Lacombe

Over the past week, the Didsbury Fire Department had the opportunity at an interesting type of training in a different way than usual.

Raphael Buergi, a lieutenant with the fire department explained what the opportunity is all about and how it happened.

"With the ice surface no longer in place at the Didsbury Memorial Complex due to some issues, the town asked if the fire department would like to use it for training as nobody else was."

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says an unnamed third party has been called in for an investigation into reports of high-level government interference and questionable deal-making in medical contracts and product buys.

"We are going to have an external party do it, and so I am looking forward to making information - as much as possible - public so that people know what's going on," LaGrange told reporters at the legislature Tuesday.

"People deserve to know what's going on and we want to make sure that happens.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Brussels today as Canada works to deepen its trade and defence ties with Europe.

The prime minister landed in the Belgian capital around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. His one-day visit includes a meeting with NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte and the European Union's two most senior leaders.

Ursula von der Leyen has been president of the European Commission since 2019, and her job involves directing the EU's policy agenda and legislation.

U.S. president Donald Trump announced he has postponed the 25% implementation of widespread tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico until March 4th. These tariffs would have economic impacts on a variety of industries, including canola. The canola industry in massive in terms of supporting Canadian agriculture, with the economic activity accounting for over $43.5 billion a year. Chris Davison, President and CEO of the Canola Council of Canada, reiterates just how impactful this industry truly is and how important trade relations between Canada & the United States are. 

Update:

The extreme cold warning has ended for Central Alberta.

It will be mainly cloudy on Wednesday with a 60 percent chance of flurries. The high is minus 11. Wind chill minus 30 this morning and minus 14 this afternoon. Risk of frostbite.

The low tonight is minus 20. Wind chill minus 15 this evening and minus 25 overnight.

Original Story:

The Town of Olds says that the utility bills that were sent out to residents on Monday (Feb. 10) contained an error.

The Town says they are actively working to correct the issue, and adjustments will be made as soon as possible.

The Alberta Utilities Commission expects to receive an application from ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. to renew its franchise agreement with the Town of Rocky Mountain House, following the submission deadline indicated below.

The franchise agreement will, subject to further renewal, continue to allow ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. the exclusive right to deliver natural gas to the residents of Town of Rocky Mountain House for approximately 10 years from the effective date of the franchise agreement.  

Update: 

The Red Deer RCMP advised that the missing 15-year-old has been located safe.

Original story:

The Red Deer RCMP were seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old.

The teen was last seen on Feb. 9, in Red Deer, and there was concern for their well-being.

A number of students who participated in career pathway learning opportunities during their time in Chinook’s Edge, are now pursuing further post-secondary training in the skilled trades.

Because of strong Career and Technology Studies (CTS) and dual credit programming, these students have already completed a significant portion of training required for employment.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is travelling back to Washington, D.C., this week, along with her provincial counterparts, to lobby U.S. lawmakers and industry players amid continued tariff threats.

Smith confirmed the trip in a Monday news release, saying she will embrace a "Team Canada approach" to convince Americans the levies would harm workers and businesses on both sides of the border. She also plans to continue highlighting the "significant" role Alberta energy exports play in helping the U.S.