Lacombe

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has rejected NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's call for the federal government to bar U.S. President Donald Trump from coming to Canada for the G7 summit this June.

At an event in Montreal Thursday, Trudeau said he sees the idea of banning Trump as an "irresponsible" approach to governance and relationships with other nations.

"It's easy for politicians these days to toss out easy and shocking things to say. We see a lot of it around the world these days. I'm not one of those Canadian politicians," Trudeau said when asked about Singh's comments.

With many producers in Western Canada getting ready for spring seeding and focusing on their seeded acres, it can be easy to overlook those areas that aren’t farmed. Native areas such as shelterbelts, road allowances, and wetlands provide water and nutrient capture for your crop and are key homes for animals and insects that not only benefit agriculture, but the ecosystem as a whole. Dr. Shathi Akhter, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, talks about the importance of these areas not just from an environmental standpoint, but from an agriculture one as well. 

Alberta’s finances, tied for generations to the steep peaks and sharp valleys of oil and gas prices, are once again plunging deep into deficit, with no immediate relief in sight.

Finance Minister Nate Horner introduced a budget Thursday that projects a $5.2-billion deficit this fiscal year on total spending of $79 billion.

That represents an $11-billion swing from the current budget, which wraps up at the end of March and is on track to register a surplus close to $6 billion.

The Alberta government tabled its budget on Thursday. Here are some of the highlights:

Update: 

On Feb. 28, the Red Deer RCMP advised that the missing 13-year-old was found safe. 

Original story:

The Red Deer RCMP were seeking public assistance in locating a missing 13-year-old.

The teen was last seen in Red Deer on Feb. 26. 

They were believed to be in the areas of Edmonton, Didsbury, or Stettler.

There was concern for their well-being.

Red Deer City Council identified four key focus areas for 2025 that will guide efforts in improving the community and enhancing the city’s future, during the Feb. 24 regular council meeting.  

The priorities build on the work across the organization and reinforce the long-term vision outlined in Red Deer 2050 and the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.  

Priorities for 2025 include:  

Relatives of two murdered Indigenous women expressed shock, hope and anger Thursday, after receiving news that potential human remains have been found at a landfill where their loved ones were believed to have been taken.

"I think the shock of everything has finally hit me," Melissa Robinson, a cousin of Morgan Harris, said at a press conference sitting beside other relatives

"To every one of you that said no (to a search), to every one of you that didn't believe in us, do better," said Harris's daughter Elle Harris.

With the recent warm spell, Lacombe's outdoor rink near the high schools and two storm ponds are now closed for the season.

The City maintains two ice surfaces, including Cranna Lake and the pond near Royal Oak Manor (College Ave. & Calgary Edmonton Trail).

Halldorson says the outdoor skating surfaces were quite popular this winter.

"There was lots of use over the winter when the weather was more mild," he remarked. "When it was minus 30, there was very little use, but as it warmed up there was more use."

Lacombe City Council discussed the city’s public engagement plan, the priority data integrity project to organize the city’s bylaws and policies, and the expansion of the Birthplace Forest during the Feb. 24 regular meeting.   

Here are the meeting highlights:  

Presentations  

Audit Plan – BDO   

Three individuals have been arrested and charged in relation to a kidnapping with a firearm in Samson Cree Nation.

On the evening of Feb. 24, 2025, Maskwacis RCMP responded to a call to assist Emergency Medical services in Samson Cree Nation with a male sustaining a gunshot wound.

Officers arrived on scene and obtained information that the victim had been kidnapped and tied to a chair in the basement of a residence in Samson Cree Nation. The victim was beaten and received a gunshot wound.