Applications are now open for SCAP

Farmers and Ranchers across the country now have full access to the new five year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The agreement includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities, and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities funded by federal, provincial and territorial governments, an increase of 25 percent from the old CAP 
program.

Vegreville councillor named NDP candidate

A Vegreville councillor has thrown their hat into the ring. 

The Alberta NDP announced that Taneen Rudyk will be their candidate for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville in the upcoming provincial election next month. 

"I am really excited to make this announcement and to take my advocacy to a different group in Edmonton this time to make sure we have the continuation of caring and competent leadership that constituents in the Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville area are looking for," said Rudyk. 

NASA makes decision on Fort Saskatchewan astronaut

Coming into Monday (Apr. 3) morning there was a chance a Fort Saskatchewan man would be announced as part of NASA's Artemis II mission around the moon. 

Joshua Kutryk was born in Fort Saskatchewan and was recently chosen as one of four Canadian candidates being considered for the mission. 

Unfortunately, as NASA leaders took to the stage in Houston, Texas, it was announced that Kutryk would not be part of the crew. 

Instead, astronaut Jeremy Hansen was instead chosen as the sole Canadian to join the Artemis II crew. 

Gallery: Huge turnout at the Fort Saskatchewan Easter scavenger hunt 

The Fort Heritage Precinct held their first Easter scavenger hunt on Sunday (Apr. 2) afternoon.

By the time the Fort Heritage Precinct opened their doors, the line had grown to the parking lot of the Warden's House.

The free event involved a search where kids were given a list of images, and they had to count how many of them were hidden throughout the precinct. Once they finished, they got a prize and some snacks.

There was also a place for crafts where kids could make bunnies out of cotton.

Fort Saskatchewan dad overjoyed to hear daughter in Treehouse cartoon

A Fort Saskatchewan father held a watch party to see his daughter's appearance in the new cartoon from the Property Brothers.

Harlan Kingfisher's 12-year-old daughter Meadow stars as Mel in Builder Brother's Dream Factory, with the first episode airing last Sunday (Mar. 26).

"We had some of Meadow's best friends come over," said Harlan. "It's been over a year and a half wait for this cartoon to come out."

"We had food prepped, and my mother-in-law and Meadow's little cousin came over."

Provincial government announces dates for GDL program changes

The Alberta government has made some changes to its Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL) program.

Starting Saturday (Apr. 1), eligible drivers in the GDL program will be able to save over $150 by not taking an advanced road test to get their full Class 5 or Class 6 driver's license.

“This is a good common-sense approach that cuts red tape. Albertans have told us this was red tape - we listened and are addressing it. This change will also help make driver’s licenses more affordable for Albertans,” said Dale Nally, minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction.

Applications open Monday for Alberta's new SCAP program

The province has released the details for its new 5-year $508 million Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Nate Horner says the new agricultural policy framework provides flexibility to deliver programs that will help producers and value-added processors grow their businesses and improve productivity.

Alberta’s SCAP programs align with the five priority areas in the agreement.

New wheat varieties hold a lot of promise for producers

Last month, four new lines from the wheat breeding program at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada Swift Current were recommended for registration during the Prairie Grain Development Committee Meetings.

Wheat Breeder Dr. Richard Cuthbert says there's one high-yielding Canada Prairie Spring Red variety with a strong disease package that includes stripe rust resistance that shows a lot of potential for growers in Alberta.

The other three lines are Canada Western Red Spring two of which are not non-midge tolerant.

Unique sport coming to Fort Saskatchewan

A new sports league is coming to Fort Saskatchewan, and they're looking for players.

Sean Danchuk and Vlad Papuga started Warriors Cornhole earlier this month, the first league of its kind in Fort Saskatchewan. 

"We started playing in Sturgeon County out of Morinville, and everyone craved another night, so we applied for that area and we were given Fort Saskatchewan."

Danchuk has been playing cornhole recreationally for years, with 2022 being his first season playing professionally.