Lacombe

A look at national news events in August 2024

1 - The Israeli military confirms the death of Hamas' military leader, Mohammed Deif. Deif was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July, knocking another leader of the militant terror group off Israel's hit list. Israel says it targeted Deif in a July 13 strike on the outskirts of Khan Younis, but hasn't been able to confirm the kill for weeks. The Israeli confirmation came a day after an apparent Israeli airstrike in Tehran killed Hamas' top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh. 

Staff from the Wetaskiwin Community Health Centre (CHC) have raised over $2,000 for the Cross Cancer Institute (CCI) Volunteer Association, following a colleague’s cancer diagnosis.  

Christine Gustafson’s breast cancer diagnosis required her to step away from her role as a public health area manager and site lead at the CHC.  

Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. 

Data show the problem spiked during COVID-19 when children began spending more time online — but rates did not wane as police anticipated after lockdowns ended.

In B.C., they soared, almost quadrupling from 2021 to 2023.

A look at national news events in July 2024

1 - The strike is over at WestJet. The Calgary-based airline reaches a deal with its mechanics to end a strike that had disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands of travellers over the Canada Day long weekend and saw 829 flight cancellations. In a statement on its website overnight, WestJet says there will still be flight disruptions in the week ahead as its planes are brought back into service. 

Sylvan Lake RCMP is warning residents and visitors regarding dangerous ice conditions on Sylvan Lake after two vehicles broke through the ice and were submerged in the water today.

No injuries have been reported in these incidents, but they highlight the urgent need for caution. Ice thickness can vary significantly across the lake, and current conditions are unsafe for vehicles or other heavy equipment.

We urge everyone to stay off the ice with motorized vehicles and to exercise extreme caution. Please prioritize safety.

A look at national news events in June 2024

1 - Israel's government says its conditions for ending the war with Hamas have not changed and that conditions for a ceasefire are still not met. The comments come a day after U.S. president Joe Biden put forward a proposed peace deal between Israel and Hamas that seeks to enact a three-phase wind-down of the war. Israel's government says putting a permanent ceasefire in place before the conditions are fulfilled is a "non-starter.''

Julie Howlett, a Grade 12 student at Bowden student has some strong career goals after a recent career-building experience.  

Last year, the Chinook’s Edge Career Connections team arranged for Howlett to shadow a Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant (RTA), who was working with students at the Bowden Grandview School.  

Howlett was observing the staff members working to strengthen students’ speech and language skills.  

A look at national news events in May 2024:

1- Manitoba's Peguis First Nation declares a state of emergency after years of flooding caused heavy damage to infrastructure and housing. Chief Stan Bird says the community has seen significant rates of emotional distress, with a rise in self-harm among youth, drug addiction and incidents of domestic violence. The First Nation recently filed a $1-billion lawsuit alleging the federal and Manitoba governments failed to protect it from the frequent flooding.

Red Deer Emergency Services (RDES) reminds residents of fireworks restrictions when celebrating New Year’s Eve.  

“We want to remind Red Deerians to leave fireworks to the professionals,” said Tim Kivell, RDES Fire Marshal. “Fireworks can be dangerous and can have serious environmental repercussions if proper planning and precautions are not in place, which is why we require licensed professionals to be involved.”  

If you are looking for something to do to ring in the New Year, communities across Central Alberta have fireworks and other events throughout the day.  

Events on December 31:  

Red Deer  

Noon Year’s Eve Party   

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.