Estevan

Defence lawyers making final arguments on behalf of one of the prominent "Freedom Convoy" organizers are maintaining their client's innocence, with proceedings scheduled to continue next week.

Diane Magas argued before a judge Thursday that her client, Chris Barber, never meant to gridlock Ottawa and that he is not responsible for the actions of convoy participants.

She also said there's an "enormous" amount of material to deal with in the trial and the process has taken more time than expected. The trial began in September 2023 and has faced a number of delays.

Saskatchewan is seeing harvest continue with many cereal crops ready to go around the province.

Tyce Masich, a Crops Extension Specialist with Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture, talks about the current pace of the harvest.

A fire ban will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, for the R.M. of Tecumseh No. 65.

The ban includes any open burning, such as fire pits, fireworks, or burning of any garbage.

The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

Environment Canada has issued an air quality advisory as smoke is gathering over the southeast.

Air quality and visibility are likely to fluctuate over the next couple of days, presenting health risks to everyone outside.

People more susceptible to wildfire smoke including seniors, pregnant women, people who smoke, infants, and young children should try to stay inside.

People who either work outdoors or spend plenty of time outside should consider limiting their time.

Biosecurity is an important part of any farming operation with ranchers having to take special care for their own farm systems.

That can include managing disease risks wherever they pop up, including from outside sources.

Chelsea Siemens, a livestock and feed extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, talks about what biosecurity looks like on farms.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s most recent crop report shows that harvest has begun for producers in the southeast, with hot temperatures and limited rainfall causing crops to mature rapidly.

Harvest is currently 11 per cent complete in the southeast, which is about the six per cent provincial average. Harvest progress in this region is also ahead of the four per cent five-year average and five per cent 10-year average.

Oppositional concerns were formally presented on Wednesday morning by dozens of ratepayers and supporters during a regular Council meeting of the R.M. of Weyburn, regarding the Seven Stars Wind Power Energy Project.

"We were allowed to ask a few questions on certain topics of their procedures for changing bylaws," shared Kim Brady. "Previous to this meeting, I asked them to have a Town Hall meeting with the residents, at one of the local halls in town and let people come, but they wouldn't do that." 

A few RCMP detachments teamed up earlier this week to execute a search warrant for a man who had a number of charges against him.

On August 11, a search warrant was executed at a residence in the community of Oxbow.

The team was made up of members of the Carnduff, Estevan, and Carlyle RCMP Detachments, the F Division Critical Incident Response Team, Carlyle Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, and Estevan Police Service.

From the warrant, 60-year-old Timothy Irwin of Oxbow has been charged with:

When a person stops and thinks about the amount of time we spend on our BBQ, it's amazing. If you and your family have been contemplating getting a new one, here it is, imagine this on your deck. This is a beautiful Napoleon BBQ from Barry's Plumbing & Heating in Estevan. It's stainless steel, and has 6 burners, Infrared Side and Rear burners, Natural Gas or Propane.

This item along with many others, all on our Discover Estevan Online Auction. Happy bidding!!!

Smoke is settling onto the southeast as winds are shifting and picking up smoke from wildfires raging to the north.

That cover is expected to hit special weather statement criteria today, potentially causing health issues for people outside.

Environment Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang says that a lot of the smoke is coming from our own province.