Lacombe

The Bless the Broom Tree Online Auction held in December was another big success.

The auction, organized by local volunteer Sandra Mulder, raised close to $9,000 in support of the Broom Tree Foundation in Lacombe. The auction has been running for the past three years. The goal this year was to raise $6,000.

"Sandra Mulder has been one of our number one supporters," said Broom Tree founder and Executive Director Donna Abma.

CASA Mental Health is bringing school-based mental health services to more youth in the Central Alberta region.   

In February, CASA Classrooms will launch within West Central High School in Rocky Mountain House and the Daysland School.  

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is part of a 38 post-secondary institution network that received more than $24 million in Lab to Market funding from the Government of Canada.   

The College-University Lab to Market Network for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization will create opportunities to turn research into real-world solutions and businesses.   

The City of Red Deer is seeking applications for a new Downtown Governance Committee. 

This committee will be responsible for exploring options and proposing strategies to address the evolving needs of Red Deer’s Downtown.

The committee will play a role in shaping the future of the downtown that aims to ensure better coordination, adaptable leadership and sustainable funding models that address the needs of businesses, residents and the broader community.

The City is seeking:

A new family doctor is now available to provide care to residents in Red Deer and area.

Dr. Ibrahim Ogunbi is working out of Easthill Medical Clinic (3020 22 Street). He will also be providing services at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. 

Individuals needing a family doctor can call 403-343-0115 to arrange a meet-and-greet appointment.

The country's premiers emerged from a key meeting about Canada-U.S. relations in Ottawa on Wednesday with a message of unity and a pledge to stand together, with one exception: Alberta's Danielle Smith, who said she cannot support the federal government's plan if energy export tariffs could be a part of it. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who chaired the first ministers' meeting, said it was "highly productive."

"We have a shared sense of purpose, a shared sense of understanding, and a commitment to stand together on a united path forward," he said.

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.

Excitement is building for the 48th annual Manitoba Ag Days, and with the 2025 event just days away, Teresa Hildebrand, the event's media coordinator, says it promises to be similar to past years, with some fun new events.  

Update - 10:35 a.m. January 16th

The snow squall warning has now ended.

Update - 9:25 a.m. January 16th

A snow squall warning has been issued for areas north of Red Deer including Ponoka County and the County of Wetaskiwin.

Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common.

Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow.

Alberta has launched a GPS monitoring program to track high-risk and repeat offenders. The program, part of the Safe Street Action Plan, allows courts to require GPS ankle bracelet monitoring as a condition of bail or sentencing.

The program, which officially started January 15, introduces 24-7 location tracking through Alberta Correctional Services. A centralized monitoring unit will oversee offenders’ compliance with court-ordered restrictions, such as avoiding victims’ residences, workplaces, or other designated areas.