FortSask

A popular local Halloween attraction is returning.

Howlleen Manor (8413 99 Avenue) will open to the public from Oct. 28 to 31.

Trina Lawrence's husband, Don, started Howlleen Manor in their yard fifteen years ago. The family moved to Fort Saskatchewan in 2004 from the west end of Edmonton where they also used to do a haunt in Callingwood.

The tour involves actors, moving props, and an ever-changing layout.

The manor is open: 

The Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre opened earlier this month.

The facility is part of the Olds College of Agriculture and Technology and was made possible, in part, by the generous support of Dave Werklund and Sue Norman-Werklund.

The couple are community leaders and dedicated philanthropists.

The building is named after them in recognition of their leadership and investment that has helped to transform the College into one of Canada’s premiere agriculture and agri-food learning and research institutions.

The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP caught another driver in a hurry on Friday (Sept. 23). 

While conducting traffic enforcement on Highway 15 between Highway 37 and Old Fort Trail, police caught a Toyota car going at extreme speeds while passing a motorcycle. 

RCMP used radar to confirm that the driver was going 185 km/h in a 100km/h zone. 

After conducting a traffic stop it was found that the driver was a 58-year-old man who was wanted out of Edmonton for a similar offence. He was arrested and then later released on a summons to appear in court in October. 

The labour and delivery unit at the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital is up and running. 

They last closed in early September due to staffing shortages but have since reopened. 

Updates on the status of the unit can be found on the Alberta Health Services website.

The unit also closed for a couple of weeks in August. 

Committee Chair Rob Black says this is the second study on this topic, the last study was done in 1984.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry launched a new study into soil health in Canada this week.

Black notes in 1984 that report was groundbreaking but things have changed in 38 years.

STARS responded to a workplace emergency in Fort Saskatchewan on Thursday (Sept. 22). 

The incident took place at a local trucking and delivery service company after equipment tipped over and severely injured one man. 

The man was air-lifted to a hospital in critical condition. There have been no updates on his condition. 

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety is currently investigating the incident and will not provide any further information at this time. 

RCMP responded to a bomb threat at a Sherwood Park Dollar Tree on Monday (Sept. 19). 

At about 1:30 p.m. police were called to the store after staff found a note inside a wooden box that indicated a bomb had been planted somewhere inside the building. 

Police evacuated the Dollar Tree and the neighbouring Value Village to conduct a search and found that there was no bomb. 

There is no indication of who wrote the note or how long it had been there before it was discovered. 

It's that time of year again for Fort Saskatchewan's annual Toxic Waste Round-Up event.

One day every year, residents are able to drop off their hazardous waste and electronics for free at the Public Works Yard on 88 Avenue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year, the event will go on Sept. 24. 

From household chemicals like disinfectants, bleach, and pesticides, to items such as empty propane bottles and batteries, the safe disposal of hazardous waste helps reduce a carbon footprint and stay environmentally friendly.

The outlook for food and beverage processors remains positive amid economic conditions that have shifted from the start of the year, according to the Food and Beverage Report mid-year update from Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

Year-over-year sales growth is expected to slow in the second half of the year to six per cent from 12 per cent in the first half, finishing the year at nine per cent. 

Even though summer is over, construction is still going strong in Southfort.

Greenfield Way is receiving raised crosswalks, bumped-out intersections, and a speed limit reduction to 40 km/hr in residential areas.

This project has been discussed for several years. It was initiated by a group of residents concerned about increasing traffic volume, speed, and incidents of reckless driving.

“Our street is used as a racetrack, a bypass road, and a detour road to avoid the traffic lights on Southfort,” said resident Vance Mauger.