FortSask

A couple from Fort Saskatchewan had an unexpected New Year's Day delivery. 

Zoë and Kyle Capuli welcomed a set of twins into the world on January 1, making them one of the first of 2023. 

According to Zoë, they had known about the twins for most of the pregnancy, but the fact that they came so quickly was very unexpected. 

"They were actually supposed to come at the end of March," said Zoë. "They're micro-preemies, they were 12 weeks early." 

"It was pretty surprising; we had no idea [they would come so quick]."

Airline passengers leaving China, Hong Kong and Macau will have to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test when they enter Canada starting today.

The Canadian government announced last week that the travellers would need a negative test administered within 48 hours of their departure as cases soar in China. 

Other countries, including the United States and several European nations, imposed similar rules despite protest from China. 

Nour Alideeb and her partner are trying to decide what to do with the hundreds of dollars they're now saving on child care for their two-year-old son.

Parents are seeing their child-care fees reduced by 50 per cent, on average, as part of the federal government's early learning and childcare agreements with provinces and territories. 

For Alideeb and her family in Mississauga, Ont., that means about $700 in savings each month. 

A local firefighter is being honoured. 

Elliott Davis, a Strathcona County firefighter, has been awarded with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal for his efforts in the community.

Davis received the award on Dec. 28 at the Strathcona County Council Chambers from Strathcona-Sherwood Park MLA Nate Glubish.

Davis says it was Glubish who nominated him.

"He's gone really out of his way to get some of our messages across," Davis said.

After a rather cold end of the year, the forecast is finally warming up.

With temperatures just under the freezing point on New Year's Day, it's looking like the next few weeks will be just as mild.

"Generally, this time of year our overnight lows are about -18 C, and our daytime highs are around -7 C," said Brian Proctor, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. "We're sort of floating right around that until we get into the weekend."

According to forecast data from Environment Canada, Saturday and next Monday are looking to reach into the positives at 1 C.

Water cooler talk for weeks was the difference between the Fort's gas prices when compared to the cost in Edmonton and Sherwood Park. 

Prices for regular fuel varied from a few cents more to, at times, 20 to 25 cents more per litre. 

According to Gasbuddy.com on Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 4), Fort Saskatchewan's prices are generally less than many gas stations in the surrounding area, including some Costco locations in Edmonton.

Here are the best prices around the region: 

A St. Andre Bessette teacher is taking home the title of 'coach of the year'. 

Ryan Gau was awarded the division four boys' volleyball coach of the year award by Metro Athletics. 

Gau coached the St. Andre Bessette senior boys' volleyball team this year, helping them get to the semi-finals.

"We had a good year," said Gau. "We had a great group of boys that worked hard, learned, were really committed and dedicated." 

"A lot of guys you can build your program around." 

Conservative Shadow Critic for Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Security John Barlow says their leader Pierre Poilievre has been talking about that on an ongoing basis.

He notes we also need to see affordability for the ag sector, adding there's a great deal of optimism, but producers need to be able to reach that potential.

On January 1, the Alberta Government paused the tax on fuel, which the UCP said would save Albertans 13 cents per litre on gas.

Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally says there will be big consequences for any companies found to be price gouging.

"We will keep a close eye on prices. Businesses found guilty of price gouging can be fined up to $300,000 or receive up to two years of jail time," he said.

Parents who are waiting for Alberta pharmacies and hospitals to restock on children's medicine won't have to wait too much longer. 

Last Friday (Dec. 30), Health Canada approved the importation of over five-million bottles of children's medicine purchased by the Alberta government from a Turkish supplier. 

This comes just under a month since Premier Danielle Smith announced the initial acquisition of the medicine on December 6. 

The announcement was a critical first step, but the medicine first had to be approved by Health Canada.