FortSask

Trevor Norris is used to hot summer weather, being from the Prairies. But his trip to England this week — one of many European countries facing record temperatures — has left him battling train delays and searching high and low for some sort of air-conditioned refuge.

"Nowhere in England seems to have AC," Norris said.

"I went into a pub and everyone was standing outside with their beers after ordering ... because it was too hot inside the pub itself. I was in there for maybe 10 minutes ordering drinks and my legs were drenched. It was that bad."

While the dog days of summer are here, you should be aware of several blue-green algae advisories before cooling off in a local lake.

There have been advisories issued for lakes throughout the province, including many near Fort Saskatchewan. The presence of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can be harmful to human health, so advisories are issued when blooms are identified or confirmed by sample results.

Here are some nearby advisories to know if you are planning on a day trip:

K-Days returns to the Edmonton Expo July 22 to 31. 

One of the main reasons to go is the food! Here are five we want to try and some on the wild side (with descriptions from K-Days).

Must eat:

Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) chief economist says Canada’s agriculture industry is in a good position to weather inflationary pressures and higher interest rates.

“We are in a unique position where record farm revenues are helping to offset the impact of a sharp increase in input costs and rising interest rates,” said J.P. Gervais. “The key for producers is to pay close attention to projected income and expenses to avoid any cash flow challenges that could put pressure on operations.”

A blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) advisory has been issued for a Strathcona County lake. 

Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued the advisory on Thursday (July 21) after blue-green algae was identified in Half Moon Lake. Blue-green algae can harm human health, so advisories are issued when blooms are identified or confirmed by sample results. 

Blue-green algae occurs naturally in Alberta during calm and warmer weather conditions, generally from July to September. Common health risks related to blue-green algae exposure include: 

A night of family fun is coming to Fort Saskatchewan at the end of the month.

On July 30, Kal Tire is presenting Disney’s Encanto as a drive-in movie at the Kal Tire and Home Depot parking lot (9320 Southfort Drive).

Admission is $25 per vehicle, and Kal Tire will offer free wheel and tire inspections before the showing.

The lot will open for vehicles at 7 p.m., and the movie begins at 8 p.m.

Crews say a vehicle strike was responsible for concrete blocks falling onto Highway 15 in Fort Saskatchewan Thursday (July 21) morning. 

RCMP received a complaint at 6:48 a.m. about large pieces of concrete on the highway just before the turnoff to 95 Street. An investigation revealed an oversized load hit the overpass, causing damage to the structure.

Westbound Highway 15 was reduced to a single lane while RCMP awaited a structural evaluation of the bridge -- it has since reopened.

On Sunday (July 17), Strathcona County emergency services were called to rescue a fallen biker at Strathcona Science Park.

Just before 3 p.m., a report came in about a biker who had crashed off the trail about 500 metres into the trees of a ravine. 

“She had some facial trauma and due to a possible spinal injury the rescue crew was called,” said Barry Bouwsema, operations platoon chief for Strathcona County emergency services. 

The Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital will receive funding from the Government of Alberta’s Infrastructure Maintenance Program (IMP).

Over $400,000 will be provided to help upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. 

The provincial government says the investment that will help extend the life of the units and ensure comfortable temperatures for patients and staff.

The monarch butterfly fluttered a step closer to extinction Thursday, as scientists put the iconic orange-and-black insect on the endangered list because of its fast dwindling numbers.

“It’s just a devastating decline,” said Stuart Pimm, an ecologist at Duke University who was not involved in the new listing. “This is one of the most recognizable butterflies in the world.”