Southwest Booster Staff

The Medicine Hat News media network is expanding. The Swift Current-based Southwest Booster, which distributes almost 14,000 editions weekly and operates a regional news web service, has become a sister company to the Alberta Newspaper Group. The move was announced to employees earlier this week, with managers stating the addition shows the strength of local publishing, local advertising and news gathering. “We’re...

Strongfield wheat, developed by Dr. John Clarke and the wheat breeding team at AAFC Swift Current, was selected as the 2016-17 Seed of the Year West winner. The honour was presented at the Prairie Grain Development Recognition Luncheon in Winnipeg. Stongfield was available for the first time as Certified seed for the 2006 season. By 2007 it was the number one...

Spring weight restrictions will be in place on Southwest roadways starting on Friday in response to the milder weather which arrived in the region. The increased winter weights which have been in place will be removed in the Southwest starting at 12:01 a.m. on February 24. Truckers and shippers are being advised of a reduction in truck haul weights during...

The big sound of the Regina Symphony Orchestra will be shared in a quartet of rural communities during their 2017 Music on the Road Tour. The 24-piece chamber orchestra, led by new Music Director Gordon Gerrard, will be making their lone Southwest stop in Shaunavon on March 5. The concert is set for 3 p.m. at the Centre Street United...

A Swift Current audience will have an opportunity to see one of just two performances of Bouffonia by Ballet Jörgen presented this winter during their upcoming stop in Swift Current on March 7. The Swift Current Allied Arts Council is presenting Ballet Jörgen as their fifth performance in their 2016-2017 Stars for Saskatchewan concert series. Ballet Jörgen commissioned Bouffonia for their...

Swift Current and Moose Jaw had their warmest February 15 in over a century when the mercury rose to double digit temperatures on Wednesday. Swift Current reached a new daytime high of 11.4 Celsius on Wednesday, breaking the former mark of 8.3 set in 1916. It also ranks as the warmest February 15 since weather records began in 1886. Moose...

Shaunavon’s own Hunter Brothers have received a quartet of nominations for the 2017 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards. They picked up nominations as the Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year, the Group of the Year plus the Emerging Artist Award. Their song El Dorado has been nominated in the Single of the Year category. Luke Hunter picked up an individual nomination...

After reaching a daytime high of 7.1 Celsius yesterday, Swift Current can expect to bask in double digit warm temperatures for Wednesday and Thursday. Environment Canada is forecasting daytime highs of 10 Celsius for both today and tomorrow, as unseasonably warm temperatures settle in over the prairies. Maple Creek reached a new record high of 13.7 Celsius on Valentine’s Day, edging...

The Swift Current SPCA is making an appeal to the public to help them reach their financial needs for 2017. The SPCA has launched their $17 for ’17 appeal, calling on regional residents to make a $17 donation, or higher, to support the pet shelter during 2017. “We are seeing cost increases, especially in areas such as food, staffing and medical...

Respiratory outbreaks at the Shaunavon Hospital and Care Centre and the Herbert and District Integrated Health Facility have resulted in visitation restrictions being put in place at both facilities. The Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory has confirmed that the virus circulating within the Herbert and District Integrated Health Facility is coronavirus OC43. This particular strain is a common virus that usually...