'Incredibly proud': Danielle Smith announces Alberta firefighters arrive in California

In a recent Facebook post, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed pride in announcing that a 40-person crew of Alberta’s highly trained Type 1 wildland firefighters had been deployed to southern California. The crew, sent on January 13, is part of a coordinated Canadian effort to assist the United States in battling catastrophic wildfires in the region.

RCMP warn of scammers claiming to work for banks

The Red Deer RCMP have received reports of fraudulent phone calls involving individuals pretending to be bank employees.  

The scam involves the fraudster calling from either a spoofed phone number or an unknown number.  

The person then identifies themselves as a bank employee demanding gift cards or cryptocurrency to assist them with removing unauthorized charges from their accounts. 

Update: Clearview Public Schools bus involved in minor incident in Stettler

Update - 11:47 a.m. Fri, Jan. 17

On Friday, one of Clearview Public School's buses was involved in a minor incident on Main Street in Stettler. 

The weather did not play a factor in this incident.

No students were on the bus at the time, and the bus driver was not injured.

 

Clearview Public Schools

Due to the severe weather conditions, all rural school bus routes within Clearview Public Schools will be cancelled on Friday, January 17, 2025.

Schools will remain open. 

Chrystia Freeland will run to be next Liberal leader

Chrystia Freeland is running to be the next Leader of the Liberal party and prime minister of Canada.

She says in a statement posted on social media she will launch her campaign officially on Sunday.

The former finance minister wrote an op-ed in the Toronto Star on Friday saying she won’t back down from Donald Trump as he vows to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all products coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.

City of Red Deer accepting applications for Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee volunteers

The City of Red Deer is looking for two volunteers to sit on the Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee.

“One member resigned, and another was appointed to a different position on the committee so we are seeking one Indigenous Citizen Representative and one Business Community Representative that have experience, knowledge and ideas to help shape our community,” said Rebecca Derwantz, Corporate Meeting Administrator. “This is a great way to get involved and contribute to everyday life in Red Deer.”

SaskCanola and SaskFlax merge into the brand new SaskOilSeeds

Yesterday, at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon, SK, a new brand was announced. SaskCanola and SaskFlax announced that they would be amalgamating under one brand called SaskOilSeeds. While this amalgamation isn’t brand new, in fact, they officially merged together on August 1st, 2024, this announcement marks a new chapter in oilseeds for producers in Saskatchewan. Tracy Broughton is the executive director of the new SaskOilSeeds brand, and she talks about why this merger was needed, and how it will help producers of Saskatchewan oilseeds in the future. 

Update: Highway 2 reopen near Millet

Update 10:31 p.m.

The scene has now been cleared and the highway is reopen to southbound traffic.

Original Story: Jan. 16 9 p.m.

A Jackknifed Semi trailer on the QEII SB lanes near Glen Park Road is blocking both lanes. 

Drivers are being asked to use an alternate route and to be prepared to stop.

Expect major delays in that area.

For the latest traffic click here.

Travel not recommended; RCMP reporting white out conditions

January 16 - 6:54 p.m.

RCMP are advising that road conditions are extremely poor throughout Central Alberta.

White out conditions are being reported with severe wind. Environment Canada is forecasting a north wind with gusts up to 90 km/h. The area could see up to 4 cm of snow.

Highways in the region are reporting:

  • Snow
  • Strong winds
  • Drifting Snow
  • Icy Sections
  • Blowing Snow
  • Black Ice

Visibility is zero in many locations.

Travel is not recommended.

Update: Blowing snow advisory lifted for most of Central Alberta

Update: Jan. 17 7:53 a.m.

The wind warning has now ended for central Alberta. A blowing snow advisory remains in effect for the southeast corner of the province.

Poor visibility in snow and blowing snow continues across southern Alberta, along with very strong winds.

Northwest winds gusting up to 90 km/h will combine with falling snow to give poor visibility.

Conditions will improve by mid-morning.

Mark Carney launches campaign for Liberal leadership

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says he’s ready to replace Justin Trudeau and lead the Liberal party into the next election.

He made the announcement at a community centre in Edmonton Thursday afternoon, ending nearly a decade of speculation about his political ambitions.

"I'm back home in Edmonton to declare my candidacy for leader of the Liberal party and prime minister of Canada," Carney said, flanked by supporters and Liberal members of Parliament endorsing his candidacy.