Lacombe

In a news release provided by the Alberta government plans are to move cancer care and organ tissue donation and transplantation services out of Alberta Health Services (AHS) and under the purview of Acute Care Alberta. 

The move is not happening until later this year but is expected to create specialized focus for cancer care and organ and tissue donation transplantation and will ensure the best care in these key areas that are important for a high-functioning health care system. 

It’s been parties, funding grants, and awards the past few weeks for the African Carribean Centre of Central Alberta (ACCOCA) based in Red Deer. 

At the United Way Central Alberta (UWCA) campaign celebration held in Red Deer on April 7, the ACCOCA was awarded the “Funded Partnership” award. 

The Town of Olds has issued a notice of water service repair at 4310 50 Ave on Tuesday, April 8.

Work is expected to take about two days to complete.

Traffic will be down to a single-lane on 50 Avenue from Shannon Drive to 44 Street. 

Motorists can expect interruptions to traffic flow and speed reductions.

Crews will be on site; watch for workers and signs.

There may be possible interruptions to local water services.

Update:

The Ponoka Chamber of Commerce has cancelled the Ponoka-Didsbury All-Candidates Forum, due to candidates unable to confirm attendance. 

The candidates for the Ponoka-Didsbury riding, as of April 8, are:

With warmer weather upon us, we're starting to see more motorcycles on the roads.

Acting Alberta RCMP media relations manager Cpl. Troy Savinkoff offered this advice: "The one thing we see with motorcycles is that they have a smaller profile. Oftentimes, they're a little harder to see. This is especially true in intersection-related collisions, where motorists crossing highways may not see a motorcycle as clearly as they would another vehicle."

He reminds drivers to always ensure they fully clear the intersection before proceeding.

The United Way Central Alberta (UWCA) held its annual fundraising campaign on Monday, April 7, to celebrate the announcement of raising over $1.7 million locally for the 2024 year. 

Red Deer Emergency Services (RDES) is reminding residents about the importance of preventing false alarms after a notable rise in the number of false alarms in the first quarter of 2025.

From January to March 2025, RDES responded to 1,423 incidents, of which 145 (10.2%) were false alarms. In March, false alarms accounted for 13% of all incidents. Each year, RDES and Red Deer RCMP respond to hundreds of false alarms in our community. Prevention is key, as personnel must respond in an urgent manner putting both emergency personnel and the public at risk.

Educators in the Red Deer Public Schools (RDPS) division took part in a half day of professional development on April 4, focusing on strategies to enhance student learning.   

The learning day at Hunting Hills High School featured more than 70 workshops and sessions designed for teachers, educational assistants, and office staff.   

Red Deer Downtown Business Association (DBA) launched its new Gift Card to drive foot traffic and increase economic vibrancy downtown at the Alberta Food & Beverage Expo, this past Saturday.

The new Downtown Red Deer Gift Card can be spent with a wide variety of participating businesses downtown including services, retail and hospitality. Cards can be purchased online with delivery direct to the recipient and in person.

Amanda Gould the CEO of the DBA says the new Gift Card will encourage recipients to experience all that downtown has to offer:

Work is progressing on Highway 27 through Sundre.

Progress to Date

The detour road opened on schedule April 3 for westbound traffic. 

Drivers are reminded to slow down and use caution as the route runs through a residential area.

Revised traffic and pedestrian accommodations are now in place at 2nd and 4th Streets NW.

The electrical conduit crossing at Centre Street is complete, with electrical on going.

Grading, placing gravel and formwork is ongoing at the south side of 1st Street NW, to the access to Burger Baron.