Lacombe

Lacombe police say a search warrant carried out under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act has led to multiple charges against four people.

On Tuesday evening, officers executed the warrant in the 40 block of Bruns Crescent, seizing cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, Canadian currency, a replica firearm and other items linked to drug trafficking.

Seven people were taken into custody, with four facing criminal charges:

• Candace Payne, 42, Lacombe

  • Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking

Amateur photographers are being invited to capture the beauty of the County of Stettler for a chance to be featured in the 2026 county calendar.

Participants can submit up to five photos, with prizes awarded to the winners. The submission deadline is this Monday.

Entries must be in JPG format without watermarks or identifying marks, as judging will be done anonymously.

Olds residents will have the chance to turn unwanted items into someone else’s treasure starting tomorrow.

The community’s Kick It To The Curb event runs this Friday to Sunday across town. Residents are invited to place usable items they no longer need at the front of their property with a clearly marked “FREE” sign.

Neighbours can browse curbsides, reclaim items, and give them a new home.

Organizers remind participants to only set out items that are still usable. Any items not taken during the event must be removed from the curb afterward.

Sylvan Lake residents can expect detours and construction noise this fall as fibre-optic infrastructure is installed throughout the community.

TELUS and F3 Networks will begin work this month to expand high-speed internet service in Sylvan Lake.

The project will be carried out zone by zone, with each section taking about two months to complete, weather permitting. Work includes directional drilling and hydrovaccing on town boulevards and utility right-of-ways.

The Alberta government has chosen not to renew its ban on the practice of "carding" by police officers.

The provincial regulation enforcing the ban was due for renewal this past summer, but a government letter to the Edmonton Police Commission says the province wouldn't be renewing it.

Carding refers to police officers stopping members of the public without reason and asking for identification.

Officers who responded to an Israel-Palestine protest in Calgary have been cleared of wrongdoing after a teen was forced to the ground and concussed.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, or ASIRT, says police arrested the 13-year-old at the downtown protest in November 2023 for assault after spitting at an officer.

It says the teen was part of a group of people who broke away from the main protest and gathered at city hall, blocking an intersection.

A nasty standoff between the Alberta government and its 51,000 teachers – with each side accusing the other of lying — is set to turn into an all-out advertising war.

Finance Minister Nate Horner’s office confirmed Wednesday it plans to release an advertising campaign to push its side in the dispute, countering a campaign by the Alberta Teachers’ Association that has been ongoing for weeks.

“The government must now correct the false narrative the ATA has created,” Horner says in a statement.

The Conservatives are pushing for a "three strikes" law to deny bail to repeat offenders and tougher sanctions for domestic violence.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre made crime a central focus of his election campaign in the spring, and on Thursday he brought that message to the House of Commons.

The Conservatives brought forward a motion calling on the government to introduce what they call a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" law to prevent people convicted of three "serious" offences from getting bail, probation, parole or house arrest.

Innisfail RCMP along with the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) were conducting an investigation in Penhold this afternoon which had a large police presence.

According to RCMP, it has now been cleared, and more information will be provided when available.

** With information from Alberta RCMP.

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Nearly 320 people gathered Wednesday evening at the Lacombe Memorial Centre to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Lacombe and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS). 

The milestone was marked during the return of the Backyard Friends Community Dinner, which has been running for 35 years. Guests enjoyed a chili meal and anniversary cake while hearing from speakers, including FCSS executive director Crystal Zens and community projects co-ordinator Wendy Griffin.