Lacombe

The Lacombe Fire Department is helping residents cool off with free pop-up splash zones while the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre's spray park undergoes maintenance.

The temporary splash pads will be set up on July 9 and 11, running from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the field behind Lacombe Composite High School.

Rimbey RCMP executed a search warrant on a local business earlier today, finding multiple illegal drugs.

After a lengthy investigation into illegal drugs and cigarettes being sold, Rimbey RCMP, in a joint operation with the AGLC Tobacco Enforcement Unit, executed a search warrant at The Vault Sports Pub in Rimbey.

As a result of the search, police seized:

• Over 46 cartons and many packages of illegal cigarettes

• Quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, psilocybin, and marijuana

Drivers in Lacombe should expect delays and detours near the city’s well-known 5-way intersection as construction continues on 53 Street.

The south portion of 53 Street to 52 Avenue is currently closed for a water valve replacement and is expected to remain closed until the end of the day Thursday.

In addition, the north portion of 53 Street, just beyond the 5-way intersection, will remain closed throughout the summer for sewer improvements.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ike Hanna as Associate Superintendent of Learning Services and Nicole Zimmerman as Associate Superintendent of Student Services, effective August 18, 2025. These strategic additions to the Senior Leadership Team will bring extensive experience and a deep commitment to Catholic education to the division.

Alberta's government has named its own provincial police force and announced its first chief.

Premier Danielle Smith says former deputy Calgary police chief Sat Parhar has been tapped to lead the new force, which the province will call the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service. 

Parhar retired in 2019 after more than two decades with the Calgary Police Service in a variety of roles. 

Farm Credit Canada's Transition Loan program has been enhanced.

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald says transferring the family farm or business can be stressful; the new changes will help address the financial barriers many people face.

The loan's new terms are designed to make it easier for both buyers and sellers by allowing disbursements to the seller over a 10 year period.

The loan is available for farms, agribusinesses, or food businesses going through changes in ownership, be it within or outside the family.

Two former members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party are resuscitating the province's once-dominant Progressive Conservative Party.

Former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie and legislature member Scott Sinclair were booted from caucus earlier this year for pushing back against the Premier Danielle Smith's government and now sit as Independents.

Sinclair says the province's two-party system has become too divisive, and they want to galvanize support from Albertans who feel they don't have a political home.

Hayden Sutherland of Innisfail has been named the Sunny 94/Strand 360 Athlete of the Month.

Sutherland is the all-time points leader for the Mavericks lacrosse team, with 98 goals and 85 assists in 60 games.

He said he got his start in the sport at a young age.

 Irrican owns multiple hydroelectric facilities and solar sites

A new battery storage facility is helping power two southern Alberta irrigation districts.

Irrican Power, a renewable energy producer, comprised of the St. Mary River Irrigation District and Raymond Irrigation District, has announced the commissioning of the Raymond Enhanced Battery and Renewables Project.

The eBAR facility is located at the Raymond Irrican Hydropower Plant near Raymond.

The move by Sask. would help producers with the cost of cleaning and disinfection after the disease is found on their farms

Saskatchewan may ask to trigger AgriRecovery for producers affected by bovine tuberculosis.

Provincial agriculture minister Daryl Harrison said last week he had heard from cattle organizations about the need for more help.