Lacombe

Blackfalds first high school, Iron Ridge Secondary Campus, is in its first year, opening to grades 9-11 this past September.

Principal Ed Coles explains things have gone without a hitch.

“Kids are in classes, credits are getting earned,” he said. “The smooth process has definitely been a highlight. It's been smoother than I expected.”

Coles said there is still a lot of room for expanding programming, which includes sports, as the school won’t have a Grade 12 class until next school year. 

On Monday, Primary Care Alberta (PCA) launched the New Parent and Newborn Line – a service that refers Health Link 811 callers in North, South and Central zones to registered nurses specializing in postpartum care.

“Parents often have questions related to care for their newborn. The New Parent and Newborn Line provides expert postpartum information free of charge, to all parents in North, South and Central zones who have a baby under two months of age,” says Patricia Chambers, Executive Lead of Patient Navigation and System Integration with PCA.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is headed back to Ottawa after ending his London visit with an audience with King Charles.

Trudeau was in London for a weekend security summit — making Canada the only non-European nation represented in talks on how to ensure a possible Ukraine ceasefire actually holds.

Analysts say Trudeau's visit was meant to maintain Canada's role in the transatlantic alliance as U.S. President Donald Trump pulls back from NATO and blames Ukraine for Russia's invasion.

This past weekend, members of the Lacombe Fire Department (LFD) honed their skills with ice rescue training at the Len Thompson Fishing Ponds.

"Training like this ensures we are always prepared to respond when our community needs us most. Stay safe, stay ready!" stated an LFD Facebook post. "Thank you, Justin Andrew, from Olds Fire for instructing our group this weekend!"

Just a reminder that fire permits are required in Lacombe County from March 1 to October 31.

Work has begun on a surge pond in Innisfail’s southwest industrial area.

The facility on Innisfail’s newly-developed industrial land will helps protect the aquatic environment and the quality of source water.

The work is being done by the South Red Deer Regional Wastewater Commission as part of the regional wastewater line that runs from Olds to Red Deer, where the water is then treated and returned to the Red Deer River.

Update: 

The snowfall warning for parts of Clearwater County near the Ya-Ha-Tinda Ranch, and Mountain View County near Sundre, Cremona and Water Valley has ended. 

Original story:

Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for parts of Mountain View County and Clearwater County.  

Wetaskiwin RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing 13-year-old Dezireyah Diamond Johnson.  

Dezireyah was last seen in the southside area of Wetaskiwin on March 2, 2025. Police have concern for her well-being.

She is described as:

Lacombe County is reminding all County residents and businesses of the upcoming fire permit season beginning March 1, 2025. In an effort to ensure community safety and environmental protection, the county enforces the requirement for fire permits for controlled burns. Unauthorized burning could lead to significant fines and charges.

Obtaining a Fire Permit

Some highways in Central Alberta are partly snow-covered this morning.

511 Alberta is reporting icy/slippery sections, with blowing snow, and slush in some areas.

The affected area is in the Olds/Didsbury region. The Rocky Mountain House area is also reporting partly snow-covered roads.

Visibility is fair to good.

The St. Joseph High School (SJHS) For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) robotics team is heading to Nampa, Idaho, for a multi-day competition. 

From March 27 – 29 the team will compete against other high school robotics teams from around the world.  

Throughout the year, students have dedicated numerous Saturdays to designing, programming, and building robots for the annual themed competition.