Estevan

Three workers who were trapped in a remote northern British Columbia mine have been rescued after more than 60 hours underground.

Red Chris mine operator Newmont Corp. said the three men were safely bought to the surface at about 10:40 p.m. on Thursday.

It said Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke and Jesse Chubaty — contractors for B.C.-based Hy-Tech Drilling — were in good health and spirits after being trapped underground by two rockfalls on Tuesday morning.

"This was a carefully planned and meticulously executed rescue plan," the company said in a statement.

Rental Housing Saskatchewan held a special members’ event last week to launch its new Legal Education Assistance Program (LEAP). 

LEAP is the first program of its kind in Saskatchewan. It is designed to help landlords understand their legal obligations under provincial rental property regulations. 

Estevan and the southeast as a whole are hosting a number of events over the weekend, but an Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast may make the weekend a bit wetter than hoped. The forecast is calling for chances of rain over the next three days, with thunderstorms also likely.

Scientist Christy Climenhaga talks about the system we'll see start up on Friday.

The most recent Saskatchewan Crop Report shows that rainfall across southeast Saskatchewan this past week was welcomed by many producers, with some receiving enough moisture to support crop development. However, others reported that the rain was too light to significantly improve growing conditions.

Producers in drier areas say more rain is needed soon to help crops reach their full potential.

The highest recorded rainfall was in the Bethune area, with 70 mm. The Big Beaver area received 46 mm, while Radville and Weyburn each saw 36 mm over the past week.

The month of July has brought cool, wet weather and smoke from forest fires to the majority of the Prairies.

Rain has been reported in some of the drier areas, but its coming too late for drought stressed crops and forage, with RM's across Manitoba, and Saskatchewan and  Alberta County's now declaring agricultural disaster areas.

Taking a regional look at what's happening:

Manitoba

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture & Food.

The agreement is designed to build stronger collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous agricultural producers.

Keith Currie, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture says by working together, we can amplify Indigenous voices, support agricultural entrepreneurs, and promote food production in ways that benefit all Canadians.

The provincial government recently announced two conservation programs: the Private Land Conservation Program and Ecosystems Grant Program 

The government of Alberta is investing $10 million to improve private land conservation, with the launch of two new and improved programs.

The enhanced Private Land Conservation Program and the new Ecosystems Grant Program will enable better protection of natural areas across the province, while allowing landowners to use their land for farming and ranching, the province has said.

An Ontario judge is delivering her ruling in the sexual assault trial for five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team.

Content warning: This live blog includes graphic descriptions of sexual acts and explicit testimony from a court proceeding that some readers may find disturbing or triggering. Reader discretion is advised.

The city of Estevan is advising the public that a section of the road will be closed today as crews are hard at work.

The 900 block of Valley Street will be closed, along with the north sidewalk, as of 9:00 a.m. today.

The section of the street will be closed for a valve replacement until construction work is completed.

While that work is underway, the City says that water pressure may drop for multiple residences in southwest Saskatchewan.

The City states that water pressure should return sometime in the afternoon.