Lacombe

There's a growing concern in the grain industry about the potential for a rail strike.

A major rail strike impacting both railways could be just days away after employees voted 98 percent in favor of a strike mandate.

Close to 10,000 rail workers at CN and CPKC have voted to go on strike unless a deal can be reached. 

The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) says this is a key concern, with approximately 94% of Canadian grain being transported by rail and destined for export markets.

Close to 10,000 rail workers at CN and CPKC have voted to go on strike unless a deal can be reached with the railways. 

CN and CPKC engineers and conductors, and CPKC rail traffic controllers voted 98 percent in favor of a strike mandate that would impact both freight and passenger traffic.

The key issues seem to be around wages and scheduling.

Teamsters Canada Rail Conference President Paul Boucher says both railways want to have federal minimum safety standards for rest periods.

The fire restriction for Lacombe County has been lifted after the recent rain and snow improved dry conditions.   

Although the restrictions have been lifted, the county reminds residents that conditions can quickly change.   

Five students from the Olds High School are ready to implement their eco-projects after attending the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conference.  

The students traveled to Toronto in April for the conference, which focused on Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change.  

A newly recruited family physician is now available to provide care to residents in Sylvan Lake and area.   

Dr. Henelle Swart works out of Sylvan Medical Centre and Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service.  

A planned power outage is scheduled for today, Thursday, May 2 from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon as crews conduct emergency electrical maintenance and repairs.

The planned outage will affect the Ponoka Aquaplex, which will be closed from approximately 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Regular programming and swimming lessons will be cancelled during that time. Regular programming is expected to resume at approximately 12 Noon once the planned outage ends. Aquaplex programming scheduled before 8 a.m. tomorrow should be unaffected by the planned outage.

The Red Deer Rebels have named Dave Struch as the head coach for the 2024-25 season.  

Struch joined the Rebels as the Interim Head Coach in March, leading the team through the final month of the regular season, and the first round of the play-off series.   

We've seen a real mix of weather on the Prairies this week, from rain in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to snow in Alberta.

Farmers all across the prairies have been really hoping to see wetter weather this spring to help alleviate the drought conditions that we've seen in many areas over the last few years.

The moisture we've been seeing this week is expected to continue sporadically over the next few days.

A note for Red Deer motorists that 56 Avenue from 57 Street to 60 Street will be closed beginning May 2 to accommodate underground utility work. The road closure is expected to be in place until July 7.

Motorists will be detoured through 58 Avenue and 60 Street, and are reminded to slow down when approaching or driving in construction areas and to obey all signs.

For the latest traffic updates click here.

On April 30, the Rocky Mountain House RCMP responded to a report of a deceased male at a residence on O’Chiese First Nation.

Upon arrival, officers located a deceased person. Based on the initial investigation, police believe the cause of death is suspicious.

The Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit was deployed and has taken carriage of the investigation.

The deceased has been taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy is scheduled for May 2.