FortSask

Canadian flax acres dropped last year, but yields rebounded nicely in many areas. 

Chuck Penner with LeftField Commodity Research says we saw lower acres despite new crop bids of $24-25 a bushel.

He says that while acreage was down, yields rebounded allowing supplies to recover to where we were before the drought, but certainly not a big supply situation.

Unfortunately, flax exports this year have not been encouraging. 

Canada has three key buyers of flax that take about a third of the crop each, the U-S, China and the E.U.  

We are just over halfway through the first month of 2023, but what does this year really have in store for Fort Saskatchewan? 

It's shaping up to be a year of transition and growth for the community as city council is preparing for a levy of investments, construction projects, and some potential new recreation possibilities. 

Mayor Gale Katchur sat down with FortSaskOnline.com to chat about what residents should expect in 2023. 

Here are some of the highlights...

Strathcona County took some time to honour some of the region's biggest sporting heroes last Friday (Jan. 13). 

They held a ceremony at Millenium Place to welcome in the newest additions to their Wall of Recognition. 

Six people were inducted, including athletes and builders, with a packed house reminiscing on each of their careers and applauding their contributions to local sports. 

Throughout November, Hot Shots Films and Factory Films Studio were filming their first Albertan feature movie just outside Fort Saskatchewan.

Red Pine City stars Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts, known for his roles in The Dark Knight, The Expendables, and Doctor Who. He is also the brother of Julia Roberts.

Other stars include Rick Ravenello (General Hospital, Lethal Weapon, Weeds) and Elise Muller (The Young and the Restless, Parenthood).

Canada is developing its first-ever Grocery Code of Conduct.

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food say the agri-food industry has been making substantial progress.

They strongly encourage all agri-food organizations to participate in the upcoming consultations.

The Code will enhancing transparency, predictability and fair dealings and make Canada’s food supply chain more resilient. 

A water main break has caused two schools to close on Monday (Jan. 16). 

On Sunday evening, the City of Fort Saskatchewan announced on Facebook that a water main break closed down 101 St, between 98 Ave and 99 Ave. Outside of the road closure, the break will limit water pressure in the area.

Crews are expected to get to work on repairing the issue on Monday. 

"Water will be turned off during repair and expected to flow late in the day," the City's post said.

A fog advisory has been put in place for our area. 

Dense fog will linger throughout Sunday morning (Jan 15) then dissipate later in the day. The fog may return in the evening hours. 

The advisory is in place for the following places:

• Fort Saskatchewan
• Gibbons
• Bon Accord
• Bruderheim
• Redwater

If you do plan to travel in these areas, caution is advised. 

A new year and a new Classroom of the Month!

Congrats to Mrs. Lavergne's Grade 1 class at Win Ferguson Elementary! The youngsters are working hard on their reading skills and took a little break to celebrate their awesome accomplishments.

From elusive cryptids to haunted grounds, Fort Saskatchewan is home to a few eerie urban legends. 

Just recently, a post on the Fort Sask Informed Facebook page mentioned a mysterious creature that is known to hang out near the roadside at night.

Though most people hadn't heard about it, a few locals shared their own experiences with the supernatural. 

"I have heard accounts of a black figure that stands and crawls on the side of the highway," said one commenter. 

It seems like the eyes of the world are focused on the new television series The Last of Us.

The premiere episode 'When You're Lost in the Darkness' debuts this Sunday (Jan. 15) on HBO, HBO Max, and also streamed through Crave in Canada.

The highly anticipated series was filmed throughout Alberta from July 2021 to June 2022.

During the year-long shoot, we know crews set up Edmonton near the legislature, in Okotoks, High River, Olds, Canmore and Fort Macleod.