Lacombe

Agricultural technology is changing at a rapid pace.

Croptimistic Technology out of Saskatoon has developed a new system that gives producers a more accurate way to determine plant stand counts.

The SWATcam Technology is mounted to each sprayer boom,  the camera then captures images every 50 to 70 feet as it moves through the field.

The camera is high resolution and zooms right in on the target site providing more detail than a satellite image would.

Derek Rude, vice-president of research and development says the data capture is non-biased. 

Alberta’s Drought Command Team has been authorized to start negotiations with water licence holders to strike water-sharing agreements to mitigate the risk of drought. 

Alberta relies on melting snow and rain for all of its water. This winter, snowpack is below average, rivers are at record low levels and multiple reservoirs remain well below capacity.

Nominations for the City of Red Deer’s first by-election are now open to fill one vacant councillor position. 

Nominations will be accepted until March 25 at noon, with election day set for April 22. 

Anyone considering adding their name to the ballot can click here for information packages, the Candidate Handbook, a list of frequently asked questions, and information on election signs. 

On early Friday morning, the 'Prairie Prognosticator' Balzac Billy,  predicted six more weeks of winter during the 21st Annual Balzac Groundhog Day Celebration.

But what of all the other Canadian groundhogs on this special day? Did they agree with Billy's prediction? It looks like Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam as well as Ontario's Willie Wiarton all predicted an early spring! But what about Quebec’s Fred la Marmotte? He also didn't see his shadow - which means an early spring! Billy's American colleague, Punxsutawney Phil down in Pennsylvania also predicted an early spring. 

Pedestrians between the Bower and Sunnybrook neighbourhoods will have to detour because of a temporary bridge and trail closure in the area.

Starting this week, the bridge located east of Sunnybrook Farm and west of Sunnyside Crescent is being replaced and trail users will be detoured through the Sunnybrook neighbourhood until about the end of May.

At the January 25th, Regular Council Meeting for Lacombe County, A hazardous material clean up and an Environmental Action Plan were some of the topics discussed.

Here are some of the highlights:

2023 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN UPDATE
An update on the 2023 Lacombe County Environmental Action Plan (EAP) was received for information.

The Lacombe and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Lacombe (BGC) are working to spread kindness through the community during February. 

The two organizations launched the Lacombe Kindness Campaign Thursday (Feb.1) afternoon with a ribbon cutting outside of the Lacombe Memorial Centre, and are now encouraging residents and local businesses to show kindness in the community. 

Premier Danielle Smith announced new policies to support children and youth in making choices relating to gender-identity yesterday in a video. In an announcement today (February 1, 2024), Premier Smith spoke out about those policies.  

It's now official, The Blackfalds Bulldogs along with 4 other Alberta teams will leave the AJHL and will join the BCHL. 

Effective immediately, the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints are members of the BCHL.

The five teams will engage in competition with each other for the remainder of the season and will eventually crown an Alberta champion. Following the conclusion of the BCHL Playoffs, there will be an opportunity for the champion from Alberta to meet the champion from B.C. in a year-end competition.

Changes are in-store for the Lacombe and District Historical Society who are saying goodbye to their Executive Director and preparing for exciting developments in 2024.  

Melissa Blunden will be leaving the organization after acting as Executive Director for the last five and a half years. Blunden will be heading to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia taking on the role of Executive Director for Highland Village Museum in Iona.