Tornado watch ended for Ponoka County near Ponoka, Rimbey and Maskwacis

The tornado watch has ended for all areas of Central Alberta.

A severe thunderstorm watch is still in place for many areas including Ponoka County, Red Deer County and Clearwater County.

Thunderstorms continue over a large portion of Alberta. Some of these thunderstorms will continue to be severe this evening and tonight, giving very large hail, and strong wind gusts.

 

For the latest forecast click here.

Rimbey RCMP execute search warrant at local business

Rimbey RCMP executed a search warrant on a local business earlier today, finding multiple illegal drugs.

After a lengthy investigation into illegal drugs and cigarettes being sold, Rimbey RCMP, in a joint operation with the AGLC Tobacco Enforcement Unit, executed a search warrant at The Vault Sports Pub in Rimbey.

As a result of the search, police seized:

  • Over 46 cartons and many packages of illegal cigarettes

  • Quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, psilocybin, and marijuana

June extremely dry in Estevan with less than a quarter of expected rainfall

June is usually the wettest month of the year, giving the prairies a good dose of rain as the summer stretches on, but this month was a bit drier. Environment and Climate Change Canada took a look at their data, gathering up the rainfall totals from a number of systems that passed through Estevan.

The total is a lot lower than what we usually get, says Meteorologist Crawford Luke.

Several southwest RMs declare states of emergency as drought intensifies

A growing number of rural municipalities in southwest Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency as relentless drought conditions continue to strain farms, ranches, and rural communities.

The RMs of Maple Creek, Fox Valley, and Enterprise have joined the RM of Big Stick in officially declaring emergencies due to extreme dryness, lack of feed, and increasing fire risk.

The unfolding drought has forced livestock producers to make difficult decisions, with many reducing herd sizes and stretching already tight resources. 

Gallery: Canada Day fireworks dazzle in Okotoks

Canada Day drew thousands to Wiley Athletic Park and Seaman Stadium on Tuesday (July 1) for a full slate of festivities.

Those included face painting, stage performers, and a big win for the Okotoks Dawgs.

As always, a fireworks show lit up the sky to cap off the night.

Related: Canada Day celebrations saw crowds, dogs, and sunshine

Crystal Lake Drive and Crystal Ridge see ongoing 2025 road rehabilitation

The City of Grande Prairie has advanced its 2025 capital construction season with road rehabilitation work beginning today (Wednesday, July 2) on Crystal Lake Drive between 124 Avenue and Lakeland Drive, helping extend the life of the roadway and improve driving comfort. This work includes asphalt overlay paving in areas requiring surface improvements but not full reconstruction.

Additional work in Crystal Ridge is scheduled to begin around July 7 at the following locations:

·123 Avenue between Crystal Ridge Road and 97B Street.

Valleyview RCMP investigating homicide

The Alberta RCMP Serious Crime Branch advise that an arrest has been made in connection with a June 22, 2025, homicide on Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. On June 29, 2025, Branden Munro (35) was arrested in British Columbia and charged with the second-degree-murder of 28-year-old Isiah Cordell Cardinal.

Munroe has been remanded into custody and will be transported back to Alberta where an additional hearing will take place to determine his next court appearance.

Despite this arrest, the Alberta RCMP Major Crime Unit continues with the investigation.