Lacombe

The City of Red Deer is recognizing city employees, John Galbraith, Tamara Greba, and Leigh-Ann Martin with the Bob Stollings Memorial Award.  

The award is given to city employees who display outstanding performance in alignment with the city’s respect, integrity, service, and excellence (RISE) cornerstone values. 

Award nominations are submitted by city staff, detailing employee’s achievements professionally and interpersonally.  

The County of Wetaskiwin is working to reduce waste in landfills.  

The county has partnered with Sustane Technologies Inc., to transform waste into resources.   

In May of 2023, a prison drug trafficking operation was dismantled following a complex investigation led by Drumheller RCMP General Investigative Services (GIS). Several drones and a large amount of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl were seized, and two suspects were charged, including one inmate. 

India is once again extending the exemption on its import tariffs on yellow peas.

India initially imposed a 50 per cent duty on peas in November of 2017, followed by other restrictions limiting import volumes in 2018.

That move virtually shut Canada out of the market at that time, up until that point India had been Canada's number one market for peas.
 
On December 8, 2023, India announced it would temporarily lift the import tariffs from December 8, 2023  to March 31st, 2024 allowing unrestricted imports.

Penhold Town Council has set the 2024 Operational and Capital Budget during the April 8 regular meeting.   

Increased property assessment values have resulted in additional tax revenue, a Town of Penhold media release said.   

With the additional revenue, the town can maintain the same Residential Mill Rate as in 2023, but it does result in a property tax increase for any property with an increased assessment value.   

At the Friday, March 22nd Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools board meeting, The Board of Trustees approved the Three Year Capital Plan presented by the Associate Superintendent of System Services.

The top priorities are:

1. New Grade 9 - 12 school in Sylvan Lake

Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) have released their Road to 2050 policy recommendations to help shape federal programs while making farming more profitable and sustainable.

Chair Andre Harpe says the launch comes as we face the urgent need to feed more people, tackle climate change, and keep grain farms profitable.

"Canadian grain growers are leading with innovative sustainable practices. These efforts not only reduce our carbon footprint but also play a crucial role in achieving Canada's climate goals."

C.P. Blakely Elementary School in Sylvan Lake honoured  Indigenous culture with the 17th annual Indigenous Celebration Day. 

The school’s celebration was last week, and the impact continues to be felt by staff and students.   

The Town of Blackfalds request to defer a by-election to fill a councillor vacancy has been permitted by Minister of Municipal Affairs, Ric McIver. 

The town requested the waiver following Rebecca Stendie’s resignation. 

The Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires municipalities to hold a by-election if a vacancy occurs more than 18-months before a general election.  

Alberta Law Enforcement Teams (ALERT) arrested five suspected drug dealers in Red Deer late last week. 

On April 4, ALERT’s Integrated Gang Enforcement Team observed a suspected drug transaction involving two vehicles in a parking lot along Gaetz Avenue.  

Two vehicles were pulled over and the five occupants were arrested.