FortSask

Unexpected flooding shut down portions of a Fort Saskatchewan school.

On Wednesday (Apr. 19) morning, a sprinkler began to rain down on a classroom, quickly creating a puddle that spread out into the hallway.

"Fortunately, there weren't any students in the classroom, so nobody got wet," said Ken Marshman, facilities foreman at the school. "Minimal damage in that regard."

Marshman added that they had to evacuate several classrooms from the area.

CN's weekly grain movement report for Week 37 shows 551 thousand metric tonnes of grain and processed grain products were moved.

That number is on par with average levels but under CN's target guidance of 744 thousand metric tonnes mainly due to lower net customer demand.

CN's Assistant Vice President David Przednowek says with spring weight restrictions coming on, we're getting deeper into the crop year with less grain left to move.

Representatives from Protein Industries Canada and Wageningen University in The Netherlands met in Vancouver this week.

The two agreed that protein transition is an indispensable step towards a sustainable future, both countries have a considerable agriculture base that could contribute to a more plant-based future. 

The initiative, "Economically-Powered Protein Transition through Innovation in Chains" (EPPIC) involves 86 participating partners including Protein Industries Canada, and will begin its work in early 2024. 

A Fort Saskatchewan football player has committed to a Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) team. 

18-year-old Parker Kellington, a former Bev Facey Falcon, will be taking his talents to B.C. to play for the Okanagan Sun.

"It's definitely one of those things where not everyone really gets a chance, and it's nice to reap the rewards of the work that I put in," said Kellington. "It's a nice feeling to be able to have a chance to keep going with my dreams."

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau is promoting world food security and agricultural trade as part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

During her visit, Bibeau will meet with Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to discuss the Canada-Japan trade relationship, and will emphasize Canada's priority to be a trading partner of choice for Japan in agriculture.

The National Farmers Union is standing in solidarity with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) members currently on strike. 

The NFU's 2nd Vice President Stewart Wells says it's important to remember that nobody prefers to be in a strike or a lockout position, and this is a last-ditch attempt to come to an agreement.

He points out the negotiations have been going on for some time and there hasn't been any resolution.

First responders in Strathcona County are hitting the ice for a good cause on Friday (Apr. 21) night. 

Local firefighters, paramedics, and police officers are playing in a charity hockey game to support the family of Constable Harvinder Singh Dhami, who was killed in a collision while responding to a call earlier this month. 

Nathan Gauvreau, with the Strathcona County Professional Firefighters Association, says they try to do this type of event every now and then. 

Elk Island Catholic Schools (EICS) have announced their nominees for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award, and one of them is a teacher from Fort Saskatchewan.

Rhianna Zazula was raised in Fort Saskatchewan, graduating from St. John Paul II, which was originally a high school before moving to St. Andre Bessette. 

The award recognizes six first-year K-to-12 teachers across the province for their exemplary work. 

As April's showers bring May flowers, this could lead to some troubles in Lamont County.

The county has a history of flooding during the spring, with a 2018 flood being its worst in 30 years.

Jay Zaal with the county said that there are many factors that can lead to floods.

"Blockages are typically what causes localized flooding," stated Zaal. "Sometimes culverts can be blocked by debris, sediment, and other items, and public works is working hard to clear these on a priority basis."

BGC Fort Saskatchewan hosted an evening of fun and games for kids in their mentorship program on Saturday (Apr. 15). 

"The kids in this pre-registered program are all waiting for a one-to-one mentor match and are enjoying the benefits of spending time with multiple positive adults in the meanwhile," said volunteer programs coordinator Tammy Plamondon.

The event featured a pizza party along with activities such as paper airplanes, hockey, basketball, and even baking cookies. The seven kids at the event ranged from seven to thirteen years old.