FortSask

If you want to visit Moraine Lake in 2023, you'll have to take a bus, bike or hike it.

Moraine Lake Road is now closed to personal vehicles year-round.

Parks Canada says their shuttles, Roam Public Transit and tour buses will only be allowed from June to mid-October.

According to the Government of Canada, traffic flaggers had to work 24 hours a day to manage the parking lots. They say that during the peak period over the summer of last year, the parking lot remained full for nearly 24 hours a day.

A parliamentary committee voted Monday to launch a study into the causes behind Canada's chaotic holiday travel season and to hear not only from industry giants, but also from some of the passengers who saw their plans upended. 

Members of the federal transport committee met to discuss the scope of the study, which all agreed was necessary given the widespread disruptions that plagued thousands of passengers who travelled by air and train last month and into January. 

Environment Canada has released a special air quality statement for Fort Saskatchewan and the surrounding area.

In a release on Monday (Jan. 9) afternoon, Environment Canada says stagnant weather conditions are causing pollutants at the surface to build up. This is creating poor air quality.

Poor air will persist throughout the week.

Symptoms one might experience include increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches, and shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with asthma are especially at risk.

A new Fort Saskatchewan walk-in clinic at the Westpark Shoppers is helping cut down wait times for people seeking healthcare. 

Yet, there is still some confusion about what constitutes a visit to the hospital as compared to a visit to the clinic. 

So, what can the pharmacist-led clinic do to help, and when would you have to go to a hospital instead?

Raj Bharadia, a pharmacist with the new clinic, says that there is no easy answer.

"Every patient case is so specific and different from each other," Bharadia said.

Residents living on the south side of Fort Saskatchewan noticed a developing building with a familiar exterior.

In a post made to the Fort Sask Informed Facebook page, a resident shared an image of the new development on 130 Southview Way, comparing it to a picture of the A&W on 88th Ave.

"Looking at the design on the front of this new building, I am suspecting it’s a new A&W," Mike Bennett wrote in his post to Fort Sask Informed.

The provincial government says monthly $100 affordability payments for families, seniors, and vulnerable Albertans are on the way.

Six months of the payments will begin through an application and distribution system.

“Our government is committed to keeping Alberta affordable. By the end of January, most Alberta seniors and families will be able to apply for and receive monthly affordability payments that will provide real relief and help to offset inflationary pressures," said Matt Jones, Minister of Affordability and Utilities in Alberta.

Orders are coming in from around the world for PIP International's new all-natural plant-based pea protein.

PIP International is an ag tech company based out of Lethbridge focusing in on pea processing.

CEO Christine Lewington says they've cracked the code and developed a pea-based protein that promises to revolutionize plant-based food products.

They've been able to remove the protein from the pea while leaving the starch and fibre behind.

Do you know everything that can go into Fort Saskatchewan's green organics carts? 

There are plenty of benefits to using organic carts for waste pickup. Not only does it help keep waste from landfills, but it helps keep your black garbage cart from filling up.

There are plenty of items that one might think go to either the garbage or recycling that are actually meant to go into the organic carts.

Here is a list of five things you wouldn't expect that go in the organics bin.

Protein Industries Canada (PIC) will start accepting "expression of interest" applications today for its new Artificial Intelligence Program. 

The industry continues to see a need for the adoption and use of artificial intelligence with its growth in Canada's  plant-based food, feed and ingredients sector.

The program was launched in 2022 and is focused on working with agri-food companies in the development of AI technology for their business.

The first round of applications saw a steady flow of intake, and projects which are currently under review for approval.

Farmers are busy reviewing seed test results and finalizing their cropping plans for the spring.

A key issue during the growing season is always weed control and its always important to pencil in some reserves just in case.

Weed Control Specialist Clark Brenzil says when thinking about weed control it's important to develop an integrated weed management system.

"Integrated weed management is the utilization of a broad range of agronomic practices in order to achieve your goal of weed control. Essentially it doesn't rely on any single one practice."