Lacombe

The chair of Canada Post’s board says the organization’s financial situation is unsustainable.

"The board and senior management recognize that Canada Post is at a critical juncture," said André Hudon at its annual general meeting on Wednesday.

"Significant change is urgently needed to preserve Canada Post's delivery network, which is vital because it's the only delivery network built to serve all Canadians."

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) recognized 11 faculty and staff who have made significant contributions in serving students, the institution, and the community throughout the year.  

The awards were presented at the annual RDP Awards of Excellence event on Aug. 28 on RDP’s main campus.  

Health Canada says a recall has been issued for the dumbbell toy from the Fisher-Price Baby Biceps Gift Set because of a choking hazard.

A kettlebell toy, protein shake bottle and wearable headband that are also part of the set are not included in the recall.

The agency says grey caps on the end of the dumbbell toys can come off, posing a choking hazard to infants.

It says as of Aug. 15, Fisher-Price has received four reports in Canada and seven in the United States of the ends of the dumbbell toy coming off, with no reports of injuries.

A new study says planet-warming emissions from Canada's record-breaking 2023 wildfire season were quadruple the country's fossil emissions for all of the previous year and on par with some of the most high-emitting countries. 

The study penned by researchers at NASA, and published in the journal Nature, says only China, India and the United States release more carbon per year than Canada's 2023 wildfires from May to September. 

While farmers are out in the field harvesting this year's wheat crop, research scientists and breeders involved in the Canadian National Wheat Cluster are working on improving the crops' long-term sustainability in the cropping rotation.

Funding for the work being done by the Wheat Cluster comes through the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC).

The CWRC is a collaboration of the three producer wheat commissions across Western Canada, the Alberta Wheat Commission, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and Manitoba Crop Alliance.

Alberta Agriculture's weekly crop report shows 20 per cent of the provincial crop has been harvested, with another nine per cent swathed. The winter wheat harvest is now 94 per cent complete, followed by the fall rye at 93 per cent, dry peas at 73 per cent, and lentils at 59 per cent across the province. 

Regionally, the South has seen the most progress with 38 per cent of crops combined, the Central Region is at 25 per cent,  the North West and North East  have less than 7 per cent finished, while the Peace Region is 11 per cent complete.

On Aug. 30, at 12:28 a.m., the Wetaskiwin RCMP received a report of individuals who were following a caller to 911, who said they were trying to kill him. 

At 1:22 a.m., police located an individual on 56 Street and 37A Avenue in Wetaskiwin and approached him.

The individual was in possession of several weapons, which officers were able to confiscate.

A confrontation occurred which resulted in two officers discharging their firearms and the individual being struck.

If you are planning to head out for the long weekend, here is a list of fire advisories in effect for Central Alberta.  

Ponoka-Ponoka County-Summer Village of Parkland Beach-Rimbey         

A fire advisory is in place.   

The railways have been working to ramp back up following last week's rail shutdown.

CN's Assistant Vice President of Grain, David Przednowek says the process takes some time noting the key to an efficient ramp up or recovery is a very measured and planned ramp down.

He says that involved implementing embargoes so that products (especially toxic, hazardous or dangerous goods) wouldn't be left in transport on the rail line.

Przednowek says it's important to review how everything played out to fully understand the process involved in gearing back up. 

The Edson RCMP arrested a suspect wanted on warrants from Lacombe, Redcliff, Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton Police Service, and three other provinces and one territory.  

On Aug. 20, at 6:51 a.m., police received a report of a stolen Mercedes Benz.  

Officers reviewed the surveillance on site and observed two suspects on scene at 12:15 p.m.