Westman

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two leaders of the Freedom Convoy protest, are scheduled to be sentenced for mischief on Oct. 7 in an Ottawa courtroom.

In addition to lengthy prison sentences, the Crown wants to seize Barber's truck, which was used in the protest.

A forfeiture hearing on that matter is scheduled for Sept. 12.

Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said Thursday she wants to rule on the mischief sentence and truck forfeiture at the same time so that she does not deliver "piecemeal" decisions.

Ash and embers rained down on the northwestern Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids when an out-of-control wildfire entered the community Wednesday evening resulting in the damage of one home and several abandoned buildings. 

Firefighters have been in the community for weeks establishing fire guards, managing vegetation and setting up value protection on critical infrastructure, but "intense fire behaviour" that ramped up over the course of a few hours prompted crews to temporarily leave the town. 

Deloraine resident, Tyrell Hogg, is connecting with his Scottish roots this weekend while participating in the Highland Heavy Games, the sport that requires brute strength, steady balance and technique to score high points against other contenders.

From an early age, Laramie Lockie has been around rodeo, and her love of horses as well as support from family has boosted her into a barrel racing star. 

"My dad was a bull rider, so I was kind of set up right from the start" Lockie says with a smile. "My grandparents on both sides have horses as well, so it was kind of just meant to be, I think."

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.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises the wildfire situation in Leaf Rapids escalated yesterday, with fire entering the north side of the community and causing damage to an estimated five to seven structures. Of these, only one was a residence, the rest were abandoned buildings. The Leaf Rapids community was evacuated earlier this month, with essential and emergency personnel being the only ones in the community yesterday. At that time, fire crews retreated to safety in response to the intense wildfire activity but returned within the hour.

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.