Lacombe

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is at the centre of a new applied research project aiming to turn asphalt shingle waste into high-value paving stones.

The multi-year initiative, funded in part by a $450,000 grant from Emissions Reduction Alberta, brings together RDP, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in support of industry partner Sustainable Paving Stones (SPS).

Canada's 2025 wildfire season is now the second-worst on record.

The latest figures posted by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre suggest the fires have torn through 72,000 square kilometres, an area roughly the size of New Brunswick.

That surpasses the next worst season in 1989 and is about half the area burned during the record-setting 2023 season, according to a federal database of wildfire seasons dating back to 1972.

Ottawa is hiking entry-level pay for Canadian Armed Forces privates by 20 per cent for the regular force and 13 per cent for reservists, Prime Minister Mark Carney said at CFB Trenton on Friday.

That means the annual salary for a new recruit will go from $43,368 to $52,044.

Other military members will also receive pay raises, with smaller increases for higher ranks — part of a broader plan to boost recruitment and operational readiness. The new pay hikes will be retroactive to April 1 of this year.

A Central Alberta organization that provides shelter and support to women and children fleeing domestic violence is celebrating major growth from a significant expansion.

Last fall, staff and clients moved into Phase One of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (CAWES) expansion — which includes 50 emergency beds and 17 transitional housing suites.

Phase Two, now under construction and scheduled for completion in late October, will add 23 affordable housing units, wellness and meeting spaces, and additional storage capacity.

Glyphosate, a key product that is used by a number of farmers, could be coming to an end.

Bill Anderson, the CEO of Bayer, noted on Wednesday that the company will be forced to end its US production of glyphosate, unless regulatory or legal changes are made to prevent litigation.

Harvest operations are slowly starting to get underway. Crop condition and staging across the Prairies is variable depending on location and rainfall patterns.

In Manitoba, early reports of swathing in canola have come in from the Interlake and Central regions, along with some winter cereals.

Oilseed Specialist Sonia Wilson put together this week's Manitoba Crop Report.

Advance polls in a historic federal byelection for Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot open today.

For the first time ever, Elections Canada says voters must fill out a blank ballot.

The agency lists a record 214 candidates running in the rural riding, with voting day on Aug. 18.

The majority are part of the Longest Ballot Committee, a protest group calling for various changes to Canada's electoral system.

Ponoka is inviting residents to share their ideas for the 2026 town budget.

The Citizen Input Survey is available online and in paper form. Paper copies can be picked up at the Ponoka Aquaplex, Ponoka Arena Complex and the Town Office in the Ponoka Civic Centre.

Those who complete the survey can enter a draw for a $100 gift card to a local restaurant of their choice.

The survey closes at midnight on Aug. 21.

For more information and to complete the survey, visit the town’s website.

After more than a decade of advocacy, community building, and celebration, the Central Alberta Pride Society (CAPS) has announced that it will formally dissolve.

The decision was shared in an open message from the current board of directors, who cited significant challenges over the past year, including reputational damage they believe has become too difficult to overcome.

Here is the message from the board, as posted on their social media accounts.

Drivers are advised of several temporary road closures in Bentley today and Saturday (August 9) to accommodate the Bentley & District Agricultural Society’s annual fair events.

Today streets will be closed from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the annual fair parade, which begins at 1 p.m. and is presented by the Sunset Hills Riding Club.

The parade route runs from 50 Street to 50 Avenue, 48 Street and then 52 Avenue.

During this time, motorists are asked to access Bentley from the east side along 44 Street.