SwiftCurrent

To say that Market Square was overflowing with people at this year's tree lighting is an understatement. 

Not only was the square itself packed, but so was the whole of Chaplin Street East adjacent, and parts of Central Avenue North and First Avenue NE. Families, friends, and Christmas tree enthusiasts were all gathered to watch as Swift Current Mayor, Al Bridal, counted down the big moment.

After a minor delay, the lights came on and dazzled the crowd, marking a start to the Christmas season in Swift Current. 

The government on Thursday announced a sweeping promise to make groceries, children's clothing, Christmas trees, restaurant meals and more free from GST/HST between Dec. 14 and Feb. 15. 

The Funeral Service for the late Marcel Meloche will take place on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. from Christ the Redeemer Catholic Parish in Swift Current, with Rev Ferdinand Eusebio and Deacon David Hagel officiating.

**The service is being recorded and will be posted on the funeral home website as soon as possible.   

**The service is being live-streamed and the link can be found on the funeral home website.

The longest serving member of the Saskatchewan Party cabinet is stepping into a bigger role.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has given Rosetown-Delisle MLA Jim Reiter significant responsibility as Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier.

"I'm very excited about it," Reiter said. "I feel very honored that Premier Moe has selected me for this, and I'm just very much looking forward to getting to work."

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for the semi-driver involved in last weekend's fatal crash south of Plum Coulee.
    
According to RCMP, officers have been unable to locate 25-year-old, Navjeet Singh.
    
On Wednesday, authorities charged the Brampton, Ontario man with two counts of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Death and Obstructing a Peace Officer related to the crash at the intersections of highways 201 and 306 that killed a 35-year-old mom and her 8-year-old daughter.
    

Can the current model continue for the Swift Current 57s?

Longtime 57s volunteer and now past president Brad Woods is expressing concern the growth of the WCBL in terms of schedule and required offerings has pushed them beyond their budgetary limits.

"They're now operating on a 56-game schedule," Wood said. "When you're on an organization that relies 100% on volunteers to deliver that 56-game schedule it's tough because it's a full time commitment through the months of say April through to the end of September.

With the ongoing postal strikes, the City of Swift Current is warning residents of billing issues. 

As Canada Post workers continue to engage in job action, the City of Swift Current will not be mailing out bills. However, residents are still obligated and required to pay those bills.

Ryan Lochart, manager of revenue and collections for the City of Swift Current, understands that this is an inconvenience, but is offering people alternative methods for people to collect their bills. 

The Liberal government plans to temporarily lift the federal sales tax off a slew of items just in time for Christmas and send cheques to millions of Canadians this spring, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday.

"Our government can't set prices at the checkout, but we can put more money in people's pockets," Trudeau said at a press conference in Toronto alongside Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. 

The Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce held their third session of Cops & Coffee this morning which highlighted Alternative Measures and recent crime updates.

Over a dozen people attended, including several Swift Current City RCMP and Chamber members, for the meeting which began at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and donuts.

Aimee Stusrud, justice worker for the Alternative Measures Program with the Salvation Army, noted that the program works closely with victims to ensure their voices are heard, as victim participation is highly valued.

Two days ago, traffic came to a halt on the Second Avenue Southeast overpass after a vehicle collided with the guard rail. 

The Swift Current Municipal RCMP received a 911 hang-up call at 7:55 P.M. When they called the number back, a man answered, advising he had crashed on the overpass. 

The driver had no injuries from the crash, but their gray Kia Sorento was left undrivable. A tow Truck had to remove the vehicle. 

No other information has been released regarding this incident.