Several late‑1915 events shaped the year that followed. In October 1915, the long-awaited Wadlinger & Balkowski lease was finally opened for homestead entry—a large block of former Crown grazing land northwest of town that many local settlers had waited years to file on. Many residents went to Maple Creek on October 20, 1915, to secure their claims. Only a week later, the district faced what oldtimers remembered as the most disastrous prairie fire ever witnessed here. Beginni

A 911 call at 5:37 p.m. alerted emergency responders to a garden tractor fire on the lawn at the north end of the parking area at Autumn House. The garden tractor was cutting the lawn when it caught fire. The unit—the only mower used for groundskeeping—was fully involved when firefighters arrived, but the Gull Lake Fire Department extinguished the fire within minutes. No injuries occurred, and there was no damage to any buildings. The garden tractor was lost in the incident,

May 10–16, 2026: Another week shaped by powerful winds, shifting weather systems, and steady municipal decisions across the southwest. 🌧️ Weather & Emergency Updates (Newest → Oldest) (May 15) Southwest braces for heavy rain and possible snow A slow-moving system is expected to bring 25–50 mm of rain across the southwest, with a chance of wet snow if temperatures dip lower than forecast. Regional context: Travel, seeding, and rural roads across the Southwest may be affected.

The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed May 3–9 as Emergency Preparedness Week, a national initiative that encourages Canadians to understand their local risks and take practical steps to be ready for unexpected events. This year’s theme is "Be prepared. Know your risks.” is a reminder that preparedness starts at home, long before an emergency happens. Across the southwest, the message is especially relevant. Rural communities face a unique mix of risks: fast‑moving gra

This week’s roundup covers local crime updates, new business milestones, infrastructure notices, and a full slate of spring events across the southwest — plus your weekend weather outlook. Updates include items from Apr 19–25, along with recent developments of ongoing public interest. Regional News Break & Enter Reported at Gull Lake Esso Swift Current Rural RCMP are investigating a break and enter at the Gull Lake Esso in the early hours of Apr 10. An unknown individual forc

Swift Current Rural RCMP are investigating a break and enter that occurred at the Gull Lake Esso in the early hours of April 10. According to RCMP, an unknown individual forced entry through the front door and took a small number of items, including cigarettes and snacks. File: 2026‑462249 Crime Stoppers notes that the suspect was wearing dark clothing and carrying a large duffel bag at the time of the incident. The investigation remains active. Anyone with information that m