Lacombe

Direct Energy Regulated Services (DERS) has announced default natural gas rates for May, affecting customers in the ATCO Gas North service area who do not have a competitive supplier.

The regulated rate is increasing to $2.419 per gigajoule from $2.210 per gigajoule in April.

This rate reflects a market price of about $2.136 per gigajoule, as reported by the NGX, plus an adjustment of 28.3 cents per gigajoule for April and previous months.

A typical residential customer using 6 gigajoules of gas in May can expect a bill of about $89.

Dress for Success Central Alberta (DFSCA) is celebrating 15 years of supporting women on their journey to economic independence.

The organization began operations in Red Deer in October 2008 and received official charity status on April 30, 2010.

Since then, DFSCA has helped thousands of local women through career services, leadership programs, styling services and community outreach initiatives.

In 2024, more than 600 women accessed DFSCA’s programming.

Communal grief following the ramming attack at a Filipino festival in Vancouver that killed 11 people on the weekend will likely persist for months, mental health experts in British Columbia warn. 

"Traumatic events, grief, is not something that is resolved in a week or two weeks, or a couple of months," said Heather Mohan, a clinical counsellor and executive director of the charity Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society.

Some Conservative MPs are expressing support for party leader Pierre Poilievre after he lost both the federal election and his own seat on Monday.

In his concession speech early Tuesday morning, Poilievre indicated he would stay on as leader. The Conservative party did not respond when asked Wednesday whether he has officially decided to stay.

"My view is he's not going anywhere," said Kory Teneycke, Ontario Premier Doug Ford's former campaign manager and a former director of communications for former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Chinook's Edge School Division (CESD) has responded to a story that was published on Monday, April 28th, regarding a funding cut to the Penhold & District Library. Today, April 30th, a letter was sent to parents of students attending Chinook's Edge schools in Penhold. 

Here is a copy of that letter that was written by Shawn Russell, the Associate Superintendent Corporate Services for Chinook's Edge School Division.

A group trying to make a case for electoral reform by creating very long ballots is declaring victory in this week's election — even as critics accuse it of indulging in stunts that undermine democracy.

"It's been a success," said Mark Moutter, one of dozens of protest candidates who ran in the Ottawa riding of Carleton.

"I've never seen people looking more optimistically at electoral reform, ever."

Manitoba Agriculture has released its first crop report of the season, providing valuable insights into the current state of seeding and livestock activities across the province.

Oilseed Specialist Sonya Wilson says seeding is just getting underway, with provincial seeding progress at approximately three per cent. This is ahead of the five-year average of one per cent. Farmers are currently planting spring wheat, peas, and a small amount of oats, particularly in areas west of Brandon and near Rapid City, with some activity in other regions as well.

The City of Lacombe has released its year-end financials for 2024, demonstrating a commitment to Council’s strategic goals of fiscal responsibility and long-term financial sustainability.

While the city reports a modest year-end surplus of $2,659 on a nearly $50 million budget, the real story lies in its strategic approach to financial stewardship. The city has adopted financial policies to automatically direct any year-end surplus funds into reserves.

A Wetaskiwin man is now $100,000 richer after matching six number on the March 15th Extra draw.

Ken Szigli says he was thrilled. “I checked my ticket on the Lotto Spot app,” he explained. “I have been playing for years, and I was very happy [to see the prize amount]!”

The Wetaskiwin resident said he has one main plan for his windfall. “I’m going to pay off a few bills,” he said. “I think I will sit on whatever is left over.”

Szigli purchased his winning in Wetaskiwin at a gas station. 

Brianna Poissant of Innisfail has been announced as this year’s Leaders of Tomorrow Award.

Since September 2024, Brianna has been an invaluable volunteer at the Innisfail Health Centre, where she improves the lives of Continuing Care residents by assisting with recreation activities and supporting hydration efforts through running the refreshment cart.