FortSask

Cat and dog owners who cuddle their pets when infected with COVID-19 could end up making the animals sick with the virus, according to a Canadian study.

The study said that while it was already known that animals including cats, dogs, ferrets and hamsters seem to be susceptible to COVID-19, transmission may be happening more often than previously thought.

The research, published this month in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, involved 69 cats and 49 dogs, including pets and animals from shelters and neuter clinics. 

Canada handled the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and weathered the ensuing upheaval better than several other nations with comparable health-care and economic infrastructure, a new study suggests.

The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on Monday, credits Canada's strong performance to restrictive and persistent public health measures as well as a successful vaccination campaign.

A thunderstorm watch was in place for the area — it has since ended

The thunderstorm watch was in place for communities such as Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Ardrossan, Gibbons, Bon Accord, Redwater, Lamont and Bruderheim. 

A rebate will be given to families that use the local school buses. 

The provincial government announced earlier this week (Jun 22), that it would be reinstating the Fuel Price Contingency Program. 

First introduced in 2007, the provincial government's program protects school divisions from price fluctuations. It allows the government to apply a monthly increase to school divisions’ operating revenues to offset diesel fuel costs when prices exceed $1.25 per litre. 

The program was suspended in 2013 before making its return.

It's been ten years since Lana Santana founded the Fort Saskatchewan Multicultural Association (FSMA).

To honour this milestone, the association hosted a celebration at Legacy Park on Saturday (June 25). The event featured a diverse group of performers and presenters.

FSMA president Jennifer Ribeiro says the event was a display of unity and love; the group plans on hosting similar events in the future.

On Thursday (Jun. 23), the Town of Lamont held a special event to honour six centenarians at the Lamont Healthcare Centre.

The five living centenarians gathered for an evening of praise, celebration and cake. 

Also in attendance was mayor Kirk Perrin, several family members and an RCMP officer to congratulate the six women.

After more than two years of economic turbulence through the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada's workforce participation overall appears quite rosy for women.

The share of women aged 25 to 54 years old is at its highest level ever in the country at 85 per cent. Meanwhile, unemployment for all workers hit a record low, according to Statistics Canada.

But experts say while looking at the economic big picture might seem like cause for celebration, a closer inspection at the details offers a more nuanced look at the uneven recovery that has not uplifted all groups of women equally.

An area man is serving prison time for killing a woman while driving drunk.

James Novosel, 38, admitted to impaired driving that caused the death of Rhonda Lynn Moyah, 47, and injuries to her 9-year-old daughter after a collision in mid-September of last year.

Parker Kellington has been selected to play on the U18 Team Alberta at the Football Canada Cup Tournament. 

The 17-year-old is entering his 10th year of football. He spent seven years as part of the Fort Sask Falcons Football program and currently plays Tier 1 football at Bev Facey High School in Sherwood Park. 

He explained that he had gone to the tryouts for U18 Team Alberta before and came up short, but this time he made the cut from around 600 players to the final 40. 

Another edition of Canada's Farm Show at REAL (Regina Exhibition Association Ltd ) District is officially in the books. 

Exhibitors have started pulling out equipment after what organizers say was a very successful event. 

Kirk Westgard, the new Vice-President of Agriculture for REAL says attendance and interest in the show was outstanding with the first day attendance totals up 18 per cent from 2019 levels.