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SASKATOON — Canada has far fewer green peas than the government is reporting, says an analyst.

“Purely from a price perspective, markets believe the Canadian harvest was smaller than estimated by Statistics Canada,” Stat Publishing noted in a recent article.

Using crop insurance data, a “strong argument” can be made that growers planted 358,000 acres of green peas last year, well below Statistics Canada’s 463,000-acre estimate.

Stat believes the area has been over-reported since 2021.

Root rots are the number one disease issue for pulse crops, significantly impacting pea and lentil fields across the Prairies.  Studies show that the disease which thrives in warm, wet conditions can cause a yield loss of anywhere from 60 to 84 percent.

Last year, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture conducted a pulse disease survey, which focused on the root rot disease complex.

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) encourages residents to take part in Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week), May 4 to 10, by reviewing your emergency plans, understanding local risks and making sure you are ready for any unexpected small or large-scale emergencies.

A fire ban is now in effect for the City of Grande Prairie, including annexed rural areas, as of 9 a.m. on Monday, May 5 due to extreme fire conditions.

Permitted activities:

·Propane and natural gas barbecues.

·Propane and natural gas firepits.

·Propane and natural gas appliances.

·Indoor wood fireplaces.

·Wood pellet smokers and barbecues with safety shut-off.

·Open flame oil devices (including tiki torches).

Prohibited activities:

·Open burning.

Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) is thrilled to partner with Saddle Hills County to provide additional mental health support to its most northern students. To increase access to mental health supports, Saddle Hills County Council has committed to providing funding in the amount of $112,500.00 for an additional Outreach and Mental Health Professional.

On Sunday, April 13, 2025, at approximately 4:22 a.m., Grande Prairie RCMP received a report of theft of a Ford pick-up in progress. The owner had stopped at a gas station on the west side of Grande Prairie, came out to find someone attempting to steal his vehicle. The owner attempted to intervene and was subsequently dragged a short distance. The owner was uninjured but the vehicle and suspect got away. 

The Tim Tebow Foundation has partnered with the National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF) to help find and protect missing and runaway children around New York.

"So grateful that 71 missing and endangered children have been identified and are safe!" says Tim Tebow on Instagram. "So often when children run away, they don’t know the danger they’re running into — trafficking, exploitation, drugs, violence, criminalization."

The two organizations paired up to find children who had been reported missing, and were quite successful. 

Elevation Rhythm is gearing up to release their latest album. 

The band hopes their new project, Victory Lap, will provide listeners with a roadmap for the Christian life after they decide to follow Jesus.

Effective at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service will be issuing a Fire Ban for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley. The Fire Ban replaces the former Fire Restriction issued on April 30.  

Update: 8:30 May 6, 2025::

County Regional Fire Service crews remained on scene of the Deer Ridge Estates Wildfire overnight last night and into today, scanning the area with a thermal imaging drone and actioning hotspots. The wildfire continues to be classified as being held.