Lacombe

Wetaskiwin RCMP have arrested two individuals following a vehicle stop in which drugs were found.

On Tuesday, officers with the Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit were conducting patrols when they observed a known offender driving a Hyundai Venue. Checks revealed the driver did not have a valid driver’s licence.

Police conducted a traffic stop and, during their interaction with the vehicle’s occupants, determined there were drugs in the car. Both individuals were arrested. A search incidental to arrest uncovered:

• Approximately 27 grams of fentanyl,

The Red Deer Rebels are proud to announce that defenceman Nolan Wolitski, the club’s first-round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, has signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

The Rebels selected the St. Albert, Alta., native with the seventh overall pick in last month’s draft.

Wolitski played for Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep (CSSHL) in 2024–25, recording 48 points (eight goals, 40 assists) and 74 penalty minutes in 29 league games. He added seven points in five playoff games and also appeared in four games with NAX’s U18 Prep team this season.

A mountain of sweet treats was purchased this past spring as Red Deer residents raised more than $80,000 during the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign.

The funds will go directly toward helping struggling readers reach their potential through Reading College, a project of the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.

Reading College, held each July, provides students with identified reading gaps an incredible summer experience that builds their skills, confidence and love of reading.

Alberta RCMP needs your help in tracking down Kayla Jennifer Penny, who is wanted for various crimes.

Penny was featured in this week's Wanted Wednesday profile.

She was last seen in Fort McMurray and is also known to frequent Olds and Red Deer County.

If you see Penny, do not approach.

Report any information to police or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Brayden Chenier, a Grade 8 student at Red Deer’s G.H. Dawe School, has been chosen to represent youth across Alberta.

Chenier is the proud recipient of the Integrated School Support Program (ISSP) Provincial Chief Youth Courage Award, presented by the Calgary Police Youth Foundation, in recognition of his resilience, leadership and commitment to his community.

Ottawa’s efforts to prepare the country for the impacts of climate change have stumbled out of the gate, Canada’s environment commissioner said Tuesday.

In a new report, Jerry DeMarco concluded the National Adaptation Strategy was not effectively designed, did not prioritize Canada’s climate change risks and only established one of its three components since its release in 2023.

The federal government is moving to shore up a historically weak summer job market for students — even as one economist argues tough employment prospects for young people suggest broader softness in the job market.

Statistics Canada shone a light on the difficult employment prospects for students heading back to school this fall in its May jobs report last Friday.

Roughly one in five returning students aged 15 to 24 was unemployed in May, the agency said. The last time the jobless rate for students was this high outside the pandemic was in May 2009.

Just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, the Lacombe Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a small plane crash.

Crews arrived at the scene, located at the north end of the Lacombe Airport, and found the aircraft off the runway.

The scene was cleared shortly after, and no injuries were reported.

There has been no word yet on the cause of the crash.

An update will be provided as more information becomes available.

The union representing Alberta teachers says members have voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action and they could hit the picket lines in the next four months.

Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling says teachers are sending a message that they are united and will no longer prop up an underfunded public education system.

Finance Minister Nate Horner says a mediator's recommendation rejected by teachers included the same 12 per cent pay increase over four years that has already been accepted by other unions.

Red Deer RCMP have located 45-year-old Jodi Chipchura. She was last seen on May 26 before being found.

Chipchura is safe and sound.

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