FortSask

The Federal Government will open a new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office.

The news was part of the wrap up comments following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leader's Meeting in Thailand. 

$31.8 million to establish Canada’s first agriculture office in the region to increase and diversify agriculture and agri-food exports to the Indo-Pacific, strengthening trade on both sides of the Pacific.

As Alberta settles into what has been described as a 'severe' flu season, local elementary schools are already feeling its effects. 

According to Elk Island Public School's website, the following schools are currently in outbreak status: 

• Davidson Creek Elementary (Sherwood Park) 
• James Mowatt Elementary (Fort Saskatchewan)

A school is considered to be in outbreak status if 10 per cent of the student population is absent due to illness. 

A holiday staple is set to open up next month. 

Edmonton's Candy Cane Lane will officially get going on December 10 with an awe-inspiring display of holiday lights supplemented by other attractions such as fire pits and sleigh rides. 

The must-see attraction is located on 148 Street and runs from 99 Avenue to 92 Avenue with nightly showings starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m.

Candy Cane Lane is free for people hoping to get into the holiday spirit, but they strongly encourage bringing a non-perishable donation to Edmonton's Food Bank. 

The Color and Brooke Nicholls are warming up to lead Albertans in Christmas celebration and worship.

Fresh off their No Greater Love Tour across Western Canada, these recent Juno-winners are in the midst of a whirlwind that’s not letting up just yet.

“We had a lot of fun reconnecting with people, sharing music from our new record that won a Juno this past spring,” shares Jordan Janzen of The Color. “Now we’re getting ready for this big tour with Brooke.”

Environment Canada (EC) has issued a freezing rain warning for the region.

The weather agency says a mix of rain and snow with patchy freezing rain will begin this evening. The precipitation will end early Monday morning.

Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.

"Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions," EC said in a release.

Freezing rain warnings are issued when rain falling in sub-zero temperatures creates ice build-up and icy surfaces.

The final sprint is on at the Public Order Emergency Commission, which has already heard from more than 60 witnesses over five weeks on the government's response to last winter's "Freedom Convoy" protests.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and seven cabinet ministers will appear this week before the inquiry tasked with scrutinizing their decision to invoke the Emergencies Act in response to weeks-long demonstrations that overran downtown Ottawa and choked several border crossings.

Kyla Rose was still a few months away from being born the last time Canada played in the FIFA World Cup in 1986. 

On Wednesday, when the men's national team makes its first appearance at the tournament in 36 years, facing off against second-ranked Belgium, she's taking the day off work to watch with her parents and friends at a North Vancouver sports pub.

"I've waited my whole life for this as a soccer fan," she said. "I want to really experience being able to watch Team Canada play in a World Cup game with other fans, not just from my office or at home by myself."

A person was killed in a garage fire in Fort Saskatchewan over the weekend. 

The Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department and RCMP responded to the blaze in the Sherridon area on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 19).

Police say that local firefighters were successful in containing the blaze and discovered a dead body after entering the garage. 

The identity of the deceased has not been released. An autopsy is expected to be performed on Tuesday to determine the cause of death. 

Police are working together with a fire investigator to determine the cause of the blaze. 

The proposed 2023 budget for Fort Saskatchewan has a few implications for the local fire department. 

Two new changes to the department were outlined in the document, the first proposes that two new full-time positions are added while the second is asking for a second complete set of bunker equipment, which will add up to about 40 more sets of individual equipment. 

Darrick Graff, the president of the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Fighters Association, says that the two new full-time positions won't necessarily add more firefighters to the overall staff. 

A new playground has finished construction in downtown Fort Saskatchewan, but this one has a catch -- it's all made from natural materials.

The Fort, which finished construction on Thursday (Nov. 17), is in the middle of its final inspection with an expected opening day of Tuesday (Nov. 22). The playground is located next to the Fort Heritage Precinct.

According to Jenelle Hart, parks services manager with The City of Fort Saskatchewan, studies show that kids need to get out and play in natural areas.