Lacombe

Red Deer Polytechnic is projecting an estimated $10 million deficit for the 2025/2026 budget (fiscal year ending June 30, 2026) due to several factors. 

According to a written statement, those include the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) impacts to international student enrolments, rising inflation and an anticipated zero per cent increase to base grant funding from the Government of Alberta.

RDP says it is working with the Government of Alberta to determine a sustainable path forward.

Chinook’s Edge School Board trustees discussed the spring budget process, and developing resources to ensure newly elected trustees are successful, during the Feb. 4 school board meeting.  

Here are the meeting highlights:  

Chinook’s Edge Board considers spring budgeting process   

Update:

The scene was cleared at around 9:30 a.m.

Original Story:

Motorists experienced delays Thursday morning on the QEII southbound near the Red Deer River due to a motor vehicle collision.

The incident occurred near 67 Street.

Click here for updates.

A 19-year-old Ontario man is facing charges following a drug trafficking investigation by the Red Deer RCMP General Investigation Section.

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the Vanier area of Red Deer. 

As a result of the investigation, police seized 730 grams of cocaine, over 400 oxycodone tablets, items used for the production of crack cocaine, other items and materials used in the trafficking of controlled substances and over $4,500 in Canadian currency.

Germayne Byron has been charged with the following:

The Red Deer Rebels will be wearing jerseys designed by the winner of the CHL Jersey Design Contest, presented by Real Canadian Superstore, when they take on the Moose Jaw Warriors this Friday (Feb.7).  

This year’s winning designer is 8-year-old Beckett Brown of Red Deer.   

The Red Deer & District Chinese Community Society is hosting a Lunar New Year Festival this Saturday (Feb. 8).

The event starts at 5 p.m. at the Festival Hall in Red Deer (4214 58 St.).

"This is one of the biggest celebrations basically all across the year," said President Lawrence Lee. "It's really a 16-day celebration that starts out early and then many traditions following those times...One of the things that really is engrained in my upbringing and all over the world with members of the Asian community is just enjoying the reunion dinner."

Motorists travelling northbound on the QEII will experience some delays today as crews complete guardrail repairs near Morningside.

Speeds will be reduced to 80 km/h in the area with a right lane shoulder closure.

Repairs are expected to be completed by 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Click here for current road conditions.

The Alberta RCMP is reminding motorists of the importance of distraction-free driving.   

In 2024, RCMP charged 3,942 motorists with distracted driving.  

Operating a vehicle requires a motorist’s complete attention to be aware of other road users and reduce the risk of collision.  

The RCMP are now offering tips to ensure drivers' commute remains distraction-free:  

Two new polls suggest Quebeckers are feeling pretty good about their relationship with Canada these days.

Between December and February, the share of Quebecers who said they were "very proud" or "proud" to be Canadian increased 13 points from 45 per cent to 58 per cent, according to an Angus Reid poll conducted online Sunday and Monday.

The president of the Ponoka & District Chamber of Commerce is thankful that trade tensions have eased somewhat between Canada and the U.S.

On the weekend U.S. President Trump signed an order to impose 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports, with a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy. Trump has since agreed to delay the tariffs against Canada for at least 30 days.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced his own retaliatory list of U.S. items that would be taxed by 25 per cent.