Lacombe

The Medicine River Wildlife Centre’s educational owl Otis turned 21 on May 15.   

Otis was brought into the wildlife centre when he was between three and five days old, his eyes were closed, and he was orphaned and injured.   

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 7:37 p.m., Red Deer RCMP received two separate complaints stating two individuals were displaying a handgun at Bower Mall.

RCMP officers attended the mall and enrolled assistance from Mall Security to lock the mall down and secure the public in various stores. Officers located the two suspects, both youths, and arrested them without incident. A search incidental to arrest revealed a knife with a handle resembling a handgun.

The Town of Sylvan Lake gave special recognition to three Chinook’s Edge students and an educational assistant during the town’s Youth Spark Awards.  

The awards provide an opportunity for the community to honour youth who are working hard to make a positive impact.   

Rozalyn Thyer, a student at Beacon Hill received the Service and Caring Award as she gives up her free time to work with younger students.   

Katelin Fesyk has been appointed the new Assistant Principal of Iron Ridge Elementary Campus (IREC).  

Fesyk has been an IREC staff member since 2013, contributing to the school’s success. Before joining IREC, Fesyk served at Rimbey Jr/Sr High School and Eckville Elementary School.  

She has served as a teacher, physical education specialist, Indigenous Education and Reconciliation Lead Teacher, and acting administrator.  

United Way Central Alberta (UWCA) is calling on communities to break the cycle of period poverty, through the Period Promise campaign.   

This year, UWCA’s goal is to collect more than 85,000 menstrual products throughout May.  

Sundre High School students completed community service for this year’s May Queen tradition.  

The 55-year-old tradition started as a way to raise funds for graduation celebrations for students. Each year, students approach businesses and residents in the community to find projects that need to be done.  

Protein Industries Canada has announced a new project focusing on the spread of herbicide-resistant weeds in Canada.

The project will focus on the development of an AI-powered early detection system.

Founder and CEO of Precision AI Dan McCann says by using AI to detect resistance early and provide precision herbicide application, we have a realistic path to reducing or even eliminating resistant strains in Canada.

The Wheat Growers Association is calling on the federal government to take immediate action to prevent a shutdown of the Canadian rail system.

It says a potential strike by employees at both railways would cause long-term damage not only to Canada's agriculture sector but to our economy.

Global Food and Ingredients Ltd. is winding down its business operations, including its terminal facilities in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The plant-based food and ingredient company manufactured pulse flours, protein, and pasta from peas, lentils, and chickpeas.

A press release on the company's website points to macro-economic events that have resulted in challenges accessing raw materials, resulting in a material decline in the company’s sales and gross profit.

With increasing costs on the farm and ranch, the federal government's Advance Payments Program (A-P-P) has been a popular choice for producers as they focus on the financing needs.
 
The Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) is one of several groups administering the cash advance program.

Under the program, producers can apply for a cash advance, with the first $250,000 being interest-free and the interest-bearing portion charged at prime less 0.25%.