Estevan

Act now and show some leadership.

That’s what the Canadian Federation of Independant Business is calling on both the provincial and federal governments to do at a time when the country’s economy is on the line.

CFIB Senior Policy Analyst Seo Rhin Yoo says as 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports into the United States are set to come into play on Tuesday, there are some things that governments could do to lessen the impact.

A provincial ban on cellphone use in all K-12 schools during class time has improved student focus and social interaction in Estevan-area schools, but cyberbullying remains a concern, say two local principals.

As schools marked Pink Shirt Day, an event promoting kindness and anti-bullying efforts, local educators reflected on the impact of the policy, which took effect at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

At Spruce Ridge School, Principal Cheri Haberstock said the ban has had a positive impact.

Respiratory virus trends continue to shift, with influenza hospitalizations and ICU admissions increasing while COVID-19 and RSV cases decline, according to the latest community respiratory illness surveillance program (CRISP) report.

Southeast region trends

In the southeast region, which includes Estevan and Weyburn, COVID-19 test positivity remains at zero, while influenza test positivity is higher than the provincial average at 20 per cent. RSV test positivity sits at 12.3 per cent.

The Estevan Police Service was out and about recently which included a fire call that they responded to.

On Tuesday EPS members responded to a residential fire in the Royal Heights Trailer Park along with Estevan Fire and EMS. No injuries were reported as the occupants were not home at the time and the fire was deemed not suspicous.

Officers also received a report of an impaired man leaving a local liquor store. An incomplete description of the vehicle was given to police, however they could not locate it to determine the driver's sobriety.

And just like that, another round of the McLeod Series has wrapped up. 

The 88th edition of the storied high school basketball rivalry saw the best basketball players from Estevan Comprehensive School and Weyburn Comprehensive School leave it all on the hard court last night. Despite the split decision, Estevan was still victorious, being crowned back-to-back champions. The ECS Sr. Girls Basketball Team widened the gap even more, winning their match 71-38. Meanwhile, the Sr. Boys fell to the Eagles 73-60. The final score between the two games is 278-230 in favour of Estevan. 

A southeast town is hoping to get support as they've entered into the Kraft Hockeyville competition.

Redvers is hoping to accrue enough votes to win the competition, which would see $250,000 go towards the Redvers Rec Centre.

Nadine Pryde, the recreation director for Redvers, says they're hoping to see some community feedback to help make it happen.

The Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division has received mid-year funding from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education to support growing student enrollment. This was part of a $29.5 million addition to the total 2024-25 investment of $58 million to help alleviate space pressures in schools across the province.

With some recent cases of stolen items and vehicles around the southeast one detachment is taking the time to give some tips for people to prevent thefts on rural properties.

Constable Gary Christopher, from the Coronach/Bengough detachment, talks about some of the simple ways rural people can keep their possessions secure.

Multiple polls now suggest the next federal election will be a tight race, and at least one major pollster has the Liberals leading the Conservatives for the first time in nearly four years.

A survey from Ipsos released this week suggests that if an election were held today, 38 per cent of Canadians would support the Liberals and 36 per cent would back the Conservatives.

That's a major shift from just six weeks ago, when the Conservatives held a 26-point lead in Ipsos polls.

The Prairie Watershed On-Farm Climate Action Project (PWCP) is expanding, and it's good news for farmers in Manitoba. The project, which has been helping farmers reduce their environmental footprint since 2022, is getting a significant boost from the Canadian government.

Lynda Nicol, Executive Director of the Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW), explains how phase one of the program has been a huge success.