FortSask

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.

Not everyone is thrilled with the announcement that a 20-acre, $270 million shopping center will be built just north of Highway 21. 

Reactions from residents voice many concerns, with most being unhappy about the location. 

"With all of the empty spots in town for lease why would you not want to fill those first before building another giant monstrosity that is going to probably sit half empty," said Miranda Garritsen 

Others think that downtown should be getting more support. 

Sturgeon County residents should expect to pay more taxes starting next year. 

The county council approved a more than $76 million multi-year budget on Tuesday (Dec. 13) that included a 3.9 per cent tax rate increase. 

Mayor Alanna Hnatiw says the tax hike was caused by factors largely out of their control. 

"This year, we faced several budget challenges that meant supporting our current service levels required a tax increase," said Hnatiw. "[With the] increase in fuel costs, increase in the inflation for wages, the 3.9 [per cent rise] is what we landed on." 

Staff at Sky Hy Pizza & Donair got quite the surprise earlier this week. 

Two longtime customers, Chris Guy and Clayton Harrison, showed off their brand-new tattoos to show off their love for the pizza joint. 

Guy's tattoo says 'Sky Hy till I die' while Harrison's has a skull saying 'SkyHy 4 life'. 

Guy says the idea to get the tattoos came out of the blue. 

"Me and Clayton were talking, we do enjoy our donairs and have been friends for 20 years," said Chris. "We figured we'd get something together and we decided to get [the tattoos]."