Lacombe

The Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce has made their draw live on Sunny 94 after another successful Passport to Christmas campaign. 

This year 17,499 completed passports were turned in with another 2,104 partial passports entered at local businesses. A total of 19,603, which is approximately 1,500 more than in 2023. 

The total spending on completed passports was $5,249,700, and on partial passports, $305,080 for a total of $5,554,780. This was money spent during the period of November 11th, to December 24th, 2024. 

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon granted Justin Trudeau's request Monday to prorogue Parliament until Mar. 24, suspending activities of the House of Commons while the Liberals move to replace him as both Liberal Leader and prime minister.

The move means the legislative agenda will be reset once the House of Commons reconvenes in March and some key pieces of legislation for the government may die on the order paper. 

Red Deer’s Jocelyn Peterman and husband Brett Gallant took a massive step toward the 2026 Winter Olympic Games by winning gold at the 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Trials Saturday before a sellout crowd at Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool, N.S.

RCMP say another vehicle has fallen through the ice on Sylvan Lake.

This is the fourth vehicle to break through the ice in just over a week.

Police say a Ford Explorer, with two people inside, broke through the ice Sunday (Jan 5.) around 4 p.m.

The occupants were able to exit the vehicle without injury. They were checked over by EMS and released.

The incident occurred near Marina Bay, which is close to a spring-fed portion of the lake.

Due to safety concerns, police are encouraging people to stay off the lake.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader after almost a decade at the helm of the party.

Here is a timeline of Trudeau's rise to party leadership and prime minister, and the events that led him to give it all up. 

Oct. 14, 2008: Trudeau is elected as a Liberal member of Parliament in the Montreal riding of Papineau in a narrow victory over the Bloc Québécois. He served as an Opposition MP during the Conservative minority government.

April 5, 2009: Trudeau is named Liberal critic for youth and multiculturalism.

Lacombe's longstanding Farmer and Farmerette's Bonspiel is kicking off today for the 80th year in the community.  

The event runs from Jan. 6-11, 2025 at the Lacombe Curling Club and will feature approximately 40 men’s teams and about 12 women’s teams.    

Traditionally, the teams would be made up of three farmers and one businessperson from the community to help encourage connections.    

Justin Trudeau said he will resign as prime minister and leader of the Liberal party following a leadership contest, after months of growing calls from within the Liberal caucus that he step down for the good of his party.

A teary-eyed Trudeau told reporters outside Rideau Cottage, his official residence in Ottawa, on Monday that he reflected on his political future over the holidays and told his kids Sunday evening over dinner that he has decided it's time for him to move on.

The Sirens for Life Challenge is back in Red Deer.

Emergency service workers in Red Deer and area are continuing to answer the call to help save lives as part of this year’s Sirens for Life Alberta Challenge.

The campaign runs Jan. 7-31, 2025. The goal of the campaign in Red Deer and area is to collect more than 5000 blood and plasma donations. Also to bring in new donors to support Canadian Blood Services ‘450 Challenge’.

Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) Screen Test program will provide screening mammograms in Ponoka this week.

A mobile mammography trailer will be located at the Ponoka Community Health Centre (5900 Highway 2A) from Jan. 9 to 16.  

Screening is available at no cost for eligible individuals aged 45 to 74, but appointments are required.   

“Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early when treatment may work better,” an AHS news release said. “Getting screened for breast cancer saves lives.”  

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Lacombe & District supported 33 families in need over the Christmas season through its Adopt-A-Family program.

The program finds donors who work with BBBS and families to fulfill their wishlists by purchasing grocery cards and other items through the holiday season.

BBBS Executive Director Brianna Berthiaume says they delivered to the families on Dec. 18.