Lacombe

The Red Deer Recreation Centre will close for annual maintenance from Monday, December 2 to Sunday, December 22 inclusive, re-opening Monday December 23.

The annual shutdown allows staff an opportunity to conduct a thorough inspection and maintenance on all equipment and technical systems.

Navigating Alberta highways this weekend could be challenging with a major storm expected to hit the region.

Slippery conditions and reduced visibility can make winter driving hazardous, requiring extra caution and preparation.

Alberta RCMP is reminding drivers to stay safe by following these driving tips:

Red Deer Public high school students got to experience hands-on learning in veterinary sciences through a dual-credit program in partnership with Olds College.  

The Veterinary Technician Assistant Certificate program allows students to complete college-level courses, earning high school credits, for a head start in their careers while still in high school.  

The City of Red Deer has approved its 2025 operating budget.

Following a service level review in September that identified $3.4 million in cost savings, administration put forward a proposed 2025 Operating Tax Supported budget of $512,371,612 with just over $18 million in changes required to balance the budget. Through a series and amendments to the budget, Council adjusted this amount to $16,811,822.

You'll want to keep your shovels handy this weekend as a snowfall warning has been issued for much of the southern half of the province.

Rob Griffith is a lead meteorologist with Environment & Climate Change Canada.

"We're expecting snow to begin in the Lacombe area late afternoon, maybe early evening and it will keep going through Saturday," he explained. "Intensity will vary Friday night but expecting it to be fairly heavy beginning Saturday morning."

Albertans may see some changes to their auto insurance in January 2025, with a major overhaul of the system anticipated by January 2027.

The first changes will involve adjustments to the rate cap for good drivers, set to take effect in January 2025. Premiums for responsible drivers will see an estimated increase to 7.5 per cent, intended to account for rising legal, repair, and disaster-related costs while protecting against more substantial hikes.

You may want to consider postponing your travel plans this weekend.

Environment & Climate Change Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Central Alberta with a long period of snowfall expected with total amounts of up to 35 cm depending on your region.

Snowfall will begin in southern Alberta Friday morning, spreading northward through the day. 

A senior official says the Canadian government is not aware of any evidence linking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to alleged criminal activity perpetrated by Indian agents on Canadian soil.

Meta is refusing to publicly disclose information that could determine whether it is subject to the Online News Act despite blocking news from its platforms.

2024 will go down as the year of canola disease.

That is according to Curtis Rempel, Vice President of Crop Production and Innovation with the Canola Council of Canada. Rempel says diseases were primarily root and lower stem. He notes this was partially due to the wet and cool conditions felt in large parts of the Prairies.

"For a lot of stubble-borne fungi, which are primarily disease-causing organisms, they are all fungal-related," explains Rempel. "The cool, damp conditions really allow the fungus to take off."