Weyburn

A special air quality statement has been issued for Weyburn and much of southeastern Saskatchewan due to wildfire smoke. The smoke, originating from fires in northern Saskatchewan and northern Manitoba, has been pushed into the region by a northerly wind following a cold front that passed through the area last night. 

A familiar smoky haze has settled over southeastern Saskatchewan this week, prompting the issuance of a special air quality statement by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The smoke, which blew in on Thursday and is expected to linger until Saturday morning, has created conditions that also make it essential to take precautions. 

While Saskatchewan's real estate market saw record-high prices and intense demand in June, the Weyburn market is being described as a "silver lining" of stability, offering a more comfortable environment for buyers and sellers. 

With the air quality improving this afternoon, the Weyburn Leisure Centre outdoor pool and the Young Fellows paddling pool have reopened after having been closed this morning due to poor air quality

The City of Weyburn stated that since air quality conditions can change rapidly, in accordance with safety protocols, the facilities may close again with little notice.

Updates will continue to be provided as conditions evolve.

The Weyburn Beavers came out swinging Wednesday night in Medicine Hat, but their bats weren’t enough to keep up with the Mavericks in an 11-8 loss. 

The two teams combined for 28 hits and 19 runs in a back-and-forth affair that saw Medicine Hat score four runs in the bottom of the eighth to go from a one-run deficit to a three-run lead. Weyburn had built an early lead with two runs in the second and three more in the third, but the Mavericks chipped away before pulling ahead late. 

The perfect time to take part in Saskatchewan sport fishing is this weekend, as the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment holds the 36th annual summer Free Fishing Weekend. On July 12th and 13th, everyone in the province can experience recreational fishing on our lakes and rivers without an angling license. However, other fishing regulations are still in place, and the event does not apply within National Parks.

While the R.M. of Benson has been supporting the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation with a cumulative $154,000, a special fundraising initiative has been able to raise another $100,000 for the Foundation's MRI Project, which is nearing the final stages of fundraising.

The campgrounds are now open as Craven welcomes thousands of music fans for Country Thunder this weekend. 

The campground gates opened at 9 a.m. on Wednesday to allow festival-goers time to set up their sites before the event begins. The campground gates will close at 10 p.m. each night. 

The Saskatchewan Band Association is bringing 'Band in the Park' to Weyburn's Jubilee Park on Tuesday evening. It's an opportunity for band musicians to bring their brass, reed, wind, or percussion instruments out for an open-air musical interlude that is completely free for those playing, and for those listening.

Events Coordinator Addisen Nelson said musicians can register online to access the music prepared for the event.

Ottawa says it will work to align its flight security regulations with those in the U.S. after Washington dropped a rule that required passengers to remove their shoes during security screenings.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday that passengers at American airports no longer need to remove their shoes because officials have found other ways to keep travellers safe.

Canada does not require passengers flying domestically or to non-U.S. destinations to take off their shoes for screening, unless a security officer decides it's necessary.