Latest news with #NorthBattleford
CBC
11-07-2025
- CBC
'If you know something, please come forward': Ashley Morin's family marks 7 years since disappearance
Supporters hold awareness walk in North Battleford It's been seven years since Ashley Morin was last seen in North Battleford, Sask. Every day since has been painful for her family. "Not knowing is what really kills us — the silence," Janine Morin said on Thursday, as she was preparing to host the annual awareness walk for her sister. The walk began at 11 a.m. at the Gold Eagle Casino, near where a billboard about Ashley stands, and continued downtown to the library. Family and friends have walked every year to bring awareness to Ashley's disappearance. For the first four years, they walked from Saskatoon to North Battleford, but for the last couple of years they have held the walk in North Battleford. Ashley, from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, was 31 years old when she was reported missing on July 10, 2018. One year later, RCMP announced they believe she was the victim of a homicide. The case remains active. Last month, police conducted a search of rivers and riverbanks in the Battlefords area as part of their investigation. Police also posted a video on social media this week to mark the seven-year anniversary of Ashley's disappearance. "To the individual or individuals responsible for Ashley's disappearance, we will not stop investigating until you're held accountable and we can tell Ashley's loved ones what happened to her," RCMP Insp. Ashley St. Germaine said in the video. Janine Morin said her family has become part of a larger family of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls "that no one wants to be a part of," but they receive tremendous support from each other. She mentioned the family of Happy Charles, who was last seen in Prince Albert in April 2017, and the family of Megan Gallagher, who was killed in September 2020. "They've been beside us through thick and thin ever since the first time we met them," Janine said. The reward her family is offering for information about Ashley has increased to $30,000. She said her family will continue raise awareness as long as they need to, but what she wants is to bring her sister home. "If you know something, please come forward," she said. "Ashley is loved. She is missed dearly by friends, family, community members. Make a call to Crime Stoppers anonymously. Just please speak up."
CTV News
11-07-2025
- CTV News
Family marks 7th anniversary of Ashley Morin's disappearance
Watch WATCH: Thursday marked seven years since Ashley Morin was reported missing from North Battleford. Her family still hopes someone will come forward with information.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Saskatchewan expands drug treatment court to North Battleford
North Battleford, Sask. is seen in this undated file photo. The province's new drug treatment court in North Battleford is now in session. According to the province, the first proceeding was held at North Battleford Provincial Court in June and is an expansion of existing drug treatment courts in Regina and Moose Jaw. The program's expansion is meant to serve the Battlefords and west-central Saskatchewan, the province said. To participate in drug treatment court, offenders must plead guilty to their criminal charges. 'As an alternative to serving a sentence in custody, participants are instead required to complete 12-18 months of individualized programming with wrap-around services covering addiction, cultural and spiritual guidance, anger management, education, parenting, employment and more,' the province said in a news release. Since the program began in 2006, the province says drug treatment courts in Regina and Moose Jaw have had more than 156 graduates. 'This model has been successful in southern Saskatchewan for almost 20 years, and the Provincial Court is very pleased to now expand the reach to the Battlefords and surrounding communities,' Chief Judge Shannon Metivier said in the release. The province says it will be reimbursed from the federal government up to $850,000 each year for costs associated with the operation of the three drug treatment courts. Federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General Sean Fraser said that substance use is a complex social and economic issue. 'When someone is struggling, they deserve support and the right resources. By investing in the Battlefords Drug Treatment Court, we are strengthening our justice system and helping people get the care they need to recover, break the cycle of drug use, and prevent criminal reoffending,' Fraser said in the release. 'This ongoing support for drug treatment courts not only promotes healing but helps build healthier and safer communities.' Saskatchewan's Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim Mcleod said the opening of the court in the Battlefords is another step forward for the strong partnership that the courts and province have. 'Together we can promote proactive and transformative change that gives individuals the skills they need to create a successful and sustainable future for themselves,' McLeod said in the release.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
LIVE @ 10:30: Sask. premier, all of provincial cabinet meet with North Battleford, Battleford mayors
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks during a media event to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Ontario Premier Doug Ford in Saskatoon on Sunday, June 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards Premier Scott Moe and all of provincial cabinet are in North Battleford Wednesday morning where they will meet with the mayors of North Battleford and Battleford. The meeting with North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin and Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie will be held at Northwest Community Futures, 'The Executive' Boardroom in North Battleford at 10:30 a.m. The province did not elaborate on what will be announced and discussed. You can watch the media availability live at the top of this article. -This is a developing story. More details to follow.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Sask. residents embrace Flixbus
The flixbus picking up riders at Kahkewistahaw Gas and Convenience. (Hallee Mandryk / CTV News) Many Saskatchewan residents are already taking advantage of a new bus service in the province. 'This is wonderful. I got the ticket, was easy. Booked online; reserved the seat, and it's affordable,' Gloria Swoboda, a bus rider said. Flixbus has been active in Canada, and other countries, for several years. The company has recently added trips between North Battleford, Saskatoon and Regina to their schedule. Tickets range from $30 to $60 one way, depending on the destination. Several bus riders shared that it's a more cost effective way to travel than buying a plane ticket. 'Instead of paying $300 for a flight last minute, $60 for five hours, it's worth last minute trips, there's no need to think about a big budget expense. So it makes it quick and easy,' said Joseph Harvey, another rider who spoke to CTV News in Saskatoon. 'A plane ticket, it was going to cost about $500. That just wasn't feasible right now,' Michelle Brady said. Brady says the bus service will be a useful as a way to visit her long distance partner. 'Being on a budget, we're both students, my partner and I, so having this affordable option was actually really awesome.' Since the closure of the Saskatchewan Transit Company (STC) in 2017, Swoboda shared that getting around can be challenging for those who cannot drive, or prefer not to. 'I don't want to drive. I'm a senior, 75, so I don't want to really drive that long distance in case something goes wrong with the vehicle,' Swoboda said. 'In Canada, the families are so spread out now. It's not like 50 years ago when everybody got married in the same area and stayed,' Swoboda said. Swoboda says she has children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren throughout Canada, and she'll be using the new bus service to visit family. With a significant distance between most Canadian cities, a bus service provides an accessible and affordable way for people to connect with one another. 'I'm from BC, so like being out here, obviously it's a little bit on the more rural side of things. To be able to explore ... other parts of Canada this quick is definitely beneficial,' Harvey said. Brady added that visiting other Canadian cities is an opportunity not all Canadians have. 'Connecting cities is important. As a Canadian, I want to be able to go across Canada. So by having different forms of transportation to allow me to do that, I think is a really great thing,' she said. After witnessing the closure of the STC, Swoboda is hopeful the demand will keep this new service active in the province for many years to come. 'I hope both busses survive, that there's enough people going to be using them. Don't forget we saved the planet,' Swoboda said.
