FortSask

Colton Dach has become a local celebrity. 

The former Fort Saskatchewan Ranger and now Canadian World Junior gold medalist, was at the JRC on Saturday (Jan. 7) to take in a U18 AAA Rangers game. 

Dach took part in a ceremonial face-off before the game and hung out with eager fans in the concourse, signing autographs and taking photos. Some were even lucky enough to hold Dach’s gold medal. 

It was a moment that Dach was happy to be a part of. 

Fresh off winning gold at the 2023 World Junior Championships, Colton Dach will now be suiting up for a different WHL team for the rest of the season. 

Dach was involved in a trade on Saturday (Jan. 7) morning that saw the Kelowna Rockets move the Fort Saskatchewan native to the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for Ty Hurley, Ethan Mittelsteadt, a first-round draft pick in 2024 and two conditional draft picks.

The deal comes days before the WHL trade deadline on Tuesday (Jan. 10). 

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP responded to a serious assault that seemingly occurred near a highway.

On Saturday (Jan. 7) morning at about 8:25 a.m., police were called to Highway 831 between Township Road 560 and Highway 29. 

Upon arriving at the location near Lamont, they found a man on the highway beside a vehicle. 

Emergency services responded and transported the man to the hospital with undetermined injuries. 

RCMP remained on the scene for several hours as they investigated. The road is now open. 

More to come...

Those looking to get some quick and easy winter fun now have another option to choose from. 

The Cardiff Park skating trail is now open for all ages to enjoy in Sturgeon County. 

The trail opened up back on December 20 and includes two looping trails that people can skate on. They also have a more traditional ice surface that can be used for more leisurely skates. 

The trail will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Darkness shouldn't be a problem as lights turn on at 4 p.m. every afternoon to make things that much better. 

The federal government says 1.8 million Canadians travelled to Mexico in 2022. Some of the more popular tourist spots include Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Mazatlan, Playa Del Carman and Puerto Vallarta.

Travel agents say direct flights from many locations and all-inclusive resorts are a major draw.

But, like other travel, it's not without risks.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office says he shared a call with King Charles that centred on environmental issues. 

Trudeau's office says he and the King discussed the COP15 biodiversity summit that was held in Montreal last month, where nearly 200 countries signed a landmark conservation agreement.

They also exchanged "ideas on tackling climate change and protecting the environment moving forward."

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP are looking for help finding the owner of two rings that were turned in.

On Dec. 30, police received a report for found rings. The rings were located near the Fort Saskatchewan Alliance Church on 93 Avenue.

The rings appear to be an engagement and wedding set.

RCMP are asking the owner to come forward. To confirm ownership, police ask to describe the way the rings were being stored.

A Fort Saskatchewan mother is passing on her love of ringette to her daughter. 

Courtney Liddle started playing ringette when she was about 5 years old back in the 1990s. 

"I played for about 15 years here in Fort Saskatchewan at all sorts of levels," said Liddle. "For such a small town, we have always had a really great ringette program here." 

Liddle now has a family of three kids, all of which are involved in sports. Her oldest daughter, Isla, is in dance while her son, Atticus, plays hockey. Liddle's youngest daughter, Maren, decided to take up ringette. 

Strathcona County will begin clearing snow off residential roads this weekend. 

The county says that priority four residential street clearing is set to start on Sunday (Jan. 8) at around 6 p.m. 

Orange signs will be posted in neighbourhoods indicating clearing dates in the areas. Residents will have to move their vehicles off the streets on the days that work is scheduled to be done. 

The provincial government plans on releasing more information on its inflation relief packages next week. 

In November, Premier Danielle Smith announced support for families, seniors, and vulnerable people to help deal with rising inflation. 

Those supports included $600 per child or senior living in the household for families with household incomes under $180,000. Payments would be spread out in $100 installments over six months. 

People who rely on AISH, Income Support, and PDD were also eligible to claim $600 over those same months.