FortSask

Brynlee Butler is a 10-year-old from Fort Saskatchewan who has been making a difference for rescue dogs who are waiting for a home.

Every year Brynlee takes part in a stuffy drive where she asks residents to donate stuffed animals so that she can give them to CAWS animal rescue.

"It kind of started with me and my dog, who passed away a couple of years ago," said Brynlee. "I have stuffed animals of his, and I was thinking of doing a stuffy drive when we still had him, and [my dog] liked the idea too."

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has returned from a successful trade mission to Asia.

Bibeau took part in the G7 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting and held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Japan and Singapore.

Her visit focused on deepening and diversifying agriculture trade, promoting Canadian agriculture and agri-food products, with discussions around net zero initiatives,  sustainable agriculture, resilient agricultural systems, and food security.

The survey deadline for the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council's (CAHRC) Labour Market Survey has been extended.

The goal of the survey is to identify labour shortage issues in the agriculture sector.

CAHRC’s Executive Director Jennifer Wright says the Canadian agriculture industry has been experiencing a growing labour shortage that is turning into a labour crisis.

Farm Credit Canada’s Sustainability Incentive Program is once again open to applicants in partnership with the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and McCain Foods.

Through the program, eligible cattle producers and potato growers receive incentive payments through the CRSB certification initiative and the McCain Foods potato growers’ framework for increasing the adoption of sustainable practices in their operations.

Incentive payments are calculated on a portion of a customer’s lending through FCC.

Another county has put a fire ban in place.

Sturgeon County has announced that starting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday (May 2), no more outdoor fires will be allowed. 

Propane appliances such as barbecues will still be permitted.

Sturgeon isn't the only county to announce a fire ban. On Monday, Lamont County and Strathcona County put bans in place due to the dry, hot weather.

Applications are now open for Rocky Mountain Equipment's Right by You Ag Society Grant. 

Through the program, four agricultural societies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba will each receive $10,000 in funding to go towards eligible projects that enhance the lives of community residents.

RME notes that agricultural societies are an integral part of rural communities and provide opportunities to help strengthen and enhance the lives of those living there.

Fire bans have been put in effect for Strathcona County and Lamont County.

Starting Monday (May 1), no outdoor fires are permitted in either county, including burning barrels, charcoal barbecues, exploding targets, and fireworks. 

The counties announced the bans in response to the dry, hot, and windy weather. The bans will be in place until further notice.

Propane-fueled barbecues are still allowed.

Those caught breaking the fire ban may be fined up to $2,000 in Strathcona County, with a minimum $1,500 charge in Lamont County.

Gordon Lightfoot, the legendary folk musician whose silvery refrains told a tale of Canadian identity that was exported to listeners worldwide, has died at 84.

The singer-songwriter died of natural causes at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto on Monday evening, said Victoria Lord, the musician's longtime publicist and a representative for the family. He had suffered numerous health issues in recent decades.

An update has been given on a fire in Lamont County.

Multiple fire crews were on the scene of a structure fire near Highway 15 and Range Road 182 on Saturday (Apr. 29).

Due to dry conditions, the fire quickly spread.

Jay Zaal, the communications coordinator with the county, said that the fire is now under control and fire crews are patrolling the area for hot spots and flare-ups. 

No injuries were reported and no buildings were damaged other than the initial structure.

There was a huge turnout at the Mayor's Supper in Bruderheim on Saturday (Apr. 29). 

Council members, industry partners, and business owners from Lamont County, Sturgeon County, Strathcona County, and Fort Saskatchewan were at the event, which included a dinner and wine at every table, a special guest speaker, and a variety of entertainment.