Lacombe

Lacombe County has launched a new community science initiative that invites residents and visitors to help monitor environmental changes on three of our major recreational lakes—Sylvan Lake, Gull Lake, and Lacombe Lake. 

Through the use of Chronolog, a time-lapse photo monitoring system, participants can contribute to ongoing environmental stewardship by simply snapping a photo. The County’s Environmental Services team has installed three Chronolog stations at: 

• Burns Nature Park (Sylvan Lake) 

• Sandy Point (Gull Lake) 

Alberta’s government has unveiled a 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence that outlines more than 100 initiatives aimed at awareness, prevention, intervention and long-term support for survivors.

Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir says it's a comprehensive plan to help co-ordinate provincewide efforts and will aim to address the root causes, including financial insecurity.

As part of that strategy, she's committing to supporting Indigenous-led solutions, and to reporting annually on rates of gender-based violence in the province as soon as next year.

Trustees were pleased to celebrate four Chinook’s Edge students who earned 100% on January diploma exams.

Superintendent Kurt Sacher said this is the largest group recognized for this celebration that he has ever seen. Sam Botheras from Sundre High School earned 100% on the Math 30-1 and on the Physics 30 diploma exams.

Carlee Schneider from Innisfail High School earned 100% on the Math 30-2 diploma.

Sydney Van Ginhoven from École Olds High School achieved 100% on the Math 30-1 exam.

A global study from UNICEF suggests many Canadian kids are unhappy, with social struggles such as bullying and difficulty making friends among the sources of their anguish. 

UNICEF’s 19th Report Card suggests one in five youth in Canada face frequent bullying, one in five are lonely and one in four struggle to make friends.

It blames bullying in particular for a drop in life satisfaction reported by 15-year-olds, down three percentage points to 76 per cent since 2018.

Prime Minister Mark Carney shook up his cabinet Tuesday by moving some key players involved in Canada-U.S. relations into new positions and promoting 24 new faces in a move meant to signal change at the top.

While some were prominent figures in former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government — including Dominic LeBlanc, Mélanie Joly, Chrystia Freeland and François-Philippe Champagne — Carney froze out other prominent members of his predecessor's team.

Carney named 28 full ministers to his cabinet, which will meet for the first time on Wednesday.

YORKTON, Sask. —Those affected by quarantines and eradication policies want more financial assistance from the federal government.

Efforts to trace the bovine tuberculosis case discovered last fall have put several farms in quarantine and under financial pressure.

The positive test found on a Saskatchewan cow at slaughter Nov. 29, 2024, brought with it numerous ramifications as a result of Canada’s tracing policies to ensure continued trade under international animal health rules.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools’ board of trustees has announced that Dr. Kathleen Finnigan, superintendent of schools, has retired effective immediately. 

Ryan Ledene, associate superintendent of system services, has been appointed by the board as acting superintendent. 

Mr. Ledene has been with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools since 1998 and has served as a teacher, vice principal, and principal before joining the division’s senior administration team as an associate superintendent in 2012.

The union representing thousands of Alberta government workers has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, said members have voted 90 per cent in favour of hitting the picket lines.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Smith said the goal remains to get a deal at the bargaining table.

"We do not want to have to use the clear strike mandate we have received, but we will, if necessary," he said, calling it a historic strike vote.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's chief of staff is sounding the alarm over Prime Minister Mark Carney's pick to head up the government's environment portfolio.

Rob Anderson took to social media Tuesday to air his misgivings about new Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin.

"Sit down for this one Alberta...Meet Canada's new Environment Minister," he writes.

Calgary legislature member Ric McIver is the new Speaker of the Alberta legislature.

McIver resigned as municipal affairs minister early Tuesday and soon after was voted into the Speaker's job by his peers, defeating Opposition NDP candidate Heather Sweet.

After the vote result was announced, McIver was ceremoniously dragged to the Speaker's chair by Premier Danielle Smith and Opposition NDP house leader Christina Gray.

Some jovial heel dragging on McIver's part meant Gray dropped his elbow and started pushing him from behind while Smith led the way.