Lacombe

At 1:41 p.m., Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for areas of Central Alberta.   

The watch is in effect for Lacombe County, Red Deer County, Ponoka County, and the County of Stettler.   

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain.  

The type of mpox spreading rapidly through several African countries could arrive in Canada, where that strain hasn't appeared before, Canadian experts say.  

The detection of clade I mpox in Sweden in someone who had travelled to an affected African country is a "harbinger" of broader spread, said Dr. Fahad Razak, an internal medicine specialist and epidemiologist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. 

The Public Health Agency of Sweden said Thursday it is the first case of clade I mpox to be diagnosed outside the African continent. 

On Aug. 15, the Innisfail RCMP were called to the Dodds Lake area where a suspicious male was going through residents back yards.   

When the suspect saw one of the property owners, mistaking them for a police officer, he jumped into the lake.  

RCMP attended Dodds Lake and observed the suspect bobbing up and down in the middle of the water.    

The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) community gathered today (Aug. 16) to celebrate the spirit of inclusion and Pride with a new art installation.  

The mural titled “Kaleidoscope,” designed and painted by RDP Visual Art alum Kat Simmers, is located by the exterior of the Students’ Association of Red Deer Polytechnic (SARDP) building space near the institution’s main entrance.   

City Council has officially designated the Lacombe Nurseries Limited Residence as a Municipal Historic Resource.   

The Red Deer RCMP is advising residents of Quick Response (QR) code scams.   

When the codes are scanned, it brings the user to a website that contains malware, that can obtain banking and other sensitive information.   

Police say when a member of the public received a package of luxury goods they had not ordered, there was an attached note directing them to scan the QR code.   

The City of Red Deer is advising motorists of traffic disruptions on 50 (Ross) Street this weekend during the Afro-Caribbean Festival. 

On Saturday, Aug. 17, and Sunday, Aug. 18, 50 Street will be closed from 48 Ave to 49 Ave and 49 Ave to 50 Ave.   

The 49 Ave and 50 Ave intersections will remain open to vehicles. Detours will be in place.  

The federal government says the Ukrainian army can use military equipment provided by Canada inside Russia.

A spokesperson for National Defence says Canada places no geographic restrictions on military equipment donated to Ukraine.

The statement comes after Ukraine launched a surprise military offensive into Russia earlier this month. 

The attack is unprecedented for its use of Ukrainian military units on Russian soil.

Ottawa has committed $4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine through 2029.

Defence lawyers making final arguments on behalf of one of the prominent "Freedom Convoy" organizers are maintaining their client's innocence, with proceedings scheduled to continue next week.

Diane Magas argued before a judge Thursday that her client, Chris Barber, never meant to gridlock Ottawa and that he is not responsible for the actions of convoy participants.

She also said there's an "enormous" amount of material to deal with in the trial and the process has taken more time than expected. The trial began in September 2023 and has faced a number of delays.

On June 11, at approximately 7:06 a.m., the Lloydminster RCMP responded to a report of a home invasion within the community.  

When police arrived, two individuals with gunshot wounds were found and airlifted to hospital.   

They were later identified as being among the suspects who perpetrated the break-and-enter.