Lacombe

Sports and politics will collide tonight in Boston as archrivals Canada and the United States compete in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

What might have been initially conceived as an exhibition international hockey tournament in advance of the NHL's return to Olympic competition in 2026 has turned into a must-watch event on both sides of the border due to political tension between the formerly friendly nations.

United Way Central Alberta (UWCA) has announced another record-breaking Sockey Day at the Peavy Mart Centrium on Feb. 17th. 

An impressive 5,138 pairs of socks were tossed on the ice by attendees of the Red Deer Rebels Family Day game, surpassing last year’s total of 4,813 pairs. 

“This year’s response has been a true reflection of our community’s ongoing commitment to supporting community needs,” said UWCA CEO, Chelsea O’Donoghue, adding that all collected socks will go directly to local agencies across Central Alberta to benefit individuals and families in need. 

Two individuals have been arrested and charged in relation to an armed robbery that occurred in Ponoka on Feb. 18.

At approximately 8 p.m., Ponoka RCMP responded to an armed robbery in progress on 38 Avenue Close where a male and female suspect stole a white Pontiac Vibe at gunpoint.  

A police pursuit was initiated through Ponoka County and Montana First Nation.  

At one point during the pursuit, the suspect vehicle went over a frozen river and got stuck on a berm.  

The female suspect was immediately arrested, but the male suspect fled on foot.  

This past week, both the Kings and Queens Indoor Track teams finished among the top three squads at Running Room Grand Prix #2.

Both Volleyball teams defeated the Olds College Broncos. The Queens Hockey squad shutout the Medicine Hat College Rattlers twice. The Kings Hockey team dropped a pair of close contests to the Briercrest College Clippers.

The Queens Basketball squad earned two victories over the Broncos. The Kings Basketball team split its weekend series with Olds College of Agriculture & Technology.

RCMP are continuing to search for Justin Harley Brown, who is wanted for various crimes.

Brown's last known location is Maskwacis. He is also known to frequent Wetaskiwin and Red Deer.

If you spot Brown, do not approach.

Contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Time is running out to nominate an outstanding Red Deerian for a 2025 Mayor’s Recognition Award.

The Mayor’s Recognition Awards honour individuals, groups and teams who have made a special contribution that has brought honour and recognition to Red Deer.

The nomination deadline is Monday, February 24 at 9 a.m. The awards are open to anyone who lives in or contributes to our community.

There are five award categories:

The Central Alberta Teachers’ Convention is taking place this week in Red Deer.

The event is happening Feb. 20 and 21 at Red Deer Polytechnic.

The convention will include keynote speakers such as broadcaster and mental health advocate Wade Sorochan and Cadmus Delorme, the former chief of Cowessess First Nation.

More than 1,750 educators are expected to attend the convention, which will feature 300+ sessions.

Teachers from Red Deer Public, Red Deer Catholic, Timberline (Wild Rose), Wolf Creek and Chinook’s Edge school divisions are expected to attend.

The Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce is welcoming about 100 new members, after the Blackfalds and District Chamber of Commerce voted earlier this month to dissolve and join up with Lacombe.

"There was just some dynamics going on that made it make more sense for them to dissolve. Made sense for us to take them over," said Lacombe Board Chair Dani Ducross. "Between the two membership bases, we cover a little bit bigger of an area."

With the addition of Blackfalds, the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce is now sitting at around 400 members.

Say hello to the newest Jeep Wrangle Winter contest winner—Cathy King! 

This local teacher just scored a Tuscadero Pearl Jeep Wrangler worth over $60,000, and the moment she found out? Absolutely priceless!

Sunny 94, Your Alberta Jeep Dealers, and a cheering crowd of students were on hand for the big surprise.

"I’m shaking. It’s going to take a while to sink in!"

The Central Alberta Lacrosse girls' program is currently recruiting athletes born between 2011 and 2014 for the upcoming season.

No experience is necessary.

Coach Jon Weddell says many lacrosse players come over from ringette, hockey, or even dancing and have picked up the game quickly.

He notes they try to practice out of Blackfalds or Innisfail and play home games in Ponoka or Lacombe.