Lacombe

After the Second World War came to a close, Canada pulled itself away from Great Britain and planted itself firmly within a North American political and economic compact that generated prosperity for much of the western world for decades.

But as the world marks 80 years since the end of the war in Europe, an increasingly unstable geopolitical climate — and an administration in Washington bent on fighting a trade war with much of the world — has Canada looking back to the continent as a way to preserve peace and prosperity.

Observers say the American government’s move toward deregulation could have sweeping consequences for Canadians.

A new policy paper warns Canadian agriculture to prepare for changing U.S. domestic policies that seek efficiencies through deregulation.

The paper from Agri-Food Economic Systems said this could include food inspection.

Follow all our tariff coverage here

Lacombe’s Trash to Treasure Week is starting this Friday. 

The initiative provides an opportunity for residents to both reduce clutter and discover second-hand treasures. 

Residents leave their unwanted but usable items in front of their property clearly labelling them as "free." These items are then available for anyone to take home and reuse. 

Strong nitrogen fertilizer demand is butting up against tight supplies in some regions of the world, says an analyst.

India is the world’s top importer of the product.

Indian urea demand surged to 38.8 million tonnes in 2024-25, an eight per cent increase over the previous year, according to Argus Media.

That was due in part to tight supplies of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer during the winter (rabi) crop season.

As a result of continued extreme dry weather, high temperatures and wind conditions, a fire ban is in effect for the County of Stettler.

All outdoor fires presently burning within the County of Stettler No. 6 should be extinguished immediately. The ignition of all new outdoor fires is prohibited. All burn permits are canceled.

Off-highway vehicles and farming equipment can start wildfires - inspect your equipment frequently to ensure hot spots are free of debris, and make sure mufflers and spark arrestors are working properly.

This fire ban does not apply to:

As the 2025 crop season begins, farmers across the prairies are already on high alert for potential insect damage. Dr. Meghan Vankosky, a research scientist in field crop entomology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, provides insights into what farmers might expect this year based on last year's conditions and winter observations.

An eye-opening opportunity for the students at Nipisihkopahk Elementary School took place in Maskwacis last week.

From April 28 to May 2, more than 600 students in grades K to 6 from the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission (MESC) received eye exams and glasses at a vision clinic organized by the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, LensCrafters, Operation Eyesight Universal, and MESC.

The collaboration aimed to ensure that Maskwacîs students have access to vital vision care, supporting their educational success and overall well-being.

An investigation is now underway to determine the cause of a structure fire that destroyed a multi- family home on the 46 Street block of 39 Avenue in Ponoka. 

Ponoka County Fire Services was called after 6 p.m. Tuesday to respond to the blaze, arriving within 10 minutes. Lacombe Fire was also dispatched to help put out the fire. 

There are no injuries reported, and the cause is unknown until the investigation is complete. 

On May 5, at approximately 3:05 p.m. Olds RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious female carrying two chainsaws who ran towards a UHAUL vehicle, jumped in it, and then dangerously fled the area. 

RCMP officers located the UHAUL vehicle and attempted to stop it on Highway 587, when it drove into the Red Lodge Provincial Park entrance/exit gate, damaging the gate.

Innisfail and Didsbury RCMP, as well as Police Dog Services, also responded to the area to attempt to locate and stop the vehicle.

The chief of staff to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is defending a business class flight he charged to taxpayers, citing a health condition that increases his risk of blood clots.

The flight in question was a return flight he took from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Calgary earlier this year when he accompanied Smith to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The CBC reported this week that the two-day stop in Florida for Smith, Anderson and two others cost Alberta taxpayers about $10,000, with Anderson's flight home billed at nearly $3,000 alone.