FortSask

The Canola Council of Canada is now accepting letters of intent for the 2024 Canola Agronomic Research Program (CARP).

The Federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship has announced the extension of the Agri-Food Pilot.

Sean Fraser says the pilot program is being extended to May 14, 2025 to help meet the longstanding labour needs in the ag sector.

Edmonton fire and hazmat crews were on the scene of an incident near Sherwood Park on Tuesday (May 9) morning. 

Crews were called to the scene of 101 Avenue and 37 Street to reports of odd-coloured smoke coming from one of the tanks at the Building Products of Canada plant. 

Five crews, including one hazmat crew, responded to the incident. The hazmat team was testing air quality while fire crews worked with onsite operators. 

One fire, caused by excessive heat in the tank, needed to be extinguished by firefighters. 

There was a walk, a roundance, and powwow dancing for Red Dress Day in Fort Saskatchewan at Legacy Park on Friday (May 5).

The event was hosted by the Indigenous Society of Fort Saskatchewan, a group that formed out of a desire to help people through difficult times.

Red Dress Day is an annual event in memory of the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people across Canada.

A local gardening expert is offering up some spring tips to residents in the area. 

Tam Andersen, who runs Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm, might just be the best person to go to for any tips regarding growing plants and maintaining a garden. 

With the abnormally warm start to the season, Andersen suggests getting a head start on your garden. 

"In our 37 years of gardening I have only ever seen it this warm once before," said Andersen. "Why not take the dive and start planting now!" 

Heartland Sulpher has provided an update on a fire at their terminal over the weekend. 

On Saturday afternoon (May 6), onlookers saw a cloud of dark smoke just off Highway 15. 

The general manager of the terminal, John Bennett, says the fire was in their mechanical and parts shop. 

"The fire was confined to the shop building and its contents."

The fire was eventually extinguished with the help of both on-site and county firefighting resources. No one was hurt during the incident. 

Another sport has made its way into Fort High. 

The high school has officially launched its first-ever slo-pitch team with a roster of 19 students.

"We put out to the kids, and we had an overwhelming response," said Curtis Starko, the principal at Fort High. "The kids are really excited!" 

The team played their first game of the season last Wednesday (May 3) against Vimy Ridge, taking home a thrilling 21-20 victory. 

The excitement about the first win wasn't just limited to the players. 

Checking the prairie cattle marketing reports for last week ...

Former members of an elite Alberta wildfire-fighting crew say government budget cuts have left the province battling its current blazes short-handed. 

"We could have been difference-makers," said Jordan Erlandson, a former member of Alberta's Rapattack team.

Those firefighters were trained to rappel from helicopters to get at wildfires while they still only covered a few hectares. When one storm sparked several fires, they could extinguish them before they merged. They also cleared landing spaces for other helicopters to bring in crews and gear. 

From cosplay to board games, Fort Fan Fest was a celebration of nerd-dom.

Last weekend, the Dow Centennial Centre hosted the fest at the Nutrien Soccer Field, which has been fitted to host vendors, Q&A panels, and even a bounce house for the kids.

Amanda Hoof, director of Fort Fan Fest, said that the festival was in the works for over a year.