Trudeau says Canada to conduct airlifts out of Sudan, has two ships off its coast

A Canadian effort is underway to conduct airlifts out of Sudan and two military vessels have arrived off its coast, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday, as the government looked for a fragile ceasefire to help evacuation efforts in the embattled East African country.

Trudeau said the federal government is co-ordinating with its allies to get Canadian citizens out of Sudan, where fighting between the military and a rival paramilitary group erupted earlier this month, with hundreds killed and thousands more injured. 

Lemonade Day coming to region

Kids from Gibbons, Redwater, Morinville, and Mundare will be learning about business through a classic kid's activity - lemonade stands.

Registration is now open for Lemonade Day, (Jun. 17) a free experimental program that teaches kids how to operate a business through their lemonade stands. Those who register will attend 'Lemonade University' where they receive a backpack with an entrepreneur workbook.

Strathcona County first responders raise thousands for family of fallen RCMP officer

First responders in Strathcona County played in a charity hockey game for a good cause on Friday (Apr. 21) night.

Firefighters and paramedics went up against police officers in a game at the Sherwood Park arena to raise money for the family of Constable Harvinder Singh Dhami, who lost his life while responding to a call in early April.

Nathan Gauvreau with the Strathcona County Professional Firefighters Association said that the event was incredibly successful.

Fire restriction coming to Sturgeon County this week

Fire restrictions are coming to Sturgeon County this week. 

The county has announced that a fire restriction will be put in place starting on Wednesday (Apr. 26) at 9 a.m. 

"Due to the increased risk of fire, Sturgeon County and the towns of Bon Accord, Legal and Redwater are under a fire restriction," said the county in a release. 

This means that no new burn or firework permits will be issued and that all existing fire permits will be suspended until further notice. It also means that all outdoor fires currently burning will have to be extinguished.

Update on Highway 15 grass fire

Highway 15 is fully open again after a grass fire had the highway reduced to one lane.

On Monday (Apr. 24) just before 11 a.m., the fire was reported across the highway from the Edmonton Institution.

Edmonton Fire Rescue and Edmonton Police Service (EPS) were quick to the scene to fight the blaze.

The grass fire was put out at around 6 p.m. the same day. 

EPS says that the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Oilers hype building for pivotal Game 5 tonight

There isn't anything quite like the hours before a pivotal playoff game. 

The Edmonton Oilers will be returning to Rogers Place tonight with their first-round series against the LA Kings tied 2-2 for a very important Game 5. 

It's been an absolute rollercoaster for the Oil as they are coming off a Game 4 in which they overcame an early 3-0 deficit to eventually win 5-4 in overtime off of a huge goal by Zach Hyman. 

Ardrossan may lose some French immersion programming in next few years

Elk Island Public School (EIPS) parents in rural Strathcona County are not thrilled with the proposed removal of Ardrossan Junior and Senior High's French immersion program by the 2024/25 or 2025/26 school year. 

The proposal, which came from the division, aims to shutter the junior and senior high programs in Ardrossan and move them to Bev Facey High School in Sherwood Park. 

Passenger rights overhaul draws criticism from both sides — airlines and advocates

Airlines say it goes too far. Advocates say not far enough.

The proposed overhaul of Canada's passenger rights charter earned mixed reviews Monday after Transport Minister Omar Alghabra laid out measures to tighten loopholes to traveller compensation and toughen penalties.

If passed, the reforms will put the onus on airlines to show a flight disruption is caused by safety concerns or reasons outside their control, with specific examples to be drawn up by the Canadian Transportation Agency as a list of exceptions around compensation.

2023-24 Outlook for Principal Field Crops

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released the Outlook for Principal Field Crops last Friday.

Below you'll find some of the highlights from that report.

Wheat and Durum projections for 2023-24:

Total wheat supplies for 2023-24 are forecast at 32.8 million tonnes with an expected increase in seeded areas.

Meantime, the total durum wheat supply is projected to be just shy of six million tonnes,  despite a drop in seeded areas but thanks to stronger yield expectations. 

Morinville adds shuttle service for seniors

The town of Morinville has added a new way for seniors to get around. 

A pilot shuttle service aimed at helping seniors 55 years old and above around the region was announced last week and will run until September. 

The service will be able to shuttle seniors to different spots around St. Albert and Edmonton for excursions. The first trip is scheduled for Thursday (Apr. 27) to the Century Casino in St. Albert.