Lacombe

An eye-opening opportunity for the students at Nipisihkopahk Elementary School took place in Maskwacis last week.

From April 28 to May 2, more than 600 students in grades K to 6 from the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission (MESC) received eye exams and glasses at a vision clinic organized by the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, LensCrafters, Operation Eyesight Universal, and MESC.

The collaboration aimed to ensure that Maskwacîs students have access to vital vision care, supporting their educational success and overall well-being.

An investigation is now underway to determine the cause of a structure fire that destroyed a multi- family home on the 46 Street block of 39 Avenue in Ponoka. 

Ponoka County Fire Services was called after 6 p.m. Tuesday to respond to the blaze, arriving within 10 minutes. Lacombe Fire was also dispatched to help put out the fire. 

There are no injuries reported, and the cause is unknown until the investigation is complete. 

On May 5, at approximately 3:05 p.m. Olds RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious female carrying two chainsaws who ran towards a UHAUL vehicle, jumped in it, and then dangerously fled the area. 

RCMP officers located the UHAUL vehicle and attempted to stop it on Highway 587, when it drove into the Red Lodge Provincial Park entrance/exit gate, damaging the gate.

Innisfail and Didsbury RCMP, as well as Police Dog Services, also responded to the area to attempt to locate and stop the vehicle.

The chief of staff to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is defending a business class flight he charged to taxpayers, citing a health condition that increases his risk of blood clots.

The flight in question was a return flight he took from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Calgary earlier this year when he accompanied Smith to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The CBC reported this week that the two-day stop in Florida for Smith, Anderson and two others cost Alberta taxpayers about $10,000, with Anderson's flight home billed at nearly $3,000 alone.

Senior federal officials have been looking quietly for ways to bring together Canadians who don't see eye to eye on the economy, immigration and social issues.

With a general election looming, officials prepared to meet last November to brainstorm solutions to the problem of social fragmentation, according to an internal presentation drafted by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to brief Canada's premiers today following his seemingly successful first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Carney and Trump spent about two hours together at the White House, including about half an hour in front of the cameras in the Oval Office, and a private luncheon.

Both leaders were accompanied by senior members of their cabinets and their chiefs of staff.

The Lacombe Fire Department was dispatched to assist Ponoka County Fire Services with a structure fire on the 46 Street block of 39 Avenue in Ponoka.

A multi-family residential building at 3905 46th St. was destroyed in the blaze.

There are no reports of injuries, and the cause of the fire is not yet known.

The Conservative caucus has tapped former leader Andrew Scheer to lead the party in the House of Commons when Parliament resumes on May 26 — a role that's needed because Pierre Poilievre lost his seat in last week's election.

"I'll be taking over the parliamentary leadership duties of the caucus until Mr. Poilievre rejoins us in the House," Scheer told reporters after emerging from an all-day caucus meeting on Parliament Hill Tuesday.

As Lacombe County transitions into spring, extremely windy conditions are causing winter burn pits to flare up, posing a real risk to properties, natural areas, and community safety.

It’s Emergency Preparedness Week (May 4 to 10) and the Town of Ponoka is reminding citizens to download the town app (if you haven’t already done so) because it will help you stay informed in the event of a large-scale local emergency.

Residents should watch their mailboxes this week for a brochure that shows you how to ‘Download the App’ to get real-time alerts about:

• Large-scale local emergencies

• Utility service disruptions

• Other important town news.