Airdrie

The Town of Drumheller has moved to engage with the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce and Travel Drumheller to explore options for the future of the World’s Largest Dinosaur (WLD), known locally as Tyra, after the Chamber’s announcement that the iconic landmark will be decommissioned in December 2029.

Related Stories:

• A final roar for Drumheller's giant dinosaur? Closure planned for 2029

Alberta's health authority is claiming its fired former executive breached her employment agreement by holding on to confidential emails with information pertaining to allegations in a high-profile court case.

A new affidavit filed Wednesday by Alberta Health Services says the agency is looking to amend its statement of defence in light of the emails, which the agency says it only became aware of last week. 

RCMP officers across Alberta responded to 147 motor vehicle collisions on Thursday as late-season snow created hazardous driving conditions. Despite the high volume of incidents, police confirmed there were no fatalities.

"RCMP officers in many parts of the province were kept busy yesterday responding to motor vehicle collision," RCMP said in a statement, urging drivers to remain vigilant and take steps to ensure their safety and the safety of others. "Although we are at the tail end of winter, snowstorms are still common."

Airdrie RCMP is reminding motorists to drive safely and responsibly after Alberta RCMP laid 9,419 charges for aggressive and dangerous driving in 2024.

Reckless behaviors such as excessive speeding, distracted driving, tailgating, and road rage put drivers, pedestrians, and other road users at risk. To prevent these incidents and improve road safety, Airdrie RCMP is encouraging motorists to follow key safety practices and report dangerous driving.

To help prevent aggressive driving incidents and ensure safer roads, Airdrie RCMP provided the following safety tips:

Parks Canada has banned tents, tent trailers, and soft-sided campers at the Lake Louise Trailer Campground for the 2025 season due to increased bear activity. The restriction is in effect until December 15. Violators face fines of up to $25,000.

Parks Canada has also restricted trail bicycling in Banff National Park, allowing it only on designated trails and paved roads. Effective today, the restriction remains in force until further notice and prohibits all off-trail biking and unauthorized trail-building.

The Alberta government has approved a temporary regulation providing job-protected leave for Alberta-based Canadian Armed Forces reservists so they can fulfill their service obligations while taking on expanded duties during the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis this June.

The regulation, announced by Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Matt Jones, takes effect March 31 and expires August 31, 2025. It enables reservists to take leave for operations and activities related to the summit, including pre- and post-deployment duties.

Hazardous Weather Expected Across the Region

Airdrie roads and the QEII remain clear this morning, but Environment Canada is predicting the possibility of freezing drizzle and snow moving in. Flurries are likely today, with a 60 per cent chance of precipitation and a risk of freezing drizzle this morning. Winds will stay light at 15 km/h, with temperatures holding at -3°C and a wind chill near -8.

Saturday is a special day for the Airdrie Food Bank as they are celebrating its 40th birthday.

Lori McRitchie, the food bank's Executive Director, explained that the food bank first started when a group of concerned community members noticed that people were hungry in the community.

"A lot of them were from different church communities, they banded together, and they formed a board, after they applied for incorporation through the province of Alberta to become a not-for-profit organization."

Airdrie City Council will decide next month if e-scooters will be returning to Airdrie for the summer.

With summer fast approaching, e-scooters are starting to arrive in surrounding communities, but the City of Airdrie needs to decide if they will be making a return, and Airdronians will have another mode of transportation once again.

Billie-Jo Arnott, the City of Airdrie's Team Leader for transit and active transportation, explained that the city was running a pilot program from 2022 to 2024.