Lacombe

Police have issued a tow ban and are advising against travel in the area. 

Alberta RCMP has implemented a tow ban on the QEII Highway between Edmonton and Blackfalds, urging drivers to avoid travel until weather and road conditions improve.

The northbound lanes of the QEII near Lacombe have reopened. Just before 7 pm, a jackknifed semi-trailer had both lanes of the highway closed. 

Additionally, all northbound lanes on the QEII near the Highway 27 junction, close to Olds, have reopened after a different incident involving a  jackknifed semi-trailer.

Highway conditions in the area are deteriorating. 

Just before 5:30 p.m., a semi-trailer Jackknifed on the QEII Highway Southbound near Highway 53. All lanes have been cleared.  

RCMP in central and northern Alberta are advising that road conditions are extremely bad, specifically in Leduc, Wetaskiwin, Camrose County, Maskwacis, Ponoka and areas around Edmonton. RCMP is reporting whiteout conditions with severe wind. Visibility is extremely poor in many locations.

Environment Canada issued a blowing snow advisory for Central Alberta Tuesday afternoon.  

Winds gusting up to 80 km/h, combined with snow at times, will reduce visibility.

Conditions will improve overnight.   

Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations. Visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero.   

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Lacombe & District is launching a Teen Mentoring Program in Blackfalds starting at the end of February.

About a dozen high school students from Iron Ridge Secondary Campus will spend one hour per week with a student from Iron Ridge Elementary Campus. The matches will go on hold over the summer and start back up again in the new school year.

Motorists are advised of a traffic disruption along 77th Street, near the Riverside Drive and 40th Avenue intersection.

As of 2:30 p.m., today, January 21, 77th  Street will be closed west of the Riverside Drive and 40th  Ave intersection as crews work to repair an emergency water leak.

Motorists are advised to use 67 Street and Gaetz Avenue to access 77 Street west of Riverside Drive.

For the latest traffic information click here.

The Red Deer Christmas Bureau is holding a big fundraiser this weekend with their 3rd Annual book sale.

This sale, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday, January 25th and 26th, supports their Literacy Centre.

Teresa Kutynec, President of the Red Deer Christmas Bureau, says not everyone knows about the Centre or that part of their bureau.

On Monday at around 11:30 a.m., The Sylvan Lake Fire Department and RCMP responded to a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 11 at Range Road 22.

The single occupant in the vehicle was treated for minor injuries and was not admitted to hospital.

Traffic was blocked until the scene was cleared.

Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. 

Canada's annual inflation rate ticked lower in December, thanks in part to Ottawa's temporary GST tax break, but economists still see interest rate cuts on the horizon as potential tariffs loom.

Statistics Canada said Tuesday the annual inflation reading for December came in at 1.8 per cent, down from 1.9 per cent in November. 

The report noted restaurant food purchases and alcohol bought from stores contributed the most to the deceleration — items which were subject to the tax reprieve, along with children's clothes and toys, among others.

The Alberta RCMP is encouraging residents to join a local citizen-led crime prevention group. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith emphasized a diplomatic approach Tuesday in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion of imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports as early as Feb. 1. Speaking to reporters, Smith underscored Alberta’s energy role and rejected calls for retaliation.

“We think that our best approach now would be to focus on diplomacy and refrain from talk of any kind of threat of retaliatory tariffs. We think that we have a very positive story, a very positive story to tell in Canada,” Smith said.