Local News

Alberta Health Services has issued a water quality advisory for the swim pond at Tim Horton Children’s Ranch in the Kananaskis area.

Recent testing revealed elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the water, prompting AHS to advise against swimming or wading in the pond until further notice.

Health officials warn that contact with the contaminated water could lead to gastrointestinal illness, as well as skin, ear, and eye infections.

AHS reminds the public to avoid drinking or cooking with untreated water from any natural source, as it may contain harmful organisms.

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck was in Weyburn Wednesday morning, meeting with CUPE Local 5430 Region 4 Vice President Arlene Picard. The two spoke to the media, highlighting concerns over staffing shortages in healthcare, worker burnout, and service disruptions at emergency rooms in the Weyburn area.  

Saskatchewan MLA Doug Steele says he was concerned for a woman’s safety but never contacted police, even as concerns mounted around her immigration status, working conditions and alleged mistreatment by her employers.

Steele testified this week in a human trafficking trial involving two accused men, Mohammad Masum and Sohel Haider, both arrested in June 2023. Masum faces additional charges of sexual assault. The complainant’s identity is protected by a publication ban.

A Tisdale settlement worker told a Saskatchewan courtroom this week that she had serious concerns about the safety and immigration status of a woman at the centre of a human trafficking case, describing the referral she received as highly unusual and troubling.

Jody Campbell (Armstrong), a settlement advisor with Northeast Newcomer Services in Tisdale, testified she was contacted in early March 2023 by Saskatchewan MLA Hugh Nerlien, who asked her to connect with the complainant. He cited possible employment and immigration issues but offered few details.

With the summer season having officially begun and Canada Day festivities upcoming, many people will be making their way to local lakes and launching their boats to enjoy the sunshine on the water. However, there are a few rules and regulations boat operators should keep in mind.  

The Saskatchewan RCMP issued a release yesterday reminding boaters that impaired boating is punishable under the Criminal Code of Canada and carry the same penalties as impaired drivers. This includes loss of license, hefty fines, and even jail time.  

Only a few days remain for Airdronians to have their say on the Airdrie Transit Master Plan.

Billie-Jo Arnott, Team Lader for Airdrie Transit explained residents have until June 30 to fill it out.

"As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance transit services in Airdrie and the surrounding region, we are excited to announce the development of a comprehensive transit master plan."

She went on to explain that this plan will be designed to improve transit service by establishing a strategy for a coordinated public transit system.

Producers across the region continued in-crop spray applications as the weather allowed and are monitoring fields for insect and disease pressure.

Haying operations have just begun but may be delayed in some areas due to recent rainfall.

Some crop damage occurred as a result of hailstorms that moved through parts of the region. Producers are currently assessing the extent of the damage and monitoring recovery in affected crops.

A substantial amount of rainfall for west-central Saskatchewan was detailed in the Ministry of Agriculture's crop report for June 17-23. 

A wide load caused traffic disruptions west of Rosetown on Thursday morning after the semi hauling it ended up partially in the ditch.

The incident occurred before noon, a few miles west of town, as a semi-truck pulling a large building sank into the soft shoulder, blocking much of the highway in the process. The circumstances leading up to the incident have not been confirmed, but the load’s size and weight posed a challenge for recovery crews.

Approximately 300 copper-served customers in Kindersley have been experiencing SaskTel service outages this week, that according to the crown corporation in an update shared Thursday afternoon.