Lacombe

Sylvan Lake residents are receiving scam text messages saying that they owe a fine payment. The Town of Sylvan Lake does not use text messages for communication about fines or fine payments.

If you have received the scam message:

• Never click links in a text message
• Never give payment of any kind to a text message request

Other scams

A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the federal public service could shed almost 60,000 jobs over the next four years as Ottawa looks to cut costs.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne sent letters to multiple ministers asking them to identify cuts to program spending at their departments of 15 per cent by 2028-29.

The report, written by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives senior economist David Macdonald, says the federal public service could lose up to 57,000 employees by 2028.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada's new Arctic ambassador will play a key role in preserving sovereignty in the region as the military closely watches the movements of a Chinese icebreaker.

Iqaluit resident Virginia Mearns will be Canada's senior Arctic official on the world stage, following a career with local Inuit governments.

"Canada's Arctic ambassador is going to advance Canada's polar interests in multilateral forums," Anand told The Canadian Press in an interview from Inuvik, N.W.T.

The U.S. has imposed general tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles and copper tariffs will begin in early August

In order to provide some relief from the threat of 35 per cent tariffs, Bangladesh has decided to sign a memorandum of understanding on wheat trade with the U.S. The country has agreed to purchase 700,000 tonnes of U.S. wheat annually for the next five years. Photo: file

Tariffs, trade top of mind at recent Agriculture in Motion show

While there’s more to be done, Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe says he’s hopeful trade relations with China can be mended.

“I’ll give credit to prime minister Carney for the engagement that he has undertaken,” Moe said in an interview at the recent Ag in Motion farm show near Saskatoon.

The invasive weed is now being spotted further north than ever before

Farmers in Alberta have a growing problem on their hands, as a notorious weed has started making its way north through the province.

The rapid and relentless spread of kochia, the highly adaptable and increasingly resistant weed, is moving north and taking root in places scientists thought it never would.

Critics respond to report suggesting price correction, saying farmland remains a solid investment

The largest owner of cropland in Canada isn’t buying the idea that farmland values are overdue for a correction.

He says that’s because technical analysis — where market watchers use trends, patterns and mathematical models to predict future price movements — doesn’t apply to agricultural land.

Drivers in downtown Red Deer should expect road closures this weekend due to the Centrefest street performer festival.

Parts of Ross Street (50 Street) and 50 Avenue will be closed Saturday and Sunday to accommodate the event.

The City of Lacombe recently removed several trees from the municipal reserve along Highway 2A, just south of Wilson’s Funeral Home.

This action followed a thorough assessment by certified arborists, who identified the trees as "danger trees" due to disease, structural instability or significant storm damage.

“These trees posed a substantial safety risk to residents and nearby property,” said the City.

“The decision to remove them was made in the best interest of public safety and in accordance with the City’s tree management and risk mitigation procedures.”

The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Queens Hockey program will have a new coach behind the bench beginning in the 2025–26 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season.

Brett Wold, a former student-athlete on the RDP Kings Hockey team, will take over the reins following the departure of Kelly Coulter.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brett back to the Polytechnic,” says Randy Stewart, Manager, Athletics and Student Life, Red Deer Polytechnic.