Estevan

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious and severe disease that affects cattle, sheep, swine, and other cloven-hoofed animals making it hard for them to eat and walk, leaving them weak and sick.

The FMD vaccine bank builds on existing protections for the livestock industry and equips producers with another tool to control and eliminate the disease should an outbreak occur.

Budget 2023 committed $57.5 million over five years, with $5.6 million ongoing, to the CFIA to establish the FMD vaccine bank and response plans.

Two years ago, more than 120,000 federal public servants went on strike after negotiations broke down.

Now, the union representing those workers is going back to the bargaining table with the government with the goal of securing greater job security and remote work options for its members.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says next week's initial meetings offer its first opportunity to present priorities identified by members, such as better wages, greater job security and stronger provisions for remote work.

This year's wildfire season in Canada is shaping up to be the second-worst on record and federal officials are warning of a dangerous summer in parts of British Columbia.

Officials with several government departments held a technical briefing Thursday in Ottawa with an update on the state of multiple wildfires and its forecast for the coming months.

Saskatchewan's generosity was on full display Thursday for the Day of Caring radiothon in support of wildfire evacuees. 

The Canadian Red Cross reported receiving $643,156.30 by 5:50 p.m., with donations still flowing in and being accepted until Monday, when the final total will be revealed. The federal government's matching portion will then be added to the total.

Nutrien Ag Solutions matched donations up to $100,000 during the morning portion, and by the end of the day, up its support to $300,000.

The MRI project has seen plenty of donations come in over the months from businesses and organizations, but community members are also giving just as much. One big-dollar donation came in from Larry Preddy, who gave $75,000 to see an MRI machine be established at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Preddy says that since he's sold Hender's Drugs, a business which saw a lot of support from the community, he wanted to give some of that money back to Estevan.

Southeast producers have wrapped up seeding for the season, with the exception of a few acres still being seeded to chickpeas and perennial forage as conditions allow.

Favourable growing conditions were reported this week, and producers are beginning in-crop applications as weather permits. They will continue to monitor crops over the coming week.

Financial support for wildfire evacuees in Saskatchewan is flowing in for the Saskatchewan Day of Caring radiothon.

The Canadian Red Cross reported at 11:50 a.m. that they have collected $222,879.50 in donations from the radiothon to aid those impacted by the wildfires across the province. This total includes a $100,000 matching sponsor from Nutrien Ag and a $25,000 donation from Saskatoon Co-op.

The federal government is matching all donations from the radiothon, but this is not included in the total raised.

The Estevan Police Service responded to a series of calls on June 11 involving suspicious activity, theft, erratic driving, and trespassing concerns.

Officers were first called about a suspicious individual parked in front of a residence. The vehicle left before police arrived, and no further concerns were noted.

A $50,000 donation is hoping to help out the St. Joseph's Hospital MRI project, which is nearing its finish line of over $6 million. The company donating the funds is Western Fiberglass, which has supported the foundation during events like the Festival of Trees in the past.

Ken Wallewein, the president of Western Fiberglass and a board member for St. Joseph's Hospital, talks about why they decided to give that money.

As Estevan gears up for a busy weekend of festivities, Chief Jamie Blunden of the Estevan Police Service joined the SUN 102 Morning Show to share timely reminders about safety at the Energy City Ex, graduation celebrations, and summer bike activity. From child safety at the fair to helmet laws and safe rides home, the message was clear: enjoy the weekend, but stay safe.