FortSask

A lot of people are talking about the challenge this year of finding that Christmas turkey.

Darren Ferrance, Chair of the Turkey Farmers of Canada says the turkey industry was hit hard by avian influenza.

He says they had 46 cases of avian influenza reported in commercial turkey operations, which resulted in the loss of 991 thousand birds.

"In Canada, at the end of November the losses are totalling about 12 and a half million kilograms due to AI, and on the Prairies, that's about 5.6 million kilograms.

There's a lot of discussion around the Federal Governments move to introduce amendments to Bill C-21 that would also result in banning several types of hunting rifles. 

Conservatives MP for Cypress Hills-Grasslands Jeremy Patzer says it's not based on any evidence.

"The claim from the government is that they're only trying to ban semi-automatic firearms that can receive a cartridge that can hold more than five rounds. But what we're seeing is there's a lot of single-shot firearms in there. There's a lot of your regular hunting rifles that are part of this ban."

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested a woman for several offenses, including running from police, and a string of thefts.

On Tuesday (Dec. 13), police say they noticed a U-haul driven by Crystal Hee, a 24-year-old woman that was wanted for several crimes. Police allegedly tried to stop the U-haul but it fled.

The vehicle was found parked by Mounties soon after.

Hee was arrested and charged with two previous thefts in Fort Saskatchewan, as well as one in Chipman where she was said to have been driving a stolen vehicle.

An Alberta mountain town has passed a bylaw banning smoking and vaping in most public places.

Banff's bylaw, which comes into effect in February, prohibits tobacco smoking and vaping in its municipal parks and green spaces, on trails and pathways, and at outdoor markets and events. It also covers bus stops, public sidewalks and in proximity to children.

"Making Banff smoke-free in public places is an effort to help residents and visitors to enjoy Banff without the health risks of second-hand smoke," Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno said in a statement Wednesday.

Whether it's flowers and cookies or board games and jewelry, there's a business downtown for everything.

Businesses all over downtown Fort Saskatchewan are staying open later to help bring people to the area.

"People keep talking about that they want to be able to shop downtown," said Erin Brush Duncan, economic development officer with The City of Fort Saskatchewan. "When you're working your standard hours it's kind of hard for people to come and find those open businesses."

You'll no longer have to deal with slower-than-usual speed limits on the new Highway 15 bridges. 

After completing all the necessary work, speed limits going in and out of the city were set back to 70 km/h a few weeks ago. 

This isn't to say that all work on the bridge is done. 

On Wednesday (Dec. 14) the city of Fort Saskatchewan released a brief update on the construction surrounding the bridge. 

The trails underneath the bridge are still a work in progress with paving set to start in the Spring. 

A former Lamont Health Care Centre employee has been charged with knowingly disclosing health information.

On Friday (Dec. 9), Kathryn Starzynski pled guilty to taking photos of three long-term care residents back in 2019.

She took a photo of a resident using a 'bug-eye' filter before sharing the photo with a friend.

She shared two other photos on social media accounts.

Taking photos of patients is in violation of the Health Information Act, which states that disclosing health information (including pictures) is a punishable offence.

Two ice slides have returned to Fort Saskatchewan for the season.

These slides, located at West River's Edge and the Rotary Amphitheatre, were completed last week. 

"People will be able to climb the ice steps and then slide down the great big ice slide," said Jenelle Hart, parks services supervisor with the city. 

These slides were made of ice to serve as a natural alternative to something like plastic.

Councilor Birgit Blizzard made a post to the Fort Sask Informed Facebook group to share the news of the slides being open.

A local car racer has hit the big time. 

Fort Saskatchewan native, Alana Carter, will be spending some time in Europe next year after winning a Formula Women competition. 

Just 23 years old, Carter got her start in racing in the community, having cut her teeth in dirt racing before eventually transitioning into circuit racing just last year. 

"I got into it all because of my dad," said Carter. "I realized that I wanted to go further with this sport but there is a lot less funding in the oval track and dirt track world." 

Since the new medical clinic opened in Fort Saskatchewan, many are wondering if it's truly a walk-in clinic.

Other ‘walk-in’ clinics in the Fort have had to make their clinics appointment only in the midst of fewer staff and more patients.

The staff at the new Westpark Shoppers Drug Mart clinic confirmed they are available for walk-ins as well as by appointment.

However, with the clinic being steadily busy after opening last week, staff suggest booking an appointment for shortest wait times. 

The clinic is pharmacist lead and does not have a doctor.