FortSask

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.

CPKC's assistant vice president of sales and marketing - bulk  Elizabeth Hucker says for the last three weeks they've moved an average of 539 thousand metric tonnes of grain per week.

She notes that's well below their weekly target of 683, 850 metric tonnes outlined in the Grain Service Outlook Report.

A teenager from Fort Saskatchewan has been charged after being caught going 146 km/h over the speed limit. 

In mid-April, Fort Saskatchewan RCMP was on Highway 15 near Old Fort Trail when they noticed a black Camaro register a speed of 246 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on their laser gun.

Police said that the driver was also passing other cars on the shoulder of the highway.

Landyn Riley, 19, has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Riley is scheduled to appear in court on May 11.

Richardson ground squirrels or gophers can be a major problem for farmers and ranchers.

The adults tend to emerge in early spring as the temperature warms up and then are above ground for about four months.

Insect and vertebrate pest management specialist Dr. James Tansey says the males tend to appear two weeks before the females, but it's really the adult females that you need to target and get early prior to the litters.

With the use of Strychnine now prohibited producers are looking for other control methods.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Treasury Board covering more than 120,000 federal government workers across the country.

The national strike is now over for Treasury Board workers, who are required to return to work at 9 a.m. today or their next scheduled shift.

PSAC says strike action continues for 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers nationwide, with contract negotiations ongoing.

Barrhead and Westlock RCMP were asking some residents to evacuate due to an out of control fire.

Police say the evacuation affected those living between Township Road 592 and 594 and Range Road 15 and 24.

“Residents which were evacuated due to the fire are now able to return to their homes,” Mounties said in a release.

An area around Range Road 14 and 15 is not passable as it has turned into a staging area for fire services and the RCMP.

“Expect this closure for at least one day.”

More to come...
 

Multiple fire crews are working on a blaze near Highway 15.

According to Radioyeg - Radio Scanner, Lamont and Mundare fire crews are on scene of a structure fire near the highway and Range Road 182 in Lamont County.

The fire reportedly spread to the surrounding brush and Range Road 183. 

The fire was first reported on Saturday (Apr. 29) evening.

Police are also in the area.

More to come…

Brett Kramers has been announced as the new coach for Fort Saskatchewan's U17 AAA Rangers.

Kramers said that he is from Edmonton but has had a budding interest in Fort Saskatchewan.

"I've worked with Mason Hawkes in Hockey Alberta events, and I know Tyson Munro pretty well," said Kramers. "They've all spoken very highly about Fort Saskatchewan."

Munro and Hawkes are also head coaches for the U15 and U18 AAA Rangers, respectively.

Kramers added that he hopes to bring a unique strategy to his team-building exercises.