RCMP teaming up with local race track to give "speed freaks" the chance to learn and test new skills

If you have a need for speed, the Sturgeon County race track has an event for you.

The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP is supporting the initiative, Speed Freaks, which promotes safe driving by allowing people to race their own personal cars in Stratotec Park, just outside Fort Saskatchewan.

Speed Freaks was started last year. People participating get their own personal driving instructor who teaches them about limits when driving when going around the track.

ACC, Protein Industries Canada and Roquette partnering on new post-secondary programs

Assiniboine Community College and Roquette are collaborating to develop and deliver Chemical Engineering Technology Diploma and Food Science Diploma programs to domestic and international prospective students in Canada.

These are the first programs of their kind in Manitoba, with the Food Science Diploma being the first in the Prairies. The goal of these new programs is to ensure an adequate workforce for the evolving plant-protein processing and food and beverage manufacturing sectors.

Recognizing the importance of mental health

Canadian Mental Health Association declared this week (May 2-8) as Mental Health Week.

Mental Health Week is designed to spread awareness of the importance of mental health and how it affects ourselves and the people around us. It's about empathy, understanding, and stepping into each other's shoes.

Many factors, such as sleep, diet, hydration, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have contributed to a need for mental health awareness.

Bon Accord family honours missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls on Red Dress Day

A Bon Accord family is honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Penny Frazier and her family started hanging red dresses in the trees of their yard five years ago. May 5 is Red Dress Day in Canada, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The event began in 2010 to draw attention to the tragedy.

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village to reopen May 21

The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is getting ready to reopen on May 21. It will be the first time since 2019 that the Village opens without any public health measures.  

Familiar favourites like the celebration of dance, which marks the opening weekend, will take place on Monday, May 23. Over 250 Ukrainian dancers will participate in the celebration at the bandshell stage, with the Edmonton-based Viter and Volya Ukrainian Dance Group headlining the event. 

Strathcona County taking steps to protect migratory bird population

Strathcona County is working to proclaim May 14 as World Migratory Bird Day.

The annual campaign seeks to increase awareness of the threats to wild bird populations and how the public can help to mitigate those threats.

According to the county, North American bird populations have decreased by 25 per cent in the last 50 years. 

Sturgeon County the first rural community to adopt Clean Energy Improvement Program

It’s a win-win. 

Sturgeon County residents will soon have a chance to lower their utility bills while increasing their property value through a new funding program.
 
In mid-April, County council approved the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) Tax Bylaw. The CEIP allows municipalities to offer competitive financing to property owners for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.  

$14,000 in scholarships and prizes awarded at 16th annual GOAL Conference

After a cancellation last year and postponement from earlier this year, 45 Canadian Angus youth and one guest from the Junior Red Angus Association in the United States were excited to gather in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan over the weekend for the sixteenth annual Guiding Outstanding Angus Leaders (GOAL) Conference. GOAL is traditionally held over the February long weekend. The five finalists in the Canadian Angus Foundation Legacy Scholarship program shared $11,000 and a $3,000 heifer voucher prize was awarded to one lucky attendee.

Alberta to invest $50 million in new hydrogen centre

The Alberta government will be investing $50-million to create a new Clean Hydrogen Centre of Excellence.

The centre's goal is to provide support with hydrogen research and development for both industry and small business, with the hopes of building toward a prosperous future. 

Alberta is already the largest hydrogen producer in the country. With hydrogen expected to be a several-trillion dollar industry by 2050, Alberta is looking to emerge as a leader in the global market.

Agriculture sector receives funding focusing on emergency preparedness

The agriculture sector has faced a number of challenges over the last few years  from a global pandemic to floods, droughts and wildfires.

Federal  Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has announced an investment of over $3 million for two projects to enhance emergency management, develop risk assessments and strategies to mitigate disease outbreaks.