Lacombe

Oh, rats.

Canada’s latest attempt to bring the Stanley Cup home died dramatically on the edge of the Everglades on Monday, leaving fans from Edmonton to Florida thrilled at the ride but crushed at the destination.

The Oilers fell one game short of a comeback for the ages, winning three in a row to tie the final series only to drop the deciding Game 7 to the Florida Panthers by a score of 2-1.

Summer storms are bringing not just rain and high winds to the prairies but also hail.

This year, heavy rain, hail, funnel clouds, and even tornado warnings seem to be a prominent occurrence across the prairies.

Hail damage can prove very costly, cutting yields and, in some cases, devastating a crop.

Crop Extension Specialist Meghan Rosso says following a hail storm, farmers will want to give crops 3–4 days to see if plants will recover.

Canada's population of those 85 and older is expected to triple by 2073 to as many as 4.3 million people, an increase that will likely place new pressure on the country on several fronts, one demographer says.

Statistics Canada said in its projections released Monday that the country's population could reach a medium-growth forecast of 63 million by 2073 and at least 3.3 million will be over 85. 

The agency said the aging population and low birthrates mean that migration will be the key driver of Canada's growth for the foreseeable future. 

Renovations at the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre are underway to improve accessibility in various areas of the facility.  

Work includes replacing worn and uneven floors, lowering admitting desks to improve access and sightlines for wheelchair users, and adapting three washrooms to meet mobility needs.  

Youth interested in trying pickleball are invited to the Lacombe Pickleball Club’s try-it event for junior players.   

Through Pickleball Alberta, the Lacombe Pickleball Club was selected as one of the Junior Hot Shots Try-It Event locations.   

On June 30 at 6:30 p.m., young people between six and 17 years of age can try pickleball for free at the Lacombe Curling Club.   

The government of Alberta announced a $2 million investment in the Innisfail Health Centre on June 21.   

In Budget 2024, the health centre will receive $2 million over the next three years for the renovation of the ambulance bay.  

The project will ensure the health centre can accommodate large ambulances while enhancing privacy and increasing protection from seasonal elements during patient transfers.   

The City of Lacombe’s first inclusive playground has officially opened in Trinity Crossing.  

The playground features a Miracle Recreation Kids Choice Inclusive Structure, wheelchair ramps, accessible moving components, and free-standing sensory elements.  

The structure is a nautical theme, with an ocean blue colour scheme, and a Big Kahuna fish climber.  

Upgrades to Woody’s Athletic Park are set to start this week.  

Work includes a new track sub-surface, rubber overlay, curbing, and barrier-free pedestrian access.  

On Wednesday (June 26), construction crews will begin the nearly three-month project by mobilizing at the athletic park next to the Lindsay Thurber High School.  

The June 21st Prairie Pest update covers a lot of ground with information on a variety of insects for farmers to be aware of covering insect identification, scouting tips, potential issues and more.

Dr. Meghan Vankosky, a field crop entamologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, works with her AAFC and her provincial counterparts in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in putting together the weekly report and identifying any potential issues.

The Edmonton Oilers may not be on home ice when they try to clinch the Stanley Cup against the Florida Panthers on Monday night, but screams of support will resound across Canada from rinkside watch parties, bars, seniors homes and ordinary living rooms.

"We cheer them on every single game of the season," said Derrick DeMone, an Oilers fan in Sydney, N.S., who will be watching at home with his sons, aged 24, 14 and 12.

"I haven't felt like this since I was a young boy, I'll tell you that."