Lacombe

Due to an unexpected gap in clinical personnel, the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre emergency department (ED) will be temporarily closed overnight from 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, to 8 a.m. on Monday, June 23.

During this time, nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing assessments and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities, as needed.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling for de-escalation after the United States carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday.

Carney issued a social media post saying the U.S. military action was "designed to alleviate" threats posed by Iran, but the situation in the Middle East remains "highly volatile."

He says stability in the region is a priority and is calling on parties to get back to the negotiating table to find a diplomatic solution.

Two newly recruited physicians are now providing care to residents of Sundre and area.  

Drs. Daniel and Isi Eyike, who are married to one another, provide full-scope family medical care to patients at the Myron Thompson Health Centre. 

Daniel also practises out of the Greenwood Family Physicians clinic. Individuals needing a family doctor can call 403-638-2424 to arrange a meet-and-greet appointment. 

Isi practises out of Moose and Squirrel Medical Clinic. Individuals needing a family doctor can call 403-638-4433 to arrange a meet-and-greet appointment. 

Parts of Red Deer County may experience flooding due to forecast rain.

Water levels may rise between 1.0-2.0 m.

Water levels will peak early Monday at the Little Red Deer River at the Mouth guage location.

This will impact mostly low-lying areas like the Provincial campground and other areas around Highway 587.

High streamflow advisories have also been issued for the Red Deer River Basin (Upstream of Dickson Dam), and Red Deer River mainstream.

After an extensive six-year investigation, the Alberta RCMP Historical Homicide Unit has made an arrest in connection with the 2019 disappearance and homicide of Twyla Evans, a vulnerable woman whose body has not been recovered to date.

The victim, who was 39-years-old at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in September of 2019. She was a resident of the City of Wetaskiwin, which is where investigators have confirmed she was last seen alive. 

First Nations youth leaders are warning Canadians can expect a long, tense summer of protests as governments push forward with plans to fast-track major projects — and young people will be leading the charge.

"You will see us in your cities, your city's hubs," said Ramon Kataquapit, a youth councillor with the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation and a member of Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario.

Minister of Indigenous Relations Rajan Sawhney issued the following statement regarding National Indigenous Peoples Day:

“Today, we recognize the diverse cultures, histories and contributions of Indigenous Peoples as we come together to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. This meaningful occasion is a time for us all to learn more about Indigenous experiences, traditions and knowledge.

Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, has responded to the coming into force of Bill C-58: An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Industrial Relations Board Regulations. This bill will prohibit federally regulated employers from using replacement (scab) workers during a strike or lock-out.

"We in Alberta's labour movement have long pushed for this day, when employers can no longer try to break worker solidarity through the use of scab labour," said McGowan. "This is a good start, but there is a lot more to do.

Scientist Daniel Shugar says images of the aftermath of Thursday's deadly rockslide in Banff National Park provide evidence of its cause — water flowing through the interior of the mountain.

“You can actually see some springs coming out of the cliff and actually coming out exactly from the scar itself,” said the University of Calgary professor of geomorphology.

He described how water from a lake above the cliff at Bow Glacier Falls had been seeping through rocks for decades before it eventually provided enough force to dislodge a boulder, triggering the rockfall.

Friday afternoon at around 4 pm, Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for many parts of South and Western Alberta including Olds and Sundre areas.

Heavy rain is expected or occurring. Total rainfall amounts by Saturday night will range between 40 and 80 mm.

Strong northerly winds will also develop on Saturday, with gusts of 60 to 80 km/h.

With rain-soaked soils, these winds could result in some trees being uprooted.