Lacombe

Penhold has received a new art piece that also doubles as a scientific instrument.

The armillary sphere was gifted by Mr. and Mrs. Ford in celebration of the town’s 120th anniversary last year.

It acts as a sundial while also displaying the months and days of the year. Historically, these intricate devices represented the great circles of the heavens — a true “skeleton celestial globe.”

Residents can now visit the sphere along Waskasoo Avenue, near the Multiplex walking paths, where it stands as a lasting symbol of Penhold’s history and community spirit.

Canada changed its BSE surveillance after lower global incidence of ‘mad cow disease’ led to international standards shift

Canada’s agency for food safety is encouraged with cattle industry response to a new, more farmer-friendly approach to BSE surveillance.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) updated national bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance program — put in place earlier this year to meet new international standards — has received 152 samples of risk material as of Aug. 11, it recently said.

Massive storm in southeastern Alberta causes significant damage to crops and reported deaths of livestock

The numbers are still coming in for the cost of the damage caused by a huge hail storm that hit various areas of Alberta Aug. 20.

The storm ripped its way through vast swaths of land from Cayley, Milo and Brooks to the Saskatchewan border, as well as Camrose to the Viking, Edberg, Sedgewick, and Hughenden areas.

On Aug. 19, at about 2:45 p.m., Ponoka RCMP members observed a stolen Ford F-350 at a pawn shop off Highway 2A in Ponoka. Officers were able to quickly arrest both occupants without incident.

The driver provided a false name. Through a subsequent investigation, RCMP identified the driver as Lethbridge resident Kevin Wright, 56.

Wright has been charged with:

• possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

• possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000

• obstruct peace officer

Manitoba Agriculture released its latest weekly crop report on Tuesday, offering a snapshot of harvest progress and crop conditions across the province. Cereal crop specialist Anne Kirk, who is compiling the reports this month, says harvest operations are moving forward despite recent weather challenges.

On Aug. 20, 2025, investigators from the Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) & Ponoka General Investigation Section (GIS) were searching for a wanted priority offender.

Red Deer Polytechnic has introduced a new kind of dog to its community, though this one is powered by technology instead of tail wags.

The school unveiled “Dr. Woof,” a Unitree Go2 Pro robotic dog, on International Dog Day, Aug. 26. The bionic quadruped is part of RDP’s innovation ecosystem, meant to highlight applied research opportunities while sparking conversations about robotics and automation.

On Aug. 20, Ponoka RCMP were making patrols when they located a vehicle travelling 190 km/h on Highway 2A entering Ponoka. Officers attempted a traffic stop, however the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was later located and both occupants arrested.

As a result of the investigation, RCMP have charged 37-year-old Maskwacis resident Brandon Buffalo with:

• possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

• flight from a police officer

• dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

The Sylvan Lake Municipal Library is wrapping up summer with its 2nd annual community book sale, running this Friday and Saturday (August 29/30), from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Items are available by donation, as in you pay what you like and get to take home books, DVDs, CDs, games, and more.

Proceeds from the sale support the library’s collection and programming.

Library Programmer Corrie Brown says the sale is both a fundraiser and a way for people to refresh their shelves.

Yesterday at 11:55 p.m., Sundre RCMP received a report of a missing youth.

With the help of public tips, he has been located and is now safe.

RCMP thanked the public for their help.

Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. 

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@centralalbertaonline.com.