FortSask

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." 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

The victim of last weekend's garage fire in Fort Saskatchewan has been identified. 

On Saturday (Nov. 19) afternoon, emergency services were called to the Sherridon area after reports of a garage on fire. 

RCMP says that local firefighters were able to contain the fire but did discover the body of a man after entering the building. 

According to police, the man was 39 years old and a resident of the property. 

An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. Police still do not believe the situation to be suspicious. 

Agribition President Kim Hextall says they're excited to be back for another year, in person and with no masks. 

While the show has expanded over the years, the core of the show remains livestock. 

Hextall says Agribition is known for bringing together the best of the best in top quality livestock together in one location, and this year is no different.

Some Albertans will be getting help from the provincial government. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the Inflation Relief Act to help curb an increase in the cost of living. 

"We're facing a very difficult time as a country and a province," said Smith in a televised address. "We've been through a lot together these past three years, but still have many challenges ahead of us."

Bust out the mittens and get your skates sharpened, because a big event is coming to Gibbons this weekend.

Gibbons' annual Hometown Weekend takes place from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27 at several locations throughout the town. 

Over three days residents can enjoy a variety of activities from pancake breakfasts to skating on the ice with Santa Claus himself.

Eric Paterson, recreation and youth coordinator with the town of Gibbons says that some of the new additions to the weekend include youth bingo.

Canada's Outstanding Young Farmer's event welcomes industry representatives, alumni and OYF regional representatives from across the country.

The event gets underway on Thursday with a number of tours covering all aspects of agriculture from crop production to poultry, dairy and natural sciences.

Friday is the "Creating Change Through Policy" conference with presentations from all of the regional OYF representatives, then everything wraps up Saturday with more tours including a stop at Brandt Manufacturing.