Lacombe

Blackfalds is seeing a big jump in the number of building permits issued so far this year.

As of the end of November, there were 469 permits issued valued at $117,546,793.98, compared to 187 last year valued at just $16,977,024.70

There have been 232 residential permits issued as of the end of November this year valued at $49,415,381 compared to just 37 last year valued at $9,987,627.

Of the 232 residential permits issued so far this year, 161 of those are for townhouses.

Terry Fox has been selected to appear on the next $5 bank note.

The federal government made the revelation in its fall economic statement on Monday.

Fox is a Canadian icon who campaigned for cancer research by running his Marathon of Hope in 1980.

An amputee himself after losing his leg to cancer, Fox's marathon raised more than $24 million dollars — $1 for every Canadian at the time.

He was the youngest person to be named a Companion of the Order of Canada before his death in 1981 when his cancer spread to his lungs.

As Canada Post resumes operations Tuesday and begins to recover from a month-long strike, Central Alberta residents are warned to expect continued delays in receiving benefit cheques and mail.

The strike, which began on November 15, halted operations nationwide and created significant backlogs in parcels and mail. Although the strike ends today, Canada Post has cautioned that restoring normal service will take time, and delays will likely continue into January 2025.

The Alberta government is expanding access to continuous glucose monitors for adults with diabetes who are enrolled in government-sponsored health benefit plans.

This decision builds on a 2022 initiative that provided coverage for children under 18 and is expected to benefit approximately 23,500 adults in the province.

Continuous glucose monitors measure blood sugar levels in real-time, reducing the need for frequent finger-prick blood tests. This expansion aims to alleviate the stress of diabetes management for eligible individuals.

The GST/HST Break is now in effect, offering Canadians temporary relief on some everyday goods and services during the holiday season. The measure, introduced under The Tax Break for All Canadians Act (Bill C-78), officially launched on December 14 and will run until February 15, 2025.

Postal services in Central Alberta and across Canada will resume on Tuesday at 8 a.m. following a ruling by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). The ruling comes after hearings determined that Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) remain at an impasse in their negotiations.

As operations resume, Canada Post will begin processing mail and parcels trapped in the system during the work stoppage. Customers are advised to expect mail and parcel delivery delays as the backlog is cleared.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a fog advisory for areas of Central Alberta with patches of dense fog continuing this morning.

Conditions are expected to improve later this morning.

Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations.

If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance.

Cattle producers across the Prairies looking to optimize growth and health in their herds can benefit from the insights shared by Elizabeth Nernberg, Livestock Extension Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture. Speaking at a recent producer presentation, Nernberg provided practical advice on backgrounding calves—a critical stage between weaning and feedlot finishing.

The Blackfalds Fire Department Santa Run is happening Wednesday (Dec. 18) and Thursday (Dec. 19).

Chris Keim is the executive director of the Blackfalds Food Bank and Beyond Food Community Hub.

"This is an annual event that the Blackfalds Volunteer Fire Department puts on. They drive around with their firetruck with Santa and Mrs. Claus on it as well as other elves collecting food as they go around town."

West-side pickup will take place on Wednesday, with the east-side of Blackfalds donating on Thursday.

Due to an unexpected gap in physician coverage, the Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (SLAACS) closed early today (Dec. 16).

The service will reopen Dec. 17 at 7:30 a.m.

Patients can access medical care for urgent health concerns from facilities in nearby communities, including Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House.