Clubs, non-profits and services featured at Olds Community Showcase

The annual Community Showcase is set to return to Olds tomorrow (September 3) offering residents a one-stop opportunity to learn about local organizations, sign up for programs, and connect with community services

The event, which runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Olds Regional Exhibition Cow Palace (5116 54 Street), is free to attend.

Designed as a trade-show-style gathering, the Community Showcase features non-profits, service clubs, sports organizations, and community groups.

Education and rehabilitation merge for a unique learning experience

A unique blend of education and rehabilitation was at the heart of a recent presentation to Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta (PSBAA) trustees, hosted by the Wolf Creek Public Schools Board of Trustees.

Led by Wolf Creek Education Centre (WCEC) principal Evie Van Scheik, the presentation offered a deep look at the only long-term institutional rehabilitation program of its kind in Alberta. It serves students aged 16 to 65, most of whom are navigating complex acquired brain injuries, mental health diagnoses, addictions, or concurrent disorders.

Red Deer RCMP expands hours to provide better community service

Starting tomorrow (September 3) the downtown Red Deer RCMP detachment will extend its customer service hours every Wednesday to give residents more flexibility in accessing in-person services.

The new hours of operation are:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  • Closed: Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays

‘No child left on the sidelines’: Kidsport Ponoka supports local youth

Kidsport is working to make sure no child in the community misses out on organized activities because of money.

“The main mission is to make sure that not one child is left on the sidelines because of any financial barriers,” said Jill Little, director of support programs for the Boys and Girls Club Wolf Creek.

“In Ponoka last year we supported 127 youth and that worked out to the sum of $45,000,” she said.

Little said the program runs year-round. “You can apply for one calendar year at a time, and each family can receive up to $250 per calendar year.”

Central Albertans send Canada to the podium at World Waterski Championships

Central Alberta athletes played a leading role in Team Canada’s impressive performance at the 2025 IWWF World Waterski Championships in Recetto, Italy, where Canada earned multiple medals, world titles, and a second-place finish in the Team Overall standings.

Innisfail’s Dorien Llewellyn captured the Men’s Overall World Champion title, showcasing consistency across all three disciplines and sealing his victory with a bronze-medal jump.

Olds's athlete Ryan Dodd added to Canada’s medal count in Men’s Jump, soaring 70.1 metres (230 feet) to secure silver.

Alberta set to replace flimsy paper health cards with new 'Alberta Wallet' app

Alberta is planning to ditch its long-maligned paper health cards with a new app it has dubbed the "Alberta Wallet."

Holding her own crumpled health card from behind a podium, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday the app would allow people to access their health card from their phone.

"We've been trying to get rid of these things," Smith told a news conference in Calgary as she toyed with the small, rectangular card.

She said her own card was dog-eared on both sides and the plastic cover had broken.

'Mercy of politics': Canadian farmers weigh plans as Chinese tariff hits canola price

As Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola products continue to hamper the cash price of one of the country's most valuable crops, farming experts say producers have big decisions ahead of them.

Market analyst Chuck Penner with LeftField Commodity Research said while future prices are down slightly, the cash price farmers receive for their canola, also known as the basis, is much lower.

Wolf Creek bus drivers ready to roll as new school year begins

Wolf Creek Public Schools’ (WCPS) bus drivers gathered Monday (August 25) for the division’s annual Bus Driver Start-Up Meeting, a refresher and welcome event that brings together new and returning drivers as they prepare for the 2025-26 school year.

The session provided updates, safety reviews and an opportunity for the WCPS transportation department to thank drivers for the vital role they play in getting students to and from school safely each day.

WCPS operates 92 routes every morning and afternoon, transporting nearly 4,000 students daily across the division.

Crayons and colouring promote school safety

As children return to school this week, RCMP are encouraging parents to talk with their kids about staying safe — in the classroom and beyond. 

To help, officers are highlighting the I Know Safety colouring book from B.C. RCMP. The book offers age-appropriate lessons on topics such as online safety and staying alert in the neighbourhood. 

It is also available in multiple languages, including Spanish and Tagalog. 

Hot and hazy weather to kick off first week of September

It seems that Mother Nature saved the hottest and driest weather for the end of the season.

Environment Canada is forecasting more hot weather for most of this week. Some parts of Central Alberta are also under an air quality advisory as there will be smoke from wildfires lingering in our area.

For the latest forecast click here.

Here's what the weather looks like for the first week of September.

Monday