Reminder – we have adopted a new blue and amber light combination for snow removal equipment. 

The blue lights will make snow removal equipment more visible while clearing snow. This will allow motorists to distinguish between snowplows, graders, and snow blowers and other flashing lights on our highways.  This will ultimately add to the safety of our operators and those on the road. Previously, our equipment used only amber lights.  

We encourage everyone to spread the word to their friends and family about this new blue and amber combination, as well as how to safely navigate when there is snow removal equipment on the road. Stay back and stay safe. It is illegal to pass a snow plow in operation at a speed greater than 60 km/h. If you come up behind a snow plow and want to pass, remember that it will pull over every 10 km or when it is safe to do so.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE – HOW HUNTERS CAN HELP

To maintain the health of Saskatchewan’s wildlife population, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) is encouraging hunters to submit heads for Saskatchewan’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing this hunting season.

CWD is a disease that affects the nervous system of deer, elk and moose, and while infected animals may appear healthy for more than a year before signs appear, it is a fatal disease for these animals.

Although there is no evidence of CWD impacts on humans at this time, the potential is uncertain. The World Health Organization, Health Canada and Ministry of Health recommend hunters not eat any animals known to be infected with CWD, and as such the need for testing is imperative. Hunters should also take precautions when field dressing and processing animals.

“This disease isn’t something that hunters can easily detect in an animal themselves,” says SWF Executive Director Darrell Crabbe. “They need to submit the heads for testing, and we can’t stress enough the importance of this, as this disease will have permanent and devastating effects on our wildlife.”

To help encourage hunters to participate in CWD testing, the SWF will offer a draw for six pairs of binoculars. Simply turn in heads to any Ministry of Environment field office and your name will be entered into the draw.

Hunters can help slow the spread of CWD by not introducing the disease to new areas of the province by leaving gut piles on site and properly dispose of carcasses and meat from CWD-infected animals.

This disease has the potential to change herd structure across the province. By helping to monitor for CWD, hunters will help maintain the health of Saskatchewan’s wildlife population for generations to come.

For a listing of field offices,

visit http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/directory?tab=browse&ou=%7bCEFCDC1B-D7CA-4E50-ABA3-1EE557C5F2D7%7d,

and for more information on CWD,

visit www.swf.sk.ca/resources/for-hunters/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd.

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For more information, contact:

Darrell Crabbe, SWF Executive Director

(306) 692-8812 or cell (306) 630-8780

With a great turn out of 313 voters yesterday at the Municipal election, we are pleased to welcome our new and returning Council members to the boardroom table:

Reeve – Ray Orb

Councillor Division #1 – David Mills

Councillor Division #3 – Daryl Frank

Councillor Division #5 – Greg Ermel

The RM of Cupar would like to thank all the candidates who took an interest in running for Municipal government.

SARM Upate on Carbon Pricing:

Carbon Pricing

Yesterday, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that all provinces must have a carbon pricing in place by 2018. Provinces can choose between two options: a direct price on carbon or implement a cap-and-trade system.

In a September 26 media release, SARM stated we are apprehensive of an approach to reducing greenhouse gases that does not consider the unique situation of various industries in each province and that we are opposed a federally imposed price on carbon that is not created through consultation or meaningful discussion with stakeholders.

President Orb also spoke about this issue on BNN. Watch President Orb discuss the negative consequences of carbon pricing on the ag sector and economy overall.

Taken from a the blog “Lost Girls Guide”

According to Andrew’s experiences, here are just 10 things (of many!) that are different from Eastern Canada.

1. Taking the Grids
We’ve a lot of land, and not too many people to fill it. That’s why you’ll find roads of varying construction around Saskatchewan. With 26,000 kilometres of paved road, but 134,000 kilometres of grid roads you often need to ‘take the grids’ to get to your destination. What we simply mean is that you need to drive on graveled, unpaved or unsealed roads designed in grids to get to where you’re going.

2. Bleeding Green
This isn’t so much a term as a way of life. In Saskatchewan we both wear and bleed green in the form of the Saskatchewan Roughriders gear and pride. If, for some odd reason you aren’t familiar, the Riders are our local CFL football team that we’re pretty passionate about. So passionate in fact, we like to carve out watermelons and wear them on our heads at games in support of the team.

3. Sloughs
Spelling slough is almost as tricky as figuring out what one is. In Saskatchewan, they’re the equivalent of a small wetland, swamp or pond. Considering the province has over 100,000 lakes and rivers, you’ll find quite a few sloughs, especially on farmland.

4. The R.M.
Saskatchewan is known for some strange town names: Moose Jaw, Elbow and Eyebrow to list a few. That’s why it wasn’t surprising when Andrew was uncertain where “the arm” was located in Saskatchewan. What he was really hearing were people talking about the RM – or rural municipality – our version of counties or townships.

5. Heading to the Cabin
Most families in Saskatchewan own a cabin on one of the thousands of lakes I mentioned earlier. In our short summer season, you’ll often hear people comment they’re heading to the cabin for the weekend. Out east, people refer to cabins as cottages, and understand cabins to be a basic shed, often without indoor plumbing. If you’ve seen the cabins-that-are-essentially-homes on our lake shores, you’ll understand why Andrew was a bit confused by this terminology.

6. Bush League
A bush league call by a ref in a hockey or football game will leave fans upset and fired-up. Since we’re pretty passionate about sports, it’s no surprise we have a variety of terms dedicated to voicing our opinions when we disagree with what’s happening on the field or on the ice.

7. “In the rhubarb”
Most people are familiar with rhubarb in the form of a plant used in crumbles, crisps, and pies. But in Saskatchewan, it also means hitting the ditch. Keeping it out of the rhubarb isn’t always easy in our icy winter driving conditions.

8. Gotch
I couldn’t help but giggle when he told me, but Andrew wasn’t quite sure what people meant when they were talking about gotch. Out east, men’s underwear are simply referred to as boxers or briefs and not ‘gotch’ or ‘gitch’.

9. Ordering a Pil
No, it’s not a shady drug deal going down in your local bar, it’s actually someone ordering one of Saskatchewan’s favourite beers: a pilsner. Molson is one of the most popular and also happens to be the beer brand of choice that sponsors the Saskatchewan Roughriders. We also love the Great Western Brewing Company pilsners brewed right here in Saskatoon and popular across western Canada.

10. Politeness of the Prairies: The Small Town Wave
Once you leave the city behind, you enter a different world of friendly people and country charm. When you pass another vehicle on the grids, you automatically give them a hand wave or a nod as you go by. We’re also guilty of smiling and saying ‘hi’ to strangers, something that might be deemed as peculiar in a big city.

Understanding the Role, Time Commitment and Powers of Municipal Council

1. Running for Municipal Office