FortSask

Construction has begun on a section of 95 Street in Fort Saskatchewan. 

Crews have been hard at work since Monday, closing off the section of the street east of 99 Avenue as part of a surface reconstruction project. 

"We've already started to remove the existing asphalt and then [we will] remove the sub-base so we can then build it back up again," said Leo Girard, the manager of the engineering with the city. 

The reason for the construction is due to the city noticing signs of deterioration on that stretch of road. 

Kochia that survived pre-seed burnoff needs to be taken out before it drops seed later in the season. The big weeds can produce at least 15,000 seeds per plant – often many more – so letting them set seed and then spreading that seed with the combine can move a herbicide-resistant population across a field very quickly.

Kochia with resistance to both Group 2 and Group 9 herbicides is found all across the Prairies in big numbers. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada weed scientists have also confirmed kochia populations with resistance to Group 4 and Group 14 herbicides.

A summer forecast warns western wildfires will likely continue to be “a major concern," with higher-than-normal temperatures expected when the second fire season ramps up in July and peaks in August.

The Weather Network released predictions Wednesday that point to a cooler season overall in Canada, although there will likely be periods of hot and dry stretches broken up by unsettled weather in June, July, and August.

Pride Week is coming back to Fort Saskatchewan.

From June 9 to 15, there will be plenty of events going on in the city to celebrate Pride.

Here is a rundown of the events planned for the week: 

June 9:

• Proclamation by Mayor Gale Katchur
• flag-raising ceremony outside Families First at 12:30 p.m. 
• BGC Pride Prom from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

June 10: 

• Drag bingo at the Bears Den 

June 11: 

There was a show and sale to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Fort Saskatchewan 4-H Beef Club. 

The free event took place at the Moyer Rec Centre in Josephburg on Sunday (May 28) and featured a steer show, a lasagna lunch, and finished off with the sales.

"It's been a busy weekend. Everybody's running on very little sleep," said Lea Appleman, general leader of the club.

"It's an entire year of prep for this, and the week leading up to this is insane. All of the parents and leaders are excited for it to be done."

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan is the latest farm group to come out in support of extended interswitching provisions included in Bill C-47.

President Ian Boxall says 99 per cent of  elevators in Western Canada are serviced by just one railroad allowing railway interswitching would ensure supply chain efficiency:

Fort Saskatchewan has announced the headliners for this year's Canada Day festivities. 

This year's entertainers include one local act, one provincial act, and one national act. 

"Starting us off for the evening entertainment is a network artist, a great huge label, someone that many people in the community may already know, it's Martin Kerr, " said Josh Gennings with the Shell Theatre. 

Kerr is an award-winning folk artist from Edmonton known for performing over 400 live shows during the pandemic through his Stay Home Street Concerts. 

Olymel has announced plans to close six hog production facilities in Western Canada.

The company is closing five sow units in Alberta (Smoky Sow/Dev, Pinnacle 1, Pinnacle 2, Dynacrest 1, and Dynacrest 2) and one in Saskatchewan (Kelsey) cutting about 17,000 sows from their operations.

Olymel's Vice President of Swine Production in Western Canada Casey Smit says ongoing challenges in the pork industry, financial losses, and uncertainty in the hog and pork markets led to the decision.

Kyle Kasawski has been elected as the MLA for Sherwood Park.

The area's NDP candidate was raised in Sherwood Park and previously held a career in business working with a solar power company.

This was reportedly Kasawski's first time running for public office, where he won with just over 50 per cent of the popular vote (13,107 total).

Kasawski will be succeeding Jordan Walker, who was elected as the UCP's MLA in 2019.

Walker gathered just under 44 per cent of the votes (11,441 total).

All election results are unofficial until June 8.

Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party (UCP) will form the next provincial government. 

At the time of publishing, the UCP hold 49 of the 87 seats in the legislature. 

"My oath is to serve all Albertans, no matter how you voted," said Smith. "I will work every day to listen, improve, and demonstrate to you that I can be trusted to improve on the issues you care so deeply about." 

This was the first general election win for Smith. She took over as leader of the UCP following the resignation of Jason Kenney in May of last year.