FortSask

Next week will be dedicated to emergency preparedness in Fort Saskatchewan. 

The city is planning multiple events for kids and residents to help them better understand the resources that go into responding to emergencies in the city.

Activities will start on Monday (May 7) at the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department.  

The Fort Saskatchewan Rotary Club is offering a pair of scholarships to local students. 

Applications are now being accepted for two of their annual scholarships. One is available for students attending college or university while the other is being offered to students going to a technical institute or trade school. 

Both scholarships are worth $1000. 

Strathcona County taxpayers got some good news this week. 

After forecasting a tax increase of about 4.6 per cent in their 2023 budget deliberations last November, the county has now confirmed that the increase will officially clock in at 2.9 per cent. 

“Despite the inflationary times, we’ve maintained the county’s high-quality services, while keeping an eye on our long-term financial health,” said mayor Rod Frank in a release. 

Last year, while still Prince of Wales, King Charles III opened a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government in Rwanda's capital of Kigali and pitched Canada as an example for the world to follow.

In a speech that reflected on the relationship between Commonwealth countries and the Crown, and on the roots of the association that run deep into the African slave trade, he commended Canada's commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. 

The public-sector union representing Canada Revenue Agency employees has struck a tentative deal with the federal government, ending a strike of 35,000 workers just after the tax season wrapped up.

The announcement of a prospective agreement comes after the government and Public Service Alliance of Canada came to separate deals that ended a strike of more than 120,000 other public servants.

CRA employees represented by PSAC's Union of Taxation Employees were still on strike two days after the federal tax-filing deadline.

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the CFIA's updated guidance for seed regulations that will provide clear direction for plant breeders moving forward. 

“I'm pleased to confirm today that the Government of Canada has found a way to support the introduction of new crops varieties that will contribute to a more sustainable agricultural production while meeting the transparency requirements of the organic sector.” 

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP is investigating a threat that was made to Lamont High earlier this week.

In a letter sent out to parents, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) wrote that a threat was uttered against the school, which lead to an investigation by police.

Mounties were present at or near the school after the incident was reported. 

Since then, officers have determined there is no threat to staff or students at the school.

The RCMP did not provide any further details to MIX 107/FortSaskOnline.com citing an active investigation. 

More to come...

Sturgeon County Emergency Services have given an update on a five-acre fire just south of Gibbons on Tuesday (May 2).

Just after 2 p.m., Sturgeon County firefighters were called to what was initially a report of some smoke in the area.

"The colour of smoke changed a little bit to a darker colour, so that kind of indicated some more combustion," said Sturgeon County fire chief Pat Mahoney.

The fire started at an outbuilding on a vacant property then spread to the surrounding grassy area and into the woods.

The 7-Eleven in downtown Fort Saskatchewan has closed after dealing with a small fridge fire.

On Tuesday (May 2) evening, the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department responded to a call at the 7-Eleven on 99 Avenue.

Due to how small the fire was, there was minimal damage apart from smoke and contaminated food products.

The incident has caused the 7-Eleven to close its doors until further notice.

Fort Vapes next door was also closed due to the smell but reopened on Wednesday.

Farmers need to use caution when applying some items to their crops, with a new guide out to give them more information.

That's the Keep It Clean initiative, which is sponsored by organizations including the Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada, Pulse Canada, and the Prairie Oat Growers Association.

On their website, they have guides for glyphosate application, product advisories, and a spray-to-swath interval calculator.

Additionally, on their website, they list 5 tips.