FortSask

Traffic delays caused many residents to miss this year's Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train stop in Josephburg on Dec. 9.

Strathcona County, the organizers of the Josephburg stop, are starting to come up with ideas to prevent something like this from happening again.

"Our biggest priority is safety," said Eiblis Doherty, economic development officer of tourism for Strathcona County. "There's a lot of cars that attempt to come into Josephburg in a very short time frame."

"There's always been traffic delays and parking issues for the event."

Have you been downtown lately? 

Since November, a Fort Saskatchewan downtown action plan has had local businesses staying open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays to help people get to know them ahead of Christmas. 

One of those businesses, Caught In The Cookie Jar, opened up in the city about five years ago and moved into a bigger location in the downtown core just two years ago. 

It's beginning to look a lot like PIZZA!

Congrats to Ms. Foster's Grade 1 class at SouthPointe School! They are the MIX 107 Classroom of the Month for December!

2022 was a busy year for the CCHA.

The Canadian Crop Hail Association says with increasing input costs, inflation and stronger crop prices farmers bought a record-setting $10 billion in insurance coverage.

Insurance payments to prairie producers topped $265 million with producer premiums totaling more than $375 million. 

The CCHA reports Alberta was the hardest hit with an industry loss ratio of 98 percent, compared to 2021’s 97 percent. 

Saskatchewan had a 68 percent loss ratio, compared to 133 percent in 2021.  

Multiple vehicles were involved in a crash on Highway 16. 

Alberta 511 reported the collision just after 8 a.m. on Friday morning (Dec. 16). 

It occurred in the eastbound lanes of Highway 16 where the road intersects with Highway 834. 

At about 9:30 a.m. the road was reported to have been cleared with no more delays in place. 

At this time, the nature of how the crash happened and the extent of the injuries are unknown. 

More to come...

Strathcona County RCMP is investigating an increase in mail thefts around the area. 

Police say that they have noticed a large number of incidents involving small parcels and cards being stolen from rural community mailboxes in the county. 

Constable Chantelle Kelly wants residents to take extra precautions to make sure they don't become victims this holiday season. 

A collision is causing delays on Highway 21 this morning (Dec. 16). 

Alberta 511 is reporting that the collision is located on the highway at Township Road 510 north of Looma. 

The highway was down to one lane for a time but has since been cleared.

More to come...

Expect to see some prices rise next year. 

On Tuesday (Dec. 13) Fort Saskatchewan city council approved the 2023 budget during their regular council meeting.

The operating budget includes an expected 3.05 per cent property tax increase.

“Council approved budget while facing unprecedented inflationary pressures," said Mayor Gale Katchur. "Our goal was to ensure existing programs and all services are maintained at the high level our citizens have come to expect while keeping the property tax increase to a minimum."

It seems like things are going smoothly at Fort Saskatchewan's newest walk-in clinic. 

After opening last Friday (Dec. 9), things have been steady as residents try to take advantage of the new resource. 

Owner Raj Bharadia is excited that the community is embracing them early on. 

"The first week of us being open has been fantastic," said Bharadia. "Over the week we have seen over 130 patients in the clinic."

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP had to use a spike strip to stop a local man on a car chase. 

On Tuesday (Dec. 13), police say they responded to a stolen vehicle report in Bruderheim. Mounties found the vehicle a short time later in Fort Saskatchewan.

RCMP reportedly tried to stop the vehicle, but the suspect took off at a high speed. 

With the assistance of specialized units and RCMP from Morinville, Redwater, and air services, police were able to stop the suspect with tire spikes.