Lacombe

The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, but it can also bring feelings of stress, sadness, or isolation.  

For many, the holidays can be especially difficult when dealing with addiction, mental health challenges, or the grief of losing a loved one. 

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is encouraging anyone struggling to be patient and kind to themselves. 

Here are some tips to help manage emotions and take care of your mental health during the holidays: 

Update: 

On Dec. 23, at 7:22 p.m., the Rocky Mountain House RCMP advised that the heavy police presence on Sunchild First Nation ended.

RCMP thanked the public for their patience. 

Original story:

On Dec. 23 at 4:50 p.m., there was a heavy police presence on Sunchild First Nation. 

There was no risk to the public.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was taking part in a cabinet committee meeting on Canada-U.S. relations today, amid increasing calls for his resignation. 

A mid-day adjustment to Trudeau's itinerary was issued by the Prime Minister's Office and noted he was taking part in the meeting virtually, though a specific time wasn't listed.

Neither Trudeau, nor Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc issued a public comment after the meeting. 

As the holiday season approaches, the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Integrated Market Enforcement Team and Provincial Financial Crime Team urge Albertans to exercise caution when making financial investments.

With a rise in holiday scams, the RCMP advises residents to stick to reputable investment platforms and avoid fraudulent schemes that solicit money through various methods, including search engine optimization, social media platforms, email or text messages, phone calls from fake companies, and digital ads.

Warm air is flooding across Alberta, producing above-seasonal temperatures in the region.  

“Mainly sunny skies are what we're going to see this week, with above normal temperatures,” said Brian Proctor, Meteorologist with Environment Canada.  

Throughout this week, the daytime temperatures are expected to be at or above freezing, with overnight lows in the -5 to -10 range.  

Topics during the Dec. 19 regular Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) Board of Trustees meeting included the new science curriculum implementation, the average class size, and the fall budget.  

Here are the highlights:  

Joint Online Parent Information Sessions in Blackfalds  

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) ranked 17th among the best culinary schools in Canada by University Magazine.  

“We are proud to be acknowledged across the nation for our dynamic culinary programming,” said Garnett Schoettler, Chair of Culinary Programs and Instructor at RDP. “At Red Deer Polytechnic, we offer enhanced education and training opportunities in collaboration with industry partners that help fulfill labour market demand.”  

On Dec. 23, at 3:57 a.m., the Red Deer RCMP advised that police were on Alberts Close conducting an investigation. 

Despite the heavy police presence, there is no ongoing risk to the public.

An update is expected.

Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. 

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@centralalbertaonline.com.

During the holiday season, many Albertans will be out using provincial roads and highways, visiting their friends and families.   

The Alberta RCMP is offering tips to help you, and your loved ones get home safe this year:  

Never drive impaired: Driving under the influence of drugs of alcohol is illegal and dangerous. Always make sure to have a designated driver or arrange for a ride home.  

To increase access to family doctors throughout the province, the Alberta government is putting a new primary care physician compensation model into place.

According to the province, this new model will make Alberta’s family doctors the strongest-paid and most patient-focused in the country.