Lacombe

An organization that monitors the effect of information flows on human rights says the new federal border security bill appears to "roll out a welcome mat" for expanded data-sharing agreements with the United States and other countries.

Researchers with The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto say they want the federal government to reveal more about the information-sharing implications of the bill due to a possible risk to human rights.

Canada is hosting the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has two days of meetings scheduled with world leaders, with discussion topics likely to include trade, the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East.

Here are some highlights from the first day of the summit. 

The countdown to a U.S.-Canada trade deal is on

Prime Minister Mark Carney's office says U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to have a deal on a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the U.S. by mid-July.

On June 13, 2025, an officer with Wetaskiwin RCMP attempted a traffic stop on Highway 2A with a white Chevrolet Equinox that was bearing an illegible license plate.

The vehicle failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed south on Highway 2A. The officer did not pursue the vehicle, however, officers with the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit were in the area on proactive patrol and observed the suspect vehicle flee.

Officers initiated covert surveillance and followed the suspect vehicle until it ran out of gas on Sampson First Nation.  

A traffic note for drivers in Red Deer, starting this Thursday you can expect major delays on Taylor Drive.

From June 19 to 29, daytime lane reductions will be implemented along Taylor Drive from 19 Street to Kerry Wood Drive. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and intermittent lane closures as micro-surfacing repair work is completed.

Motorists are advised to obey all signs and reminded to please slow down when approaching the area and driving the construction zone. Your patience and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

After a policing career spanning 40 years — including the last eight as the city’s chief of police — Chief Lorne Blumhagen has officially retired. 

Taking the helm is Jason Dobirstein, who returns to his hometown to serve as the new chief of police. The role is especially meaningful for Dobirstein, whose father served as interim police chief in 1995. 

A newly recruited family physician is providing care to residents in Sylvan Lake and area.  

Dr. Carli Van Dyk is working out of the Sylvan Medical Center and Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (SLAACS). Individuals needing a family doctor can call 403-887-2221 to inquire about availability for a meet-and-greet appointment.  

What started in a basement in Eckville in 2007 has since become a coast-to-coast sensation. Chris Robak, CFO of Silver Cove, recalls the early days of the now-thriving gemstone and mineral company. "Believe it or not, we started in our basement," he says. "We opened our first store in Lacombe, then expanded to Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer."

From those modest roots, Silver Cove has evolved into a multifaceted business that includes retail locations, a mining division, a wholesale warehouse, and an extensive schedule of gem and mineral shows across Canada.

A union representing 30,000 health-care workers in Alberta is calling on Premier Danielle Smith's government to reverse course and provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all front-line workers and any other Albertan who wants the shot.

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta says that is the best way to protect patients, reduce hospitalizations, and keep the health-care system strong.

Smith says the aim of the new policy, announced last week, is to prevent wastage, recover costs, and protect those who need it the most by giving them the COVID shot for free.

Some areas of the prairies have received some rain over the past few days, but the weeks of hot, dry weather have had an impact on crops, hay, and pastureland. 

With the dry conditions across so much of the Prairies, there's been an increased concern about grasshopper infestations.

Dr. Meghan Vankosky, a research scientist in field crop entomology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, says grasshoppers could be shaping up to be an important story again this year.

On June 8, at approximately 9 a.m., Olds RCMP received a call for service about an erratic driver who was traveling southbound on Highway 2.

Information was received that the vehicle was traveling over 150 km/hr and almost side swiped another vehicle, passed unsafely and veered into other lanes of travel.

Olds RCMP located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on Highway 2.

Officers observed illegal cigarettes in plain view during the traffic stop.

As a result, a 37-year-old male resident of Spruce Grove was arrested and charged with the following: