Freezing rain warning in effect for Fort Saskatchewan area

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for the Fort Saskatchewan area on Thursday (Nov. 24) morning. 

The alert expects patches of freezing rain to fall on the following areas:

  • Fort Saskatchewan
  • Gibbons
  • Redwater
  • Bruderheim
  • Bon Accord 

The rain is expected to end sometime later this morning. 

Freezing rain could make road conditions hazardous. Environment Canada is urging people to take caution while on the roads and to drive to the conditions. 

2022 Harvest Sample Program extended

Farmers have more time to send in this year's harvest samples.

The Canadian Grain Commission has extended the Harvest Sample Program to December 30, 2022, due to the late harvest in some areas of the prairies.

The CGC's Chief Commissioner Doug Chorney says they extended the program so that as many producers as possible can take part in the program.

"Having quality results in hand before they deliver their grain will help inform their marketing decisions, while helping us share Canadian crop quality with the world.”

Canadian-Israeli teen killed in Jerusalem attack while on his way to seminary

A rabbi with a seminary in Jerusalem has identified a 16-year-old Canadian-Israeli student as a person killed in one of two blasts that went off near bus stops in the city. 

Rabbi Refaen Rockmill said Aryeh Shechopek was a very special student who is being mourned by his peers. 

"He was always smiling. Everyone loved him. Loved him. And he loved everyone else," Rockmill said Wednesday.

"He always did everything to try his best, and in getting on with life, and doing the right things and trying his best to be a good person."

Update: Two injured in Highway 16 collision

Emergency services responded to a two-vehicle collision near Elk Island National Park on Wednesday (Nov. 23) night. 

RCMP say the collision occurred around 6 p.m. on Highway 16 near Highway 834. Westbound lanes were closed on the highway but have now reopened. 

Police have reported that STARS air ambulance was called to the scene and two drivers were taken to hospital with injuries. There has been no word on the severity of the injuries. 

An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. 

Fans inspired despite Canadian loss in first World Cup appearance since 1986

For Canadian soccer fans, the excitement of seeing their country play in the men's World Cup for the first time in 36 years gave way to disappointment Wednesday as their team fell just short.

Even though the Canadians lost 1-0 to Belgium, many fans who gathered at watch parties across the country said they were inspired by the team's performance.

Felicia Wall, who was watching the game at Vancouver's Croatian Culture Centre with her brother Nik, said she was proud, despite the result.

Temperatures expected to near double digits today

After one of the coldest starts to November in decades, the weather looks like it's making up for the cold snap.

According to the forecast, Thursday (Nov. 24) is expected to reach a high of 9 C in the daytime. This is following a week of days with highs between 1 C and 5 C. 

Jesse Wagar, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, says that it's unusual to see temperatures this high so late in the month.

"It's significantly warmer than normal," Wager said. "Our normal around this time is below zero, around minus 3 C." 

High school volleyball provincials 'set' for Thursday

Four teams from local high schools will be chasing provincial championships this week. 

Provincial games will begin on Thursday (Nov. 24) and will include Salisbury Composite's highly ranked senior men's and women's teams as well as Strathcona Christian's senior men's and women's teams. 

Salisbury is expecting a lengthy run; their boys' team went undefeated in their season and is one of the favourites to win the provincial title. 

Both teams will be duking it out in the 4A division tournament. 

Bugles discontinued in Canada

Fans of the snack food Bugles are in for a disappointment.

On November 14, the official Bugles Twitter account confirmed that their products are no longer available in Canada.

Bugles are known for their cone-shaped appearance, commonly used by fans of the snack as "finger hats". Bugles are also a common ingredient in "Nuts n' Bolts", a roasted snack mix usually served around Christmas time.

Carmen Randell, a resident of Fort Saskatchewan, says that she hasn't had Bugles in years.

Calf prices have been holding fairly steady in Western Canada

Gateway Livestock cattle market analyst, Anne Wasko says when you look at the calf price right now it's about 20 to 30 per cent higher than a year ago.

She notes fed cattle producers and cattle feeders have been in a very disciplined perspective, as the Canadian fed cattle markets continue to have a wide or weak basis - which is how much our market is behind the US.

Wasko says that condition continues to persist even into the second half of November.

Food bank struggling with empty shelves

The Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank is noticing barer shelves than usual. 

It is normal for the holiday season to be one of the busier times of the year for the food bank, but with the cost of living skyrocketing in the past few months, the demand for their services has reached a new high. 

Kassandra Gartner, executive director of the food bank, says they are providing roughly 40 per cent more food hampers compared to last year.