FortSask

The United Nations committee on the rights of the child has released a report expressing serious concerns about the welfare of children in Canada — particularly those who are Indigenous. 

"The committee is deeply concerned about the discrimination against children in marginalized and disadvantaged situations," said the report, made public Thursday.

The committee cited structural discrimination against Indigenous and Black children, "especially with regard to their access to education, health and adequate standards of living," 

More windows have gone missing in Redwater.

Around Jun. 2, RCMP was made aware that some sliding glass windows were removed from the CN caboose at Devonian Park.

The CN caboose has significant cultural and historical value in the town. In the 1980s, CN donated it to the town to signify Redwater's role in rail transport of grain and equipment, especially for the oilfield.

The theft comes after two men were recently caught removing windows from an abandoned building in Redwater on May 5. No evidence currently links the two incidents in any way. 

Fort Saskatchewan is experiencing a pickleball boom.

The Fort Saskatchewan Pickleball Club was founded amid COVID-19. When they began, club members would play on the street with an old volleyball net, but as they grew, they moved to the Sportsplex area, where they used the old hockey rink.  

According to the club’s president, Roberta Dorner, the club took its passion to city council, where they pitched refurbishing the Carscadden Park dry pad area behind the Sportsplex into pickleball courts. 

A man in possession of a stolen truck almost hit an RCMP officer. 

On May 19, Redwater RCMP got word from a neighbouring detachment that a stolen truck was spotted driving down Highway 28 near Radway. 

Once the truck was located, officers pulled the suspect over and attempted to make an arrest. During this time, the driver sped off, nearly hitting the officer on scene. 

A short distance later, the suspect abandoned the truck and fled on foot into a wooded area.

Water levels in the North Saskatchewan River have returned to normal after low levels prompted a warning. 

On Jun. 2, Edmonton Fire Rescue Service, Edmonton Police, city park rangers and the RCMP issued a warning asking boaters to stay off the North Saskatchewan River. At the time, the river flow was about half of what it should be, hovering around 50 m³/s. 

A two-year investigation into the death of a Westlock man has resulted in charges. 

On June 9, 2020, Westlock RCMP were called to an apartment building at 10530 103 Street after reports about a deceased male in the lobby of the building. The man’s death was ruled a homicide, and the RCMP’s Major Crime Unit was called to assist with the investigation. 

The victim was identified as Barry Wheadon. 

Nearly two years to the date, RCMP arrested 20-year-old Eddy Trindle on Tuesday (Jun. 7) and charged him with second-degree murder. 

A fundraiser for STARS air ambulance in Fort Saskatchewan was proven to be a success. 

On May 25, local peace officer Chelsea Eshpeter held a walk to raise money for STARS to honour her late father.

“It went really well. All of the emergency response services came from Fort Saskatchewan as well as outside agencies which was amazing,” said Eshpeter.

The paramedic nurse who was in the STARS helicopter with her dad shortly before he passed came out to the event as well. 

It’s the inflation you’re not supposed to see.

From toilet paper to yogurt and coffee to corn chips, manufacturers are quietly shrinking package sizes without lowering prices. It’s dubbed “shrinkflation,” and it’s accelerating worldwide.

In the U.S., a small box of Kleenex now has 60 tissues; a few months ago, it had 65. Chobani Flips yogurts have shrunk from 5.3 ounces to 4.5 ounces. In the U.K., Nestle slimmed down its Nescafe Azera Americano coffee tins from 100 grams to 90 grams. In India, a bar of Vim dish soap has shrunk from 155 grams to 135 grams.

Workers at the Sunridge Ski Area hope to see their deck rebuilt in time for wedding season after the structure was targeted by arson.

Early in the morning on Monday (Jun. 6), security footage at the ski hill caught a person lighting a fire on the outdoor deck and running away.

Edmonton Fire attended the scene at around 1 a.m. after a 911 call came in from a group of cyclists.

Last but certainly not least.

Our final Classroom of the Month winners for the 2021/2022 school year was... Mrs. Frey's Grade 3/4 class at Fort Elementary!

These kids are ready to soar into the summer, but first it was time to chow down on some delicious pizza courtesy of Sky Hy Pizza & Donair!