Lacombe

Canada's unofficial national colours will be on full display Monday as Canadians don patriotic T-shirts, wave hand-held flags and hang bunting to celebrate their country. But while the red-and-white flag for the most part unites Canadians, the colours' meaning is open to interpretation.

Xavier Gélinas, a curator at the Canadian Museum of History, said there is no authoritative source that explains why the country drapes itself in red and white.

The City of Red Deer is advising drivers of upcoming road closures for Canada Day celebrations. 

On July 1 from 8 a.m., until July 2, at 1 a.m., the following roads will be closed: 

• Kerrywood Drive from Taylor Drive to Orr Drive 

• 47 St/45 Street (Capstone Loop) from 54 Av to 45 St 

Two Sylvan Lake École Our Lady of the Rosary School teachers have been awarded the Regional Certificate of Achievement for the 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.   

Grade 1 French Immersion teacher Chantal Moroney, and Grade 3 French Immersion teacher Roderick Rivera received the awards.   

Moroney teaches French language arts, math, science, art, music, religion, and social.  

Thousands of Canadians are having their long weekend travel plans upended and WestJet says it expects "significant disruption" after mechanics walked off the job Friday night despite the Minister of Labour ordering both sides to arbitration earlier this week.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association announced on Friday evening that mechanics would begin strike action at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

Red Deer Emergency Services is reminding residents of the city’s Fireworks Bylaw, which regulates the sale, possession, and use of fireworks within city limits.   

The bylaw aims to ensure fireworks are used safely and responsibly by individuals with the proper training and qualifications.   

One Liberal MP who is not seeking re-election has sent an email to fellow caucus members calling for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as party leader.

Another suggested it may be time to put that question to the party's membership.

But the prime minister showed no signs of blinking Friday as he was greeted by happy throngs of supporters at both a party fundraiser and a campaign-style stop at the Taste of Asia festival in a Toronto suburb.

On the evening of June 27, the Red Deer RCMP responded to a call reporting a stabbing incident on a city transit bus.

Police responded to the Clearview Meadows area of Red Deer. Reports indicated that one passenger had stabbed another passenger while exiting the bus and then fleeing the scene.

Multiple units from the Red Deer RCMP, including General Duty, Police Dog Services (PDS) and Downtown Patrol Unit (DPU), coordinated to search for the suspect, who was quickly located and apprehended, preventing further risk to public safety.

Charolais breeders from around the globe are in Canada for the World Charolais Congress.

The last time the World Congress was in Canada was in 2006 when it was held in Alberta.

Helge By, President of Charolais Charbray International says this year they wanted to show their International visitors more of Canada, and a chance to see the breed on farm by  visiting more producer operations.

Central Albertans are reminded to be vigilant when having campfires or any other type of controlled burns over the long weekend.  

Here are the fire advisories for Central Alberta: 

Lacombe County  

The fire risk in Lacombe County is currently low. There are no fire advisories in place.   

A newly recruited family physician is now available to provide care to residents in Red Deer and area.  

Dr. Jude Omeh is working out of The Branch Clinic in the city and will also be providing hospitalist services at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.