FortSask

The Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) says it issued over $275 million in cash advances through the Advance Payments Program on the first day of the program (April 1) to more than 1,500 farmers across Western Canada.

One of Canada's foremost experts on child protection online said she is "very optimistic" that a panel advising cabinet ministers about combating online harm can map out a way to protect minors from sexual exploitation on the internet.

Lianna McDonald, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, was among a dozen people appointed last week to the expert panel asked to help the government craft a new online safety bill.

A local bakery is doing its part to help Ukraine.

Confetti Sweets in Sherwood Park recently donated over $35,000 to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation with their blue and yellow sugar cookies and cookie mix.  

According to Confetti Sweets operations manager Danielle Power, that's just under 23,000 cookies sold and more than 200 pounds of yellow and blue sprinkles.

Initially, they wanted to hold a small fundraiser, but the idea took off.

The Métis Nation of Alberta recently coordinated the transfer of 20 wood bison from Elk Island National Park to the Wildlife Park at Métis Crossing, near Smoky Lake. The effort is part of a bison education and experience program in partnership with the national park. 

A blessing ceremony welcomed the return of bison to traditional Métis Lands. 

"This is a historic moment for Métis citizens in Alberta," said Métis Nation of Alberta president Audrey Poitras. 

This year is a census year in Strathcona County.

Starting May 1, residents are asked to complete their census online. A census PIN letter will be mailed to every household in the county with instructions on how to complete it.

According to the county, having the census online is a more cost-effective, quick and environmentally friendly way of running it. However, an over-the-phone option is available, and residents will have the opportunity to complete their census in person at a kiosk in select county facilities.

Spring has arrived, and so has wildfire season. 

Alberta’s legislated fire season runs from Mar. 1 to Oct. 31. Firefighters and equipment have already been deployed province-wide and are prepared for the season ahead. 

The risk of a wildfire is highest in the springtime, and nearly all wildfires are human-caused. In a previous interview with MIX 107, Alberta wildfire information officer Travis Fairweather explained that trees and grass are extremely dry and flammable once the snow melts. 

A Fort Saskatchewan mother of three is trying to help break the stigma around special needs children.

Melissa Schulz is the mother of six-year-old twins Sawyer and London, as well as a four-year-old daughter Brittyn. Sawyer was diagnosed with autism when he was two, and Brittyn was diagnosed at one during a sibling study.

Both kids are non-verbal. However, Sawyer has been learning sign language, and Brittyn uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device.

The defence brought forward a new witness in the Damien Starrett murder trial.

Dr. Colin Shapiro is a psychiatrist who specialized in sleep research and conducted a series of sleep-related tests on Starrett in 2021, two years after the Fort Saskatchewan father was arrested for killing his one-year-old son Ares and assaulting his five-year-old daughter.

The 33-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder. The defense is arguing that Starrett is 'not criminally responsible' because he was in an automaton-like sleep state when he attacked his children.

Hog producers have been seeing some good prices as of late.

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

Registration for the Jubilee Park Community Garden opens Monday (Apr. 4).

Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a dabbler in gardening, the community garden is a great opportunity for the garden-less to try their hand at cultivation.

Located off 101 Street next to the skatepark are 30 raised beds, which will be available to rent from the City of Fort Saskatchewan.

25 of these beds are numbered and rented for personal use, while the remaining five are community beds for anyone to use.