FortSask

After nearly three decades of teaching, Fort Saskatchewan High School's Glen Christenson has retired.

Christenson's first year as a teacher was in 1993. He switched careers after learning about a transition program for tradespeople offered by the University of Saskatchewan.

He made his way to Fort High about 15 years ago and became the school's art teacher.

Some of his career's brightest moments have been giving his students experiences through various groups, clubs, and even tours through Europe.

The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP is investigating an arson case that occurred over the weekend.

Saturday (Jun. 18), around 10:15 p.m., police and fire responded to a fire behind the Sportsplex arena off 89 Street. The porta-potty was intentionally set ablaze, according to RCMP.

A pair of youths were observed near the scene; however, it's unclear if they were involved.

Anyone who may have been a witness or has information is asked to call the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Alberta's latest crop report shows many parts of the province have received some much needed rain, especially in the southern half, where dry conditions were starting to impact crops and forages.

Provincial crop growing conditions are rated as 75 per cent good to excellent, 

Growing condition ratings were the highest in the North West and Central Regions at 81 and 80 per cent  good or excellent conditions,  followed by the North East and Peace Regions at 79 per cent.

It could be a character on a Saturday morning kids show, but this rescue robot is anything but fantasy.

"It's not science fiction. It's science and this thing exists," said Alejandro Ramirez-Serrano at the unmanned vehicles robotarium lab at the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary.

The robot is a man's height with a space-age helmet for a head, working arms and legs, and interchangeable hands. It looks like a cross between RoboCop and a Transformer.

Strathcona County is implementing an on-demand evening and weekend transit system. 

The county believes that this system will be more environmentally friendly and convenient as the 40’ nova buses will not be running unless a trip is requested. 

Starting Jun. 26, the new pilot bus project will launch in Sherwood Park. 

“You’re going to have faster service, it’s going to improve service for you [and] council is really behind this one,” said the county’s mayor Rod Frank.

Sarah Rabby has been named the valedictorian for this year's graduating class from Archbishop Jordan High School in Sherwood Park. 

The 17-year-old is graduating with about a 98 per cent average in all of classes. A good portion of those classes were during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A Sturgeon County collision landed three people in the hospital Thursday (Jun. 16) evening.

Around 5:15 p.m., Morinville RCMP was called to a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 2 at Township Road 554 (Cardiff Road) just south of Morinville. 

Police say the accident happened when four vehicles, stopped at a set of lights on Highway 2, were hit from behind by a tow truck carrying two additional vehicles.

Two people were released from hospital the other is in serious but stable condition.

Fort Saskatchewan has so far responded well to the new speed limits.

While drivers got used to the new changes during the 30-day grace period (May 16 - Jun. 16), officials with the city say about a dozen warnings were given to drivers. This is lower than expected, according to the director of protective services, Coreen Rayner, who noted good compliance within the community regarding the new limits.

A new water wheelchair will be available at some Strathcona County spray parks this summer.

The chair has been nicknamed the "Sea Horse" by staff and is specifically built to be all-terrain and water-resistant.

"This aquatic wheelchair is specifically designed for the outdoors and getting soaking wet. It will help provide children and youth with disabilities with a new way to experience spray parks," said  Dennis Franklin, the partnership business development advisor for Strathcona County.

Unfortunately, Edmonton is out of the running to be a FIFA World Cup 2026 host city.

In an announcement this afternoon, it has been determined that the closest we will get to the action is either Vancouver or Toronto in Canada.

Edmonton mayor Amarjeet Sohi expressed disappointment in the decision.

"I am proud of the bid that we put forward, and I will explore other ways to put Edmonton on the world stage," said Sohi.

The tournament will take place across the USA, Mexico and Canada.