Estevan

As students return to school, Estevan can expect to see a noticeable increase in both pedestrian and vehicle traffic, prompting police to urge drivers to exercise extra caution, especially in school zones where children may be less attentive.

SaskCrops sent in their annual submission last week for Finance Canada’s federal pre-budget consultations. 

SaskCrops represents the vast majority of grain and oilseed producers in Saskatchewan through the participating growers' associations - SaskBarley, SaskCanola, SaskFlax, SaskOats, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and Sask Wheat. 

The groups note that research funding remains a key advocacy priority for SaskCrops and want to see significant, predictable, and sustained investment in research from the government.

Western Crop Innovations continues to grow. 

The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission has joined Western Crop Innovations (WCI) as a voting member.

Sask Barley has committed $50,000 in core funding as a transitional grant for the current fiscal year.

Western Crop Innovations (WCI) work focuses on developing feed and forage barley, malting barley, and triticale varieties specifically tailored for the Western Prairies.

The newly formed organization - formerly known as the Field Crop Development Centre - was founded earlier this year. 

A tourist visiting Canada is questioning the safety of Via Rail after he says his phone was snatched from him by an employee when he was documenting a train delay that left passengers stranded as they ran out of food, water and working toilets.

Chip Malt was in Quebec over the long weekend to celebrate his father's 70th birthday in the province's capital, and said he boarded a Via Rail train from Montreal to Quebec City on Saturday.

According to the latest data released by Statistics Canada, Saskatchewan's average weekly earnings were up in June compared to May. The numbers, show the average weekly earnings in the province were $1220.82, an increase of 5.17 percent from June 2023 and up by $12.30 from May.  

When August rolled around, April Hicke realized the $100 she typically gives her 13-year-old son to update his wardrobe in time for school to start was no longer enough.

"Even on the sale racks, a pair of sweatpants at SportChek, they're still $25 a pair. You used to be able to go and buy a pair of sweatpants for $10," said the Calgary-based mother of two. "I am shocked at the (price) increase of kids' clothes."

Despite castigation from provincial premiers over lagging federal contributions to health spending, an analysis of 20 years of health funding data shows that federal transfers have mostly outpaced increases to provincial health budgets. 

In 2023, federal health transfers amounted to $47.1 billion, a 212 per cent increase over 2005, when the transfers were $15.1 billion. Total spending by all 10 provinces grew in that time to $221.9 billion up from $86.2 billion, an increase of 158 per cent.

After a summer off drivers will again see school buses on the road with many schools beginning classes this week.

With routes all over the southeast coordinating all the drivers and students is a tough task with plenty of work going into the leadup to the school year.

Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division (SECPSD) Director of Education Keith Keating talks about their work with the buses over the summer.

Estevan Minor Football kicked off the season with a strong performance. The U14 Estevan Oilers secured a dominant 28-0 victory over the Moose Jaw Mafia, while the U12 Estevan Chargers impressed despite a close 51-47 loss to the Moose Jaw Lions.

Head coach Christian Pfeifer expressed pride in his U14 team, highlighting their defensive efforts in pitching a shutout and forcing four turnovers. “I couldn’t be happier with the result of this game,” he said.

The province is lifting its annual seasonal ban on elm tree pruning with fall here and yardwork coming into focus.

Saskatchewan prohibits the pruning of elm trees during the spring and summer to reduce the risk of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) between trees. That's mainly spread through elm bark beetles, which carry the fundus which causes DED.

Those beetles are most active from April to August, oftentimes attracted to healthy elm trees due to the scent released by them during pruning.