskatchewan this year as part of its 2025 capital investment program, with a focus on infrastructure upgrades to support agriculture and enhance long-term supply chain reliability.

The Montreal-based company said Monday that the funding will go toward track maintenance and strategic projects aimed at improving the movement of grain, fertilizer and other key goods across the province.

BIGGAR, Sask. — Residents of Biggar can expect a jam-packed June as community groups, clubs and facilities gear up for a month full of crafts, culture, and good old-fashioned prairie fun.

From the return of the Biggar Old Time Music Festival to the colourful displays at the Fibre Fair, the town is set to showcase its community spirit with a wide range of events for all ages.

Farmers are winding down their seeding operations in Manitoba

Cereal Specialist Anne Kirk put together this week's crop report and says provincially 95 per cent of the crop is now in the ground.

Four Gull Lake firefighters are driving right into the heart of the wildfires.

Stacy Schmidt, Kara Dyer, Kyle Rozel, and Tim Temoshawsky of the Gull Lake Fire & Rescue have volunteered to join the team combating the fires at Pelican Narrows.

"Definitely the dedication to being a volunteer," said Gull Lake Fire Chief Bentley Gibson. "They had to contact their employers to get the time, and one is self-employed. They were more than willing. It happened very quickly."

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says thousands have fled a wildfire in the province's north, almost doubling the number of people already forced from their homes.

Speaking on a Rawlco Radio show, Moe said about 7,000 people have evacuated the town of La Ronge, nearby Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. An evacuation order was issued for the area Monday due to an encroaching wildfire.

Some buildings, including homes, have been lost in the northern part of La Ronge, the premier said.