FortSask

The Kovar family in Vegreville got the surprise of a lifetime last week. 

The family, who hails from Ukraine, moved to Canada in May to escape the ongoing war in the country. They consist of two parents, Olha and Roman Kovar, and three kids, Roman Oleh and Taras. 

Their ticket to Canada came in the form of third-generation relatives -- Carol Rudyk worked with her family to make sure the Kovars could seek safety in Canada. 

Bernadette Christie has had a front-row view of some of the biggest royal events of the last decade.

She has seen Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle walk into the church on their wedding days, watched Queen Elizabeth pass by in a golden carriage and met Prince William. Now, the 68-year-old from Grande Prairie, Alta., is camping in a tent for five nights in London to ensure she has the best spot outside Monday's funeral.

“I want a front-row seat, or else there's no point in putting all this effort in,” she said.

The smell of burning sage filled the banquet hall of an Edmonton hotel Wednesday as Indigenous elders, youth and women wearing colourful ribbon skirts listened to presenters at the first National Gathering on Unmarked Burials.

Reports from two days of sessions included information about archives, search technology and protecting burial sites.

Indigenous community members, federal ministers, and Catholic Church representatives responded to the reports with potential next steps.

A 16-year-old Fort Saskatchewan boy has been charged in relation to Wednesday's (Sept. 15) brutal group assault on a lone 18-year-old man. 

The boy is facing one count of assault and one count of failing to comply with a previous condition. 

Police were called to the area of 101 Street near 97 Avenue around noon after reports of the attack. 

A bystander intervened but the assailants continued to beat the victim. The group of boys eventually fled in a small red car before the police arrived. 

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP has charged a Sherwood Park man for an alleged sexual assault on a 12-year-old boy in a school parking lot.

At around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Sept. 14), police received a frantic phone call from a woman asking for assistance at the SouthPointe School parking lot. 

Upon investigation, RCMP found that a 12-year-old boy was being sexually assaulted in what was believed to be the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect fled the scene but his license plate number was identified. 

With harvest continuing in Canada, Statistics Canada has released its newest report on the estimates for many of the crops being grown.

This month's totals have come as many farmers are seeing an excellent end to a good growing season, with hot and sunny weather helping to dry out the crops.

The latest report takes that into account, as the previous August 29 report only recorded conditions up to July, with the new data going up to the end of August.

Most of the crops are seeing a slight bump in the yields that are being predicted thanks to the new report:

Canada is sending a handful of celebrities alongside its official delegation to the queen's state funeral Monday in London, England.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and their spouses are leading the delegation, which departs Friday, though it's unclear whether all guests will travel on the same aircraft.

The group will include former governors general Michaëlle Jean and David Johnston as well as former prime ministers Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper.

The tacit debate over the legacy of the Crown and Canada's future relationship with the monarchy began Thursday in the House of Commons as members of Parliament paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reminded the House of the enduring importance of the Crown as politicians of all political stripes rose in tribute to the queen during a special sitting of the House in recognition of her death last week.

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP responded to an assault on a teenager just before noon on Thursday (Sept. 15).

Police say the attack took place on 101 Street near 97 Avenue and involved several kids assaulting an 18-year-old man. 

A citizen who witnessed the assault intervened to help out the victim. Despite the intervention, the assailants continued with the attack and eventually fled in a small red car. 

The victim was taken to hospital by an ambulance and is being treated for unknown injuries. 

A local artist has created a beautiful work of art for an Edmonton brewery during the city’s annual Mural Massive festival. 

Meghan MacMillan, 38, was born and raised in Fort Saskatchewan. She says that her passion to be an artist dates back quite a long way. 

“I first decided to be an artist when I was six years old,” laughed MacMillan. “When I finished high school I went to art school because that was the only thing I could see myself doing and it’s still the only thing I can see myself doing.”