Central Alberta Online News

Independent Zarnab Zaffar is a candidate in the Ponoka-Didsbury riding.

Originally set as the Liberal candidate, Zafar did not get enough signatures to be on the ballot for the Liberal party, so she is now running with no affiliation.

CentralAlbertaOnline.com reached out for an interview with Zafar but did not receive a response at the time of publication. No official bio for Zafar could be found.

On April 8, 2025, High Prairie RCMP were conducting traffic enforcement on Highway 2 in Big Lakes County when they clocked a vehicle on Laser at 206 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. 

The driver was given a mandatory court date for exceeding the maximum highway speed limit, along with driving carelessly.

For the third straight year, the Sylvan Lake Wranglers will face the Okotoks Bisons for the Heritage Junior B Hockey League Championship banner.

The Wranglers were the top team in the Northern Division during the regular season with 69 points, while the Bisons led the Southern Division with 65 points.

RCMP are continuing to search for Jan-Anne August, who is wanted for various crimes.

August's last known location is unknown.

Her areas of activity include Clairmont, Calgary, Foothills County, Munson, Bragg Creek, Kneehill County, Enchant, Lethbridge County, Lethbridge, Taber, Vulcan, Olds, Alternate, Vulcan County, Strathmore, Grande Prairie, and the County of Newell.

Do not approach August if you spot her.

Report any information to police or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Update:

Emergency Medical Services have confirmed that one person died at the scene of an avalanche near the Lake Louise Ski Resort on Friday afternoon. Authorities have not released further details about the deceased.

At around 3:45 p.m., Lake Louise RCMP responded to reports of an avalanche in the area, launching a large-scale search for potential victims.

Avalanche occurred in out-of-bounds area

On Sunday at 2 a.m., clocks will be jumping one hour ahead to 3 a.m. for Daylight Saving Time.

Maskwacis RCMP recommend the following safety tips on how to deal with the time change, especially when driving:

Public Interest Alberta (PIA) said today, March 6th, that they had received an updated statement from the RCMP, that there was an investigation into AHS procurement allegations of fraud.

The statement from an RCMP spokesperson, released on March 6th says; 

“On February 6, 2025, the RCMP received a complaint relating to Alberta Health Services. Following a review, the RCMP has begun an investigation into the matter. As this is an ongoing investigation, no further details are available at this time.” 

Here is the reaction from PIA:

Update:

The Town of Ponoka has restored connection to the water for all the schools and BGC Wolf Creek, allowing all Ponoka Schools to be open on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Repairs will continue in the area in front of the Wolf Creek School Division Facilities and Transportation Building located at 4900 54 Street, limiting drop off access.

The Town of Ponoka confirms that the water has been tested and it is safe for consumption.

Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston and City Council have released a statement in regards to a hate speech incident that occurred over the weekend.

Individuals were seen displaying hateful signs and symbols in the downtown area in at least three locations, including the Central Alberta Immigrant Women's Association and Care for Newcomers.

The statement from the City is below:

Three individuals have been arrested and charged in relation to a kidnapping with a firearm in Samson Cree Nation.

On the evening of Feb. 24, 2025, Maskwacis RCMP responded to a call to assist Emergency Medical services in Samson Cree Nation with a male sustaining a gunshot wound.

Officers arrived on scene and obtained information that the victim had been kidnapped and tied to a chair in the basement of a residence in Samson Cree Nation. The victim was beaten and received a gunshot wound.