WestCentral

Saskatchewan's legislature has passed a bill that opens the door for local governments to order firefighters to burn down derelict buildings, a move firefighters say they oppose. 

Bill 21, the Construction Codes (Derelict Buildings) Amendment Act, received royal assent Tuesday. The legislation lays out the framework for a pilot project where volunteer firefighters conduct burns on municipal-owned buildings as part of training exercises.

Proceedings in a high-profile human trafficking and sexual assault trial resumed Tuesday in Rosetown, with testimony from the complainant in the second day of the hearing.

The case involves accused Mohammad Masum and Sohel Haider, both arrested in June 2023. The pair are charged with human trafficking, while Masum also faces separate charges of sexual assault. The complainant's identity is protected under a publication ban.

Rosetown RCMP are investigating the theft of several tons of reclaimed asphalt from a worksite along Highway 31 near Stranraer.

Police say the material was taken sometime between April 28 and May 9, 2025. Investigators believe the quantity of asphalt stolen would have required multiple large trucks or several trips by a single truck.

The theft was reported to police on May 9.

Biggar RCMP responded to 34 occurrences over the past week, including traffic violations, fraud reports, and livestock wandering near a highway.

Officers addressed 10 traffic safety-related interactions, including a serious single-vehicle rollover involving a 47-year-old man driving a 2008 Ford F-350. The crash, which occurred on gravel roads, was attributed to excessive speed and bald tires, according to RCMP. The man was assisted at the scene by Eagle Creek first responders.

West Central residents, local property owners, and more are being advised of ways to address unwanted bats in buildings while still protecting this key species.

According to Saskatchewan's Ministry of Environment, as a time between hibernation and the birth of their pups, May is an ideal time to safely exclude bats from buildings. 

Erin Swerdfeger, conservation data centre zoologist with Saskatchewan's Ministry of Environment, shared that a permit is required to install an exclusion device or bat cone, which is used to allow bats to leave but not re-enter.

A global study from UNICEF suggests many Canadian kids are unhappy, with social struggles such as bullying and difficulty making friends among the sources of their anguish. 

UNICEF’s 19th Report Card suggests one in five youth in Canada face frequent bullying, one in five are lonely and one in four struggle to make friends.

It blames bullying in particular for a drop in life satisfaction reported by 15-year-olds, down three percentage points to 76 per cent since 2018.

Prime Minister Mark Carney shook up his cabinet Tuesday by moving some key players involved in Canada-U.S. relations into new positions and promoting 24 new faces in a move meant to signal change at the top.

While some were prominent figures in former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government — including Dominic LeBlanc, Mélanie Joly, Chrystia Freeland and François-Philippe Champagne — Carney froze out other prominent members of his predecessor's team.

Carney named 28 full ministers to his cabinet, which will meet for the first time on Wednesday.

Highway 20 near Craven has reopened to traffic after a second train derailment in as many days caused a temporary closure and detours in the area.

Lumsden RCMP confirmed Monday that a new derailment occurred west of Craven, prompting a full closure of Highway 20 in both directions. The initial derailment took place on Sunday, with crews still working in the area when the second incident occurred.

No injuries were reported and police said no dangerous goods were spilled. Cleanup efforts were expected to take several hours.

Saskatchewan led the country in job growth last month and posted the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, according to new labour force figures released Friday by Statistics Canada.

The province added 21,100 jobs year-over-year in April, an increase of 3.6 per cent—the highest percentage increase among provinces. Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate sat at 4.3 per cent, well below the national average of 6.9 per cent.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is warning the public about a risk of measles exposure in Kindersley following confirmation of multiple cases in the community.

Residents who visited certain locations between May 5 and May 8 are being urged to monitor for symptoms of the highly contagious virus for up to 21 days after their potential exposure.

The locations and times include:

• Cameron’s Clothing Company, 705 11 Ave E

  • Monday, May 5: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Tuesday, May 6: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.