SASKATCHEWAN NEWS

Salads, cheeses and meal kits recalled over listeria concerns
A Co-op spinach and pasta salad, numerous cheese products sold nationally, and some cheese ingredients included in certain Hello Fresh brand meal kits are also among the recalls over listeria concerns.

Saskatchewan approves transfer of Crown mineral rights to three First Nations
The province has approved the transfer of Crown mineral rights to Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, Flying Dust First Nation and Pasqua First Nation to honour Treaty commitments in reserve land allocations.

As Sask. wildfire season begins, upcoming weather 'extremely critical'
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency received $140 million in this year's budget, an increase of $20 million. But last year's devastating wildfire season cost $392 million in extra expenses.

Regina board game designer puts new spin on crokinole
Colter Hahn has created two new crokinole games aimed at making the classic board game more accessible, flexible and fun for players of all skill levels, perfect for the Easter long weekend.

Two men charged with armed robbery after truck driver offered them a ride
A 29-year-old from Edmonton and a 31-year-old from Fishing Lake First Nation are facing a number of charges, including armed robbery, after a truck driver offered them a ride near North Battleford.

Stabbings in Prince Albert send three people to hospital
Three people were taken to hospital, and are in stable condition. There have been no arrests. Police said "the suspects" and victims are believed to be known to each other and this was not a random event.

Saskatchewan spending $2 million to enhance electronic monitoring for offenders
The program allows corrections employees to keep track of a person's movements, enforce court-ordered curfews and receive alerts when an offender enters an area they have been ordered to avoid.

Food Banks of Saskatchewan campaign aims to raise awareness, funds
Food Banks of Saskatchewan launched a campaign on April 1 called Neighbours Nourishing Neighbours to raise awareness about the 36 food banks in the province and the rise in demand for their services.

Calm, dry weather expected across much of Saskatchewan over Easter weekend
Environment Canada meteorologist James Colangelo said weather over the Easter weekend should be "pretty uneventful," with both Regina and Saskatoon expected to stay fairly dry.

Arguments finish, sentencing decision for Misha Pavelick's killer set for May
Arguments from the Crown and defence lawyers centred around whether the killer had the capacity and moral blameworthiness of an adult when he was 17 and killed Misha Pavelick in 2006.

Historic Saskatchewan town of Duck Lake fails in bid to sell naming rights
Mayor Jason Anderson said there were no bidders in the campaign, which began last fall and would still have still required a vote among residents before final name-change approval.

Red Earth man charged with attempted murder after victim injured in shooting: RCMP
The 24-year-old man is facing charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm with intent, possession of weapons contrary to an order and possession of a firearm knowing it is unauthorized.

Pizza with a side of meth: Takeout takes a turn during RCMP traffic stop
Battleford and Unity RCMP are reporting charges have been laid after a traffic stop led to a troublesome takeout discovery: a pizza box that was also hiding a significant quantity of suspected meth.

Sask. RCMP briefs: Watrous wanted man, Nipawin drug and weapon charges laid
Saskatchewan RCMP are asking for help to locate a wanted man after an incident at Manitou Beach and several drug and weapons charges have been laid in three different Saskatchewan investigations.

Sask. students have opportunity to learn CPR skills next school year
The provincial government and the Heart and Stroke Foundation are teaming up to offer tools and training for students to learn CPR and operate AEDs in school next year, to empower students in case of a life-or-death situation.

Police warn public about STARS Lottery scam as annual radiothon approaches
"You will never be asked to send money to claim any lottery prize. If you are being asked to send a cheque, money order, or payment of any kind to claim your lottery prize, it is a scam."

Sask. distillery owner feels federal excise tax discriminates against spirit producers
The federal excise tax on alcohol went up another two per cent on Wednesday, but the founder of Last Mountain Distillery says it's not fair to treat her company the same as larger distillers.

Saskatchewan's provincial ban on pruning elm trees takes effect on Wednesday
Dutch elm is a severe fungal infection mainly spread through elm bark beetles. The disease blocks an elm tree's ability to move water and nutrients, and most elms die once they have become infected.

What we know about the changes to Saskatchewan's animal welfare enforcement
Excluding the city of Regina, the new agency will provide animal welfare enforcement services across the province beginning on Wednesday, after the existing provider's contract expired.

Multiple sclerosis patient wishes funding for Regina clinic came sooner
About 4,000 people in Saskatchewan are living with multiple sclerosis (MS).The provincial budget set aside $2.3 million for a new MS clinic to be built to serve the Queen City and southern Saskatchewan.

Quantum computer at U of S could be 'real game-changer' for vaccines
The university will soon be home to a quantum computer. With its faster processing speeds, one goal is to potentially develop vaccines in minutes as well as use it in energy and agriculture applications.

Downtown Regina business says parking fee hike latest thing to weather
The co-owner of The Cure Kitchen + Bar says the City of Regina's 50 cent/hour hike in on-street parking rates makes it even harder to compete with suburban businesses that have free parking lots.

Weyburn water-pressure back to normal, but residents told to boil water
Weyburn confirmed that city-wide water pressure had been restored on Tuesday afternoon, but a precautionary drinking water advisory will remain in effect until water quality testing is complete.

