Lacombe

One of the jurors hearing evidence in the murder-conspiracy trial surrounding the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., has been dismissed for falling asleep in the courtroom.

Court of King’s Bench Justice David Labrenz told jurors Friday he became aware the female juror was nodding off during testimony in the trial of Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert.

"The juror had difficulty remaining awake and had been observed on several occasions to have been dozing during the evidence," he told the panel.

On July 2, at 4 p.m., the Wetaskiwin RCMP were advised of a drowning that occurred earlier in the day at the Lions Campground in Wetaskiwin.

Investigation has determined that a 5-year-old child, a resident of Wetaskiwin, left the family camper while the parents were sleeping.

The child was later located in the pond adjacent to the campground.

CPR was attempted and EMS attended and transported the child to hospital where additional lifesaving efforts were made however, the child passed away at hospital.

The major shift in the British political landscape after Thursday's election will likely have little impact on Canada's relationship with its ally across the pond, experts say, though it is reviving hope for a possible free-trade deal.

Achim Hurrelmann, a professor of political science at Carleton University, said the two countries have maintained strong ties.

"Even though the (Canadian) Liberal Party and the Conservative Party in the U.K. are of different party families, they have generally work together well on international and trade issues," he said.

On June 28, the Innisfail RCMP were investigating a suspicious vehicle near the Dickson Dam.

Occupants of that vehicle were screaming at each other and causing a disturbance.

RCMP de-escalated the situation, however, one of the persons involved provided police with a false name. 

That male suspect was arrested for obstruction, failing to comply with release conditions and outstanding traffic warrants out of Wetaskiwin.

Jamie Swinamer, 35, a resident of Wetaskiwin, was charged with:

On July 1, at 10 a.m., the Sylvan Lake RCMP received a report of a sudden death of a 35-year-old woman in the Jarvis Bay area of Sylvan Lake.

RCMP attended and the body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy was conducted on July 2.

Due to the complex nature of the investigation, the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit was called in to assist the Sylvan Lake RCMP.

Demolition of the portable classrooms at École Lacombe Junior High School (ÉLJHS) has started for the summer.   

The current portable classrooms at the school have reached the end of their life cycle and are being demolished and replaced by September.  

A recent Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School graduate is preparing to hit the stage after earning a spot in the National Theatre School of Canada.  

Alexis Moreside has been accepted into the Montreal school’s acting program and will spend the next three years perfecting her voice and movement skills in a class of 11 students.  

Construction season has hit full stride for the City of Red Deer.

40th Avenue intermittent closures

Motorists are advised of upcoming traffic disruptions as crews work to replace catch basins, repair concrete curbs and medians, and rehabilitate pavement along 40 Avenue.

Starting on July 8, work will begin along the northbound lanes of 40 Avenue from McBride Crescent to 39 Street. For approximately three weeks, one lane in both the southbound and northbound directions will be closed intermittently as this work progresses.

A recent threat against Wetaskiwin City Hall has caused new security measures to be implemented.   

“Our primary responsibility is to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone, and we do not tolerate bullying or harassing behaviour,” said Sue Howard, Wetaskiwin City Manager in a recent letter.  

Calgary residents are getting a happy diversion from their water woes, as its annual Stampede summer festival begins today with a downtown parade.

The parade comes a month to the day after a major water main broke in the city’s northwest, flooding streets and turning off the taps to 60 per cent of the drinking water for the city and surrounding communities.

Crews scrambled to repair the line and, in the process, found five more weak spots to fix.