FortSask

Canada's annual inflation rate spiked to 8.1 per cent in June according to new data from Statistics Canada (Stats Can). It's the largest yearly change in 39 years.

The climbing inflation rate came largely from gas prices, which were up over 50 per cent when compared to a year ago, Stats Can says in its report on Wednesday (July 20).

Excluding the cost of gasoline, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the country was up by 6.5 per cent.

It's championship time for the Fort Saskatchewan Junior Rebels lacrosse club. 

According to Dave McGarva, Rebels general manager, the team is young, and the season has been up and down, but nonetheless successful for the group. The Jr. Rebels finished the regular season third in the North division with a 10-win, 10-loss record.  

Ashley Rosenow has donated a custom mural to the hospice wing at the Rivercrest Care Centre in Fort Saskatchewan.

Rosenow, the owner of the design company Illustrious Interiors, was contacted by The Heartland Community Hospice Foundation to do the mural prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospice foundation decided to go with a landscape image related to Fort Saskatchewan. 

“They were hoping to have something that was really peaceful looking,” said Rosenow.

Lamont County has renamed three roads to honour the original Ukrainian settlers of the area. 

County resident Lorraine Pullishy-Aas advocated to council to have the roads renamed; after reviewing her application, they confirmed that all the policies needed to make the changes were approved.

“To me, the roots of our family and Ukrainian culture are very important to maintain,” said Pullishy-Aas. 

The following roads have been renamed:

Alberta NDP health critic David Shepherd says ambulances in Edmonton-area communities are spending more time in the capital city than their home base. 

According to Alberta Health Services data acquired through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIP) request, there were 13 “Red Alerts” in Edmonton, totaling about 20 minutes in May 2019. In May 2022, there were 859 “Red Alerts”, totaling 24 hours and 42 minutes. 

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Agriculture ministers are meeting in Saskatoon this week.

The clock is ticking to finalize the next Ag Policy Framework with current programs set to expire March 31, 2023.

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie Claude Bibeau says the discussions are moving forward in the right direction.

"I'm hopeful that we will reach a consensus for the cost share portion of the new partnership agreement, in the way that will reach the objectives that we have jointly agreed to (in the Guelph Statement)."

A parole hearing is scheduled to take place today for a former truck driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was sentenced to eight years after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charges for the 2018 crash that killed 16 and injured 13.

Singh went through a stop sign at a rural Saskatchewan intersection and drove into the path of the junior hockey team's bus as it was on its way to a playoff game.

Sidhu, who has been serving his sentence at a prison in Bowden, Alta., is asking to be released pending possible deportation.

It’s deadline day for those seeking to be the next leader of Alberta’s United Conservatives and most of the contestants have already filed their applications.

The cutoff is 5 p.m. for applicants to submit a package of forms and consent documents along with at least 1,000 signatures from across Alberta and at least $75,000 towards the entry fee and good behaviour deposit.

Two of the nine applicants — Travis Toews and Danielle Smith — have already had their applications formally accepted by the UCP.

There could soon be changes to local federal electoral ridings. 

According to the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commissioner for Alberta, population growth and the addition of three new electoral districts will require adjustments to every electoral district in the province. Census data shows Alberta’s population grew from 3,645,257 in 2011 to 4,262,635 in 2021.

The Pope's visit will require travellers to make alternate travel arrangements on area highways.

Rolling road closures are scheduled for sections of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway and Highways 2A, 16, 43, 611 and 633 from July 24 to 27 to accommodate the papal motorcade.

With the rolling closures, the highway will be closed both before and after the motorcade passes. Motorists can expect significant delays and should plan ahead and consider alternate routes where possible.