Lacombe

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2024 will go down as the year of canola disease.

That is according to Curtis Rempel, Vice President of Crop Production and Innovation with the Canola Council of Canada. Rempel says diseases were primarily root and lower stem. He notes this was partially due to the wet and cool conditions felt in large parts of the Prairies.

"For a lot of stubble-borne fungi, which are primarily disease-causing organisms, they are all fungal-related," explains Rempel. "The cool, damp conditions really allow the fungus to take off."

Red Deer Rebels Owner, President & General Manager Brent Sutter today announced that the club has completed a trade with the Kelowna Rockets.

The Rebels have traded 19-year-old goaltender Rhett Stoesser to Kelowna in exchange for a fourth-round pick at the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, and a fourth-round pick at the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft.

The government on Thursday announced a sweeping promise to make groceries, children's clothing, Christmas trees, restaurant meals and more free from GST/HST between Dec. 14 and Feb. 15. 

On Nov. 20, 2024, at 5:42 p.m., the Red Deer RCMP received a report of a stabbing in an industrial area on 79 Street in Red Deer.

When RCMP and EMS arrived on scene, the victim was found deceased.

A nearby suspect was located and arrested.

The Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit have launched an investigation.

The suspect remains in custody with charges pending.

RCMP say the victim and suspect were known to each other and there is no risk to the community.

The Liberal government plans to temporarily lift the federal sales tax off a slew of items just in time for Christmas and send cheques to millions of Canadians this spring, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday.

"Our government can't set prices at the checkout, but we can put more money in people's pockets," Trudeau said at a press conference in Toronto alongside Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. 

Central Albertans will get their fair share of shovelling in over the next couple of days.

Stephen Berg, meteorologist with Environment & Climate Change Canada, says the region could see up to five centimetres by the end of the day Thursday. The snow is expected to continue throughout the afternoon hours with flurries in the forecast for the rest of the day and tonight.

He notes more of the white stuff is on the way for Friday.

Red Deer drivers can expect some traffic disruptions today as crews prepare to demolish a derelict property.   

Between 7 a.m. today (Nov. 21) and 7 p.m. tomorrow (Nov. 22), 44 Street will be closed between 46A Avenue and 47 Avenue.   

Detours will be in place during the closure. Drivers are reminded to give themselves extra time to reach their destination in the area.  

Motorists in Lacombe can expect traffic delays Thursday (Nov. 21) as Highway 12 is closed in both directions near the intersection with Highway 2A due to railway maintenance.

The closure is in effect from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

A local road detour is in place.

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Ponoka Town Council has renewed the New Business Grant Program for the 2025 year. 

The purpose of the program is to attract new businesses to Ponoka. 

The New Business Grant offers a one-time-per-business grant payment of up to $1,000 for businesses that are new to Ponoka in 2024 and 2025, and reside and operate in the Town. The grant is also available to existing residents in the Town of Ponoka who start a new business in town.