Lacombe

A couple from Sylvan Lake welcomed Red Deer Regional Hospital's first baby of 2025.

First-time parents Chloe Ross and Dominik Zander welcomed Oliver Zander-Ross at 9:17 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Oliver weighed in at seven pounds, three ounces.

The baby boy is fully healthy and all three went home on Jan. 2.

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2025 brings a vape tax, a registration fee for electric vehicles, the "Rate of Last Resort" and the first federal payment.

The new regulations that went into effect Wednesday aim to help Albertans better navigate their energy options and choose rates that fit their needs. Under the Utilities Affordability Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, the default electricity rate will be renamed from the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) to the Rate of Last Resort (ROLR).

The 3rd annual Battle of the Badges RCMP Vs Fire charity hockey game is tonight (Jan. 3) in Innisfail.  

The puck drops at 6:30 p.m. at the Innisfail Twin Arena.

All of the proceeds raised from the game go to the Innisfail Food Bank.   

Entry is free with a food bank donation. 

On Jan. 2 at 3:37 p.m., Environment Canada issued an extreme cold warning for areas in Central Alberta. 

Extremely cold wind chills are expected tonight. The coldest wind chill values will be near minus 40.

Wind chills will moderate as temperatures rise during the day on Friday.

Extreme cold conditions could possibly return Friday evening for some areas as temperatures drop and winds pick up.

On Dec. 30, 2024, the Wetaskiwin RCMP received a report of an assault at a rural home on Township Road 441 in Wetaskiwin County.

After attempts to contact the suspect were unsuccessful, Wetaskiwin RCMP contained the residence and the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team was deployed to assist.

Police obtained a warrant to enter the home and arrest the suspect.

When entering the home, officers were shot at by the suspect. Police exited the home and continued efforts were made to de-escalate the situation.

Registration for advanced winter programs opens today (Jan. 2) at 10 a.m. at the Ponoka Aquaplex.     

Advanced programming includes Bronze Medallion, CPR-C, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, Babysitting Course, and the Stay Safe Course.    

Participants can register online through the Town of Ponoka website, or in person at the Ponoka Aquaplex (5315 46 Avenue).     

The watermain break at 57 Avenue and 52 Street in Ponoka has been repaired, and water service to all affected properties in the area has now been restored.

This includes properties on 57 Avenue (between 51 and 53 Street) and on 52 Street (between 56 and 57 Avenue).

The temporary road closure on 52nd Street (between 57 and 58 Avenue) remains in place and is expected to reopen this morning (January 3) once crews have completed restoration of the site.

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The 40th anniversary of Red Deer Ringette's Friends on Ice tournament is taking place this weekend (Jan. 3-5) in Red Deer. 

Since starting as a small gathering of local athletes, the tournament now attracts ringette teams from across Alberta and neighbouring provinces. 

Over 65 teams of all ages and skill levels will compete this weekend at the Kinsmen, Dawe and Collicutt Centre arenas. 

There will also be a free Come Try It event, where children of all ages can come out and experience the sport of ringette firsthand. 

The federal government announced last month in its 2024 Fall Economic Statement that Terry Fox will soon make his way onto the $5 bank note.

Lori Hutchings, co-organizer with the Red Deer Terry Fox Run, was excited to hear the news.

"He is a truly fantastic Canadian that represents a lot of the values that Canadians have," she said. "He was never one who wanted recognition."

The government said the goal was to inspire more Canadians to give $5 towards cancer research.

While we have seen rather warm weather to finish off 2024, it will be rather cold to start the new year heading into the weekend.

Christy Climenhaga a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) talked about what we will see in the next few days.

"We've got this pattern where some cold arctic air is going to push into not only Alberta but across much of Saskatchewan too. We can expect it through the weekend for sure."

According to ECCC, today's high is -17, tomorrow is also -17 while the weekend high is in the -15 degree range.