Lacombe

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) issued the following statement about RDP friend and supporter, Bill Welikoklad.    

“Bill’s connection to RDP began in 1966 when he worked as a general foreman on the construction team that built Red Deer Junior College. A generous, community-minded leader, Bill and his wife Irma have been instrumental in supporting higher education in Central Alberta.     

At Monday’s regular Council meeting, administration presented an update on the long-term business and financial systems plan.

The report, accepted by Council for information, outlines how the organization will evolve to achieve a more mature financial state.

The Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce has a new board chair.

Dani Ducross took over the position at the AGM at the end of November.

"It's going to be fun," she said. "That board has good energy and Wendy [Buyar] is doing a fantastic job in her role as the executive director. I think it's going to be a good experience for myself because I'm going to get to learn a lot and Wendy and I work well together. I think it's going to be beneficial for the Chamber as well for us to just be able to have such a great energy moving forward."

Red Deer RCMP responded to bomb threats at 3 schools throughout Red Deer between Dec. 15 and 16, 2024.

School administration from St. Joseph’s High School, St. Francis of Assisi Middle School and Pines Alternative School received emails that contained threats to the schools. 

A thorough investigation was conducted by RCMP officers who attended and searched the buildings and surrounding areas. Police confirmed that these emails were an unsubstantiated threat and there is no credible threat to the safety of students, staff, or the wider community.

Inflation edged down slightly to 1.9 per cent in November as price growth continued to stabilize in Canada.

Statistics Canada’s consumer price index report Tuesday showed inflation was down from two per cent in October.

Shelter costs increased at a slower annual pace of 4.6 per cent, while rent price inflation accelerated to 7.7 per cent.

Grocery prices continued to grow faster than overall prices, rising 2.6 per cent from a year ago.

A first in-field Cell Driver™ Battery Energy Storage System was successfully installed at Red Deer Polytechnic’s (RDP) Energy Innovation Centre.  

Officials from RDP and clean-technology company, Exro Technologies Inc., celebrated the achievement with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 12.  

The project is aimed to demonstrate how clean energy technologies can be incorporated into existing commercial buildings.  

At this week's regular meeting, Red Deer City Council was provided with second quarter stats by Superintendent Glassford with the Red Deer RCMP Detachment.

Persons Crimes have decreased 8 per cent and Property Crimes are down 13 per cent when compared to the same quarter last year. Criminal Code traffic offences increased 20 per cent, in part due to proactive patrols and an increase in serious traffic offenses.

Ponoka Secondary Campus (PSC) 43rd Annual Santa's Anonymous Program is celebrating another year of donations and community involvement. 

The campaign, which ran from Nov. 12 to Dec. 9, brought together students, staff, and the Ponoka community to support local families in need this holiday season.

Approximately 150 food hampers and 75 family gift hampers were assembled and are nearly ready to be delivered.

Members of Parliament are set to begin their holiday break later today, capping off a tumultuous fall sitting filled with non-confidence votes, filibusters, stalled legislation, a growing deficit and the finance minister's resignation.

On Monday, Red Deer City Council passed the second and third readings of Bylaw 3713/2024, the updated Election Bylaw.

The amendments address recent legislative changes under Bill 20 and ensure clarity, consistency, and operational efficiency in the conduct of municipal elections.

Key amendments to the bylaw include: