FortSask

A good samaritan from Fort Saskatchewan helped return a mobility scooter to its rightful owner.

Brady Smith, a Fort Saskatchewan resident, was driving through town when he noticed the scooter in the industrial area of the city.

"I didn't really think too much of it," said Smith. "On my way back from Lamont I was surprised that it was still there."

Smith first thought that the scooter had been stolen, contacting the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP about the situation, who told him not to touch the scooter just yet.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Fort Saskatchewan and the surrounding area.

According to Environment Canada, dangerous thunderstorms may hit the area, producing strong wind gusts, hail, and heavy rain. There is also a slight chance of a tornado in the evening.

These hazards have the ability to damage property and cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.

Environment Canada asks that people continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by them.

Other areas affected by the watch include Sturgeon County and Sherwood Park.

Environment Canada has issued a tornado warning for north-central and south-central Alberta.

Meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that may produce a tornado alongside damaging winds, large hail, and intense rainfall.

Extra care and attention should be exercised in the following locations:

• O'Chiese
• Sunchild
• Drayton Valley
• Breton
• Alder Flats
• Winfield

Environment Canada asks that residents take cover if threatening weather approaches their area.

The Town of Morinville has made a last-minute location change for its yearly Canada Day celebration.

Due to the forecast reporting a 60 to 70 per cent chance of rain with the risk of thunderstorms, all Canada Day activities have been moved from the Ray McDonald Sports Grounds to the Morinville Community Cultural Centre.

The celebration will still take place between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

However, the new location does not seem to affect the activities, including live local music performances, inflatables, and a supersized coloring wall.

With the Canada Day weekend kicking off this evening, where in the area can you start a fire?

After a dry and hot start to the spring, many places in Alberta placed fire bans in effect to prevent fires from starting.

With the recent rain and cooler temperatures, there are no more fire bans in the area. However, there are a few places with fire restrictions and fire advisories.

It appears that the Canada Day long weekend could be a rainy one. 

Environment Canada is forecasting a bit of rain starting as early as today (June 30).

"We are seeing the possibility of some afternoon showers and thunderstorms for Friday afternoon and evening," said Samantha Mauti, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

"Showery for Saturday...Sunday looks pretty sunny." 

Some clouds are expected to roll through on Sunday night and carry over into Monday, which should have a mix of sun and cloud. 

The report provides an overview of how the organization worked to support the Canadian cereals value chain.

Board chair Jennifer Marchand says in 2022, Cereals Canada celebrated 50 years of providing both technical services to both domestic and international customers.

"Collaboration and connections have been pivotal to our success in the past year, and throughout the history of our organization."

In the 2022 growing season, Canadian farmers planted over 36 million acres of common wheat, durum, barley, and oats, meeting domestic and export demands. 

It's a big weekend all around the area - even for National Parks.

Admission will be free to all visitors at Elk Island National Park on Canada Day (July 1).

Although there are no special group activities or interpretation programs specifically for Canada Day, there will be a flag raising ceremony and free snacks.

The flag raising ceremony starts a noon in the Astotin Lake Recreation Area, where visitors can join in singing the Canadian National Anthem as the flag is raised in the park.

The snacks will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Despite the lack of any barricades, the Highway 15 pedestrian walkway has not officially opened.

According to the River Valley Alliance, the bridge is still under construction.

"It was supposed to be open now," said Makennah Walker, communications and marketing manager with the alliance. "But with all that heavy rain we had a week back, it delayed the construction."

Walker added that most of the work is being done on the Sturgeon County side of the bridge.

"They're still working on trail connections to the bridge."

Dry conditions in many areas of the prairies remain an issue.

Weekly crop reports focus on the ongoing impact of the hot, dry conditions, which resulted in some seeds not germinating, and now the fact that crop stress could result in lower-than-expected yields.

In some cases, crop stress has resulted in some durum fields starting to head out at only ten inches tall.

Crops are maturing rapidly and in some areas are short and thin, as are some hay fields.