FortSask

Starting Saturday (Apr. 23), a new area code will be introduced in Alberta.

The 368 area code responds to the increasing demand for phone numbers in the region, ensuring residents and businesses continue to have enough numbers to meet demand well into the future.

"After this date, consumers and businesses requesting a new phone number may receive one with the new area code,” said Kelly Walsh, program manager of the Canadian numbering administrator.

BGC Fort Saskatchewan is celebrating a local volunteer for her years of effort and dedication.

Leslie MacMillan started volunteering with the club when it first began in Fort Saskatchewan in 1985.

She explained it used to be much smaller and was based at the fire hall before moving into its current home. She remembers it being the only group in town at the time to offer its type of services to families, which is why she decided to start volunteering in the first place.

Forward hog contract prices opened the week sharply higher.

Tyler Fulton is director of risk management with Hams Marketing Services.

"We're seeing the futures market make some gains. We're not quite back to the highs that we saw two to three weeks ago. We're kind of bounced off of the lows that were made last week and still represent very good value...I think the expectation is that we are going to be looking at fairly tight supplies and still rock solid demand going into the summer grilling season."

Fulton says cash prices are also holding firm.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Millennium Place Sports Wall of Recognition. 

The Sports Wall of Recognition program pays tribute to residents of Strathcona County for their achievements in sports. This includes coaches, trainers, athletes, managers, and volunteers, among others.

Since being formed in 2001, the program's inductees have included soccer player Kevan Cameron, Paralympic track athlete Kristine Lucas-Hogan, and Fort Saskatchewan's own Ray Whitney.

One of the companies that had planned to build an open-pit coal mine in the Rocky Mountains has signed an agreement with an Alberta government agency to work toward converting the project to renewable energy.

Montem Resources has announced a memorandum of understanding with Invest Alberta, part of the provincial economic development ministry.

Although few details were immediately available, the parties say the deal means they will work together to build a green hydrogen complex in the southwest corner of the province. 

Canadians can now give cash or Aeroplan points to help bring Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia to safety in Canada.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says the goal is to pay for flights to bring at least 10,000 Ukrainians and their families approved for travel to Canada.

These would be on top of targeted chartered flights to bring Ukrainians to Canada announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this year.

More than 54,000 Ukrainians have already been approved to come to Canada for three years while they decide on their next steps. 

Health Minister Jason Copping and chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw provided another COVID-19 update.

PCR test positivity ranged from 20.8 per cent to 30.2 per cent from April 12-18.

Wastewater positivity rates remain high but lower than those seen with the BA.1 subvariant.

Copping called the current numbers "mixed."

"There are increases in viral circulation and hospital admissions, but they're smaller and moving more slowly than we saw in the initial Omicron wave."

The provincial government is introducing legislation to relieve Albertans' rising electricity bills.

Bill 18 (the Utility Commodity Rebate Act) was tabled on Wednesday (Apr. 20) and if passed, would provide $150 in electricity rebates to an estimated 1.9 million Albertans.

It's intended to replace the Natural Gas Price Protection Act, which does not allow rebates for electricity bills.

The West River's Edge boat launch is open for the season.

Residents may now use the launch for safely delivering their watercraft and boats to the North Saskatchewan River.

The City of Fort Saskatchewan urges boaters to make the necessary precautions, such as packing a first aid kit, wearing a life jacket, and making sure to follow the rules of the road, or in this case, the water.

Note that the boat launch may close without notice due to weather or changing river conditions.

The Town of Morinville has a new interim CAO.

Michelle Hay started off her career bouncing between several different industries, moving from radio and television to construction to the Rural Municipalities Association. 

From there, Hay moved on to the City of Leduc and did municipal work as the director of government relations and corporate planning strategy.

She moved to Morinville in April of 2021. Her role became the general manager of administrative services.