FortSask

People who own a Dodge should make sure they are extra secure. 

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is warning the public after a series of thefts targeting high-end Dodge trucks and SUVs. 

At least 11 incidents involving the theft of these vehicles have been reported since the beginning of the month. Each theft involved at least one of the following 2021 and 2022 models of vehicles: 

With inflation, increasing energy costs, and supply shortages, Strathcona County says they’ve been looking for ways to keep property taxes as low as possible.

After budget deliberations on Thursday (Nov. 24), Strathcona County Council approved a 4.6 per cent tax revenue increase.

This is lower than the 5.5 per cent increase that was proposed in the budget earlier this month.

A single-family household that costs $431,000 will see an increase of $84 more a year for municipal services. 

Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers are gathering in Saskatoon this week for the National event.

The three-day event is being held in Saskatoon and includes a series of agriculture-related tours and a one-day conference.

The highlight of the event is the naming of this year's national winners when two of seven regional participants will walk away with the title.

It's a busy weekend in the area with no shortage of activities. 

Here are five must-attend events this weekend:

1. Lights Up!

On Friday night (Nov. 25), Fort Saskatchewan City Hall is hosting the annual Lights Up! celebration. The event runs from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free, and there are a bunch of indoor and outdoor holiday activities to participate in. 

Lamont County resident Terry Eleniak has been given the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award.

According to a post by the Lamont County Facebook page, Eleniak received the award "for his exemplary volunteerism and positive impacts."

Eleniak has always held a close relationship with the county.

"My great-grandfather was the first Ukrainian ever to come to Canada," Eleniak said. "I'm currently homesteading within the proximity of the original homestead."

Eleniak's homesteading stems from his love for agriculture that he discovered at a young age.

Unseasonably warm weather has thrown off the usual winter season, with positive temperatures in the forecast that could be a concern for farmers.

They managed to get through a 2022 growing season that was somewhat fine, depending on what region you were in.

Now, the warmer temperatures will be taking away much of the snow cover that winter crops, such as winter wheat, rely on for protection.

Agrologist Edgar Hammermeister says that as a whole, this system isn't going to be too disruptive for those crops in the short term.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is bringing back its Toys for Tickets campaign.

From Nov. 14 to Dec. 16, people who have recently received an AHS parking ticket are able to donate a toy at any AHS parking office in lieu of payment.

“We paused the Toys for Tickets campaign during COVID-19 but, given its past success and positive reception, we are happy to launch it once again this holiday season,” says Nick Ternovatsky, Director of Parking with AHS.

Here are the criteria for toys that can be donated:

A STARS rescue helicopter responded to a two-vehicle collision on Wednesday (Nov. 23) night. 

The collision occurred around 6 p.m. on Highway 16 near Highway 834 north of Tofield. Westbound lanes were closed for a while after the accident but have since reopened. 

RCMP say the drivers of both vehicles were taken to the hospital via STARS. No further information on the injuries was provided. 

A collision reconstructionist responded to the scene of the accident and an investigation is ongoing. 

An update on the November 6 fire at the Morinville Plaza Hotel and Suites was provided by the town during Tuesday (Nov. 22) night's council meeting. 

During the meeting, it was reported that the entire hotel portion of the building was destroyed in the blaze. 

Apart from being a hotel, the building also served as low-income housing. In total, 27 residents were displaced from their homes. 

Family and Community Support Services is currently working with those residents to provide additional support and alternative housing. 

The ninth annual Community Christmas event will be taking place at the North Central Co-op food store on Tuesday (Nov. 29) in Fort Saskatchewan. 

The MIX 107 team will be at the store from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. chatting with listeners and helping to raise donations for the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank. 

"Community Christmas is a terrific initiative with the radio station and Co-op," said Kassandra Gartner, the executive director at the food bank. "Our volunteers are in store and there is a lot of spreading the word about what the food bank does and our Christmas campaign."