Lacombe

On November 12, 2024, Red Deer County Council tabled the 2025-2027 Operating budget and the 2025-2029 Capital Plan in search of public input. 

The budget strives to maintain service levels at a projected 3.5 percent tax rate increase.

At $117.9 million, the 2025 budget is the largest in Red Deer County history.

Red Deer County is in year two, of a five-year plan to increase its operating surplus, so that its capital spending will be fully funded without the use of reserves.

Capital spending in 2025 will increase to $53.4M from last year’s $45.7M. 

The Red Deer Rebels woes south of the border continued Tuesday night as the team is now winless in four after a 3-2 shootout loss in Seattle.

The Rebels took a 2-0 lead into the third period on goals by Beckett Hamilton and Ollie Josephson.

However, the Thunderbirds stormed back in the final frame with a pair of goals by Braeden Cootes, one on the power play and one short-handed. Cootes would add another tally in the shootout to help seal the victory.

Both teams had 31 shots on net.

Red Deer went 0-for-4 on the power play, while Seattle was 1-for-7.

The Lacombe Museums latest exhibition is showcasing recent acquisitions that depict the history of Lacombe and the surrounding area. 

The exhibition, “This Just In: Recent Acquisitions” features artifacts and archival material that’s been donated to the Lacombe Museums between 2020 and 2024. 

“We have quite a range of items, from paintings, photographs, to some clothing,” said Samantha Lee, Lacombe Museums Community Engagement Coordinator. “This will be quite an artifact heavy exhibition.” 

Red Deer City Council held its regular meeting on November 12, 2024.

The following decisions were made.

Consent Agenda:
Community Revitalization Levy (postponement)

• City Council postponed consideration of the Community Revitalization Levy (CRL), to come back before the end of the year. This item relates to exploring the impact of creating a CRL which would include Railyards, Capstone and historic downtown.

Riverside Meadows ARP Bylaw 326/A-2024/ Rezoning Bylaw 3357/TT-2024 (First Reading)

Ponoka speed skater, Maddison Pearman, has been selected to join Canada’s long track team for the start of the 2024-25 international season.  

Pearman is coming off of a World Speed Skating Championships Team Sprint win in February.  

The final supermoon of the year will rise over Central Alberta this week.

The Beaver Moon will light up the sky on Friday night and will appear closer and brighter than a regular full moon.

“The Beaver Moon reaches peak illumination on Friday, November 15, at 6:29 P.M,” reads a statement from the Farmers’ Almanac.

The fourth supermoon of the year will sit at 361,970 kilometers kilometres from Earth.

The Cochrane RCMP detachment will hold two significant media briefings on Wednesday morning, addressing recent developments in human trafficking and drug enforcement cases.  

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the Canada carbon rebate for small businesses will be tax-free.

In a statement posted to X late Tuesday, Freeland clarified the parameters of the program after an advocacy group for small business raised concerns that the rebate would be a taxable benefit.

Dan Kelly, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, posted on X soon after that post that he had received a call from Freeland, who offered "assurance" that the rebate would be tax-free.

Donald Trump's second administration is filling up with some of his most loyal supporters and many of the people landing top jobs have been critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and security at Canada's border.

One expert says there are not many Canadian allies, so far, in the president-elect's court.

"I don't see a whole lot of friends of Canada in there," said Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa and co-chair of the Expert Group on Canada-U.S. Relations.