Estevan

The Calgary Stampede is officially underway, along with the rodeo, midway and live entertainment... the event also showcases agriculture and Alberta's ranching history

It's a chance to step back in time and experience life on the farm and ranch, with the Vintage Tractor Pull and Blacksmith showcase;  to the Heavy Horse, Cutting Horse, and Team Cattle Penning competitions; Chuckwagon races, to the Junior Steer Classic, the International Youth Livestock Supreme Championship and Scholarships, the World Stock Dog Championships, and International Livestock Auctioneer Championships.

Industry is applauding the federal government’s progress toward a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank after it awarded supply contracts to two companies.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Biogenesis Bago SA will supply vaccine products and develop the vaccine bank.

Canadian Cattle Association Saskatchewan director and former Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association president Garner Deobald, who formerly worked for Boehringer, said both companies are well respected and were good choices.

“I think it is important, for sure, to be ready,” he said.

Estevan Fire Rescue had another week of calls starting off July with a number of situations around Estevan.

On the first of July at around 5:51 p.m., crews were sent to respond to a vehicle fire South of the city. Upon arrival, they found a fully engulfed vehicle with fire spreading into the nearby grass. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and contained the grass fire to the area. No injuries were reported from the incident, with the vehicle severely damaged. EFR believes the cause of the incident to be accidental.

Carnduff was filled with familiar faces and community pride over the weekend as the town celebrated 120 years during its Homecoming Weekend.

Mayor Ross Apperley says the weekend could not have gone better.

“It was excellent. We couldn’t ask for it any better,” said Apperley. “We had lots of people come home. We fed more than 650 people on Saturday night, and with the provincial women’s fastpitch in town as well, it was a really busy time.”

Apperley says what keeps people coming back is the connection to the town and its residents.

A busy weekend for the Estevan Police Service included multiple arrests for serious offences involving weapons, child exploitation and assault.

A 53-year-old man was arrested for possession of child pornography following a joint investigation between the Estevan Police Service and the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit. He was released on conditions and will appear in court at a later date.

Smoke has cleared out of Estevan's skies, but they've stayed just as grey with a storm system looming overhead. A cold front brought in some of that smoke on Saturday, with some sticking around into Sunday before disappearing.

Christy Climenhaga, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, details why the smoke was pushed out of the southeast.

In the latest public loss reports from the provincial government, they noted that an employee of a southeast school division was fired for using their gas card improperly.

The province states that $1,185 was lost as a result of an employee for the South East Cornerstone Public School Division (SECPSD) using their gas card for "non-business related purchases".

According to a release from SaskPower over social media, Manor residents will be without power for a period today.

In their post, it was discussed that power will be disrupted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., also affecting any nearby residences.

SaskPower will have updates once work is completed and the power turns back on.

The Estevan Community Wellness Committee is taking a hands-on approach to building a safer, more connected community. Through initiatives that address mental wellness, substance use and addiction, education and employment, and victimization, the committee is working to improve quality of life for residents across the city. A newly launched website now offers a central hub for local resources, while monthly games nights provide a welcoming space for people of all ages to gather.

Nature Saskatchewan is drawing attention to one of the province’s most unique and endangered grassland birds, the chestnut-collared longspur. 

“This is a super cool grassland specialist songbird,” explained Emily Putz, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator with Nature Saskatchewan. “They have a very bold colouring and they’re the 2025 Avian Ambassadors of Birds Canada.”