Estevan

The ability to hear is about much more than enjoying sounds. As Melanie Tribiger explains, it’s an essential component of communication. 

“A person’s hearing is incredibly important, because hearing is what allows us to actually connect with people around us,” she says. “It allows us to have conversations, to communicate, and when that’s a struggle, it leads to isolation.” 

Estevan's farmers market has been enjoying the summer season, connecting the community with bakers, artisans, and more through the event.

With the summer season midway through, a new face has taken the reins as the site manager role has been switched out.

We talked with Erin McQuoid, the new site manager, about her taking over the role starting on the first market of August.

Every once in a while, when I'm out cruising in the country, I see an image where a photo needs to be taken. This is one of those moments, these horses just seemed so content and enjoying each other's company. They had the entire pasture to spread out, but they chose to gather together as if they were deciding something.

"Let The Meeting Begin"

Ranchers have observed an increase in woody species, such as western snowberry (or buckbrush) and wolf willow in their pasturelands. With the increase of woody species or brush density; comes reduced acres for livestock grazing.  With the loss of grazing acres, comes a large economic cost. With the increased density of woody species, the grassland is also negatively impacted through a shift in the desired plant community. Major barriers to addressing woody encroachment are, that it is time consuming and costly.

An annual and international campaign, Operation Safe Driver Week took place in North America from July 7 through 13. 

In our province, the week saw Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) members increasing traffic enforcement efforts. “It’s about essentially enforcement just going out and stopping drivers that are displaying unsafe driving manners," explained Sergeant Mathew Austin, commercial vehicle enforcement specialist with the SHP.  

The congregations or 'swarms' of Blue Darner dragonflies being observed over the past couple of weeks in the southeast area are the result of having an ample supply of food - smaller flying insects. 

This is according to Dr. James Tansey, the Provincial Entomologist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. 

Dragonflies, and their smaller, close relatives, damselflies, consume smaller flying insects that can bug anyone trying to enjoy the great outdoors, such as biting midges (also known as no-see-ums) and even mosquitoes. 

A new software system is being introduced in the healthcare sector in the province, and it has been causing some headaches for employees throughout Saskatchewan. The AIMS program, or Administrative Information Management System, which was originally introduced in 2022 before being rolled back due to issues, is being re-introduced starting with its use for payroll. 

The Souris Valley Theatre will be rocking the southeast with a performance of Jailhouse Rock set to kick off this weekend.

The show will play for the first time on Monday night, running until the 9th and then picking back up from the 12th to the 16th.

Joseph Shane McLellan, who plays Johnny Cash in the production, was out with the rest of the crew at the Estevan Farmers Market to promote their show.

He says that getting to perform a song in front of an audience of marketgoers is a first for him.

The Saskatchewan Archaeological Society (SAS) has been engaging communities across the province this summer, bringing Saskatchewan’s rich archaeological heritage to life for residents of all ages.

“We support people in physical and cultural communities and stewarding archaeological heritage for our collective well-being, and often we do this through different methods of outreach as well as different types of education across the province,” said Dr. Karin Struber the public outreach coordinator for SAS.

A group of kids from Midale spent their Tuesday selling lemonade for a good cause. Sutter Hoium alongside Korbin and Jace Martinson, Reed and Kane Vandenhurk, James Banman, and Charles Gill raised $869 for the activity department at the Mainprize manor. The funds will provide activities like bingo and crafts for the residents.  

The stand ran from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and sold lemonade, freezies, hot dogs and hamburgers. Sutter’s dad, Kyle Hoium, worked at the grill while the kids helped the customers.