Lacombe

Conservative MP Damien Kurek is set to step aside to allow Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in a byelection in the Battle River—Crowfoot riding in Alberta.

Kurek says he is "temporarily" stepping aside as MP for the riding, which he has held since 2019.

The Conservative party confirms that Poilievre will run in the Battle River—Crowfoot byelection once it's called.

Alberta

The St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) is notifying irrigators that they are now accepting water orders.

For the 2025 irrigation season, water allocation will remain at 12 inches at the farm gate based on the recent Irrigation Water Supply Forecast from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.

Crews have started flushing lines and are charging the system for water startup, expected to be available across the entire district by May 5th to 9th.

Following a four-year pilot project to access the need for the service, a seasonal public washroom facility will return to downtown Red Deer for the summer.

The facility was first placed downtown in 2021 and this year, the washroom will be located in central downtown at 5031 50 St. and will remain in place until October 15.

Pay parking in Sylvan Lake starts on May 15, with the city reminding residents to be sure they are registered to avoid fees.

This year there are extended pay parking zones along the east and west areas of 50 Ave.

Residents can add up to 4 vehicles. Parking enforcement is based on plate numbers, so you must add your vehicle to your account, and your plate to a permit. Current registrations are still valid online, but new plates must be registered.

Proof of residency is necessary to register and consists of a utility bill and your government issued ID.

The Downtown Red Deer Market is moving to a new location

After years of strategic planning and public feedback, the market will relocate from Little Gaetz to the 5023 Ross St (Buffalo Lot) for the 2025 season.

Burton Bailey, the newly elected Conservative MP for the Red Deer Riding, won Monday’s election with over 44,000 votes.

With the election now over, Burton Bailey had a conversation with Central Alberta Online News on what comes next — not only for him but for Red Deer.

What was your reaction once the polls were closed?

“Well, I was very humbled and honoured, you know, such a strong turn out, it was overwhelming the support that the Red Deerians showed me.”

How was the experience?

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is deflecting accusations that she's stoking the fires of separatism, despite her government moving to lower the bar for holding a referendum.

Earlier this week, Smith's government proposed legislation that would make it easier for citizens to call for a vote to secede from Canada, drawing heated condemnation from Indigenous leaders who warn it would violate treaties.

A vocal set of right-wing supporters are pushing for an Alberta exit following the federal Liberals' election win Monday.

Red Deer residents can prepare to sign up for Summer Day Camps, swim lessons and more next week. New program options are viewable on My Activity Guide on Thursday, May 1, and registration will begin on Tuesday, May 6 at 12 noon.

This summer, they are offering over 100 exciting day camp options for kiddos ages 2 to 17. 

In the last issue we discussed warm and cold clouds, and we learned that most of our local precipitation is produced in cold clouds, which means that most of it starts off as snow, even in the summer.

This week we are going to look at the different types of precipitation we experience and examine how each type forms.

Next on our list of precipitation types is sleet or ice pellets.

This form of precipitation is created when raindrops freeze in the air before they reach the ground.

The Lacombe Performing Arts Centre (LPAC) is hosting its closing celebration tonight at 7:30 p.m. for the "Piece by Piece" fundraising exhibition.

The exhibit features artwork from 22 local artists of varying skill levels and has been on display in the centre’s main lobby for the past few weeks.

A wide range of mediums — including acrylic and oil paintings, felting, mixed media and rug hooking — were available for bidding, and tonight, the highest bidders will take their pieces home.