Lacombe

The Town of Blackfalds has received $2.3 million from the Alberta government’s Local Growth and Sustainability Grant to support a major water infrastructure project.

Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams announced the funding on July 15, alongside Lacombe County Reeve Barb Shepherd, Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Jennifer Johnson, and Blackfalds Mayor Jamie Hoover.

The grant will support the Broadway Reservoir Expansion Project, which was initiated in late 2022 following discussions with Lacombe County about water and sewer servicing limitations for the Aspelund Industrial Area.

The 2025 wildfire season is already one of the worst on record for Canada and there is a high risk that more fires will break out in August, federal officials said on Friday.

More than 5.5 million hectares of land have burned so far this year, more than double the 10-year average for mid-July.

That is still well behind the record fire season in 2023, when more than 6,000 fires burned more than 15 million hectares of land.

There were 561 fires burning as of Friday, including 69 that were considered out of control.

The Supreme Court of Canada on Friday upheld the sentence handed to one youth offender but overturned another, in parallel judgments that clarify the standard courts should use when determining whether a youth should be sentenced as an adult.

In the two separate cases, the youth, who were 16 and 17 years old at the time of their offences, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced as adults to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years.

Alberta RCMP are warning the public about a potentially deadly supply of illegal pills that resemble the anti-anxiety drug Xanax but contain a highly toxic opioid.

The counterfeit pills have tested positive for isotonitazene, a powerful synthetic opioid that can be fatal.

RCMP say the pills are being linked to the recent death of a 16-year-old and are urging the public to be on high alert.

Chinook’s Edge School Division is welcoming back a familiar face as the new principal of C.P. Blakely Elementary School.

Kimberley Cocks, who previously served as vice-principal at C.P. Blakely, is returning to the school after two years as principal at Poplar Ridge School.

“I have enjoyed having fun with students and staff at Poplar Ridge, including great organized outside play activities,” said Cocks. “I am looking forward to reconnecting with staff, students and families at C.P. Blakely — my old stomping grounds.”

The Village of Alix has completed the first two phases of a large-scale dredging project aimed at improving the health and sustainability of its lake.

Phase 1 wrapped up in spring 2024 and focused on clearing organic sediment from the boat launch and swimming areas. That phase removed 10 dry tonnes of material to reduce build-up and improve water quality for recreation.

Red Deer RCMP have charged a man following an indecent act in a public green space near Bower Mall.

Police received multiple reports around 2:49 p.m. yesterday, of a nude male allegedly touching himself in a sexual manner in view of children. The incident was witnessed by several members of the public.

Officers responded quickly and located the suspect nearby.

Randy Saal, 65, of Red Deer has been charged with exposure of genital organs to a person under 16.

An update will be issued following the completion of a judicial interim release hearing.

Red Deer RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Denzel Louis-Smallboy, who was last seen in Red Deer on July 14.

Police say there is concern for his well-being.

Denzel is described as:

• 6’2” tall and about 155 pounds

• Black hair and brown eyes

• Medium complexion

• Last seen wearing a black hoodie, black skinny jeans, black shoes, and a black toque

Lacombe’s City Hall exterior will soon be home to the city’s first Indigenous mural.

The new public artwork, titled Eyes of The Wisdom, will be painted by Gordon Wesley—an established Indigenous artist and muralist based near Rocky Mountain House. He was selected through a request-for-proposals process.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Central Alberta.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon. Some storms may become severe, bringing large hail, heavy rain, and strong wind gusts.

The affected areas include:

• Clearwater County near Rocky Mountain House and Crimson Lake

• Clearwater County near Caroline and James River Bridge

• Mountain View County near Sundre

• Mountain View County near Olds and Didsbury