FortSask

Tears streamed down Kim Phuc Phan Thi's face as she stood at the entrance to a plane set to carry Ukrainian newcomers from Poland to Canada last month.

The aircraft was emblazoned with a famous black and white photo of Phan Thi as a nine-year-old child – an image that made her known as the "napalm girl" – showing her naked, screaming and fleeing an attack during the Vietnam War.

Fifty years after that photograph was taken, Phan Thi found herself drawn to helping Ukrainians escape the war in their country for the safe haven of Canada, just as she had done decades ago.

New statistics show that police-reported extortion cases in Canada rose by nearly 300 per cent in the last decade, as the crime swelled online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These concerning increases are being facilitated by social media platforms and other electronic services providers," said Lianna McDonald, the executive director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, in a news release.  

"It should be a wake-up call."

The Redwater Transfer Station will reopen Wednesday (Aug. 3) after a fire forced a closure of the facility.

Last Monday, at around 10 p.m., a fire began in a tire stockpile section of the station known as the “tire bunker.”

“I think it was a resident driving by on the range road who reported it to 911,” explained Susan Berry, the Roseridge commission manager.

The transfer station closed immediately for site clean-up and an investigation of the cause. Currently, no cause has been determined.

A pair of drivers have a date in court after attempting to race down an area highway. 

On Sunday at around 12:30 a.m.(July 31), RCMP officers were conducting enforcement on Highway 21 near Township Road 542 when they noticed two cars that appeared to be street racing. 

"Two Hyundai automobiles appeared to be racing each other northbound on Highway 21 at high rates of speed," Fort Saskatchewan RCMP said. 

It takes more than a few dozen sheep to trim all of the grass on city properties.

The City of Fort Saskatchewan spends approximately $235,000 per year on lawn mowing. In 2021, the city spent $228,000 on grass maintenance.

The budget for mowing varies on how many times the machines are sent out and the projected weather conditions.

“This year, it is a little bit higher because of all of the moisture we’ve had. We have had a very successful growing year.”

Reports show Alberta's top doctor took home a hefty bonus in 2021.

Alberta's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, received $227,911 in cash bonuses in 2021. The bonus is in addition to her $363,633 annual salary, for a combined total income of $591,545.

Several local hockey players were re-confirmed to Team Canada's roster. 

Team Canada has officially revealed the roster for the rescheduled 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship, which begins next Tuesday (Aug. 9) in Edmonton. Included on the 25-man roster are Fort Saskatchewan's Olen Zellweger and former Fort Ranger Sebastian Cossa.  

Fort Saskatchewan resident Lana Santana has a full and interesting resume.

Santana grew up and lived in Trinidad and Tobago, the southernmost island country in the Caribbean.

While in her home country, she ran for councilor of her local government and spent some time in journalism. Santana told MIX 107 that she was a freelance writer before landing a job with the Trinidad Guardian and another local newspaper.

"I loved investigative pieces."

Santana's husband was later transferred to Fort Saskatchewan for a job in 2007.

Despite some surrounding areas allowing liquor consumption in public parks, Fort Saskatchewan currently has no plans to join the list.

“Council has not formally discussed having liquor available in parks,” said city councillor Lisa Makin.

Strathcona County continues to expand its list of parks where consumption is allowed. This summer, the county outlined designated picnic tables to allow alcohol in five different parks.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the area. 

The weather agency says the thunderstorm may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park, Edmonton and other neighbouring communities are included in the watch.

Tornado watch

Much of central Alberta is under a tornado watch.

"Damaging winds, very large hail and heavy rain are also possible," said Environment Canada.