Lacombe

Just after 4:30 pm, Tuesday, July 16th, Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Rocky Mountain House, Caroline and Sundre areas.

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

Thunderstorms will continue to develop this evening, with the potential of some becoming severe. The threat of severe thunderstorms will end later this evening.

For the latest forecast click here

The intense heat we've been dealing with over the last couple of weeks has resulted in signs of heat stress starting to show up in some crops.

There's a real concern about the potential impact on canola crops at the flowering stage.

Curtis Rempel, vice president of crop production and innovation with the Canola Council of Canada says when the temperatures are in the 30's, it's especially hard on flowering canola plants.

On July 15, 2024, at around 11:00 p.m., Wetaskiwin RCMP were dispatched to an armed robbery in the Town of Millet. 

Three friends were leaving the pickleball court when one noticed someone in his truck. The victim asked what the person was doing and tried to stop this person from stealing his truck. 

At the regular July 11th meeting of Lacombe County Council, heavy equipment purchasing, drought management and a respectful workplace were some of the topics discussed. 

Here is an update from that meeting. **

2025 OPERATIONS HEAVY EQUIPMENT CAPITAL PURCHASES

This year marks the 10th Anniversary for Ag in Motion. 

Western Canada's largest outdoor farm show at Langham, Saskatchewan, features over 600 exhibitors and is expected to attract about 32,000 visitors over the three days.

Show Manager Rob O'Connor says Ag in Motion is also attracting a number of international visitors with over 230 guests coming from Australia, Africa, Europe, Mexico and the United States.

He notes what sets this show apart from others is the crop plot trials, live equipment demonstrations, and the always popular ride n drive area.

A planned power outage is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17 in Ponoka along the following streets as crews conduct electrical maintenance (see attached map):

• From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., affecting residential properties on the south side of 53 Avenue (between 53 Street and the alley just west of 50 Street that runs behind the commercial properties along 50 Street);

• From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., affecting the two residential multi-dwelling units on the south side of 53 Avenue immediately west of the alley that runs behind the commercial properties on 50 Street;

The City of Red Deer is advising motorists of road closures, traffic detours, and transit disruptions for the Westerner Days parade tomorrow (July 17).  

Road closures along the parade route will start at 6 a.m., with barriers and no through traffic beginning at 8:30 a.m.  

Coming up this Friday, July 19th is the 5th annual Ringsteken event in Downtown Ponoka.

Annie Muilwijk from the Alberta Friesian Horse Association explains what a Ringsteken is:

"It's an old traditional event from the Netherlands.  The Ringsteken event is you have people that have a handheld device and try to. catch the rings that are put alongside the road on a post. You get four of these so you get four chances in one run and then the people have four times a run. Points are calculated as every ring is a point and then second round two points and so on." 

Red Deer’s Westerner Days is kicking off tomorrow (July 17), with the community-favourite parade, midway, live music, Pony Chuckwagon Championships, and fireworks.   

Here’s everything happening for Westerner Days:   

Westerner Days Parade