FortSask

A group of researchers is looking at how best to make a dent in a resistant weed population that's a concern for prairie farmers.

Kochia is a weed that has exploded with herbicide resistance, often times not being affected by glyphosate and group 2 herbicides such as dicamba.

That's why researchers are looking at what the best method is to get rid of that weed before they become a serious adversary for farmers.

Shannon Chant, a Crops Extension Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture, details the three practices they studied during their research.

The federal government has announced they'll be investing in the welfare of animals, and the tracking of said welfare.

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced nearly $3 million to three national organizations which will enhance animal welfare and tracking in the country.

The District of Redwater Fire Department is now accepting applications for new paid on-call firefighters.

Applicants must be 18 or older, all personal safety equipment will be provided, and no previous experience is necessary.

You must be available 2-3 hours weekly for training/practice nights and at least one Saturday per month during formal training sessions.

One person has died, and another is critically wounded following an incident northeast of Redwater on Monday (Aug. 8).

Just before 7:30 a.m. Monday morning, St. Paul RCMP responded to a call of a possible attempted abduction in Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Upon police arrival, an “interaction” occurred, and the two suspects, a male and female, took off in a red pickup truck.

RCMP say the two had been suspects in several ongoing police investigations.

Canadian Blood Services is calling on donors to book and keep appointments as it faces a decrease in collections.

The organization said Monday it currently has only four days worth of O+ blood type supply and five days worth of O- and B- blood types, along with six days worth of A- blood type and seven days worth of A+ and B+ blood types.

Spokeswoman Delphine Denis said collections have been steadily decreasing since July 1.

Denis said the blood-collecting agency closely monitors the days of the available blood supply.

This afternoon (August 8), Fort Saskatchewan RCMP with the assistance of Strathcona County RCMP, were able to identify the vehicle and driver from the July 21 bridge collision.

Last month a large vehicle struck the pedestrian bridge on Highway 15 just before the turnoff to 95 Street. 

On August 4, RCMP obtained footage of the vehicle which helped them track down the driver.

"Fort Saskatchewan RCMP wish to thank the public and the media for their assistance," police said in a statement. 

The investigation remains ongoing.

Police have tracked down two suspects connected with an attempted abduction.

Just before 7:30 a.m. on Monday (Aug.8), RCMP were called to a possible abduction on Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Upon officers' arrival, the two suspects fled from police in a red pickup truck.

The male and female suspects, believed to have been armed and dangerous, were later located in the Smoky Lake area, approximately 40 minutes northeast of Redwater.

On Friday (Aug. 5), the Sherwood Park Rotary Club named Charlie Teeuwsen 'Rotarian of the Year.'

Raised in Strathcona County, Teeuwsen first joined a Rotary Club in Grand Prairie in the late 1980s.  

"I first joined Rotary in Grand Prairie as a way to get involved in the community," explained Teeuwsen.

After moving back to the local area, he joined the Sherwood Park Rotary club in 2000.

Nearly 800 weed-eating goats have descended upon the banks around West River's Edge.

These goats, along with the famous Fort Saskatchewan sheep, are part of the city's environmentally friendly approach to weed and grass management. 

The biggest difference between the two grazing methods is that the sheep use a continuous grazing model, and the goats target specific areas for a set amount of time. 

RCMP stopped an impaired woman driving at dangerous speeds over the weekend. 

Just after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 6), a member of the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP caught a small passenger vehicle travelling at 193 km/h on Highway 16 at Range Road 192, just east of Elk Island National Park in Lamont County.

As the investigation progressed, police also determined that the driver was impaired by alcohol, and a child was in the passenger seat.

A 47-year-old Edmonton woman was charged with speeding and summoned to mandatory court.