Estevan

A man who admitted to killing four women in Winnipeg but claimed he was too mentally ill to be held responsible has been found guilty of first-degree murder.

Defence lawyers had argued Jeremy Skibicki was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the slayings in 2022 and should be found not criminally responsible and detained in a hospital.

But Crown prosecutors said he had the mental capacity and awareness to commit and cover up the killings.

People in a packed courtroom cheered and clapped when the verdict came down Thursday. Skibicki showed little emotion.

It’s Operation Safe Driver Week July 7 through July 13, and you’ll see an increase in members of the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, RCMP, and municipal police. 

The campaign is observed annually according to Mathew Austin, commercial vehicle enforcement specialist with the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol. “It’s coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).” 

The Government of Saskatchewan held its first subsurface mineral public offering of the fiscal year on Monday, July 8, 2024, and generated $5,935,425.46 in revenue, driven by interest in lithium potential.

Of the 18 subsurface permits posted for this offering, 16 received acceptable bids covering a total of 39,650.88 hectares. The permits, which are prospective for lithium, are located mainly in southeast Saskatchewan.

First Nations chiefs have heard enough promises and "performative reconciliation," Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday, adding they deserve a partnership based on honest conversations.

It was the first time Poilievre was addressing the Assembly of First Nations, an organization representing more than 600 First Nations that had a tense relationship with the Conservatives when former prime minister Stephen Harper was in power.

Moosomin's Feed Mill is shutting down this fall, as laid out by Federated Co-op Limited.

The Midale Oilmen’s Association is gearing up for their 32nd Annual Golf Tournament at Mainprize Park, set to take place on July 19.

“We’ve had a good turnout in the past, and we’re hoping to fill all 144 slots for golfers this year,” said Russ Scharnatta with the Midale Oilmen’s Association. “It’s a two-man best ball tournament with a horse race at the end of the day for the top five teams. We have supper following the horse race final, and it’s all on one day, Friday. So you still have your weekend to do whatever needs to be done.”

The U13 Estevan Elite Softball Team is set to host the U13 Provincial B Championship tournament at Pleasantdale Softball Diamonds starting tomorrow, and the excitement is growing in the southeast. 

"The U13B Provincial Tournament is being hosted in Estevan this weekend. There's 21 teams coming from all over the province, from as far South as you get, to Lloydminster is the farthest north that we get and we are just so excited for what's going to come this," expressed Estevan Minor Softball board member Rebecca Foord. 

The heat wave in the southeast didn’t dampen the sizzling start to this year's Golden West's Taste of Summer charity BBQ season.

The Estevan Public Youth Centre (EPYC) was the first non-profit to benefit from the proceeds to support its summer programming. EPYC executive director Merissa Scarlett said she was very happy with the turnout.

“I love seeing so many people and just giving us a little more help than even just the $5, so that was a huge help,” Scarlett said.

Some relief will come from the scorching heat in the form of cloud cover which will eventually turn into rain later on.

While that won't drop temperatures from their current 30+ degree system, they will provide relief from searing sunshine over the next few days.

That'll even start a few storms in the area, with Environment Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang talking about what's coming by.

With the southeast experiencing a heat wave, some may be tempted to work on their tan. The summer glow can seem desirable but it can have adverse effects on the skin in the long term.

"Studies have shown that people desire tans because they perceive them as enhancing attractiveness, both for themselves and others. Some also believe that a base tan offers protection from sunburn," said a representative from Sun Safe Sask.