Saskatchewan’s harvest was 71 percent complete before heavy rains swept through most of the grain belt Wednesday and Thursday. The weekly provincial crop report said 21 percent is either swathed or ready to straight combine. The five-year average for this time of year is 60 percent combined and 23 percent ready. By region, the west-central […] Read more
Stories by Karen Briere
One serious case of West Nile confirmed in Sask.
Saskatchewan has reported a case of West Nile Virus neurological syndrome even as cooler weather arrived to drive down the risk. Provincial chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said Sept. 20 that a man in his 60s is hospitalized in Five Hills Health Region, which includes an area around Moose Jaw. Another six suspected […] Read more
West Nile case confirmed in Sask.
Saskatchewan is reporting one serious and six suspected cases of West Nile Virus. The province’s chief medical health officer will speak to reporters later today, but the province has issued a news release stating that one person is in hospital with West Nile neurological syndrome. The people likely became infected in late August and early […] Read more

Youngster proud of hefty purchase
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Many young boys save up to buy their first vehicle, but Ethan Harty’s purchase is likely one of a kind. The 11-year-old from Strome, Alta., with income from 4-H steers and some help from his dad, bought a steam-powered tractor. At $35,000, he figures he got a deal. “That’s cheap,” he […] Read more

Museum celebrates elevator opening
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — The band played, horses and wagons pulled people around the grounds and somewhere in the crowd, someone was keeping a happy and satisfying secret. More than 1,100 people gathered Sept. 7 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mawer, Sask., grain elevator and its grand opening at its new home at […] Read more
Sask. harvest ahead of average
More than half of Saskatchewan’s crop is in the bin, according to the weekly provincial crop report. That’s ahead of the five-year average. Crop reporters estimated that, as of Sept. 16, 55 percent had been harvested. Another 30 percent was ready to swath or straight cut. Rain Wednesday and Thursday put a halt to operations […] Read more
Sask. changes education ministers
Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall has changed his cabinet after Russ Marchuk stepped down as education minister. The Regina MLA told the premier earlier this week he no longer wanted the lead role as minister. However, he is staying on as legislative secretary to the new minister. That will be Saskatoon MLA Don Morgan, who has […] Read more

Red tape a nightmare in bringing bison to island
Disease concerns, jurisdiction debate | Government departments debate whether to classify bison as wildlife or cattle
Michelle Young hopes she is nearly over the last hurdle as she tries to establish the first bison herd in Newfoundland and Labrador. Last week, she was waiting to hear if the province’s wildlife department wanted her to build an eight-foot game fence or if she could use a high-tensile electric fence. Once that decision […] Read moreAssociate deputy minister leaves Saskatchewan Agriculture
Nithi Govindasamy, associate deputy minister of policy and programs at Saskatchewan agriculture, is moving to the highways ministry. As of Sept. 16, he will be the deputy minister of highways and infrastructure to Don McMorris. Govindasamy joined the Saskatchewan agriculture ministry shortly after the November 2007 election. He had worked for the Alberta government before […] Read more
Sask. harvest 30 percent complete
The Saskatchewan harvest is now at least 30 percent complete. The provincial crop report released Thursday said, as of Sept. 9, another 36 percent of the crop was either swathed or ready to combine. The five-year average for this time of year is 28 percent combined and 31 percent ready. The southwest region is the […] Read more