Lacombe

The Town of Sylvan Lake has small and medium N95 masks available for residents, courtesy of the Canadian Red Cross. These are free for residents for those who are having issues dealing with smoke blowing in from wildfires.

There's a limit of two per Town of Sylvan Lake resident, while supplies last.

Pickup locations:

• Municipal Government Building – 5012 48 Ave.

• Wellness and Community Connections Centre – 4725 43 St.

• NexSource Centre – 4823 49 Ave.

If you haven’t finished your book by the due date, there’s no need to worry the Blackfalds Public Library is once again running its "Food for Fines" program throughout the month of June.

Book lovers can donate non-perishable food items at the front desk to have their late fees waived.

“Whatever they bring in, we will waive them out whether it’s a few cans or a few bags, we will waive the whole late fee clear.” said Kelly McKee, Community Outreach Coordinator at the Blackfalds Servus Credit Union Public Library.

École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School is celebrating the success of its recent Relay for Life event, held May 30 at MEGlobal Athletic Park in Lacombe.

With 270 participants taking part, the school community raised an impressive $10,737 in support of cancer research.

In a social media post, the school praised the efforts of its students:

Plant 2025 is virtually complete in Alberta, other than a few acres in the Peace region.

Manglai a product co-ordinator with the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation put together the latest report, adding there were very few weather interruptions, just a few localized showers.

In terms of crop development, almost all crops are ahead of average. The soil conditions are trending drier, but there's hope that producers could see some significant impact with June rains.

Canada has unveiled its priorities for the G7 leaders' summit just one week before it gets underway in Alberta as the government defends its decision to invite India to the summit.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's office says Ottawa's top priority for the summit will be strengthening global peace and security, which includes countering foreign interference and transnational crime, as well as improving responses to wildfires.

Alberta is buying American alcohol and gambling machines again, three months after Premier Danielle Smith announced restrictions aimed at fighting back against U.S. tariffs.

Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said Friday that the move signals a "renewed commitment to open and fair trade" with the United States.

Smith said in March that the province would no longer buy U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals, or sign contracts with American companies. Alberta's liquor stores are privately owned but must order stock through the provincial government.

Alberta’s government is taking action against family violence by investing $6 million in grants for community-based supports and services. 

Every year, thousands of Albertans face the devastating impact of family violence.  

Until June 24, through the “Taking Action on Family Violence Grant”, eligible organizations can apply for funding to deliver timely, direct services to support families affected by family violence.  

Seven new pay stations were installed in downtown Red Deer this month as the city looks to improve usability and accessibility for residents and visitors.

New wayfinding signs were also installed to help customers and visitors easily locate pay stations throughout the downtown. The initiative is in direct response to customer feedback and underscores the city’s commitment to ongoing improvements to provide a seamless parking experience for all.

The City of Red Deer and Heritage Ranch have reached a compromise that enables Joel Martens Training Inc to continue operating at Heritage Ranch until October 6, 2025. Heritage Ranch will comply with key conditions outlined in the agreement, which will   ensure continuity of service for residents and visitors and allows planned events and activities at the site to proceed as scheduled.

Over the next several months, Heritage Ranch will remain fully operational, including: 

Environment Canada has once again issued a special air quality statement for most parts of Central Alberta.

Wildfire smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in some areas.

Conditions are expected to improve later today.

Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.