News Releases

 

Roadway lights on Idylwyld Drive North between Marquis Drive and the Highway 16 overpass are not operating due to work in the area. Saskatoon Light & Power is working to repair the problem and lights are expected to be operational by the evening of Tuesday, December 9^th.

All roads remain open, but drivers are reminded to drive with caution.  

For more information call Saskatoon Light & Power at 306-975-2414.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

 

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Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) will be systematically testing the notifynow system this evening, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The purpose of the test is to give residents the opportunity to better understand the notifynow system, to let people hear what a message will sound like, and to encourage people to sign-up. 

Starting at 5:30 p.m. today the system will send notifications throughout the city, one quadrant at a time using information in the notifynow database, which is a combination of the 2013/2014 SaskTel Phonebook and information from those whom have signed-up.

It is expected that testing period will last about 2 hours.

We also expect that some residents will notice that they did not receive the test notification. In those instances, we will ask them to create an account by following the prompts on saskatoon.ca and provide their preferred contact information so we can reach them in the future.

Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization is excited to move this project forward. On-going testing is an important part of the City’s Emergency Preparedness process and will provide us with important technical information while demonstrating to individual residents what a targeted mass notification would sound like and how they can expect to be contacted.

Residents can sign-up online at Saskatoon.ca  

 

At Christmas there is an increase in activities in many of our homes. Most of us will decorate, bake and entertain more than at other times of the year. At the Fire Department we know that a few careless activities can lead to a devastating fire. A few safety tips and habits can make all the difference.

Christmas Trees – When purchasing a real tree, look for one that is green and fragrant and that very few needles fall of off when the stump is tapped on the ground. Once your tree is in your home, check it frequently to make sure it has not run out of water and only use CSA approved light strings that aren’t cracked or frayed. Remove your tree shortly after the holidays or once it starts to turn brown.

Candles – Keep lit candles away from flammable materials like paper or fabric products and never use them to decorate a Christmas tree. Make sure your candles are in stable candleholders and not in an area where they could be accidently knocked over by guests, children or pets. Always extinguish your candles when the festivities are over or when the last person leaves the room.

Fireplaces – Only burn small amounts of seasoned wood. Burning paper, wrapping paper or pine boughs can cause sparks to drift up your chimney and ignite your roof. Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to help start a fire in your fireplace and always operate it with a screen to keep the sparks in.

Space Heaters – Place your space heater at least one meter, or three feet, away from anything that could burn like wallpaper, furniture, bedding or clothing. Check the electrical cord to make sure it isn’t cracked or frayed, never leave children or pets unsupervised in a room with a space heater and turn off and unplug space heaters when you leave a room or go to sleep. Never use unvented fuel-fired heaters inside a home or garage. The resulting carbon monoxide build-up can be deadly.

Working smoke alarms save lives. Test yours regularly and plan your escape routes. Remember a sounding smoke alarm means ‘get out and stay out’.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes you a safe and healthy holiday.

Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon invites residents to attend the last public engagement event to discuss possibilities for shaping Saskatoon’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan).  The Growth Plan is being developed to help guide future infrastructure investments in areas like corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows. 

Growth Plan Information Session:
Thursday, December 4, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre, 3130 Laurier Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m. followed by facilitated question and answer period.
Event materials and information are also available online at www.growingfwd.ca, along with an opportunity to submit comments.
 
Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the development of the Growth Plan.  Those interested can sign up for project update notifications at www.growingfwd.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours, and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

NEW

CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 108TH ST & ATTRIDGE DR
(SL&P Pole setup)
Speed limit reduced to 60 km/h in work zone
Start: December 4, 9:00 a.m. End: December 4, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
CLARENCE AVE S NB & SB FROM 13TH ST E TO 14TH ST E
(Water & Sewer Connection)
Start: December 3, 8:00 a.m. End: December 4, 4:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Thanks to plentiful snowfall over the past few weeks, cross country ski trail grooming has begun for the season in a variety of parks and open spaces throughout Saskatoon.  Skiers of all ages and skill levels are invited to enjoy the trails this season and keep active all winter long.  Locations include:

• Holiday Park Golf Course (Access at Avenue U South);
• Wildwood Golf Course (Access at 8th Street East, maintained by the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club);
• Kinsmen Park (Access at Spadina Crescent West by the Mendel Art Gallery, maintained by the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club);
• Lower Meewasin Park (Access at Pinehouse and Whiteswan Drives);
• Upper Meewasin Park (Access at Pinehouse and Whiteswan Drives);
• Meewasin Park to Adilman Buffer (Access at east end of Adilman Drive or Meewasin Park);
• Diefenbaker Park (Access at Ruth Street and St. Henry Avenue);
• Forest Park (Access at Lowe Road, Nelson Road, and Forest Drive); and
• Al Anderson Park (Access at Hampton Green, Dawson Crescent, and Hampton Circle).

