Lacombe

The Red Deer Public Schools (RDPS) Board of Trustees approved the 2024/2025 budget.  

High projected student enrolments with continued rising material and supply costs, inflationary pressures, and an increased cost for employee benefits have made a tough budget for the school division.   

With a revenue of $134,012,560, and expenses of $134,712,560, RDPS will use $700,000 of reserves to help fund a projected deficit of $700,000.  

Red Deer County Council approved the 2024 tax rate bylaw during the May 7 meeting.  

Tax rates vary on individual properties and taxation is based on market value assessment.   

Here are the changes to mill rates and levies:  

The Lacombe and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and the City of Lacombe have approved seven local projects for the 2024 Community Grant Program.   

$42,750 in funding was available for the approved initiatives.   

If you are travelling towards Edmonton on the QEII, there will be bridge maintenance work being done as you approach Highway 12 near Lacombe.

Workers will be in the northbound lanes from 9am-3pm. Expect lane closures w/ speed reductions in the area. 

For the latest traffic information click here.

Sunday, May 12th, is Mother's Day. Weatherwise it looks like it should be a good day for Mother's across Central Alberta to get out and enjoy the much-deserved special day.

You can check the latest weather forecast here.

Around Central Alberta there are many events happening for Mother's Day. Here are a few that you can check out.

In Lacombe, St. Stephen Church will be holding a special Mother's Day Tea. The event runs from 1-3:30 on Saturday, May 11th.

At around 6:30 Wednesday night, (May 8th) an explosion was heard in the Parkland Beach area on Gull Lake.

Neighbors went out to find a shop on a lot engulfed in flames. Many in the area tried to extinguish the blaze with their own hoses while waiting for firefighters to arrive.

According to witnesses, a shop was completely destroyed, but luckily there were no reports of any injuries.

An update on the fire will be provided, once more information is made available.

Wednesday, May 8th, communities all across Canada helped to raise money on McHappy Day.

McDonald's restaurants in Central Alberta took proceeds from your purchases to help fund the Ronald McDonald House Charities in our area.

Today only, Ten percent of any food or beverage items you buy will go to help these charities. This is the 30th anniversary of the fundraising day in Canada.

RCMP would like to confirm that Derek Coffey has been located safe.

The Sylvan Lake RCMP are requesting public assistance in locating Derek Coffey (41).

He was last seen on May 6, in Eckville.

RCMP believe that he may be headed to the Elk Valley B.C. area. There is a serious concern for his wellbeing.

Derek Coffey is described as:

Spring seeding is off to a good start across the Prairies, but producers are being reminded to monitor the crop closely for weed, disease and insect concerns. 

Dr. Meghan Vankosky, a research scientist with a focus on entamology at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, says its important that farmers scout their crops on a regular basis.

After years of memories made at the Kinex Arena, the community will have one last chance to say goodbye to the facility during a garage sale this Saturday, and maybe even take home a piece of its history. The Kinex Arena, which has provided thousands of Red Deerians a place to enjoy sports and recreation events since 1967, will be demolished this summer.