Lacombe

During the City of Red Deer’s Point in Time (PIT) Homeless Count, 766 people were identified as experiencing homelessness, a jump from 2022’s 334.  

The PiT Count was held in October, as part of a Canada-wide initiative to provide a national picture of homelessness.    

Locally, community partners collaborated to identify the extent of homelessness, provide insights into trends, and help to target solutions.     

During the Dec. 17 Chinook’s Edge School Board meeting, Trustees discussed preparing for the school board election, student numeracy skills, and updating board policies.  

Here are the meeting highlights:  

Preparing for the 2025 trustee election  

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh began 2024 by propping up Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority government. He is ending the year calling for Trudeau’s resignation.

Singh's gradual effort to limit his alliance with the Liberals hastened this week after Trudeau's finance minister quit, plunging the government into more political chaos and raising questions about whether Trudeau can even stay on as prime minister much longer.

A livestock producer from southeastern Manitoba says he is seeing the results of using regenerative agriculture principles on their farm.

Guy Bouchard farms in the Gardenton area. He explains that regenerative agriculture is farming with a sense of soil health and livestock health. Bouchard adds it is about thinking long-term and not just of short-term gains. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is considering his options after Chrystia Freeland's bombshell resignation Monday heightened calls for him to step down.

Freeland resigned as finance minister on Monday — the same day she was scheduled to present the fall economic statement and just days after Trudeau told her she would be moved out of the finance job.

Trudeau's decision appears to have backfired spectacularly, igniting a chorus of calls for him to resign, including from several Liberal MPs, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and the Toronto Star's editorial board.

Update:

RCMP have made a second arrest in relation to a November armed robbery at a convenience store in Blackfalds.

The Town of Olds and Mountain View County have released the 2024 Inter-Municipal Cooperation Committee (ICC) Annual Report, outlining progress on key initiatives to strengthen partnerships and improve residents' services.

The ICC, established to foster open communication and collaboration, met four times this year to address shared priorities, including public safety, economic growth, recreation, and resource planning.

As of December 20, 2024, Wild Rose School Division (WRSD) will be laying off approximately 50 Educational Assistants due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding Jordan’s Principle funding.

Jordan’s Principle is a Government of Canada program designed to ensure that First Nations children receive timely access to the services and supports they need. 

The Wetaskiwin RCMP are advising of poor driving conditions across Wetaskiwin County due to winter weather.  

Snow accumulation and ice formation are making driving conditions dangerous.   

All motorists are asked to use caution and limit travel unless absolutely necessary.    

Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins has issued a statement in response to recent bomb threats at Red Deer schools.  

Between Dec. 15 and Dec. 16, school administration received emails that contained threats to St. Joseph’s High School, St. Francis of Assisi Middle School, and the Pines Alternative School.