Lacombe

The recent Commercial Gap Analysis confirms that Olds has strong market potential and room for business growth. 

Commissioned by the Town of Olds and conducted by FBM Planning Ltd., the study highlights the community’s strengths as a regional shopping destination and identifies key areas to expand retail and services. 

Multiple polls now suggest the next federal election will be a tight race, and at least one major pollster has the Liberals leading the Conservatives for the first time in nearly four years.

A survey from Ipsos released this week suggests that if an election were held today, 38 per cent of Canadians would support the Liberals and 36 per cent would back the Conservatives.

That's a major shift from just six weeks ago, when the Conservatives held a 26-point lead in Ipsos polls.

The Prairie Watershed On-Farm Climate Action Project (PWCP) is expanding, and it's good news for farmers in Manitoba. The project, which has been helping farmers reduce their environmental footprint since 2022, is getting a significant boost from the Canadian government.

Lynda Nicol, Executive Director of the Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW), explains how phase one of the program has been a huge success.

Update:

On Feb. 25, the Blackfalds RCMP received a report of a possible child abduction.

The Blackfalds RCMP investigated the report, and as a result, concluded that the story had been fabricated. 

RCMP have confirmed that there is no threat to the public.

Alberta residents who frequent Kananaskis Country or commute to Calgary will face major disruptions starting June 10 as the region enters a strict security lockdown for the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit.

With restricted access, roadblocks, and an increased police presence throughout the area, residents can expect delays and challenges navigating through Kananaskis and Calgary during the summit, which will take place from June 15 to 17.

Alberta RCMP are continuing to search for suspect Dorian Hunter, who has ties to Central Alberta.

Hunter is wanted for various crimes.

His last known location was in Maskwacis. Hunter is also known to frequent Wetaskiwin.

If you spot Dorian Hunter, do not approach.

Contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

On Feb. 12, the Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT) arrested three individuals following a drug trafficking investigation.

Officers executed search warrants at businesses in the Downtown and South Hill neighbourhoods, and at a residence in the Highland Green neighbourhood of Red Deer.

As a result of the investigation, police seized over $55,000 in Canadian currency, 1.1 kilograms of cocaine, 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, 6 grams of fentanyl, and 51 oxycodone tablets, along with other items and materials used in the trafficking of controlled substances. 

Serena Olsen loves to play KENO on payday, and this time she won a larger payout than she had ever expected.  

The Red Deer resident won $100,016 on the Jan. 10 KENO draw.  

“I knew I’d won something, but I was not sure how much,” she said. “I had to keep checking my ticket on the app!”  

After it finally sunk in that she had won big, Olsen was overjoyed.   

Update: 

On March 5, the Wetaskiwin RCMP advised that the missing 17-year-old had been located safe.

Click here for the full update. 

Original story:

The Wetaskiwin RCMP were asking for public assistance to locate a missing 17-year-old from Wetaskiwin.

The teen was last seen on Feb. 24, in the Wetaskiwin area.

BGC Wolf Creek is encouraging Central Albertans to spread kindness and promote anti-bullying for Pink Shirt Day today (Feb. 26).

Every Wednesday in February, the BGC Ponoka Youth Centre team wore pink shirts leading up to the official day.