Lacombe

Earlier this week, the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) issued their first cash advances with the 2025 Advance Payments Program for the upcoming growing year. More than 1750 producers across Western Canada received more than $310 million to finance their operations. Dave Gallant, Vice President of Finance and APP operations at CGA, talks about the benefits of the program for Western Canadian producers. 

Due to an unexpected gap in physician coverage and inability to secure temporary coverage, the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre emergency department will be temporarily closed from 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, to 8 a.m. on Friday, April 4.

During times when the emergency department is closed, nursing staff remain on site in the emergency department, providing assistance in redirecting/referring patients to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities, or other appropriate levels of service, as needed.

On March 29, the Red Deer RCMP received a report of human remains located in the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. 

The remains were recovered and transported to the Calgary Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.  

RCMP are continuing to search the area and ask the public to avoid the area.

RCMP will work with the Medical Examiner to determine the identity of the remains. 

An update about the investigation is expected.  

The Team Jigger Foundation Sledge Hockey Program received a donation of 10 brand new sets of sledge hockey equipment courtesy of the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) Goals & Dreams.  

The donation of sleds, sticks, and protective equipment will go towards helping many kids get involved in the game, now and in the future.  

The options to get moving and to get connected were aplenty at the Spring Active living fair that was held April 2 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre (LMC) 

The free event allowed the public to explore what options are available in Lacombe to get kids or adults registered for active programs like swimming, football, dance and even cornhole; the fun game of tossing bean bags into holes. 

A pair of individuals were arrested at a north Red Deer hotel on April 1.

Red Deer RCMP were notified that an individual wanted on outstanding warrants was believed to be in the Red Deer area. 

Officers from the Red Deer RCMP General Investigations Unit (GIS) located the individual’s vehicle at a hotel located in north Red Deer. The Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT) obtained a Feeney warrant to arrest the suspect.

Adam Zinger, 41, from Patricia, Alta., was arrested for outstanding warrants based out of Brooks.

The 2nd Annual Home Town Trade Show is taking place in Sylvan Lake at the NexSource Centre this Friday and Saturday (April 4 & 5).

The show will feature a wide variety of local businesses and organizations.

Attendees will also get to try their hand at axe-throwing!

Admission is free, however donations to the Sylvan Lake Food Bank are welcomed.

The event will run April 4 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and April 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Heartland Regional One-Act Festival will take place this year in the Studio Theatre at Central Alberta Theatre’s Memorial Centre in Red Deer on April 11/12.

The annual theatre festival is presented by the Alberta Drama Festival Association and is a springboard for the Provincial One-Act Festival coming up later this spring.

The festival will host a preview performance on Friday, April 11, followed by the official adjudicated show on Saturday, April 12.

Update:

28-year-old Jasmine Rain has been found safe.

Original Story

The Wetaskiwin RCMP was seeking the public's assistance in locating missing 28-year-old Jasmine Rain.

Rain was last in the area of Wetaskiwin on March 19 and was believed to have been trying to make her way to Edmonton.

There was concern for her well-being. 

Bashaw RCMP is warning the public about a growing trend in distraction thefts involving fake jewelry scams. 

These incidents have been reported in various areas across the province, often taking place in parking lots, shopping centers, and other busy public spaces.