Lacombe

Harvest operations are slowly starting to get underway. Crop condition and staging across the Prairies is variable depending on location and rainfall patterns.

In Manitoba, early reports of swathing in canola have come in from the Interlake and Central regions, along with some winter cereals.

Oilseed Specialist Sonia Wilson put together this week's Manitoba Crop Report.

Advance polls in a historic federal byelection for Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot open today.

For the first time ever, Elections Canada says voters must fill out a blank ballot.

The agency lists a record 214 candidates running in the rural riding, with voting day on Aug. 18.

The majority are part of the Longest Ballot Committee, a protest group calling for various changes to Canada's electoral system.

Ponoka is inviting residents to share their ideas for the 2026 town budget.

The Citizen Input Survey is available online and in paper form. Paper copies can be picked up at the Ponoka Aquaplex, Ponoka Arena Complex and the Town Office in the Ponoka Civic Centre.

Those who complete the survey can enter a draw for a $100 gift card to a local restaurant of their choice.

The survey closes at midnight on Aug. 21.

For more information and to complete the survey, visit the town’s website.

After more than a decade of advocacy, community building, and celebration, the Central Alberta Pride Society (CAPS) has announced that it will formally dissolve.

The decision was shared in an open message from the current board of directors, who cited significant challenges over the past year, including reputational damage they believe has become too difficult to overcome.

Here is the message from the board, as posted on their social media accounts.

Drivers are advised of several temporary road closures in Bentley today and Saturday (August 9) to accommodate the Bentley & District Agricultural Society’s annual fair events.

Today streets will be closed from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the annual fair parade, which begins at 1 p.m. and is presented by the Sunset Hills Riding Club.

The parade route runs from 50 Street to 50 Avenue, 48 Street and then 52 Avenue.

During this time, motorists are asked to access Bentley from the east side along 44 Street.

Métis leaders left a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday saying they're confident they will be included in talks about major projects Ottawa hopes to use to bolster the economy in the face of a trade war with the United States.

"When things really matter, Métis governments come together and we get the work done," said Métis Nation of Ontario president Margaret Froh.

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs says it's time for Ottawa to stop studying the idea of a national forest fire co-ordination agency and take action.

The organization's president wants the federal government to take inspiration from the U.S. Fire Administration to establish a similar office in Canada.

The U.S. office is part of Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, but Ken McMullen says a Canadian version could be simpler and less costly.

The Alberta RCMP have a new deputy commissioner following a change of command ceremony earlier today.

Special guests and RCMP employees watched Deputy Commissioner Trevor Daroux assume command from Deputy Commissioner Rob Hill, who is retiring after nearly 30 years of service.

Daroux is in his 37th year of policing, having served as a deputy chief with the Calgary Police Service and with the RCMP. He was appointed the 27th commanding officer of the Alberta RCMP in 2025.

The Battle of Alberta played out on the fairways instead of the ice this week, as alumni and current players from the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers teed off in Red Deer for charity.

The fourth biennial Battle of Alberta Charity Golf Tournament was held Tuesday at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club, raising money for the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC).

Current Flames players Dustin Wolf, Justin Kirkland and Ryan Lomberg took part for the first time, joining long-time CACAC supporters and alumni Sheldon Kennedy and Theo Fleury.

Police have identified the remains of a Calgary man who disappeared 2 1/2 years ago and are investigating his death as a homicide.

The remains were discovered in May 2024 at an undisclosed location outside Calgary.

Robert Stanley Mainland was last seen in January 2023 at a 7-Eleven convenience store.

He was 65 at the time of his disappearance and had lived in the same northeast Calgary neighbourhood for over 40 years.

Police say they believe Mainland was the victim of foul play.