Estevan

Saskatchewan is celebrating some good numbers for private investment after the provincial government revealed those early this morning.

In their release, the province says that Saskatchewan led all provinces in private capital investment growth in 2024, with an increase of 17.3 per cent over 2023.

Bill Huber, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), is leading the charge for the reintroduction of strychnine as a tool to control Richardson's ground squirrels in the province. In a recent interview, Huber discussed the need for the provincial government to invoke the Saskatchewan First Act to reinstate the use of the rodenticide, which was banned following a federal deregistration order that fully took effect in March 2024. 

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says relations with the United States have been "a little more intense" as he continues to push against the threat of tariffs. 

"That may remain a little more intense for a period into the future, but we're committed to making the relationship work despite the current rhetoric," Moe told reporters Thursday in Washington, D.C., outside the White House. 

Relatives of two murdered Indigenous women expressed shock, hope and anger Thursday, after receiving news that potential human remains have been found at a landfill where their loved ones were believed to have been taken.

"I think the shock of everything has finally hit me," Melissa Robinson, a cousin of Morgan Harris, said at a press conference sitting beside other relatives

"To every one of you that said no (to a search), to every one of you that didn't believe in us, do better," said Harris's daughter Elle Harris.

It was a heated battle between the Estevan Comprehensive School and the Weyburn Comprehensive School last night for the 88th McLeod Series. 

The ECS Elecs Senior Girls Basketball Team led the charge, winning over the WCS Eagles 71-38. For the boys' match, Weyburn got the upper hand and walked away with a decisive 73-60 win over the ECS Elecs. The total score for the entire series was 278-230 in favour of Estevan, marking the Elecs as back-to-back winners of the long-standing tradition. 

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.