Paddleboarder who drowned in Elk Island National Park identified
The man who went missing while paddleboarding on Astotin Lake in Elk Island National Park has been identified.
A GoFundMe page says the man is 42-year-old Sachin Kadam.
Kadam went missing after losing site of his paddleboarding partner on the lake on Saturday (June 23). His body was recovered on Monday.
“He was a good swimmer but he went very deep into the lake and couldn't get out,” the page reads.
Residential fire from earlier this week still under investigation
The official cause of a residential fire from earlier this week has yet to be determined.
On Monday (July 25) at 1:31 a.m., the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department (FSFD) and Strathcona County Emergency Services responded to a call from a resident claiming they smelt smoke in their house.
Horner says Ottawa does not understand the impact of the fertilizer emission reduction target
During the recent FPT Ag Minister meetings they had to really push to have a discussion around the Federal Governments targets for fertilizer emissions reduction.
Agriculture Minister Nate Horner says Minister Bibeau and her staff made it clear that the actual target, the 30% wasn't something that was on the table to be consulted, or changed, or amended.
Pope Francis denounces 'evil' of sexual abuse for first time on Canadian soil
For the first time since the start of a Canadian tour highlighted by apologies for the Catholic Church's role in Indigenous residential schools, Pope Francis on Thursday acknowledged sexual abuse inflicted on "minors and vulnerable people."
Speaking at a prayer service at Quebec City's Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, Francis said the church in Canada is on a new path after being devastated by “the evil perpetrated by some of its sons and daughters.”
The new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership should help meet producer needs
Agriculture Minister Nate Horner says he's pretty happy with where they ended up for the next Ag Policy Framework.
The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Agriculture Ministers agreeing in principle on the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The new program will take effect April 1, 2023 when the current Canadian Agricultural Partnership ends.
Horner says the federal government was very adamant on what they wanted to see in the policy.
Potential for rain, thunderstorms this August Long Weekend
We’re in for a mixed bag of weather this August Long Weekend.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says some precipitation is expected to move through the area on Friday (July 29) and provide a little bit of relief from the heat, according to meteorologist Jesse Wagar.
“We’re likely to see showers and thunderstorms start moving through the area beginning late in the day on Friday and continuing throughout the long weekend. Not a big washout or anything, but sort of sporadic showers and thunderstorms,” Wagar said.
Man facing several charges for sexual offences against youth in Edmonton, Morinville
Police believe there may be more victims in the area after a man was charged with several sexual offences.
At least six child luring and sexual assault victims have been identified following an investigation by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s (ALERT) Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE). According to ICE, Imesh Ratnayake has been charged following several child luring instances in the Morinville and Edmonton areas.
E-scooters in Fort Saskatchewan?
The City of Fort Saskatchewan currently has no plans to bring electric scooters to the area.
"E-scooters are not something that has come up at the City of Fort Saskatchewan to date. I certainly, as a councillor, haven't received any requests from residents," said city councillor Lisa Makin.
Elk Island National Park attendance dips from May and June of last year
Visitation numbers at Elk Island National Park (EINP) are down this summer compared to last year.
According to EINP:
- May of 2021 - 67,459 visitors
- May of 2022 - 47,219 visitors
- June of 2021 - 57,588 visitors
- June of 2022 - 46,102 visitors
“We think potentially that's just because of easing restrictions. Local visitors are starting to look elsewhere to travel and explore,” said Sarah Rymer, a communications officer with the nearby national park.
What does the Southfort Meadows Park Amenity entail?
Construction is set to begin soon on the Southfort Meadows Park Amenity project.
The park will feature a new hard surface outdoor boarded rink facility that can be used year-round. This will be the first outdoor boarded rink in the neighbourhood. To accompany the rink, washrooms, a skate change area, and a paved parking lot will be added.
Brenex Construction will mobilise the site to begin building in about two weeks.