Lacombe

After an extended stretch of extreme heat, Central Alberta is expected to see some relief this August long weekend, according to Environment Canada.

Heat warnings currently in effect will end as daytime highs settle back into the mid-20s offering more comfortable conditions for outdoor activities.

Lacombe weekend forecast at a glance:

• Friday night: Partly cloudy skies with a low of 14°C.

The Tees Rodeo is celebrating its 50th anniversary this August long weekend with three days of rodeo action, music, and family fun at the Tees Rodeo Grounds.

Starting today (August 1) until Sunday, the milestone event is part of the Central Alberta Rodeo Association (CARA) circuit.

Festivities kick off tonight at 5 p.m. with slack events, followed by performances on Saturday and Sunday starting at noon.

An audit of Alberta medical clinics charging membership fees found no significant cases of patients paying out of pocket for covered medical treatment but paying members are likely getting more thorough care.

The province launched the audit in 2023 in response to concerns over a Calgary medical clinic switching to a membership model and planning to charge annual fees of about $5,000 for families and $2,000 for an adult.

With the Heritage Day long weekend approaching, Central Alberta RCMP is reminding drivers to plan ahead, stay alert, and drive responsibly to help ensure a safe journey for all road users.

Motorists are encouraged to keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Do not drive impaired: Alcohol and drugs can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Always arrange a safe ride home. Impaired driving is not just a legal issue—it’s a matter of life and death.

The August long weekend is always one of the busiest for campgrounds across Central Alberta.

If you are heading out, here is a list of active fire bans and advisories for our area.

City of Red Deer-Fire Advisory

Until further notice:

No fire permits will be issued.

This fire restriction does not apply to:

Unionized workers at Canada Post are entering their final day to vote on the Crown corporation's latest contract offer.

Voting is set to wrap up today at 5 p.m., with results expected to be shared shortly after.

The offer includes wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years but also adds part-time workers that Canada Post has said are necessary to keep the postal service afloat.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has urged the roughly 55,000 postal service workers it represents to reject the proposal.

Canada was hit with 35 per cent tariffs on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to increase the duties if Ottawa didn't make a trade deal.

The White House has said the tariffs would not affect goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, commonly known as CUSMA.

Prime Minister Mark Carney had tempered expectations of an agreement by Friday, saying Ottawa will only agree to a deal "if there's one on the table that is in the best interests of Canadians."

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning across parts of Central Alberta.

Daytime high temperatures near 30 degrees Celsius, with overnight lows ranging from 14 to 18 degrees, are expected to continue through the rest of the week.

Environment Canada says the current heat warnings are expected to end this weekend, as daytime temperatures return to the mid-20s.

Residents and visitors in affected areas are advised to take precautions to protect themselves and others.

The 2025 “Chairs for Charity” fundraiser raised $6,350 in support of the Tools for School program. This brings the total raised to an impressive $46,048 for local charities since beginning in 2018.

Launched by Deanna Nowochin, “Chairs for Charity” is a grassroots initiative that brings the community together in support of a good cause. Each year, local businesses purchase and creatively decorate unfinished Adirondack chairs, which are then displayed throughout Lacombe and raffled off to the public.

A man who allegedly fled police following a confrontation during a traffic stop has been arrested and is now facing several charges.

Lacombe police say Aaron Olson was taken into custody after a warrant was issued for his arrest earlier yesterday.

The charges stem from an incident on July 28, when officers stopped a white Dodge Ram on Highway 12 near 58 Street just before 1 a.m.

Police say Olson, who was showing signs of impairment, became combative when officers attempted to search his vehicle — which contained an open alcoholic beverage within reach.