Lacombe

The five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial can return to the NHL when their suspensions end "no sooner" than Dec. 1, the NHL announced Thursday.

The players, who are all unrestricted free agents, can sign with a team on Oct. 15 as they wait for full reinstatement.

Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart were all charged with one count of sexual assault stemming from an encounter with a woman after a 2018 gala celebrating the world junior team's gold medal. All five pleaded not guilty when the trial opened in April.

Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada has updated its National Drought Monitor Map now that the stats are in from August (2025).

Trevor Hadwen, an agroclimate specialist with AAFC says drought conditions improved throughout western Canada; however, eastern Canada saw conditions deteriorate significantly. 

With a provincewide teachers strike looming, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says their union has a stark choice between heftier pay hikes and more teachers. 

Smith suggests they can have one or the other, but they can’t have both.

Smith made the comments today to reporters when asked about stalled contract talks between her government and the Alberta Teachers’ Association, the day after the union set a strike date of Oct. 6.

Alberta has offered wage hikes starting at 12 per cent over four years, with a promise to hire 3,000 teachers over three years.

A new tri-municipal partnership has been launched to enhance collaboration between the City of Lacombe, Lacombe County, and the Town of Blackfalds.

The North Blindman River Tri-Municipal Collaborative (NBRTC) was formally established after the Intermunicipal Development Plan and Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee, which includes members from all three municipalities, recommended creating a regional body to expand cooperation.

Prime Minister Mark Carney named the first five projects on the federal government's fast-track list on Thursday — part of his plan to attract outside investment and bolster the Canadian economy.

The projects include planned energy development, mining and port infrastructure projects from the West Coast to Central Canada.

The government also released an expanded list of projects not quite ready for prime time that includes additional initiatives in Eastern Canada and the North.

A Lacombe organization is celebrating over a half-century of supporting the community.

Lacombe and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is marking its 55th anniversary with the community at the Backyard Friends Dinner on Sept. 17 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.

The free event begins at 5 p.m. and will feature information booths, local dignitaries and past board members of the organization.

Founded to deliver locally inspired, proactive social initiatives, FCSS runs programs such as Coats for Kids, Tools for Schools and Fill a Fridge.

Residents in Ponoka will have the chance to turn their unwanted belongings into someone else’s find during Kick it to the Curb Week from Oct. 3 to 8.

Citizens can place items they want to give away on their front lawns with a “free” sign attached, allowing others to pick them up.

At the end of the week, leftover items should be brought back inside or donated to a local charity or thrift shop instead of being discarded.

Organizers ask “shoppers” to respect private property and avoid walking or driving on gardens and neighbouring yards.

The Alberta Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear today the appeals of two men serving time for their roles in the 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta.

Chris Carbert and Anthony Olienick were sentenced a year ago to 6 1/2 years for mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Olienick was also convicted of possessing a pipe bomb. 

The jury found them not guilty on a charge of conspiring to kill RCMP officers.

Carbert and Olienick are asking the court to overturn their convictions and, if that fails, to reduce their sentences.

Town council has approved the installation of a new sauna at the Olds Aquatic Centre while also receiving updates from the RCMP and Olds College at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Council voted to use a $79,576 restricted reserve, stemming from a 2007 donation, to fund a self-contained sauna on the southeast pool deck. The project, estimated at about $65,000 plus electrical work, will be completed during the centre’s September shutdown.

Families have one last chance to enjoy the Ponoka Splash Park this weekend before it closes for the season.

The town says Sunday, Sept. 14 will be the final day of operation, with the facility shutting down Monday, Sept. 15.

The splash park operates annually from June to September, weather permitting. Town crews then complete seasonal maintenance to prepare the park for winter and ensure smooth operations the following year.

Officials thanked residents and visitors for enjoying the park this summer and say they look forward to welcoming families back next season.