FortSask

Advanced voting has begun in Alberta for the provincial election.

Starting on Tuesday (May 23) and ending on Saturday, advanced voting locations are open around the area leading up to election day on Monday.

In Fort Saskatchewan, residents can vote in advance at the Lakeview Inn and Suites on 88 Avenue. Advanced voting is available from Tuesday until Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fort Saskatchewan's iconic Canada Day celebration will be returning on July 1. 

On Tuesday (May 23), the city announced details about the festival, which follows a very successful 2022 celebration.

The day will begin with a free pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Fort Saskatchewan Legion parking lot. The food will be prepared by members of the Fort Sask Fire Department. 

A few changes have been made to the City of Fort Saskatchewan's sports field and parks update system. 

The city announced last week that it would be ditching its old email system in favour of an interactive map on its website. 

The map will now allow people to track whether fields or parks are open or closed. 

Updates to the map are expected to be made every weekday at 3 p.m. 

If the weather becomes unfavourable after that time, the decision will be left up to the sports leagues using the area to determine if it is safe for players to use it. 

Light rainfall and cooler temperatures slowed down wildfire activity in Alberta over the long weekend and more rain that's in the forecast may help firefighters catch a breath during a record-breaking season of fires.

"This could be a turning point for the firefighters working out there on the fires," Christie Tucker of Alberta Wildfire said during a news conference Monday.

"We have received rain, I understand, on almost every wildfire that's currently burning in the province except those in the far north."

The provincial election is less than two weeks away and polls have been released for the regional districts. 

These polls were put together by 338 Canada and present a snapshot of voter intentions ahead of the election. 

All the local districts are a two-horse race between the United Conservatives (UCP) and Alberta New Democrats (NDP) with some races being closer than others. 

Here is a quick look at where each district stands.

Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville

Candidates: 

UCP: Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk (incumbent) 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a forceful rebuke of Russia at the conclusion of the G7 Leaders' Summit, which was taken over by the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who hoped to shore up more support for his country. 

The support of allies has been crucial to Ukraine's survival amid a Russian invasion, and countries pushing for a ceasefire must recognize Russia is squarely to blame, Trudeau said Sunday in Hiroshima, Japan. 

Air quality in Fort Saskatchewan has gotten worse. 

According to the Fort Air Partnership, the air quality has been upgraded to a 10, which is the second highest ranking and indicates a high risk. 

The smoke has been attributed to a change in the wind patterns that have funnelled smoke from the northern Alberta wildfires through the region.

Wildfire smoke can be harmful even in low concentrations, especially for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with lung or heart disease.

The long weekend has finally arrived!

Though smoke is putting a little bit of a damper on things, there is still ample opportunity to get out and about to enjoy the extra time off. 

The weather, outside of the smoke, is expected to be stellar and there is no shortage of things to do! 

Here are five local things you can do to make the most of your long weekend: 

Wildfires across the prairies are a major concern  especially in Alberta as fire crews work to try and get control of the situation

Thousands of people have been evacuated as a result of the fires along with pets and livestock.

The fires have also impacted rail movement on some of CN's rail lines.

Assistant Vice-President of Grain David Przednowek says at the end of Grain week 40 the fire situation resulted in the shutdown of the Edson subdivision west of Edmonton.

It's going to be a busy weekend on the highways.

It's the long weekend and farmers are busy with seeding and will be moving equipment from field to field.

The communications coordinator for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association Robin Anderson says it's important that everyone is patient, stay alert, and respects each other: