A report of a suspicious person with a weapon resulted in Whitewood School being placed on hold and secure status on Wednesday afternoon.

Broadview/Moosomin RCMP received a report at 3:15 p.m. of a suspicious person walking around the community with a weapon. The person was located at a residence in Whitewood by RCMP officers who did not locate a weapon with the individual.

The RCMP investigation determined the incident was non-criminal in nature and the hold and secure was lifted by 4 p.m.

“Hold and secure” status is implemented by authorities when there is a potential concern in a community but not inside a school. During this safety measure, exterior doors are locked and movement in and out of the building is restricted. Classes continue while a school is under a hold and secure order.

In a written statement, the Prairie Valley School Division said the safety of its students and staff is always its top priority.

Whitewood is 175 kilometres west of Regina.

Despite Saskatchewan’s government earmarking an additional $1 billion in spending, the finance minister says it won’t change the province’s bottom line.

Jim Reiter says the extra spending was already included in his mid-year financial report, which is projecting a $427-million deficit.

Earlier this week, Premier Scott Moe’s Saskatchewan Party government approved the additional spending, which includes $813 million for SaskPower and $194 million for carbon price fuel charges the province did not collect.

Reiter accused the Opposition NDP of getting the numbers mixed up, as New Democrats argued the spending would add to the deficit.

NDP SaskPower critic Aleana Young says she doesn’t buy Reiter’s explanation, arguing she didn’t see the extra spending in the mid-year report.

She says Reiter’s numbers can’t be trusted, as he initially projected in March the province would have a $12-million surplus.

After counterfeit bills were discovered at a local business in Moose Jaw, officers are urging people to diligently check all banknotes.

The Moose Jaw Police Service received a report of two $100 counterfeit bills at a local business on Wednesday and were able to determine they were counterfeit due to noticeable defects, according to a release from the MJPS.

As the possession, use, and creation of counterfeit money is illegal in Canada, the MJPS reminds the public to report any cases to their local police agency.

According to the MJPS, other jurisdictions have also reported that counterfeit $100 bills have been circulating.

If businesses are unsure of the authenticity of money being offered, the MJPS referred to information provided by the Bank of Canada.

If offered a suspected counterfeit note, you should first assess the situation to make sure you’re not at risk. Then, you are advised to:

• Politely refuse the note and explain that you suspect it may be counterfeit
• Ask for another banknote and check it
• Advise the person giving the banknote to get police to check it
• Inform police off a possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money
• Be courteous, as the person in possession of the bill may not realize the banknote is suspicious

If you suspect you’re in possession of a counterfeit banknote, give it to the local police, as timely reporting helps police stop counterfeiting activity in the community.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or the MJPS.

Highway 10 near Fort Qu’Appelle is closed while RCMP respond to a serious collision on Thursday afternoon.

In a release sent around 2:15 p.m., Saskatchewan RCMP said officers were on the scene of the collision, about five kilometres northeast of Edgeley.

Saskatchewan RCMP said officers at the scene report icy road conditions and are advising drivers to slow down if they are travelling in the area.

According to the RCMP, the investigation is in its preliminary stages, and they do not have more details to share.

As the highway will be closed for an undetermined period, RCMP said drivers should expect delays and follow instructions of emergency personnel.

A woman in the Swift Current area is recounting her experience after she was turned away from a local hospital while in labour.

On Thursday, the Opposition NDP highlighted the case of Tyra Cornelson.

Cornelson, who lives 30 minutes outside of Swift Current, pre-registered for a high-risk delivery at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current four days prior to her due date in July.

When she arrived at the hospital in labour, she was informed there was a service closure, and she would have to go to either Regina or Saskatoon to have her baby.

Forced to wait 35 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from Gull Lake, Cornelson was eventually sent to Moose Jaw’s W.C. Wigmore Hospital.

“By the time they found me a bed, I was too far along resulting in the need of an ambulance which Swift Current also could not provide,” she told reporters Thursday. “When we arrived at the Moose Jaw hospital, I was fully dilated. The doctor had to break my water, and my birth was now in an emergency situation.”

According to Cornelson, her baby was in distress, and she had to be given an episiotomy to speed up the birth.

“This is an extremely painful procedure to recover from. She was born less than an hour after arriving at the hospital,” she added.

Cornelson said she would have gone to Moose Jaw in the first place had she known.

“They knew my due date. They knew I was coming. The pre-admission was done so yeah, we show up in labour and they assess us to make sure I’m actualy in labour and after that they tell us that there was a labour disruption and they can’t deliver our baby,” she said.

The NDP believe expectant mothers should be notified of service disruptions.

“The SHA is not to publicize obstetrical disruptions so it’s very frustrating when you hear a story like this,” NDP MLA Keith Jorgenson said.

“This should not be happening in a rich province like Saskatchewan. There has to be some other place to go if you have that closure,” NDP MLA Jacqueline Roy argued during question period on Thursday.

