Lacombe

Alberta is beginning 2025 as the national leader in housing starts, according to new data released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

From January to March, Alberta accounted for more than 25 per cent of all housing starts in Canada — despite representing less than 13 per cent of the country’s population.

This strong performance follows a record-breaking 2024 for housing construction and reflects the Alberta government’s ongoing efforts to increase housing supply and improve affordability for residents across the province.

The Supreme Court of Canada says a person must wait seven years after completely finishing their post-secondary studies before they can be released from student loan debt under the federal bankruptcy law.

The top court's decision came Thursday in the case of Izabela Piekut, who received government student loans in the course of three university programs from 1987 to 2003.

Piekut later returned to school and earned a master's degree in 2009 without the help of additional student loans.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney spent his first English election debate presenting himself as a safe pair of hands for a country in crisis — while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre sought to frame him as more of the same after a decade of Liberal government.

Carney, who is leading in the polls, became the main target of all his rivals' attacks early in Thursday's final debate of the election — a trend that carried over from Wednesday's French language debate.

The ‘Hey Doreen’ mural located along 54th Avenue is receiving a facelift this summer.

The image shows a resident waving to Doreen while driving a bright red 1949 Chevy truck. 

This isn’t the first time it has been redone, as the entire mural was replaced by the artist under warranty after the vinyl bubbled and peeled in 2022. 

Businesses in Lacombe’s light industrial district will soon have more flexibility after City Council approved changes to the Land Use Bylaw this week. 

At its April 15 meeting, Council voted in favour of allowing office and retail sales as principal uses in the Light Industrial District. The amendments come after a December 2024 motion directing administration to explore the potential for expanded land use options. 

For almost 30 years, the Backyard Friends Community Supper has helped connect people through a home-cooked meal at Lacombe Memorial Centre (LMC).  

It is held every third Wednesday of the month, taking a break in the summer and Christmas and often sees 300 attendees. 

The event, organized by the Lacombe & District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) uses nearly 40 volunteers serving about 200 hours to make the gathering possible.  

Volunteers range in age, with many kids helping out. 

On April 12, at approximately 12:38p.m., Red Deer RCMP received a report of an assault involving bear spray in the area of 49 Street.

Officers attended and located the victim, a 39-year-old female, who had been affected by the spray. Police quickly identified and arrested Adrien St. Arneault, a 37-year-old male resident of Red Deer.

He has been charged with the following offences:

Central Alberta residents can expect a classic spring swing in weather over the Easter weekend, with a warm, sunny Friday giving way to cooler temperatures, rain, and even the possibility of snow by Monday. 

Stephen Vallee, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said a weak disturbance brought some light flurries and showers to the region Thursday morning, but conditions were expected to improve through the day. 

Friday will bring the most pleasant conditions of the weekend, with a forecast high of 17 C for Lacombe.

Update:

RCMP has released that Amanda Harvey has been located and is safe.

Original Story:

Red Deer RCMP was seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 36-year-old woman.

She was last seen in Red Deer on April 15, There was concern for her well-being.

On Monday April 14, 2025, Council passed Bylaw 835/2025 Tax Rate and Minimum Tax Rate Bylaw which set the Town of Penhold's Municipal Tax Rates for 2025.

In November 2024, Council supported a 3% municipal tax increase to keep up with the rising cost of providing services and operations. The 2025 Penhold Residential tax rate is 7.83% (down from 8.10% in 2024) and the Commercial Tax Rate is 11.85% (down from 12.0% in 2024).