SwiftCurrent

A pair of local fire departments joined forces on Canada Day to quickly extinguish a grass fire.

The Morse Fire Department were called to the fire, located north of Morse and Herbert, around 4:30 on Tuesday and used their mutual aid agreement to call in the Herbert Fire Department.

Trevor Moss, the fire chief for the Morse Fire Department, said it wasn't a big fire, but they wanted to make sure the fire was contained.

"Our main truck is up getting repairs done at the moment," he said. "We've been relying on our neighbouring departments to help us out."

A Swift Current man was sentenced last week on a laundry list of charges stemming from several various incidents that occurred from March to June of this year.

James Lilliman appeared in Swift Current Provincial Court by video from the Regina Correctional Centre on June 25, pleading guilty to eight of 20 charges on a total of nine separate matters.

The 32-year-old was sentenced on the following;

A new law meant to protect supply management might not be enough to shield the system in trade talks with a Trump administration bent on eliminating it, trade experts say.

"It's certainly more difficult to strike a deal with the United States now with the passage of this bill that basically forces Canada to negotiate with one hand tied behind its back," said William Pellerin, a trade lawyer and partner at the firm McMillan LLP.

Confidence federal public servants have in their senior managers has fallen in recent years, a new survey suggests.

The 2024 Public Service Employee Survey said 55 per cent of public servants have confidence in senior management at their department or agency, down from 64 per cent in 2022 and 68 per cent in 2020.

Almost two-thirds of respondents in the new survey said senior managers in their department or agency model ethical behaviour.

There should be a couple new Russian faces in Swift Current Broncos camp this year.

A growing number of rural municipalities in southwest Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency as relentless drought conditions continue to strain farms, ranches, and rural communities.

The RMs of Maple Creek, Fox Valley, and Enterprise have joined the RM of Big Stick in officially declaring emergencies due to extreme dryness, lack of feed, and increasing fire risk.

The unfolding drought has forced livestock producers to make difficult decisions, with many reducing herd sizes and stretching already tight resources. 

A Medicine Hat man has been found not guilty on a litany of charges after his trial last week in Swift Current. 

Nicolas Belanger appeared in Swift Current Provincial Court last Tuesday and Wednesday, facing criminal charges stemming from an alleged assault involving a firearm that was reported to have taken place in October 2024. 

The City of Swift Current has advised residents of a road closure effective immediately.

The portion of Walsh Trail located between Matador Drive and Northcote Drive will be closed to allow for repairs to a water main. 

For more information, contact the City of Swift Current. 
 

Farm Credit Canada's Transition Loan program has been enhanced.

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald says transferring the family farm or business can be stressful; the new changes will help address the financial barriers many people face.

The loan's new terms are designed to make it easier for both buyers and sellers by allowing disbursements to the seller over a 10 year period.

The loan is available for farms, agribusinesses, or food businesses going through changes in ownership, be it within or outside the family.

Herbicide resistance is becoming a serious challenge for farmers across Saskatchewan. Resistant weeds limit chemical controls and rob yield.

Harvest Weed Seed Management is one approach to consider for reducing weed pressures and stopping the spread of any existing herbicide resistant weeds. This method targets weed seeds that come out the back of the combine during harvest, focusing on the chaff where most the weed seeds hide. By intercepting or destroying these seeds, farmers can reduce the weed seed bank and lower future weed pressure.