West Central Online Staff

Annual art exhibition at the West Wing Gallery at the Kinetic Exhibition Park had its opening reception on Saturday July 13th. The South West Open art exhibition has bee running for close to fifty years now, and gives an opportunity for talented artists from south west Saskatchewan to display their art for public viewing. The exhibition runs from June 27th-August 18 on Fridays and Saturdays 1-5pm

The west-central region was hit with a plume of smoke on Sunday night. With poor air quality, and reduced visibility being noticed at the time, a special air quality statement was released at 7:26 PM on Sunday. 

"A trough of low pressure is concentrating wildfire smoke and PM 2.5 and will be moving south and east throughout the night." it stated, before giving a timeline. "Smoke should slowly disperse throughout Monday improving conditions by Monday night. The fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase."

UPDATE: July 5, 2024, 10:30 AM

RCMP media shared some good news on Friday morning. Missing for nearly two weeks, the 25-year-old in question from Rosetown has been located safe.

The RCMP thank the public for their assistance in the matter.

ORIGINAL: Jun 24, 2024, 3:21 PM

RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating a 25-year-old woman. In a release it states,

"On June 24, 2024, Rosetown RCMP received a report of a missing 25-year-old woman.

Residents in the Rosedale subdivision in Kindersley are pleading with the town to address issues of flooding and sewage back ups following storms.  Residents in the area reached out to West Central Online with concerns.  Residents state that the issues with sewer started being an issue after the new lift station was installed on Ditson Drive. We've "flooded 3 times in 3 years since 2021" one resident told West Central Online. 

UPDATE: Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 5:00 AM

Outlook RCMP provided the following statement at 12:35 AM on Wednesday.

"Michael Edstrom has been located deceased. His family has been notified and victim services made available to them.

After initial investigation, Outlook RCMP believes his death to be non-suspicious in nature. The Saskatchewan Coroners Service continues to investigate."

ORIGINAL: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 7:00 AM

Outlook RCMP working to locate man escaped from police custody

Multiple charges headlined the June 24 Biggar RCMP report. Local RCMP gained answers into a months long investigation, as a situation involving youths snowballed into something much bigger. 

The report stated that "a 17-year-old local youth was arrested and charged for break enter and theft to a home on the 300 block of 6 Avenue East", and that "the youth also stole a gun and vehicle from the property that have since been recovered."

The charges didn't stop there, as police confirmed more details.

Highway #4 between Elrose and Kyle was closed on Thursday after a fatal collision involving an SUV and semi. The collision happened 15 kilometers south of Elrose at approximately 9:30 am. The highway has since reopened as of Friday morning.

The driver of the SUV, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was declared deceased by EMS at the scene. He has been identified as a 52-year-old male from Swift Current. His family has been notified. The driver of the semi was uninjured but taken to hospital for assessment

Saskatchewan RCMP have confirmed three arrests, and subsequent charges following last week's early morning police activity in Kindersley.

Weapons and drug charges headlined the list. Also included was more on a related situation back in May that saw a break-in at a business in Kindersley, and a stolen vehicle.

The Better Together group in Kindersley are working hard to put together a Family Fun Day at Baker Park. The event will take place from 1-5pm on July 1st with lots of amazing activities for everyone to enjoy! Of course, they have the Tug of War competition taking place if they can get enough teams together. If you have a group of friends and want to compete, give them a call at 306-500-1173 to get your team registered. Your strength doesn’t matter if you come out and have fun.

On June 11, 2024, the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan, fined OSY RENTALS LTD (1799334 ALBERTA LTD. )$60,000 after pleading guilty to two offences under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). Offences in this act relate to importing animal parts without a permit and knowingly possessing protected species that were imported or transported in contravention of the Act.