For trail updates, call the Parks Division at 306-975-3300, or visit the regularly updated website at www.saskatoon.ca for information throughout the season and tips for ski trail etiquette.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook. 

NEW
22ND ST E WB LANES CLOSED BETWEEN 3RD AVE S & 2ND AVE S
(Crane lift)
Start: December 3, 7:00 a.m. End: December 3, 12:00 p.m.

CLARENCE AVE CLOSED BETWEEN 13TH ST & 14TH ST
(Water & sewer connection replacement)
Start: December 3, 8:00 a.m. End: December 4, 4:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 108TH ST & ATTRIDGE DR
(SL&P Pole setup)
Speed limit reduced to 60 km/h in work zone
Start: December 3, 10:00 a.m. End: December 3, 1:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon invites residents to attend one of two upcoming public engagement events to discuss possibilities for shaping Saskatoon’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan).  The Growth Plan is being developed to help guide future infrastructure investments in areas like corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows. 

Growth Plan Information Session:
Monday, December 1, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cliff Wright Branch Library, 1635 McKercher Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by facilitated question and answer period.

Thursday, December 4, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre, 3130 Laurier Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by facilitated question and answer period.
Event materials and information are also available online at www.growingfwd.ca, along with an opportunity to submit comments. 
Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the development of the Growth Plan.  Those interested can sign up for project update notifications at www.growingfwd.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours, and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Saskatoon City Council approved the South Caswell Concept Plan (Concept Plan) in 2010 to help guide redevelopment in the area once the Saskatoon Transit facility is relocated to the new Civic Operations Centre in early 2017.  To ensure the Concept Plan meets current goals and priorities, the City of Saskatoon (City) will be making updates and amendments based on community and stakeholder feedback.
The public is invited to an open house to learn about the existing Concept Plan and the amendment process moving forward.  Environmental and structural assessments have also been recently completed by consultants’ and the findings will be presented to begin the discussion on potential reuse of transit buildings and vacant spaces.  Civic staff will be in attendance to provide information, answer questions, and gather feedback. Further public events will follow in 2015.

South Caswell Concept Plan Amendment Open House
Thursday, December 4, 2014
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church (basement)
419 Avenue E North

Please note this location is not wheelchair accessible, and the City will make alternate arrangements with anyone who cannot attend due to accessibility reasons.  Please call 306-975-3465 for more information.
More detailed information on the South Caswell Concept Plan is available on www.saskatoon.ca, (look under “L” for “Local Area Planning”).
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook

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Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2014, Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) will systematically test the notifynow system. The purpose of the test is to give residents the opportunity to better understand the notifynow system, to let people hear what a message will sound like, and to encourage people to sign-up.

“The test will give the EMO a vital opportunity to evaluate the features and functions of the notifynow system in a non-emergency situation,” says Director of Emergency Planning, Ray Unrau.

The test notification will start at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4th and will send notifications throughout the city one quadrant at a time. Everyone with contact information linked to an address within that quadrant will receive the test notification message. After a short pause, the process will be repeated until the notifications have been sent to the three remaining quadrants. We expect the testing period to last about 2 hours.

“It is also important to give an opportunity for residents to familiarize themselves with what a notification will sound like,” Unrau says. “By taking part in the test, residents will have some familiarity with the process and be ready to respond appropriately in a real emergency situation.”

The test will use information currently entered into the notifynow database. That includes publically available information from the 2013/14 SaskTel phone book as well as contact information provided by residents who have signed up.

“Once the test is complete we ask that residents take note of how they received the notification message and whether the message was delivered the most effective way,” Unrau says. “For example, if they got a voice message on their home land line but would prefer to receive a text message on their cell phone they would need to sign-up or sign-in to notifynow and update their account.”

We also expect that some residents will notice that they did not receive the test notification. In those instances, we will ask them to create an account by following the prompts on saskatoon.ca and provide their preferred contact information so we can reach them in the future.

Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization is excited to move this project forward. On-going testing is an important part of the City’s Emergency Preparedness process and will provide us with important technical information while demonstrating to individual residents what a targeted mass notification would sound like and how they can expect to be contacted.