Lacombe

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to escalate the trade war he launched with Canada even further Tuesday, just hours after imposing his first round of punishing import taxes on all Canadian goods.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump's imposition of a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy and 25 per cent tariffs on all other Canadian goods "dumb" and said Canada is fighting back.

Update:

The Town of Ponoka has restored connection to the water for all the schools and BGC Wolf Creek, allowing all Ponoka Schools to be open on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Repairs will continue in the area in front of the Wolf Creek School Division Facilities and Transportation Building located at 4900 54 Street, limiting drop off access.

The Town of Ponoka confirms that the water has been tested and it is safe for consumption.

Former Red Deer Rebels Captain Kai Uchacz has signed with the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights.

Uchacz signed a two-year, entry-level contract, which was announced by the Golden Knights on Sunday.

The 21-year-old is currently playing for the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.

He has 23 points (12G-11A) in 51 games and is tied for third on the Silver Knights in goals.

Uchacz made the team as a free agent after attending a development camp in July of 2024. He played parts of five seasons in the WHL, mostly with the Red Deer Rebels.

Jill Verwey of Portage la Prairie has ascended to a prominent national role in Canadian agriculture, being named as the first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) during its recent annual general meeting in Ottawa. Verwey, a seasoned farmer specializing in cash crops, beef, and dairy, also serves as the president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), Manitoba's leading farm policy organization.

Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the implementation of U.S. tariffs:

“The tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are an unjustifiable economic attack on Canadians and Albertans. They also represent a clear breach of the trade agreement signed by this same U.S. President during his first term. These tariffs will hurt the American people, driving up costs for fuel, food, vehicles, housing and many other products. They will also cost hundreds of thousands of American and Canadian jobs. This policy is both foolish and a failure in every regard.

The Olds RCMP was dispatched to a complaint of suspicious people in a vehicle near the Dodge Dealership just outside of Olds on March 1.

RCMP located the vehicle, which had been stolen out of Blackfalds.

The three occupants were taken into custody.

Other stolen items were also located inside of the vehicle.

Angie Jury, a 35-year-old resident of Red Deer, was charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent.

Jury will attend the Alberta Court of Justice in Didsbury on March 24.

The Blackfalds RCMP received 121 calls for service between Feb. 18 – 24. 

The calls included two assaults, three breach of peace, one criminal harassment, one mischief, three thefts, one uttering threats, and 22 motor vehicle collisions. 

Here are the calls: 

Feb. 18  

The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Queens earned silver at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)/Curling Canada College Championships. The RDP Kings would earn bronze at the National Championship.

In addition to the RDP Curling teams earning CCAA medals, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens Hockey teams won their playoff series and advanced to the next round.

The Queens Basketball team put forth a good effort with a depleted lineup but dropped both games at the ACAC Women’s Basketball Championship.

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on U.S. imports today coming from Canada and Mexico. 

The president's executive order hitting Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy, took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to talk more about Canada's response, which will include tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods, at 10:30 a.m. in Ottawa. 

Here's the latest news (all times Eastern - keep checking back for the latest details):

Registration for spring arts and recreation programs in Red Deer opens today (March 4) at noon.  

With the new season comes fresh opportunities for fitness, fun, and creative adventures.   

There’s a variety of spring programs from swim lessons and preschool programs to fitness and wellness, arts and culture, and more.