Lacombe

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, and the perfect day to do that is this Saturday, as both the Town of Blackfalds and the Town of Sylvan Lake officially proclaim it Lemonade Day!

Each year, June is recognized as National Lemon Month, celebrating one of the most popular and versatile fruits.

To mark the occasion, Sylvan Lake Mayor Megan Hanson has officially proclaimed June 14, as Lemonade Day in the community.

In Blackfalds, young participants got a head start by attending Lemonade University on Sunday, May 11, at the Eagle Builders Centre.

The Town of Ponoka and the Ponoka Arts, Recreation and Culture Society (PARCS) are announcing the grand opening celebration of Ponoka’s new 18-hole disc golf course on Saturday, June 14.

The opening event will run from 12 to 2 p.m. at Riverside Rotary Park and will include:

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious and severe disease that affects cattle, sheep, swine, and other cloven-hoofed animals making it hard for them to eat and walk, leaving them weak and sick.

The FMD vaccine bank builds on existing protections for the livestock industry and equips producers with another tool to control and eliminate the disease should an outbreak occur.

Budget 2023 committed $57.5 million over five years, with $5.6 million ongoing, to the CFIA to establish the FMD vaccine bank and response plans.

Two years ago, more than 120,000 federal public servants went on strike after negotiations broke down.

Now, the union representing those workers is going back to the bargaining table with the government with the goal of securing greater job security and remote work options for its members.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says next week's initial meetings offer its first opportunity to present priorities identified by members, such as better wages, greater job security and stronger provisions for remote work.

This year's wildfire season in Canada is shaping up to be the second-worst on record and federal officials are warning of a dangerous summer in parts of British Columbia.

Officials with several government departments held a technical briefing Thursday in Ottawa with an update on the state of multiple wildfires and its forecast for the coming months.

The Alberta government says it is considering letting oil companies inject wastewater deep underground as a way to manage the toxic tailings that are accumulating in the oil sands.

The idea is one of five being put forward by a government-appointed committee tasked with studying potential tailings management options.

A new report from the committee says injecting mine water underground is a practical solution but considering over 1.4 trillion litres of tailings exist as of 2023 it can't be the only option.

A former health-care agency leader is asking a judge to deliver a quick decision on her wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the Alberta government, but the province says it will push back.

Athana Mentzelopoulos, the former CEO of Alberta Health Services, or AHS, has applied for a summary judgment on the legality of her January firing, which would avoid sending the case to trial.

The City of Lacombe has a new police chief following a Change of Command ceremony on Wednesday that marked the transition from outgoing Chief Lorne Blumhagen to incoming Chief Jason Dobirstein.

Chief Blumhagen is retiring after a remarkable 40-year career in policing, including 11 years with the Lacombe Police Service — three as inspector and the past eight as chief of police.

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement across some areas of central Alberta due to wildfire smoke.

Wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility.

Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.

As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.

The Red Deer Rebels have signed two of their 2025 WHL Prospects Draft picks to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements.

Forward Chace Turchak selected 30th overall in the second round, and defenceman Owen Archer, picked 32nd overall, have officially committed to the club.

Turchak, from Calgary, played the 2024–25 season with the CBHA U15 AAA Bisons in the AEHL. He recorded 52 points (24 goals, 28 assists) in 32 games, added 13 points in 12 playoff games, and scored twice in five games at the U15 AAA provincial championships in Red Deer.