Vol. 105 No. 35
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2014
Box 40, 122 Main Street, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
email: tip@sasktel.net
24 pages
$1.25
Bri ngi and ng n are ews a fo t r 10 o Bigg 5y ear ar s!
Phone: 306-948-3344
www.biggarindependent.ca ndependent.ca
Suspects sought in robbery RCMP are currently investigating an armed robbery that occurred outside of a residence on Mosquito First Nation, between North Battleford and Biggar. Several suspects in a dark coloured four-door car, followed the victims to a residence on the First Nation and had them exit their vehicle at gun point. There were said to be at least three suspects with firearms and possibly two more that remained in the suspect vehicle. All of the suspects were dressed in black, had their faces covered with bandanas and were described by the witnesses as being First Nation. The suspects stole a small amount of cash from the victims and then left the residence in the suspect vehicle without harming any of the victims. If you have information about this or any other crime, please contact the Battlefords RCMP Detachment at 1-306-446-1720 or you may call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477), through SaskTel at *8477, text TIP206 plus your message to CRIMES (274637) or submit a tip online at saskcrimestoppers.com where you can also view information on other unsolved crimes.
Para Play . . . Kids of the Biggar Day Program take cover, rushing from one end of the parachute to the other before the canopy collapses. The program is coming to a close for the season as school rapidly
approaches, and a bit of fun as summer holidays wind down is to be savoured as the books beckon. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Combining starts for Sask. farmers Just over one per cent of the 2014 provincial crop has been combined, while four per cent is swathed or ready to straightcut, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report for the period August 12 to 18. The five-year average (2009-
2013) for this time of year is two per cent combined and five per cent swathed or ready to straight-cut. Harvest operations are the furthest ahead in the southwestern region where four per cent of the crop has been combined. At this time, average crop yields are being reported in
most areas. Provincially, 19 per cent of fall rye, nine per cent of field peas, eight per cent of winter wheat and three per cent of lentils are combined. Seven per cent of canola and four per cent of mustard are swathed. Recent warm weather has encouraged crop development; however, frequent rain showers and heavy morning dew are delaying crop maturation and harvest operations for many producers. Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to several inches in some southeastern and west-central areas. Across the province, topsoil moisture
on cropland is rated as seven per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and one per cent very short. Heavy rain, strong winds and hail caused the majority of crop damage this week. Grasshoppers, wheat midge, fusarium head blight and sclerotinia are also causing some damage. Farmers are busy desiccating, s wa t h i n g, c o m b i n i n g a n d finishing up haying operations.
RCMP investigate Macklin B and E
Caution urged at 4-14 intersection . . . Wreckage greeted motorists at the Highway 4 and 14 intersection, Thursday afternoon. A car collided with a truck pulling farm equipment, causing minor injuries. The driver of the car has been charged with a traffic safety violation. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
The Unity/Wilkie/Macklin RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance in finding the person or persons responsible for a break and enter that occurred at a convenience store in Macklin. On Monday, August 18 at around 3 a.m., a lone suspect gained access into the convenience store by breaking the main entrance’s glass door using a crowbar. The suspect stole over 1,000 packs of cigarettes worth approximately $12,000. The suspect is described as a heavier set male who was wearing grey sweatpants, a black or dark coloured sweater, a camouflage hat and white gloves. The suspect was driving what appeared to be a mid-2000’s white four-door pickup truck. If you have information about this or any other crime, please contact Macklin RCMP at (306) 753-2171 or you may call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through SaskTel at *8477, or submit a tip online at saskcrimestoppers. com. See picture on page 11