Lacombe

Sylvan Lake Bears Pee Wee head coach Garnet Rambaut is stepping down after a near-perfect season.

Rambaut has coached minor football for 23 years, the last 16 of those as head coach with the Bears.

He talked about the decision to step aside as the head coach.

"It's time to bring newer people in, it allows me to move on," he said. "I'm not leaving coaching, but I am leaving the head coaching to the younger guys. It's time."

To address growing community needs, Lacombe County is increasing funding for Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) by $30,000 for the 2025 fiscal year.  

Deputy Reeve Sydney Graham has resigned from her position with Clearwater County Council, effective Nov. 18, 2024.

Graham was elected to Clearwater County Council in October of 2021, and has served as Division 2 Councillor since that time.

Reeve Michelle Swanson shared the following statement regarding Graham's resignation. 

“On behalf of Clearwater County Council, I would like to sincerely thank Deputy Reeve Graham for her service to our community over the past three years. We wish her well on her future endeavours.”

The 2025 budget deliberations for the City of Red Deer began Monday with debate and approval of the 2025 capital budget, with two amendments.

Administration proposed an overall capital budget for 2025 of $93,384,000 including approximately $34 million for the fleet program. During the debate, Council passed a resolution related to Fleet Growth and Enhanced Replacements that reduced the total capital budget by $4,445,000 bringing the final 2025 capital budget to $88,939,000.

Health and Addictions Minister Ya'ara Saks is looking for pitches to help young Canadians who are struggling with their mental health.

The federal government plans to distribute $500 million for projects that help young people struggling to afford private mental health care services.

The funding comes from the five-year Youth Mental Health Fund announced in the spring federal budget to tackle the stress, anxiety and depression young people are facing amid a high cost of living and global uncertainty.

Farmers across Manitoba and the prairies can now access the results of the 2024 Canola Variety Evaluation Trials, a critical resource for making informed seed selection decisions. Spearheaded by the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA), this program marks the first year of province-specific program following the discontinuation of the Prairie-wide Canola Performance Trials in 2022.

The Wetaskiwin RCMP have laid charges in connection with the Nov. 7, residential fire at a multiplex on 55 avenue.

The fire was extinguished by the Wetaskiwin and Millet Fire Departments, impacting five residences. 

The cause of the fire was determined to be suspicious in nature.

Through a police investigation an arrest warrant has been issued for Wetaskiwin resident, 25-year-old Clayton Courtright for: Arson with Disregard for Human Life.

On Nov. 13, 2024, at approximately 3:46 p.m., the Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team located an unoccupied vehicle, at a business in north Red Deer, that had been reported as stolen. 
Officers established surveillance on the vehicle leading to the arrest of three individuals. 

Fentanyl and multiple weapons, including a sawed-off shotgun, were also located in the vehicle.

Brenton Almond, a 53-year-old resident of Red Deer, has been charged with the following offences:

On Nov. 16, Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a 911 call of a disturbance in progress at Dollarama. 

Officers arrived on scene, and while investigating the initial call were informed that a male had committed an indecent act inside the business which had been witnessed by multiple people. 

Jaycee Applegarth, 49,  was arrested and charged with one count of Committing an Indecent Act. 

Canada Post has confirmed it will deliver benefit cheques for the Canada Child Benefit and related provincial and territorial benefits, including the Alberta Child and Family Benefit, by Wednesday, November 20.

However, according to the Canada Revenue Agency's website, all other benefit and credit payments issued by cheque from the CRA will be delayed until the ongoing Canada Post strike is resolved.