SASKATOON — Chief of Police, Clinton Weils told reporters this past Wednesday that they have officially requested both Provincial and Federal support in tracking down wanted mass murderer Raymond Fowler. Fowler has been at large since earlier this spring. Fowler has been responsible for 14 known deaths. Police are also warning once again that Fowler is known to be extremely dangerous and any attempt to apprehend him should only be done by the proper officials. Weils warned that Fowler is extremely dangerous and should not be approached if encountered. The best response is to contact 911 immediately.

SASKATOON — A 33 per cent jump in emergency room visits to hospitals in Saskatoon has prompted a change in procedure. The Saskatoon Health Region reports that in November 2008, 300 people per day were showing up at the emergency departments of the two hospitals in the city. In the first two weeks of this month, however, the number has risen to 400 patients per day. The additional pressure is being linked by officials to people visiting the hospital with flu-like symptoms. Officials did not indicate if patients were exhibiting signs of seasonal flu or symptoms associated with the swine flu. The region is opening an influenza assessment unit at one hospital, St. Paul’s, to ease the burden. It was set to open Saturday afternoon. Two nurses will see people to determine the best way to treat their symptoms. “We have a triage plan for people experiencing mild, moderate and severe influenza-like illness,” Leanne Smith, director of ambulatory care planning for the heath region, said in a release outlining details of the new unit. “This will help reduce viral infection spread in waiting rooms, fast-track services for those with influenza-like illness so they can be assessed and treated as quickly as possible,” she added. The unit will operate from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Officials said they may continue the program next week until pressure on the ER departments is reduced. They added that people with mild symptoms should try to stay at home and, if they need to see a doctor, go to a walk-in medical clinic or their family physician. As well, children with severe symptoms should still go to emergency at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

SASKATOON — The City of Saskatoon saw two fires Thursday night. The first was a 25,000 volt power switch fire in the city’s south end, south of Circle Drive just before seven O’clock. The fire caused outages in the Stonebridge, Grasswoods, and Willows areas. That fire was extinguished, and then crews headed over to a ready to move home development site east of Highway 11, near Grasswoods Road. One of four ready to move homes was fully involved in flames. The fire has now been extinguished. Saskatoon Battalion Chief Jim Wood says they are investigating the cause, and don’t have any reason to believe the two evening fires in the city’s south are related.

SASKATOON — The Saskatoon Saskatoon Fire & Protective Services’ river rescue team received quite a shock when their divers discovered the charred remains of multiple bodies this past Friday. The river rescue team was performing its final summer dive of the year near the Traffic Bridge when one of their ropes snagged on something. Diver Jackson Reyolds chose to dive to the bottom to release the snag. When he reached the bottom Reynolds found the charred remains of a body. After Police services were called in 4 bodies were pulled from the river. Staff Sergeant Justin Crowe of the Major Crime Section said that while nothing is official there is little doubt that the bodies were placed there by someone. The Saskatoon Police are requesting any information on recently missing people.