'New normal': Jasper wildfire evacuees can start returning to townsite on Friday

The 5,000 residents of Jasper, Alta., chased out of their homes three weeks ago ahead of a devastating wildfire, can go home Friday.

Officials said essential services have been restored to the point where they can allow a blanket re-entry.

However, utility services could still be hit and miss. Some homes may look fine on the outside but will have sustained heavy smoke or water damage on the inside. Other homes may be fenced off as public safety hazards.

National Beef Strategy sees great progress in latest status update

The Canadian beef industry is taking a look at what it's done and how it can move forward as a status update on its 2020-2024 National Beef Strategy.

The status update covers the last two years of the strategy, covering June 2022 through June 2024.

Chair of the Canadian Beef Advisors Craig Lehr talks about some of the accomplishments they've gone through over the past couple of years.

SPONSORED: Anchor of Hope: The Visitor

In 2014 we had the pleasure of welcoming a visitor to come live at our home for a few weeks.  She didn’t exactly come alone as soon there were 3 little babies on the way.  You may have guessed; it was a robin that made her nest between the back of one of my patio chairs and an artificial tree in the corner.  My husband Harlan and I were surprised that she built her nest so close to the back door that led out onto the deck, but even more excited when we saw the 3 little sky-blue eggs.  We watched as mother robin would spend hours sitting on those eggs and then one morning when checking on th

Farm safety important to remember with harvest season around the corner

With harvest right around the corner, a flurry of activity is set to descend don't the southeast, with safety being a high priority during those busy days.

Producers will be moving crops and on the road a lot, meaning they'll need to keep an eye out for a number of possible safety issues.

Robin Anderson, the Director of Programs and Communications at the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, says keeping safe is very important.

Results in for Muenster Athletes from Legion Track and Field National  Championships

Just as the Olympics were wrapping up, a pair of local athletes were pitting their skills against the country's best at the Royal Canadian Legion Track and Field National Championships in Calgary.

Kaylee Bernhard and Sarah Loehr were selected for Team Saskatchewan after participating at the Saskatchewan Legion Track and Field Camp in early July. 

This is the only national track championship held in Canada for the U16 and U18 age groups each year. 

Local crops shaping up with harvest almost here

 

With the summer days becoming shorter, harvest time is almost here.  

A wet June, followed by a hot and dry July was mostly positive for local farmers according to Local Crop Extension Specialist Ashley Kaminski, but there were also some issues.  

“We’re very grateful for the moisture that we’ve had this year and honestly crops are looking pretty good, considering what we’ve had for the last few years.”