Estevan Mercury

The governing body of the Sun Country Health Region has approved a $141 million balanced budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

A committee has been formed to look at ways to help drivers feel safe on the road again.

Estevan water polo player Auriel Bill had a once-in-a-lifetime experience last summer. Luckily for her, she's going to do it again. Bill has been selected to represent Canada on the national youth team this summer for the second straight year.

It took an enormous effort and a serious injury, but Derek Daku managed to get the win in a fight described as more of a war.

There are certain areas of the city where the newly reduced speed limit laws appear to be having a positive effect. One of those is Kensington Avenue where a reduced speed was necessary and appears to be working for the most part.

The Souris Valley Theatre is ready for its close-up following a two-year hiatus. David Leyshon is this year's artistic director, and he arrived recently in Estevan to get a lay of the land, before heading to Alberta briefly last week.

It hasn't yet been brought to the board of trustees as a formal item on their agendas, but that hasn't stopped the discussions regarding the future challenges for schools in the northwest part of the city.

A new report has provided some clarity into how a curbside recycling program might work in Estevan. At the May 27 regular meeting of council, a report from city manager Jim Puffalt was included on the agenda.

Estevan Girls' Softball sent two teams to the Summer Classic Fast Pitch tournament in Saskatoon on the weekend. The Estevan Gem Well Elite bantam team posted a 3-1 record, while the Estevan M&H Elite squirts went 2-1.

The Estevan Tarpon Energy Big Dogs remain winless after a pair of losses on a weekend road trip. The Big Dogs (0-5) fell 24-9 to the Prince Albert Predators on Saturday and 23-13 to the Saskatoon Smash the next day.