Lacombe

The province is once again giving livestock producers on crown land the opportunity to apply for the Crown Grazing Lease Rental Reduction Program.

Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison says, given the dry conditions throughout most of the grazing season, they are once again offering the program for producers.

"Crown grazing land lessees who have reduced the number of animals grazing on the land are eligible to apply (by the October 31st deadline) for a rent reduction for the 2025 grazing season.To be eligible, the lessee must reduce their stocking rate by 20 per cent."

A brand-new Penhold school is opening its doors to the public this week.

Penhold Waskasoo Middle School will host a community open house Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

In a previous interview, principal Lisa Baird said the school’s opening is especially meaningful.

“There is something powerful about opening a school in a community that has been waiting for it,” said Baird. “It’s not just about our classrooms and hallways; it’s truly about building a home for learning and belonging for all our students.” 

The Blackfalds RCMP detachment hosted its annual community BBQ on Wednesday (August 27) drawing families and community members for a day of food, fun, and interactive demonstrations.

The event, held in the detachment’s parking lot, featured a range of activities for all ages.

Children explored fire trucks while receiving plastic fire hats from the local fire department.

Peavey Mart is making a comeback.

A message posted to the farm goods retailer's website says the brand that closed all its stores earlier in the year is planning to reopen in select Alberta markets.

The note says Spruce Grove, Westlock, Camrose and Lacombe will all see Peavey Mart return this fall.

The company says the new iteration of the brand will focus on high quality and locally sourced items meant for farmers, ranchers, homesteaders and more.

It promises to release more details about the relaunch in the coming weeks.

The Town of Sylvan Lake is advising residents of a temporary road closure on Harrison Road as part of a roadway rehabilitation project.

The closure, which affects the north side of C. P. Blakely Elementary School began at 8:00 p.m. last night (August 27) and will continue until 8:00 p.m. Monday September 8.

Parents are encouraged to plan ahead as the new school year begins, with traffic around the school expected to be impacted during the paving work.

People in Calgary can expect to hear a consistent round of loud bangs for at least another day as police try to disarm an explosive substance in a south-end industrial neighbourhood.

Police say a moving company had been tasked with disposing of several substances, including a package of picric acid.

But that package was mislabelled and had been sitting for about 10 days when it was discovered early Tuesday afternoon. Police were notified later in the day.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he left Washington Wednesday with a sense that progress was made after a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

"It was constructive in the sense it was an exchange of views that I think helped both us and the Americans understand the work we need to do to get, we hope, to an agreement," LeBlanc said in an interview with The Canadian Press after arriving in Montreal.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on Wednesday accused the federal Liberals of allowing temporary foreign workers to take jobs away from young Canadians while youth unemployment is high.

"As our young people have a quarter-century high in their unemployment, Mark Carney this year is expected to bring in a record number of temporary foreign workers to take the jobs of Canadian youth," Poilievre said. 

Statistics Canada data shows unemployment for youth, aged 15 to 24, hit 14.6 per cent in July. This is the highest it's been since 2010, outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dog owners in Lacombe have a new place to take their furry friends.

The city has reopened the former dog park near the Operations Facility on Len Thompson Drive.

Residents are encouraged to bring their pups and enjoy some off-leash fun in the space once again, but are reminded to prevent them from drinking the pond water.

Signage has been posted around the storm pond to remind pet owners not to allow their dogs to drink from it. The water quality in the pond cannot be guaranteed safe for consumption, which is why the park was previously closed.

Penhold has received a new art piece that also doubles as a scientific instrument.

The armillary sphere was gifted by Mr. and Mrs. Ford in celebration of the town’s 120th anniversary last year.

It acts as a sundial while also displaying the months and days of the year. Historically, these intricate devices represented the great circles of the heavens — a true “skeleton celestial globe.”

Residents can now visit the sphere along Waskasoo Avenue, near the Multiplex walking paths, where it stands as a lasting symbol of Penhold’s history and community spirit.