Lacombe

Pickleballers have a place to play indoors.

With the weather shifting from hot and windy to cool and rainy, outdoor pickleball courts aren’t always the best option.

The Town of Blackfalds is now offering drop-in pickleball at the Eagle Builders Centre.

Enthusiasts can drop in throughout June for just $7.

Arena 1 will be available from 5 to 9 p.m. on the following dates:

• June 2 to 5
• June 9 to 11
• June 23 to 26
• June 30

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is expected to introduce a bill today spelling out the federal government's next steps on border security.

The recent throne speech promised legislation to bolster security at Canada's borders and new tools for police and intelligence agencies to help them stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and its precursors.

The government also said the Canada Border Services Agency will be given new powers to examine goods destined for export to prevent the movement of illegal and stolen products, including cars.

The federal government plans to work urgently to remove Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday.

"The Canadian government is engaging with its Chinese counterparts at the ministerial level and we'll continue those discussions," Carney told reporters after meeting with premiers in Saskatoon.

"They're a top priority for us." 

The commitment came in a statement after the meeting and it says premiers want Canada's trading relationship with China to improve. 

A Ponoka building will take on the role of a chameleon this month — but with the goal of standing out.

Throughout June, the exterior of the Ponoka Civic Centre will be lit up with coloured lights from sunset to sunrise to recognize several events and awareness campaigns, as outlined below.

🟢 June 2 to 8: Green

Recreation and Parks Month / BGC Club Day

Green lights will be projected onto the building this week to mark Recreation and Parks Month and BGC Club Day on June 6.

A free family fun event is coming to Lacombe this Friday evening and will help celebrate a major anniversary.

The BGC Family Fun Night will take place in the courtyard between École Upper Elementary School and Father Lacombe Catholic School and is part of the celebrations marking the 125th anniversary of the organization in Canada.

“We’ll have face painting, glitter tattoos, bouncy houses, as well as balloon animals,” said Lily Raugust, the Lacombe program manager.

“It’ll be a really fun, action-packed event.”

The federal government is investing $15 million into Protein Industries Canada; the funding is being used to strengthen Canada's agri-food sector.

The new funding will focus on genomics and AI programs by bringing new tools to plant breeders, farmers, ingredient processors, and food manufacturers.

The programs will enable farmers and companies across Canada’s agrifood sector to build a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable food system. 

Alberta is working on strengthening its market presence in Southeast Asia.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson is in Southeast Asia to promote Alberta as a reliable supplier of agricultural products.

The overall goal is to strengthen relationships with Vietnam and the Philippines to increase trade and investment opportunities that 
will directly benefit producers and processors by opening new markets for Alberta agriculture and food products.

The Red Deer Fire Department was called to a structure fire at SuperStore Liquor around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday.

Crews arrived at the store, located at 5016 51st Ave., to find a blaze affecting the service doors. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames shortly after arrival.

There is no word yet on the extent of the damage or the cause of the fire.

An update will be provided once more information is released.

Farm Credit Canada is investing $2 billion to advance agtech innovation in Canada’s agriculture and food industry. 

The money which will be invested by 2030 will direct more investment into innovative devices, instrumentation, research, and methodologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

Stats show Canada’s agtech sector is lagging, putting Canada at a strategic disadvantage, while Japan  and the European Union have been increasing investments in ag tech.

Alberta's latest crop report shows 90 per cent of the provincial crop is now in; that's ahead of the 5-year average of 81 per cent. 

Roy Larsen, the director of Statistics and Data Development for Agriculture and Irrigation says seeding progress in the South is at 97 per cent complete, the North West at 93 per cent, the Central region is at 89 per cent, the North East at 86  per cent, and the Peace at 84 per cent.

Crop progress shows 99 per cent of the dry peas have been planted, while oats lag behind at 74 per cent.