Lacombe

Premier Danielle Smith says she'll be spending the summer touring the province with business leaders, backbenchers and an academic to find ways to protect Alberta from what she calls federal mistreatment and overreach.

She says Ottawa is to blame for decades of lost investment and resource revenue and that Alberta can't be held back any longer.

The premier is to lead the Alberta Next panel, which also includes three United Conservative Party legislature members, Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz, a retired judge and a physician.

Lacombe Police Service have recovered a vehicle after it was stolen in the early morning hours in the 5600 block of 49 Avenue. 

At approximately 2 a.m. this morning, police received a report from a resident who witnessed an unknown suspect stealing their neighbour’s tan Jeep CJ Sport, which has a brown canvas roof.  

A Ponoka curler has been selected as one of the recipients of the Spirit of Sandra Scholarship, awarded by the Sandra Schmirler Foundation to support young leaders in curling and community service.

Emma Deschiffart skipped her team at the 2024 Canadian U20 Championships and volunteers with the Little Rocks youth program at her local curling centre. She will attend the University of Alberta this fall, pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in accounting.

The Canadian Meat Council is warning that the Liberal government’s legislation to ease the movement of goods and services within Canada could actually undermine red meat exports.

Lauren Martin, senior director of public affairs for the organization, says the bill is raising questions about whether it could lead the federal government to recognize provincial rules for inspecting meat processing facilities as equal to federal standards.

At the Monday, June 23, Regular City Council Meeting some of the topics discussed included Habit for Humanity and Zoning Bylaw amendments.

Here is a recap of that meeting.

 CLOSED/BUSINESS ARISING: 

Habitat for Humanity

Chinook’s Edge School Division is celebrating the career of Associate Superintendent Shawn Russell, who is retiring at the end of June.

Russell began his teaching career 33 years ago in the Northwest Territories and has worked in four school divisions over the years. His roles have included teacher, vice-principal, principal and associate superintendent.

He joined Chinook’s Edge in 2001 and moved into a leadership role at division office in 2006. He currently serves as Associate Superintendent of Corporate Services.

Alberta's auditor general has been granted his request for nearly $1 million in extra funding to dig deeper into allegations of corruption in private health care contracts.

Auditor general Doug Wylie says the scope and complexity of the probe means his office needs to hire additional help and cover legal costs.

Members from both the United Conservative Party government and Opposition NDP who sit on the legislature committee that approved the request say Wylie is doing important work.

Just after 7:30 pm Monday June 23, Blackfalds Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a crash on Panorama Drive near the intersection of Highway 2A.

A vehicle struck a traffic signal post causing significant damage to the vehicle and the pedestrian crossing control.

This story will be updated once more information is provided by Blackfalds RCMP.

The Town of Blackfalds Broadway reservoir project is set to support future growth.

Construction has begun in Blackfalds on the Broadway Avenue Reservoir expansion project.

In late 2022, the County of Lacombe approached the town to discuss the limits of existing water and sewer servicing for the Aspelund Industrial Area.

Due to these limitations, crews are now installing a large underground water tank and connecting it to the municipal water system.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to announce today next steps in her plan to challenge what she and her government have called unfair intrusions from the federal government.

Smith will be in Calgary to announce details of the Alberta Next Panel. 

She will be joined by Adam Legge of the Business Council of Alberta at a news conference in Heritage Park.