According to the province, the Cypress Regional Hospital experienced a “less than 24-hour disruption” to anesthesia services at the time Cornelson arrived in labour.

“I can assure all members of the house that my office has been in touch with Ms. [Cornelson], and we’ll continue to work with her to find a solution,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said in response.

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) is investigating a private wellness centre after the Saskatchewan NDP claimed a patient was mistreated.

The concerns stem from an American citizen who moved to Moose Jaw to seek help for treating her amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) from the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Center, according to an investigation from CBC.

The 70-year-old woman paid the centre $84,000 USD for its services.

After receiving a letter from NDP MLA Jared Clarke who shared concerns about “potential criminal activity” involving the local business, MJPS told CTV News it has began an investigation.

“An initial search of our records management systems indicated that no previous complaints or active investigations have been received in relation to the business in question. As such, the Moose Jaw Police Service will be directing resources to investigate these allegations,” a statement from the service read.

“As this is now an active investigation, the MJPS will not be providing any further comment at this time.”

At the legislative building on Tuesday, Clarke urged the Government of Saskatchewan to “regulate” the Goodenowe Center after learning the woman died following weeks after she sought treatment there.

“This is not health care. This is inhumane,” Clarke told media. “The minister said there was nothing he could do about it. I think there’s a lot he could do about it. This should not be happening in Saskatchewan.”

Clarke added because the centre is not a medical officiated facility, its services should be reviewed by the government.

“There is ‘health center’ written on the side of the building. People are expecting health care is being delivered in this facility when they show up,” Clarke said.

“ALS patients aren’t showing up because they need a room to live in. There is an expectation that they are receiving care here. There is an expectation that the government is regulating health care in this province.”

In response, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said he would advise the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) to look into the concerns, as well as the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA).

“As all of us interact with private businesses around the province, when we’re promised a particular good or service by a private business and the resulting good of service may not commensurate with what we’ve been promised, that’s where the FCAA has some jurisdiction. That’s why we’ve directed them to take a closer look,” he told reporters on Dec. 2.

On Thursday, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tim McLeod told media it is the responsibility of independent organizations to investigate concerns brought forward by the public.

“My understanding is that the Moose Jaw Police have been in receipt of information. I believe the FCAA is also in receipt of information,” McLeod said.

“If those independent bodies conduct an investigation and yield results that warrant the College of Physicians [and] Surgeons to get involved, then I expect fully that they would share those results of their investigation.”

CTV News reached out to the CPSS and the FCAA but did not receive a response as of Thursday afternoon.

Woman pays $84,000 to centre

The CBC report details the story of a 70-year-old American woman diagnosed with ALS, a nervous system disease that causes loss of muscle control.

She travelled to Moose Jaw for treatment at the Dayan Goodenowe Restorative Health Center. In the report, her family alleges she did not receive the treatment she was promised despite paying the centre $84,000 USD.

In a statement to CTV News, Goodenowe extended his condolences to the woman’s family and loved ones. Due to the centre being involved in legal action against the CBC over its reporting, Goodenowe stated he cannot comment on every detail.

“My centre is not a medical clinic and does not perform surgical procedures such as inserting a feeding tube, so she was referred to the local hospital,” the statement read.

“It is our understanding that the licensed medical staff at the local hospital in Moose Jaw reviewed her situation and, because the procedure was not deemed medically necessary, declined to perform it.

“She was deemed of sufficient health to be discharged from the hospital on December 7 [2024]. [The woman] then chose to leave that hospital and later traveled to Montana, where she obtained the feeding tube. [The woman] died several weeks after leaving Moose Jaw.

“Any suggestion that her health deteriorated or that she died under our care or under the care of the local staff, in Moose Jaw, or as a result of decisions made by my centre or by Moose Jaw health care providers is incorrect.”

Two more people have been arrested in connection with a major credit card fraud scheme, where more than 100 charges have already been laid, and one suspect remains at large.

The investigation was first announced in April 2024, when Toronto police provided an update on Project Déjà Vu, where investigators delved into a “synthetic-identity fraud” scheme that started in 2016.

Police launched the investigation in October 2022, after a financial institution contacted them, informing them they had found several synthetic accounts and the service believed most accounts were opened by someone who previously worked on behalf of the company.

Det. David Coffey of the Financial Crimes Unit had explained during last year’s news conference that synthetic-identity fraud is a form of financial fraud where fictional personal information is used to open accounts at financial institutions and other businesses.

On top of facilitating fraud, Coffey said bank accounts created under these synthetic identities are known to be used for laundering money, using the proceeds derived from trafficking, robbery and other serious crimes.

“The perpetrators of this scheme, which began in 2016, are alleged to have created more than 680 unique synthetic identities, many of which were used to apply for and open hundreds of bank accounts and credit accounts at various banks and financial institutions across Ontario,” Coffey said.

These accounts were then used for in-store and online purchases, withdrawals and e-transfers, he said.

In some cases, Coffey said fraudulent payments were made to the accounts to allow perpetrators to draw from them beyond their defined limits.

