FortSask

A member of James Smith Cree Nation was wrongfully accused by RCMP of killing an individual during the stabbing attacks last month in the community and in the nearby village of Weldon, Sask. 

Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said evidence shows Damien Sanderson did not kill anyone during the rampage and was killed by his own brother.

Blackmore said Myles Sanderson killed Damien Sanderson and 10 others on Sept. 4. Eighteen people were injured. 

"Myles Sanderson committed all of the homicides alone," Blackmore said Thursday. 

Danielle Smith has won the United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership race.

Smith captured 53.8 per cent of votes on the final ballot and will be Alberta's next premier.

"I'm back!" the former leader of the Wildrose Party said in her acceptance speech.

Travis Toews finished second with 46.2 per cent of the vote. 

Smith will become Alberta's 19th premier, she replaces Jason Kenney who held the role for three years. 

According to the UCP, about 82,000 mail-in and in-person votes were cast. 

We have a raccoon sighting!

In a social post, city resident Ragan Suderman shared some pictures of the rodents from her house in Old Fort Saskatchewan. 

Suderman's footage shows three raccoons from early Wednesday morning (Oct.5).

While rare, and most active at night, the rodents are spotted from time to time in the area.

Raccoons feed on both vegetation and meat. Some of their favourites include fruits, nuts, amphibians, insects, rodents and bird eggs. At times, they've been known to scavenge human trash and snack on roadkill.

Even more farmers are recycling their used plastic containers this year, as Cleanfarm is continuing its recycling program.

Cleanfarm is a stewardship organization that operates across Canada. In the prairies, they work with around 800 collection sites to help out with operations.

The results from their latest news release show that more and more recyclables are being sent into the program.

Director of Stakeholder Relations and Policy Kim Timmer says that this year was their highest ever.

A vehicle rollover slowed traffic on Westpark Boulevard and Highway 21.

A blue SUV was lying on its side in the middle of the intersection for a short time on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 6), blocking southbound traffic.

Firefighters, police, and paramedics were there to assist the driver of the SUV, who was stuck inside the vehicle.

No word on the cause or the severity of the injuries. 
 

Residents around Gibbons may have heard what sounded like gunshots in the early afternoon of Wednesday (Oct. 5). These weren't bullets, but blanks. 

The Canadian Armed Forces have been in the town since Sept. 29 to practice a series of defense exercises and maintenance training. On Wednesday, they were practicing their Troops In Combat (TIC) exercise in Echo Glen Park.

A new playground is on the way at Our Lady of Angels School in Fort Saskatchewan!

The Fort Saskatchewan Catholic Parents Society (FSCPS) is the October winner for the Half Grand Helping Hand from MIX 107 and Southfort Chevrolet!

The group has been raising funds to replace the current outdated playground with a new and more age-appropriate setup for the elementary school. 

"There has been lots of fundraising and applying for grants," says Amber Eastman, vice-chair for the group. "If everything falls into place as we hope, we could start the build next summer."

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is clearing up some confusion regarding school buses. 

As we enter the second month of school, some people in Fort Saskatchewan have been curious about what is allowed when passing a school bus that's picking up or dropping off students. 

Not only do school buses in the community not have flashing lights but they also do not have stop-sign arms. 

Lisa Weder, the director of student transportation for EIPS, sheds some light on the situation. 

Hockey Quebec says it has lost confidence in Hockey Canada and will not transfer funds to the national organization, while a well-known Canadian brand extended its sponsorship boycott. 

Hockey Quebec confirmed to The Canadian Press that its board of directors adopted a motion Tuesday night stating it does not believe Hockey Canada's current structure can change hockey culture. The resolution was first reported by La Presse. 

The federal government has tabled a long-awaited plan in the House of Commons to improve access to diabetes treatment and prevention in Canada, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced Wednesday.

Liberal MP Sonia Sidhu called for the framework as part of a private member's bill that became law in 2021.

At the time, Diabetes Canada was clamouring for some kind of national vision to address the growing disease epidemic.