'Terrible blow for the community': Recreation centre in Smeaton collapses
The Village of Smeaton is trying to determine what caused the recreation centre to partially collapse on Tuesday. The building was a hub of activity for hockey and curling, as well as community events.

Advanced education minister defends former office lease that Speaker said broke rules
Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff says his "split-lease" arrangement for his Saskatoon Willowgrove office was accepted by previous Speakers, despite a directive barring "subleases."

Sask. parents have split reactions on need for social media ban for minors
Saskatchewan parents are at odds over a possible ban on social media for kids under the age of 16. On Monday, Premier Scott Moe said the provincial government will poll the public on how it feels about prohibiting social media apps for kids who aren't old enough to get their driver's licence. Read more: New firearms co...

Carla Beck says letter to new federal NDP leader said it all
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck said her weekend letter to new federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis speaks for itself when she was asked to elaborate on it on Monday.

New firearms commissioner says owners of banned guns are protected by Sask. legislation
Ahead of Tuesday's deadline to register for the federal gun buyback program, Blaine Beaven said firearm owners can take part as log as they work within the provincial process Saskatchewan has set up.

Saskatchewan extends contract to continue breast cancer diagnostics in Calgary
The provincial government said as of March 13, 831 Saskatchewan patients have been referred to the Calgary clinic, and 746 of those patients have already had their diagnostic procedures completed.

Sask. worker in Saudi Arabia says conflict in Middle East making travel more challenging
Despite some travel headaches, Douglas Tompson said he is still looking forward to coming home to Saskatchewan, even if that means returning to a flat tire and sticker shock at the gas pumps.

Sask. government will poll public on social media ban for minors, Scott Moe says
"Canada should be considering options to limit social media use by minors," Moe said. "In the coming weeks, our government will be asking Saskatchewan people for their views on this matter."

Late-season snowfall hitting southern Sask., up to 15 cm expected in some areas
A spring storm is making its way across southern Saskatchewan, with as much as 15 cm of snow expected to fall in some parts of the province, including Regina, by Tuesday morning.

Garden Talk: What do I need to know about raising praying mantis?
Praying mantis are carnivores and dine mostly on other insects. They are especially good at devouring aphids. Our gardening experts have tips on buying dormant egg cases and hatching them for your yard.

Two dead after truck hits car while driver was allegedly evading Estevan police
The crash happened on Highway 39 near Weyburn around 7:15 p.m. on Friday, killing a 46-year-old man from Estevan and 40-year-old woman from Lampman. Their families have been notified, RCMP said.

Sask., Alberta NDP leaders slam policies of new federal party leader
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck wrote a letter to Avi Lewis saying his positions on fossil fuels are "ideological and unrealistic" and threaten $13.6 billion in economic activity in the province.

RUH completes first Sask. stereotactic robotic epilepsy surgery
Saskatchewan is marking a historic surgical milestone: the completion of its first stereotactic robotic epilepsy surgery. The announcement was made the same week as Purple Day, the global day for epilepsy awareness.

Play With Your Food fundraiser tops $106K for Regina's Carmichael Outreach
A Regina board game fundraiser raised over $106,000 for Carmichael Outreach, turning a year of events into meals, housing support and real help for people in need.

High school health-care course offers students glimpse into careers
Students who sign up will learn about a variety of health-care careers like nursing, patient care, diagnostics, pharmacy, dentistry, mental wellness, addictions treatment, and emergency care.

La Ronge business owner opposed to homeless campground near store
Pawsitive Attitude Dog Training owner Jayme Woodhouse McKenzie said there is potential for an increase in theft, vandalism and harassment and has identified a few alternative sites that could be used.

Notes from the Gallery: Pleading for decorum
A rundown of Week 4 at the Saskatchewan Legislature, where Speaker Todd Goudy appeared to have enough of unruly behaviour in the assembly, and the expression 'eager beaver' was deemed to be out of line.

'Neighbours hating each other': Proposed Weyburn wind farm divides community
Land owner Don Bourassa says disagreement about Enbridge's Seven Stars Energy Project near Weyburn means lines have been drawn between those who are getting money from the project and those who aren't.

Sask. Penitentiary inmate may have tricked guards with identity swap to escape
Keiston Custer escaped on Feb. 20 and was eventually found on March 4. The Correctional Service Canada identified "possible procedural errors" and several employees are on administrative leave.

Feds, province announce $15.6 million in Saskatchewan tariff relief
Secretary of State (Rural Development) Buckley Belanger said money will be used to address sectors of the economy that have been impacted by tariffs and help people who are losing their jobs.

Man falls through ice trying to rescue his runaway dog in Regina
Regina fire crews rescued a man who fell through unstable ice on Wascana Creek near McKell Wascana Conservation Park on Friday while trying to get his dog. Both the owner and canine were not injured.

Man wanted on sexual assault charge: Battlefords RCMP
Battlefords RCMP is looking for Tony Phillips, 48, wanted on charges of sexual assault and failing to attend court. He is described as 5-foot-8 and around 190 lbs with brown eyes and grey hair.









