FortSask

Ongoing challenges in the pork industry, financial losses, and uncertainty in the hog and pork markets led to the decision.

Olymel announcing the closure of five sow units in Alberta (Smoky Sow/Dev, Pinnacle 1, Pinnacle 2, Dynacrest 1, and Dynacrest 2) and one in Saskatchewan (Kelsey) cutting about 17,000 sows from their operations.

Approximately 80 staff have been given their layoff notices,  Olymel is working with those affected to find other positions within the company or placement outside the company. 

Police have found a missing man. 

The Morinville RCMP detachment said 61-year-old James Melanson was last spotted walking in downtown Morinville in late May. 

After being missing for over a week, Melanson was located safe and sound on the morning of June 5. 

Police would like to thank the public for their assistance in locating Melanson. 

A wildfire that has damaged or destroyed dozens of homes in suburban Halifax is still burning out of control because of gusty winds and dry conditions.

Halifax deputy fire Chief David Meldrum says an estimated 14,000 people were forced to flee their homes after the rapidly spreading fire broke out Sunday afternoon in Tantallon, a 30-minute drive northwest of downtown Halifax.

Election Day is Monday (May 29). 

Before voting, residents are advised to make sure they have everything they need once they arrive to vote.

Voters must provide their identity and current address. There are several ways to do this, including:

A local farm is offering access to their organic veggies through a subscription service.

Sundog Organic Farms, located in Sturgeon County, has been operated by James and Jenny Vriend since 2009.

"We built the farm up; it was just a regular farm field with no amenities," said Jenny.

After being a vendor at some of the local farmers' markets in the region, the COVID pandemic forced the couple to find alternative ways to sell their products.

The 2023 Alberta Provincial Election is just days away and the race is as tight as ever between the United Conservatives (UCP) and the Alberta New Democrats (NDP). 

As you head to the polls, it might be a good idea to know who will be on the ballot beforehand. 

To help make this easier, here is a list of all the candidates running in the four regional districts. 

Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville: 

UCP: Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk (incumbent)

NDP: Taneen Rudyk 

Independent: Kathy Flett

Advantage Party: Kelly Zeleny 

The annual Bike Rodeo is returning to Fort Saskatchewan.

On June 4 at the Taurus Field parking lot, local members of municipal enforcement will be providing helmet fittings, bike tune-ups, and even an obstacle course for the young cyclists of Fort Saskatchewan.

"We try to make sure we do it at least once a year," said Richard Pratch with municipal enforcement. "Last year I think we had 60 kids show up with their parents."

This year, municipal enforcement is hoping to bring that turnout up to around 100 kids.

Cooler weather and scattered rain showers have been helping as fire crews work to control the wildfire situation in the prairies.

Elizabeth Hucker, assistant vice-president of marketing and sales for bulk with CPKC says the railway hasn't been directly impacted adding they've been working with government agencies and provincial authorities.

Some big questions will linger ahead of Monday (May 29) as Albertans head to the polls:

• Which party will form government?
• How many ridings will change hands?
• Who will be our local MLA's?

Tune in to MIX 107 to find out the answer to these and many other questions. 

The FortSaskOnline newsroom will have full coverage of the election including results in our local ridings.

Justin Pautonnier gives updates throughout the evening beginning just after 7 p.m.

A Florida man pleaded not guilty to human smuggling charges Friday in a case linked to the discovery last year of a family of four migrants from India found frozen to death just steps from the Canada-U.S. border. 

Steve Shand, 48, waived the reading of the indictment before entering the plea via videoconference as part of a brief but long-awaited arraignment in Duluth, Minn.