Lacombe

Stats Can released its Principal Field Crop estimates for 2024 this week.

Canadian farmers are expected to plant more wheat, corn for grain, oats, lentils and dry peas in 2024, while the area seeded to canola, soybeans and barley is anticipated to drop compared with 2023 levels.

Nationally, wheat acres are expected to hit 27 million acres up slightly from last year, with 19.2 million acres of spring wheat, 1.5 million acres of winter wheat and 6.3 million acres of durum wheat.

Saskatchewan's acreage is anticipated to hit 14.2 million acres. 

This week, the USDA published the final Product of USA labeling rule for the voluntary labeling of  U.S. meat, poultry, and egg products.

The rule stipulates that to qualify for the label meat must be derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the U.S.

The new policy, which is being referred to as voluntary country of original labelling (V-COOL),  is set to come into effect by January 1, 2026.

A Red Deer man has been charged following a fatal collision that happened just after 5:00 am Tuesday.

Red Deer RCMP received a report of a head on collision on Highway 2a between Township Road 391 and 272. Upon arrival, the driver and sole occupant of one of the vehicles, a Ford Focus, was deceased. The deceased has been identified as a 74-year-old Lacombe resident.

The Town of Blackfalds announced the resignation of Councillor Rebecca Stendie, during the March 12 Regular Council Meeting.  

Stendie’s resignation was effective on March 4. She was on council since October 2017.  

The town thanks her for her years of service to the community and wishes her all the best in her future endeavors.  

More local patients with chronic kidney disease can access dialysis at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre, as the satellite hemodialysis unit is now open seven days a week to offer additional appointment times.

The unit is open 7 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. Previously, the unit was open six days a week. The extra service hours will provide space for 12 additional patients from the Wetaskiwin area to receive the care they need closer to home, accommodating all patients that were on the wait list as of Feb. 1.

According to police, two people were seriously hurt in an assault in Sundre on Tuesday (Mar.12). 

RCMP say one person was taken to a Calgary hospital via ground ambulance and one via STARS.

Sundre RCMP remain on scene on Centre Street and expect to be there for most of the day as they continue their investigation.

"There is no risk to the community," the RCMP said in a release. 

RCMP have cleared the scene on Centre Street but will continue with the investigation.

The City of Red Deer has announced that temporary road bans throughout the city will come into effect at 7a.m. on Friday, March 15. Road bans are in place for trucks to prevent serious damage to roads during spring thaw.

The following roads are designated as areas where trucks are allowed to carry up to a maximum per cent of vehicle axle weight allowance, and are in effect until further notice:

75 percent (temporary):

On March 11, Lacombe City Council held a regular council meeting. 

Here are the highlights from the meeting: 

Echo Annual Update: 

Jard Reich, Echo President, presented an update to Council on the highlights of the Echo Lacombe Association's 2023 year, including: 

Congratulations to Chance Longjohn, from Maskwacis, who has been named the RDP Athlete of the Week.

Longjohn, a Kings Hockey player and a Bachelor of Education Middle Years (5th year)is also the Captain of the Kings team.

Hunting Hills High School presents Ranked The Musical.

Students at Hunting Hills High School are excited to bring a relatable musical to local audiences starting today.

Ranked, The Musical runs today (March 13) to Saturday (March 16) at the Memorial Centre in Red Deer. The show is rated PG.