FortSask

Canada is imposing more sanctions against Iran for what it describes as gross violations of human rights. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced twelve senior Iranian government and law enforcement officials are being sanctioned for participating in "gross and systematic human rights violations," including through repressing demonstrations in the western part of the country.

The listed individuals will have their Canadian assets frozen and be barred from entering the country. 

Alberta is scheduled to introduce its budget Tuesday — the last before a spring provincial election — with political observers wondering what the province will do with all its billions of extra petrodollars.

“Any budget that’s leading into an election is always one that contains quite a few goodies,” said University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe.

“Combine that with a government with significantly higher resource royalties than planned, and you have a lot of scope for big announcements."

The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP say they caught an impaired driver doing almost double the posted speed limit. 

On Saturday (Feb. 25) at 4:30 a.m., police reported that a Honda car was travelling 185 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Highway 21 and Township Road 542.

"A traffic stop was initiated and mandatory alcohol screening produced a ‘fail’ result, revealing that the novice driver was impaired by alcohol," the RCMP said in a release.

A local model is on the world stage with the chance of being on the cover of Inked magazine.

Nicole Jade has reached the top 10 in Inked's Cover Girl competition, where models and tattoo enthusiasts enter for a chance to take home $25,000.

Jade, who is from Fort Saskatchewan, says she's been modelling all her life.

"I was on a commercial for the Family Channel, I've modelled for The Bay, I've been in a magazine for kids."

When Jade's not working or modelling she's spending time with her husband and four-year-old child.

The Fort Saskatchewan Hawks are in the quarterfinals of the CJHL playoffs.

After defeating the Leduc Co-op Riggers in the qualifying round, the Hawks are now up against the Beaumont Chiefs, with their first win coming on Friday (Feb. 24), 3-1.

Paul Garbiar, president of the Hawks, says that they'd lost to Beaumont in last season's playoffs.

"All throughout the course of the year we were fighting with Beaumont for second place," Garbiar said. "We've been working hard, and our team is playing consistently, so I feel we'll be a valued opponent this year."

Managing cash flow on a farm or ranching operation can be a real challenge.

As a result, many farmers use the Federal Government’s Cash Advance Program in the Spring to access cash and have more flexibility in their marketing plan.

Under the program, farmers can apply for a cash advance on over 50 commodities including everything from field crops to livestock, honey and organic production.

Producers can apply for the Federal Cash Advance Program through the Canadian Canola Growers Association.

Fort Saskatchewan may be getting an extra lane on Veterans Way (Highway 21) with a price tag of just under $5 million.

City council had the first reading of Bylaw C2-23, which would begin the first phase of widening the corridor on Veterans Way between Highway 15 and 101 Street.

"We've done traffic modelling and design studies over the years that show upgrades are required to the highway when we hit different stages of growth, and we're coming up to those trigger points," said Grant Schaffer with the City of Fort Saskatchewan.

Magician Wes Barker is bringing his unique brand of magic and hilarity to Fort Saskatchewan's Shell Theatre this weekend.

The show is set for Saturday (Feb. 25) at 7:30 p.m., presented by MIX 107.

Barker says he prefers bringing his show to a theatre stage.

"In a comedy club, I don't have a lot of space sometimes," Barker said. "On a theatre stage, I have more room, so I'm going to be thrashing around in a straitjacket, shooting my slingshot, and swallowing balloons."

A young girl trying to educate people on agriculture seems to have won her battle with YouTube.

"Learning About Ag With Mady" relates life on the family farm at Kindersley.

Ten-year-old Mady started her own YouTube channel last year in an effort to help educate people on where their food comes from.

"I recently had a video taken down by YouTube. As you know I participate in and share about farming practices on our farm always learning alongside an adult ensuring everyone's safety."

It's a big weekend for Strathcona County.

The county is hosting the 2023 Special Olympics Winter Games this weekend, with the opening ceremony at Millennium Place on Friday (Feb. 24) at 7 p.m.

Friday's lone sporting event is bowling, which starts at 2 p.m. at Sherwood Bowl. Day two of bowling starts at 7 a.m. on Saturday.

The games continue with curling at the Glen Allen Recreation Complex at 8 a.m. on Saturday before snowshoeing events are underway at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre just a half hour later.