FortSask

Premier Danielle Smith has struck a committee to investigate how the Alberta government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has appointed former Reform Party leader Preston Manning to chair it.

Smith said Thursday that Manning and the panel are to take feedback virtually from experts and the public, then issue a final report and recommendations by Nov. 15.

Manning is to pick the other panel members subject to approval by Smith.

The budget is $2 million, and Manning is to be paid $253,000.

It's well known that HBO's series The Last of Us was filmed in Alberta, but did you know a Fort Saskatchewan artist helped with the effects?

Travis Shewchuk with Ravenous EFX has been making professional props for TV shows and movies for years in the community. 

His work can be seen in shows such as Fargo, Stargate, Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Disney's Togo. The latter two were also filmed in Alberta.

One of his recent projects was doing work for the first season of The Last of Us.

It's been a busy week for Prairie Gardens. 

Tam Andersen and the rest of the team have seen a whopping 18 baby lambs come into the world, and they aren't finished yet. 

"My little sheep flock has increased from six sheep to forty sheep now," laughed Andersen. "[On Wednesday] we had six baby lambs which is a record for us all in one day!" 

"There were several sets of twins and a couple of other sweet little ones." 

The flock has been keeping warm this winter in a 1918 hip-roof barn. A barn that is expected to get a bit more crowded over the coming weeks. 

Today holds some historical significance for Fort Saskatchewan. 

On January 19, 1955, prisoners at the Fort Saskatchewan provincial prison rioted due to the poor quality of food being served to them. 

The riot apparently erupted in the bakery section of the prison. The prisoners then started a fire that engulfed that section of the prison. 

The town of Bruderheim is saying goodbye to one of its most prominent community leaders. 

Patty Podoborozny, the town's Chief Administrative officer (CAO) for the last seven years, will be leaving her role to become the CAO for the County of Minburn, which is closer to her family. 

"It was a very difficult decision to make,” says Podoborozny. “I have a strong connection to the Town of Bruderheim and the people that live, work and play here, but I need to be closer to home in Vegreville for aging parents."

With inflation and a steady rise in rent, how does this affect vacancy rates in Fort Saskatchewan?

Jarett Johnson, a local realtor, says that it's hard to find accurate vacancy rate information that's current.

"I use the term 'vacancy rate', but in my head, I think 'What is the rate of properties that are not rented yet?'" Johnson said. "The actual reality is the Fort Saskatchewan rental market is extremely strong and has been for five to fifteen years."

Farmers are busy pricing out and lining up crop inputs for spring seeding.

The rising cost of fertilizer and supply chain challenges has been an increasing concern for producers, especially over the last couple of years.

StoneX is a global financial services organization focusing on commercial hedging, global payments, securities, physical commodities, foreign trade and clearing and execution services.

Josh Linville, vice president of Fertilizer at StoneX says when it comes to fertilizer this year, he doesn't believe we'll see a supply shortage.

Fort Saskatchewan Senior High School has all sorts of sports teams. Whether it's Basketball, Volleyball, or Football, they have it all.

Now they've gotten themselves into the E-Sports scene.

The team, simply called Sting ESports, was formed at the beginning of the school year by students in Fort High's leadership class.

The team had their first competition on Tuesday (Jan. 17) against Marion M. Graham Collegiate in Saskatoon.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba appeared before the Federal Court this week to intervene in a judicial review of the Vancouver Port Authority’s new gateway infrastructure fees.

The fees which increased January 1, 2023 range from eight to 40 cents per tonne for bulk, non-containerized cargo, including potash and grain.

As a result of the increase, a number of companies, are seeking a judicial review of the decision.

A local distillery is hitting the skies. 

The Fort Distillery has teamed up with Porter Airlines to serve their signature Tumbler & Rocks pre-mixed cocktails on all long-haul flights. 

Nathan Flim, the founder and president of the Fort Distillery, is ecstatic about the opportunity. 

"We're extremely excited about this deal," said Flim. "It's really exciting for us to be able to expand outside of the borders of Alberta and into other provinces and into the U.S." 

"This airline deal is kind of like a dream come true."