Lacombe

Three Sylvan Lake organizations are looking to transform the current curling rink in the NexSource Centre into regulation hockey ice.   

The Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Association, Sylvan Lake Rec. Hockey Association and Sylvan Lake Lacrosse Association brought the idea to council during the Jan. 27 regular meeting.  

Nominations are now open for the Sylvan Lake Citizen of the Year Awards.

The Citizen of the Year awards are given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the community and demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of those around them.

All nominees must live, or have lived, in Sylvan Lake to be eligible.

The nomination window is open until March 11, 2025, at noon.

Some of the award categories include:

STARS Air Ambulance responded to the scene of a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 2A north of Ponoka Thursday morning at around 10:55 a.m.

The driver and passenger were ultimately taken to hospital via ground ambulance.

Both occupants were not wearing seatbelts and both were ejected from the vehicle.

The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital in stable condition. The passenger suffered less serious injuries.

Road conditions were described as icy. Highway 2A was closed to traffic for a short period of time following the incident.

The Sylvan Lake Fire Department responded to a detached garage fire in Bowman Circle on Thursday at around 12:40 p.m.

RCMP say the fire was put out quickly with minimal damage occurring to the structure.

The cause of the fire is believed to be related to a garage heater.

There were no injuries.

New security protocols are being implemented at Wetaskiwin City Hall.  

Starting Feb. 10, City Hall visitors will be given key cards to access the third-floor meeting rooms and the council chambers.   

The Blackfalds Bulldogs have announced that 2007-born forward, Jake McDonald, has committed to the team for the 2025-2026 BCHL season.

The Anaheim, California product grew up in the St. Louis Blues AAA program. 

So far this season with the St. Louis Blues 18U AAA team, he scored 29 goals and 49 points in 41 games. 

McDonald stands at 5-foot-ten and weighs 165 pounds. His father is former NHLer Andy McDonald, who played in twelve seasons between the Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues.

What started out as a one-year project for local photographer Sherry Penner, eventually turned into a four-year endeavor showcasing local women over the age of 40.

Penner's goal was to highlight 40 women over 40 in a glamorous-style photoshoot. She says the project evolved over those four years into something much bigger, with a total of 123 women taking part. One hundred unique art portraits were created.

"We did an interview with each of the ladies and told their stories," explained Penner.

The Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) board of trustees discussed transportation eligibility changes and the Joint School Council Engagement plan during the Jan. 28 meeting.   

Highlights from the meeting include:  

Strategic Plan Update  

Alberta clothing and café business Sweet Home closed its five locations this week, leaving many customers with unused gift cards.

Owners Cody and Eva Borek announced the closure on social media on Feb. 3.

Red Deer Polytechnic is projecting an estimated $10 million deficit for the 2025/2026 budget (fiscal year ending June 30, 2026) due to several factors. 

According to a written statement, those include the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) impacts to international student enrolments, rising inflation and an anticipated zero per cent increase to base grant funding from the Government of Alberta.

RDP says it is working with the Government of Alberta to determine a sustainable path forward.