FortSask

Nothing helps cool off on a hot summer's day than standing in the midst (or mist) of a firehose.

Last Tuesday (Aug. 16), the Strathcona County Fire Department set up at Broadmoor Lake Park as part of their 'Firetruck Spray Park' event. Firefighters sprayed water down from the top of their ladder -- they even let the kids use their firehose. 

The fire department started mobile Firetruck Spray Park events last summer, however, with the turnout being so-so, the department decided to go with a fixed location.

The Western Canadian Agribition began ticket sales this week, as the 51st annual event is coming up later this year. 

That'll be beginning on Monday, November 28, with the opening ceremonies being held at 10. That'll last all week until the closing date December 3.

A strong year is expected following the troubles that have plagued events over the past two years, with sales since Monday indicating there's plenty of interest.

Shaun Kindopp is the new CEO of the Western Canadian Agribition, having been named to the position back in July.

A festival celebrating local produce is taking place this weekend.

The Fort Saskatchewan Harvest Festival will be back at Legacy Park on Saturday after a two-year hiatus (Aug. 27). Everything is ready to go, according to organiser Dennis Stelmack who noted the community's support and sponsorship of the event have been "overwhelming."

"With school starting right now, we feel that we're going to get a crazy turnout, which is fantastic," said Stelmack.

The number of monkeypox cases reported globally dropped by 21% in the last week, reversing a month-long trend of rising infections and a possible signal the outbreak in Europe may be starting to decline, according to a World Health Organization report issued Thursday.

Canada's immigration minister now projects it will take a few months longer than originally hoped to get application wait times back on track.

Sean Fraser promised in January to eliminate backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by the end of the year.

That was before Canada launched a major response to the refugee crisis sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

Frasier says that effort has contributed to longer waits for people who want to come to Canada.

Incoming Supreme Court of Canada judge Michelle O'Bonsawin, poised to become the first Indigenous member of that bench, says she's a "tell it like it is person" and a lifelong student.

In O'Bonsawin's first public appearance since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated her for the position last week, she said she believes her life experience as an Indigenous person, a Franco-Ontarian and someone who grew up in rural northern Ontario will serve her well on the court.

Alberta Health Services' Facebook page seems to have been hacked.

On Tuesday afternoon, gameplay from the popular game DOTA 2 was live-streamed for several hours.

Soon after it ended, AHS posted to social media saying the page had been breached and that they had contacted Facebook to find a solution.

The City of Fort Saskatchewan is showing its solidarity with Ukraine.

In honour of Ukraine’s 31st Independence Day (Aug. 24), Fort Saskatchewan raised the Ukrainian flag to show its support for the country. Exactly six months ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The flag can be found in the CN train station’s parking lot. 

“Russia’s war against Ukraine has accounted for many lost lives, damaged infrastructure and displaced Ukrainians,” wrote the city in a post on social media.

An attraction in Sturgeon County has been ordered to halt some of its operations. 

Last Wednesday (Aug. 17), Sturgeon County notified Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm that a stop order issued last October remains in full force due to non-compliance issues. 

A statement from Sturgeon County says the notice was delivered as a result of "ongoing" and "significant" public safety concerns, as well as a failure to comply with submission deadlines, occupancy limits during certain hours, and parking, traffic, and access improvements requirements.

City officials say it will take a few weeks to complete repairs on the Highway 15 pedestrian bridge once construction begins on Sept. 6.

Access to the bridge has been restricted since a vehicle carrying an oversized load struck the bridge on Jul. 21.

The city has revised the completion date as the settling time wasn't initially included; repairs to the bridge should be completed within four to six weeks, weather permitting.