Central Alberta Online News

Chris Gallaway, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare issued the following statement:

“Today's decision made by Infrastructure Minister Peter Guthrie to resign his cabinet position highlights just how serious the allegations about government procurement and contracts really are.

"Albertans deserve full accountability and transparency in terms of how our public dollars have been spent.

"The Health Minister needs to resign and an independent public inquiry needs to be called immediately. At this point anything less is completely unacceptable.”

Two individuals have been arrested and charged in relation to an armed robbery that occurred in Ponoka on Feb. 18.

At approximately 8 p.m., Ponoka RCMP responded to an armed robbery in progress on 38 Avenue Close where a male and female suspect stole a white Pontiac Vibe at gunpoint.  

A police pursuit was initiated through Ponoka County and Montana First Nation.  

At one point during the pursuit, the suspect vehicle went over a frozen river and got stuck on a berm.  

The female suspect was immediately arrested, but the male suspect fled on foot.  

Three individuals have been arrested and charged in relation to a string of auto thefts that occurred earlier this month.

In February of 2025, Alberta RCMP and Calgary Police Service investigated a series of break-and-enters within the City of Calgary and 6 RCMP jurisdictions, where multiple offenders broke into dealerships and autobody shops stealing vehicle keys and vehicles. 

A total of 18 vehicles were stolen during the crime series and 15 have been recovered.

A semi was spotted flipped on its side near an overpass along the QEII north of Brightview Tuesday morning.

Goods from the semi could be seen spilling down onto the QEII.

The overpass is at the intersection of the Highway 2 and Township Road 470.

RCMP were unable to provide further information.

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Iron Ridge Secondary Campus (IRSC) in Blackfalds unveiled new basketball jerseys emblazoned with Cree syllabics this week, paying tribute to the school’s Indigenous namesake — the Bisons — and the Treaty 6 territory on which it stands. 

In front of a full gym for the Bisons’ final senior boys and girls home games of the season Feb. 10, IRSC Athletic Director Joe McQuay said the gesture extends the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation beyond a single day. 

Three individuals have been arrested and face charges in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on Feb. 06, 2025 at a residence in Wetaskiwin.

The victim said three suspects entered his home, pointed guns at his head and stole a television, bank cards, identification card, money and a cell phone before fleeing on foot.

On Feb. 07, 2025, the investigation led RCMP to a nearby residence. 

Two individuals were located and arrested. 

Kristen Rain, 39, of Maskwacis was arrested and charged with:

Three suspects have been arrested for their involvement in running a human trafficking operation across Canada, including Red Deer.  

Project Endgame was a year-long investigation led by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) Human Trafficking unit.  

The investigation revealed a cross-Canada network of sex trafficking that was in operation for over a decade by the accused and possibly others.   

Public Interest Alberta is requesting the RCMP launch a formal investigation into allegations within the UCP Government and Alberta Health Services (AHS) to determine whether corruption and breach of trust, among other criminal conduct may have taken place regarding the procurement of health services contracts.

Alberta RCMP are continuing to search for Jeral Maurice Rabbit, who was highlighted in this week's Wanted Wednesday social media post.

Rabbit's last known location was Maskwacis, however, he is also known to frequent Ponoka and Wetaskiwin.

If you spot Rabbit, do not approach. He is wanted for various crimes.

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

Update- Sat, Feb 8;th 10:53 a.m.

According to 511 Alberta, and Innisfail RCMP, both the southbound and northbound lanes of the QEII near Innisfail have been cleared. The highway was closed at around 4:30 pm on Friday due to an overturned tanker. Watch for heavy traffic congestion in the area.

Update - Sat, Feb. 8 - 8:00 a.m.

Southbound QEII near Range Road 362, just north of Innisfail, remains closed Saturday morning due to a tanker rollover that occurred Friday afternoon.

Northbound QEII is now open.