Local News

Tens of thousands of residents lined Main Street and packed city parks Monday as Airdrie marked Canada Day with a full day of food, parades, live music and fireworks — and a multicultural festival drawing praise from attendees and organizers alike.

New federal and provincial income tax cuts took effect on July 1, with both levels of government stating that the changes will put more money in the pockets of families. 

On June 30, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that “as of tomorrow, July 1, the government’s middle-class tax cut will be in effect.”

“This tax cut will save a two-income family up to $840 a year and generate tax savings for 22 million Canadians,” the statement said. “By reducing income taxes, Canadians can keep more of their paycheques to spend where it matters most.”

Portage la Prairie was bursting with community spirit on Tuesday as people all in and around town gathered at Stride Place to celebrate Canada Day with a full day of events, music, and family fun.

Despite a few clouds early in the day, the weather held out long enough for families to enjoy the outdoor festivities until a late-day storm brought a twist to the celebration.

Throughout the Town of Okotoks this summer, there will be opportunities for people to connect with their neighbours while goofing around.

Every Wednesday in July and August, there will be a Pop-up in the Park event at one of Okotoks' parks.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, starting today (July 2), these volunteer-run meetups will be open to everyone who is wanting to enjoy refreshments, conversation, and games, while connecting with the community.

A special engine-building competition is coming to Strathmore this weekend.

ZEEBS Battle of Technicians will attend Zegil Automotive & Transmission's fifth annual car show, which will take place on Saturday (July 5) at the Strathmore Ag Grounds.

ZEEBS has been hosting technician battles for over 25 years.

"Not many people have seen an engine fully apart, let alone seeing what it is in parts and watching them get put back together to watch it run," said Zane Southgate, owner of ZEEBS.

Alberta RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating Tonia Bree Wolfe, who is wanted in connection with various crimes.

Wolfe was featured in this week’s Wanted Wednesday profile. She was last seen in Maskwacis and is also known to frequent the Wetaskiwin area.

Police advise the public not to approach Wolfe if seen.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact local police or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

It may have been a once in a lifetime opportunity for the hundreds of people who watched the fireworks at the end of the night at Morden's Canada Day Beach Blast and Altona's Canada Day celebration. As a line of thunderstorms rolled through the region, their arrival lined up perfectly with the timing of the fireworks going off in both communities.

Daisy Ann Kauenhofen captured the below video of the display in Morden, as bolts and sheets of lightning cascaded in the background.

A new permanent fence will be installed this month along Jumping Pound Creek in Cochrane’s Bow Meadows area, as part of efforts to protect the local environment.

The Parks and Open Spaces team is replacing the existing temporary fence with a more durable post-and-rail design along the east berm of the creek. The goal is to safeguard the sensitive riparian zone, a vital area that supports vegetation essential for maintaining the berm’s stability.

With a heat warning and hot weather in the forecast this week, Red Deer residents can look forward to cooling off at pop-up spray parks happening around the city.

Join Red Deer Emergency Services, RCMP and Municipal Enforcement to stay cool every Thursday throughout July and August.

Red Deer Emergency Services will transform fire engines into mobile spray parks, turning local green spaces into fun-filled water playgrounds.

Other community partners will be joining in with glitter tattoos, police cruiser tours and other family-friendly giveaways.

RCMP say there were no injuries in a two-vehicle crash in Steinbach on Canada Day. 

It happened around 1:50 pm near Mennonite Heritage Village.

According to police, a motorist was driving north down Highway 12 and was turning left at the intersection, when it collided with a vehicle that was travelling east and crossing the intersection. Police say the driver of the eastbound vehicle did not see the northbound vehicle approaching.

No injuries were reported.