FortSask

Mayor Gale Katchur spoke about the criticism being received over the new shopping center.

The center, which will be built across the highway from Home Depot, is expected to be constructed over the next four to five years.

Some residents have taken to social media to voice their displeasure. 

"This will ruin the nice path that connects to all of the other paths. The paths and green spaces in Fort Sask are a big reason why a lot of people love this city," wrote Morgan Audrey Taylor in a Facebook comment.

A snow route parking ban goes into effect on Wednesday (Jan. 4) at 6 a.m. on all collector roads in Sherwood Park.

The ban applies to roads marked with permanent snow route signs. Vehicles must be removed to allow for safe snow removal.

If a vehicle isn't moved, police officers can issue a $250 ticket and tow the vehicle. 

Parking is permitted after the snow has been removed. 

However, school drop zones are being cleared overnight on Thursday (Dec. 29). No parking restrictions will be in place for the drop zones.

It was a pretty good Christmas weekend in the Fort. 

During a time when house fires are at one of their higher risks, the Fort Saskatchewan fire department didn't have to respond to many major calls. 

"Over the Christmas period, between 7 a.m. on December 23 to 7 a.m. on December 27, the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department responded to nine calls for service," said Jeffrey Fox with the department. "These calls ranged from medical assistance calls to alarm calls." 

There were two calls that did come in regarding structure fires over that time period. 

Bradley Robert Cochet.

If you've been wanting to show off your strength, you're in luck. 

The first-ever Battle in the Fort strongman competition will be taking place in Fort Saskatchewan on April 22. 

Resident Garry MacDonald, who is a veteran of the sport, created the event. 

"I've been competing in strongman [competitions] for going on six years now and I fell in love with the sport," said MacDonald. "I noticed that in the past few years, especially with COVID, it was really hard for us to get a variety of competitions, and no one was really taking charge."  

Premier Danielle Smith’s wood-panelled third-floor legislature office is bereft of bric-a-brac. 

There are no pictures, mementoes or books — only a small stack of Alberta sovereignty act bills perched on her desk. 

The décor is less by design and more by default.

“If I was spending a lot of time in the office, I wouldn’t be doing my job. I’ve got to meet a lot of people offsite and do a lot of work out there,” Smith said in a year-end interview. 

She laughed when recalling her attempts at personal touches.

Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk has commented on the most recent closure at the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital. 

Earlier this month, Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced that the obstetrics unit at the hospital would be closed between December 18 to 29 due to staff absences. 

This forced expecting parents to travel to the Sturgeon County Community Hospital in St. Albert. 

The New Year is just around the corner, and you can ring it in with some free family-friendly activities and entertainment.

On New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) from 4 to 8 p.m., Strathcona County is hosting its annual New Year's Festival at Festival Place. 

The festival starts with snowshoeing, crafts, and shinny hockey, with performances from fire dancers, figure skaters, and even an aerial artist.

Other festivities include hot chocolate and smores along with a classic winter treat, cabane a sucre.

A perfect new year's resolution has arrived for Strathcona County residents. 

The county was recently selected to host L'Ètape, a cycling event hosted by the Tour de France. 

The event is meant to help bring the experience of the Tour de France to everyday people. 

Michael Brown, the CEO of MB events, helped bring the event to the area. 

Fort Saskatchewan residents should expect a slight tweak to how they receive their property tax assessments. 

Last Wednesday (Dec. 21) the city sent out a notice that outlines a few changes to the property tax assessment and notification schedule. 

"It will be mid-February that property owners will receive the assessment notice for their property," said Trish Norman, revenue service coordinator with the city. "In the middle of May, they will receive the actual property tax notice." 

This is a change from the combined notices the city sent out in previous years.