During April’s update, police said there were $4 million in losses.

After police conducted more than 20 search warrants and 80 production orders as part of their investigation, they said they found “several dozen” synthetic identity documents (including fake government identification), hundreds of payment cards associated to bank and credit accounts obtained through synthetic identities, as well as roughly $300,000 in Canadian and foreign cash.

On Thursday, Toronto police said they arrested two suspects from Brampton: 55-year-old Misbah Akram and 28-year-old Saqlain Akram. Police did not disclose their relationship, if any, in the release.

They both face charges of causing another person to act on a forged document, making false statements to procure loans and unauthorized possession of credit card data. Misbah is also facing charges of fraud, laundering and possession of proceeds of crime. The charges have not been tested in court.

Police say they are still searching for another suspect, identified as 59-year-old Muhammad Akram, who goes under the alias of Chaudhry Akram. The Brampton resident is wanted on fraud and laundering charges, among others.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

A second suspect has been arrested following the arson attack at the luxury home of the co-founder of Pornhub’s parent company more than four years ago.

Montreal police said Mohamed Aymen Tayeb, 28, was arrested Thursday morning in the city’s Ville-Marie borough. He appeared in court to face a charge of arson.

Police arrested a first suspect, 39-year-old Claudy Lafond, on Sept. 30 at Montreal’s Bordeaux jail where he was awaiting trial for attempted murder in an unrelated case. He faces charges of arson, possession of incendiary material, and breaking and entering.

The fire on the night of April 25, 2021, at the eight-bedroom mansion caused several million dollars in damage. The home, in the city’s Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, was listed for sale for $19 million and was under construction when police allege it was set on fire.

No one was injured.

🎉 Update Completed Successfully! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that our scheduled network update has been completed without any issues! 🚀 All our broadcast stations, streams, and websites are now fully operational and running better than ever.

What’s New?

Here’s what you can expect from this update:
✅ Improved Audio Player – No more interruptions or cutting off! Enjoy seamless streaming on our websites.
✅ Enhanced Stream Stability – Our radio streams are now more reliable than ever.
✅ Upgraded Security & Quality – Improved protection and enhanced broadcast quality for an unmatched listening experience.

Fully Operational Services:

🎵 Stations:

• Z103.5 – https://z1035.evoradio.ca/
• 979 The Cowboy – https://979thecowboy.evoradio.ca/
• 101 The Rockhound – https://101therockhound.evoradio.ca/
• Classic 88.7 The Goat – https://887thegoat.evoradio.ca/

🌐 Websites:

• EVO Radio Advertiser Access – https://advertiseraccess.evoradio.ca/
• EVO Media Corporation – https://evomcorp.com/
• DJ Spinderella – https://djspinderella.evomcorp.com/

Experiencing Issues?

While everything is running smoothly on our end, we’re here to help if you encounter any issues. If you’re having trouble with our broadcasts or websites, please report the issue to us immediately so we can address it.

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Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process. We’re committed to providing you with the best listening experience possible and appreciate your support!

🎧 Happy Listening!
The EVO Radio & EVO Media Corporation Team

We’re committed to providing our audience with a listening experience like no other! To maintain this standard, we’re excited to announce a major update to our Broadcast Network.

What’s New?

This update will bring:

• A Better Audio Player: Improved performance on our websites to resolve issues with streams cutting off.
• Enhanced Session Operations: Ensuring error-free radio streams.
• Upgraded Security & Quality: Improved protection and overall broadcast quality.

Downtime Details:

• Expected Downtime: 1 hour (we’ve allocated up to 4 hours for any unforeseen circumstances).
• Impacted Services:
  • Live Broadcasts & Website Access for these stations:
    • Z103.5 – https://z1035.evoradio.ca/
    • 979 The Cowboy – https://979thecowboy.evoradio.ca/
    • 101 The Rockhound – https://101therockhound.evoradio.ca/
    • Classic 88.7 The Goat – https://887thegoat.evoradio.ca/
  • Websites:
    • EVO Radio Advertiser Access – https://advertiseraccess.evoradio.ca/
    • EVO Media Corporation – https://evomcorp.com/
    • DJ Spinderella – https://djspinderella.evomcorp.com/
  • Third-Party Apps: Any apps relying on our live broadcasts will also be affected.

Commitment to Excellence:
During the downtime, our team will work diligently to complete the update and monitor the network to ensure peak performance. We’re committed to enhancing your listening experience to the highest standards.

Stay Updated:
Follow us on Facebook or check our websites for real-time updates:

• EVO Media Corporation: https://www.facebook.com/EVOMediaCorporation/
• Z103.5: https://www.facebook.com/YourPartyStationZ103.5
• 979 The Cowboy: https://www.facebook.com/979thecowboy/
• 101 The Rockhound: https://www.facebook.com/101TheRockhound/
• Classic 88.7 The Goat: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093402861183

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to improve our services.

Thank you for your continued support,

The EVO Radio & EVO Media Corporation Team