Lacombe

This past weekend, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens Futsal teams had exciting starts to their seasons. The RDP Basketball teams were downed by the St. Mary’s University Lightning. The Queens Hockey team blanked the NAIT Ooks. The Kings Hockey team split its weekend series with the Ooks. The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings, Queens and Mixed Curling teams played well at the Winter Regional, advancing to the ACAC Curling Championships.

Here is a summary of the recent results:

Futsal

RDP Queens vs Olds College | Main Gym | Friday, January 17

Longtime Red Deer - Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen has announced that he will not be running in the next federal election.

"It has been my honour and privilege to continue this legacy by representing the great people of Red Deer and Red Deer–Mountain View for the past 16 years by bringing local issues and concerns to the national stage," he said.

In a statement released Tuesday night, Dreeshen says it's time for a new Conservative government and he has the utmost confidence in leader Pierre Poilievre.

At around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, Sylvan Lake Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle collision on Range Road 10 and Township Road 372 west of Springbrook.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area & yield to emergency vehicles.

No further information is available at this time.

Click here for current road conditions.

Update:

RCMP in Central Alberta are advising that all tow bans are now lifted following yesterday's storm. 

Road conditions in certain areas could still be icy. 

511 Alberta is reporting wet roads throughout Central Alberta that are partly covered in snow with icy sections. 

For the latest road reports, click here. 

Original story:

Due to the severe weather conditions, all school bus routes within Clearview Public Schools will be cancelled on Wednesday.

High school diploma exams will proceed as scheduled for all students who can safely get to school.

Schools in the division will be open, and regular classes will proceed as normal.

Click here for updates.

The Canadian Armed Forces is no longer automatically disqualifying applicants with certain medical conditions such as allergies and ADHD, as it works to improve its numbers and grow the size of Canada's military. 

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan said the four medical conditions that will now be evaluated when people apply are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, asthma and allergies.

Carignan said previously any applicants that arrived with an allergy were immediately disqualified.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reached for a sales pitch instead of revealing any of his cards in his first public reply to U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that Canadian imports could face heavy tariffs as early as next week.

Trudeau insisted Tuesday that if Trump wants to usher in what he's called a "golden age" for the United States, he'll need the energy, critical minerals and resources that Canada is ready to provide.

Police have issued a tow ban and are advising against travel in the area. 

Alberta RCMP has implemented a tow ban on the QEII Highway between Edmonton and Blackfalds, urging drivers to avoid travel until weather and road conditions improve.

The northbound lanes of the QEII near Lacombe have reopened. Just before 7 pm, a jackknifed semi-trailer had both lanes of the highway closed. 

Additionally, all northbound lanes on the QEII near the Highway 27 junction, close to Olds, have reopened after a different incident involving a  jackknifed semi-trailer.

Highway conditions in the area are deteriorating. 

Just before 5:30 p.m., a semi-trailer Jackknifed on the QEII Highway Southbound near Highway 53. All lanes have been cleared.  

RCMP in central and northern Alberta are advising that road conditions are extremely bad, specifically in Leduc, Wetaskiwin, Camrose County, Maskwacis, Ponoka and areas around Edmonton. RCMP is reporting whiteout conditions with severe wind. Visibility is extremely poor in many locations.

Update:

The blowing snow advisory has now ended for Central Alberta.

Original Story:

Environment Canada issued a blowing snow advisory for Central Alberta Tuesday afternoon.  

Winds gusting up to 80 km/h, combined with snow at times, reduced visibility.