Avian Influenza update

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has declared a primary control zone for avian influenza in Manitoba.

The CFIA says it has declared the Rural Municipality of Boissevain-Morton a primary control zone.

The status means that specific measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of the disease through movement restrictions and permits.

To date, 17 premises in Canada have been identified as being infected with AI, including two in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba.

India urged to bring back pea tariff

The government isn’t thought to be in a hurry to impose a large duty on yellow peas as it takes steps to reduce food inflation.

India’s pulse trade is pushing for the government to implement a large tariff on imported yellow peas.

Bimal Kothari, chair of the India Pulses and Grains Association, recently told the Hindu Businessline that he wants to see a 50 per cent import duty on the crop to ensure the landed price is equivalent to the government’s minimum support price for desi chickpeas.

Mosquito control operations begin today in the City of Grande Prairie

The City of Grande Prairie is starting its annual mosquito control operations today, to help reduce mosquito populations and help residents make the most of warm weather.

Work begins in spring and can continue through to September depending on the weather. The program targets mosquito larvae in standing water using a product approved by Health Canada that is designed specifically to control mosquitoes.

Fairview RCMP executes search warrant in Blue Sky

On May 6, 2025, Fairview RCMP received a complaint regarding an assault with a weapon. The suspect was identified and, upon further investigation, it was discovered that the suspect may be in illegal possession of firearms. On May 7, 2025, members of the Fairview detachment executed a search warrant on two RV trailers and vehicles on a vacant property in Blue Sky, Alta., in relation to this assault.

As a result of the search warrant, the following items we seized:

Peace Regional RCMP lay firearm charges after traffic stop

On May. 7, 2025, Peace Regional RCMP were conducting proactive patrols, in the area of 100 Ave around 11:00 P.M., when the member noticed a vehicle traveling where the owner is known to be on curfew conditions.

A traffic stop was initiated and RCMP located a sawed-off shotgun in the vehicle

Kaitlin Sinclair (22), a resident of Peace River was arrested for unsafe storage of firearm, unauthorized possession of firearm in motor vehicle, unauthorized possession of a firearm, as well as her warrant for possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.

Confirmed cases of measles in Grande Prairie and Valleyview

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has been notified of a person with confirmed measles in the North Zone who has been in a public setting while infectious. Additional locations may be released if necessary.

Individuals who were in the following location during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles:

Location:
Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Obstetrics Unit
11205 110 Street
Grande Prairie, AB

T8V 4B1

Exposure time periods:

'I wouldn't be here without God': American Idol contestant advances with a mission to minister

An American Idol contestant, unashamed of her faith, has reached the top 7.

Breanna Nix, whose goal is to save souls and sing to the bound and broken, says she gives all the glory to God. 

"I would not be here without salvation," said Nix in a Facebook live Thursday evening. "There have been so many times in my life when the devil taunted me with just being dumb, and I am so thankful that God has his hand on me and has kept me safe."

Alberta surpasses 300 measles cases as doctors warn of exponential increases

More than 300 people in Alberta have fallen ill from measles since March and a group of doctors are warning the virus could grow exponentially in the coming weeks.

The Alberta government is reporting 16 new measles cases to bring the province's total count to 313.

The rising number has prompted the association representing Alberta doctors to warn of an outbreak that could quickly reach the thousands.