By Medicine Hat News on June 5, 2021.
A jump in active cases of COVID-19 in Hill County, Mont., has pushed the cumulative number of cases in the region south of Cypress County, Alta. over 2,000. Five new cases Friday brings active cases to 15 in the area that includes the town of Havre, after weeks hovering near or at zero known infections. In total, 2,013 cases have been diagnosed over the last 16 months in the area that has a population of 13,256. Of those cases, 1,953 are considered resolved, while 45 people have died. Officials also stated that 41 per cent of the eligible population in the county has been fully vaccinated, about in line with the general population across in Montana. Water restriction Residents of hays, Enchant and Vauxhall will spend the weekend under water restrictions as engineers work to correct reservoir supply issues on the Vauxhall & District Regional Water system. On Thursday, the Municipal District of Taber announced water use was restricted to essential household use in order to ensure supply for personal use and for firefighting. Watering lawns is restricted, and residents are asked to postpone laundry. Bulk water stations throughout the M.D. were made available for household users Friday afternoon. Wage hike in Sask. Saskatchewan’s minimum wage will rise to $11.81 this fall, that province announced Friday as part of annual indexation program that considers inflation and overall changes in earnings. The rate is currently $11.45 per hour, compared to $11.90 in Manitoba, and $15 in Alberta. British Columbia’s minimum wage rose from $14.60 to $15.20 this month, and changes also brings food servers in line with the general standard wage. Alberta’s minimum wage rose to $15 for all workers in 2018, though the following year, the new government brought in lower $13 figure for teenagers younger than 18 who work less than 28 hours per week. 14