FortSask

Two Fort Saskatchewan residents narrowly avoided a fatal avalanche that took three lives on Wednesday (Mar. 1). 

A group of nine people and one instructor were caught in an avalanche while heli-skiing near Panorama Mountain Resort in British Columbia. Four were seriously injured, three made it out unharmed, and another three died.

Fort Saskatchewan resident Hannah Stolz and her father Rick were supposed to be on that trip, as part of Hannah's 23rd birthday.

"We thought it would be a nice birthday treat if we planned [the trip] around that," said Hannah.

CP's vice president of sales and marketing for grain and fertilizer Joan Hardy says CP continues to move very strong levels of grain for its customers. 

"In February, we moved over 2 million metric tons of Canadian grain and grain products. The second-highest February in our history, very nearly meeting the record that we set in February of 2021. We were within one train load of breaking that February 2021 record."

She notes total grain movement for February 2023 was 2.045 million metric tonnes, compared to 2.058 million metric tonnes in February of 2021.

Reactions continue to pour in regarding the recently announced 2023 Alberta budget. 

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are among the many provincial school divisions that are sharing their thoughts on the money being put into education. 

"There has been an increase of 5.2 [per cent] overall for K-to-12 education in the province," said Trina Boymook, the EIPS board chair. "We're certainly cautiously optimistic about the new education budget but we will know better once we get the funding manual in the coming weeks." 

For the last ten years, Jacques St. Laurent has brought life to his neighbourhood through his intricate snow sculptures.

Recently, Sherwood Park residents took to social media to express their amazement at his latest creation: a detailed sculpture of the two main characters from 'Shrek'.

"[Shrek] is probably eight feet by seven, I'd say. The snow block itself is an eight by eight by eight," said St. Laurent. "It's a massive amount of snow."

Last year, St. Laurent wowed the neighbourhood with his statue of Master Yoda from 'Star Wars'.

A Sturgeon County hockey player is defying the odds. 

12-year-old Haiden Currie has been playing hockey since she was just five despite being declared legally blind. 

"Haiden was born with vision impairment because she has albinism," said Jodi Currie, Haiden's mom. "We knew right away when she was born that she would have some form of vision impairment." 

"She has no clarity [in her vision]. Everything that she would see would be like if you or I were squinting constantly." 

The Winnipeg-based plant protein company was placed into receivership on Wednesday, March 1st.

The company's lenders Farm Credit Canada and Export Development Canada filed an application for the appointment of a receiver.

In 2019, Merit Functional Foods Corporation was developed as a joint venture between Burcon ( a global technology leader in the development of plant-based proteins) and three other investors.

The goal for Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM) is to encourages students to learn about and celebrate Canada's agriculture and food story.

To kick things off yesterday, Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced up to $415,000 in support for Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C).

She says to build the next generation of agricultural producers, we must inform and inspire Canadian youth. 

As we inch nearer to a provincial election in May, local MLAs are starting to declare their intentions. 

UCP member Dale Nally has been the MLA for the Morinville-St. Albert constituency since 2019 and he plans on sticking around. 

"My intention is to run for re-election," said Nally. "I have been acclaimed by the party to represent the riding of Morinville-St. Albert." 

"We have a fixed election date of May 29, and my intention is to submit my name for another term." 

A portion of Highway 45 is has reopened according to 511 Alberta.

The highway was blocked off in both directions Thursday night (Mar. 2) near Highway 38 due to an overturned semi trailer.

A detour around the area northeast of Bruderheim was in place.

Emergency services were on scene — no word yet on any injuries.

Some more details have come out about the proposed expansion to Veterans Way.

Grant Schaffer, the director of fleet, facilities, and engineering with the city, says that the work will be done through one of Fort Saskatchewan's busiest intersections.

"The section we're doing is between the intersection of Highway 15 and 21 all the way down to 101 Street."

Most of the work will include widening the west side of the highway.