Lacombe intersection at 54 Avenue and 48 Street closed for a week with detours

Drivers in Lacombe may need to adjust their routes as the intersection of 54 Avenue and 48 Street is closed.

City contractors are replacing catch basins at the site, with detours expected to be in place for about one week.

The city encourages motorists to plan ahead and drive safely during the construction.

Wetaskiwin RCMP charge man with armed robbery

A 42-year-old man has been arrested following an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Wetaskiwin earlier this month.

RCMP say that on June 2, at around 2:19 a.m., a suspect entered the store on 40 Avenue, pointed a black handgun at an employee, and made demands. The individual then fled with various smoking-related items.

Following an investigation, officers arrested a suspect on June 5 and executed a search warrant at a residence on 53A Street in Wetaskiwin. During the search, police located two pellet handguns.

Lacombe Police seize over $20,000 in drugs

Between May 15th and June 2nd, members of the Lacombe Police Service (LPS) conducted a series of traffic enforcement stops that resulted in three significant drug seizures.

The officers seized a combined total of:

  • 86.14 grams of suspected cocaine
  • 18.31 grams of suspected fentanyl
  • 111.28 grams of suspected methamphetamine

In total the seizures had an estimated street value of $20,783.80 CAD

As a result of these investigations, five individuals have been charged. 

Wetaskiwin RCMP arrest two after drugs found in vehicle

Wetaskiwin RCMP have arrested two individuals following a vehicle stop in which drugs were found.

On Tuesday, officers with the Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit were conducting patrols when they observed a known offender driving a Hyundai Venue. Checks revealed the driver did not have a valid driver’s licence.

Police conducted a traffic stop and, during their interaction with the vehicle’s occupants, determined there were drugs in the car. Both individuals were arrested. A search incidental to arrest uncovered:

  • Approximately 27 grams of fentanyl,

Rebels sign first-round pick

The Red Deer Rebels are proud to announce that defenceman Nolan Wolitski, the club’s first-round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, has signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

The Rebels selected the St. Albert, Alta., native with the seventh overall pick in last month’s draft.

Wolitski played for Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep (CSSHL) in 2024–25, recording 48 points (eight goals, 40 assists) and 74 penalty minutes in 29 league games. He added seven points in five playoff games and also appeared in four games with NAX’s U18 Prep team this season.

Red Deer residents raise over $80,000 for child literacy program

A mountain of sweet treats was purchased this past spring as Red Deer residents raised more than $80,000 during the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign.

The funds will go directly toward helping struggling readers reach their potential through Reading College, a project of the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.

Reading College, held each July, provides students with identified reading gaps an incredible summer experience that builds their skills, confidence and love of reading.

RCMP searching for suspect known to frequent Olds and Red Deer County

Alberta RCMP needs your help in tracking down Kayla Jennifer Penny, who is wanted for various crimes.

Penny was featured in this week's Wanted Wednesday profile.

She was last seen in Fort McMurray and is also known to frequent Olds and Red Deer County.

If you see Penny, do not approach.

Report any information to police or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Red Deer youth wins provincial courage award

Brayden Chenier, a Grade 8 student at Red Deer’s G.H. Dawe School, has been chosen to represent youth across Alberta.

Chenier is the proud recipient of the Integrated School Support Program (ISSP) Provincial Chief Youth Courage Award, presented by the Calgary Police Youth Foundation, in recognition of his resilience, leadership and commitment to his community.

Ottawa's plan for climate change adaptation is falling short, report says

Ottawa’s efforts to prepare the country for the impacts of climate change have stumbled out of the gate, Canada’s environment commissioner said Tuesday.

In a new report, Jerry DeMarco concluded the National Adaptation Strategy was not effectively designed, did not prioritize Canada’s climate change risks and only established one of its three components since its release in 2023.

Ottawa moves to prop up youth employment in a rough summer jobs market

The federal government is moving to shore up a historically weak summer job market for students — even as one economist argues tough employment prospects for young people suggest broader softness in the job market.

Statistics Canada shone a light on the difficult employment prospects for students heading back to school this fall in its May jobs report last Friday.

Roughly one in five returning students aged 15 to 24 was unemployed in May, the agency said. The last time the jobless rate for students was this high outside the pandemic was in May 2009.