Lacombe

Tyra the Tyrannosaurus is set to be poked and prodded this fall to determine whether Drumheller’s towering, monstrously popular icon can be saved from extinction.

Mayor Heather Colberg says a technical check will determine how much work — and money — may be needed to keep the 25-metre figure in its current place dominating the skyline of the town northeast of Calgary.

What’s happening this Canada Day in Central Alberta.

Communities across the region are gearing up for Canada Day celebrations filled with fireworks, food, music, and family-friendly fun from June 30 to July 1.

Here’s a look at what’s planned in several Central Alberta communities:

Innisfail

Canada Day Kick-Off
June 30, 5:30 p.m. | Napoleon Sports Field
Celebrate early with live music, food trucks, beer gardens, and fireworks at 11 p.m.

Family activities (5:30–9:30 p.m.) include:

The Red Deer Rebels are excited to announce their full 68-game schedule for the 2025-26 Western Hockey League Regular Season.

New for this season! The Rebels have introduced “6 p.m. Saturdays” where all Saturday night home games at the Marchant Crane Centrium will begin one hour earlier at 6 p.m. The Rebels will play 13 Saturday night home games in 2025-26.

Friday and weeknight home games will continue to start at 7 p.m. The Rebels have one Sunday home game in 2025-26 (February 15 vs. Lethbridge) that will start at 4 p.m.

The Lacombe Police Service is alerting the community to a recent increase in bicycle thefts across the city. 

Officers have responded to a significant rise in reports of stolen bicycles over the past few weeks. 

Police say bicycle thefts are often crimes of opportunity, and they are encouraging all bike owners to take proactive steps to help reduce the risk. 

The mobile men's health clinic, the MAN VAN, is at the Ponoka Stampede today. 

The Prostate Cancer Centre’s MAN VAN, Canada’s first mobile men’s health clinic will be in Ponoka today, offering free health checks that could save lives.

The mobile clinic will be set up from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. across from the Ponoka Stampede Grounds at the trade show, located at 4410 54th St.

The MAN VAN provides free PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests for men aged 40 to 70, helping detect signs of prostate cancer early.

Thursday marked the end of an era in Penhold as Penhold Elementary School (PES) closed its doors for the final time.

The school will be replaced by the new Penhold Waskasoo Middle School, which will welcome students in Grades 4 through 8 this fall.

In a farewell message posted to Facebook, the school reflected on the emotional significance of the day.

Alberta’s finance minister is set to deliver the final bottom line number today on last year’s provincial budget.

Nate Horner’s new figure will close the books on the budget for the fiscal year that ended in March.

That budget was last forecast to come in with a nearly $6-billion surplus.

Alberta’s new budget year is now a few months old, but its expected bottom line number is deep in the red.

This budget, introduced by Horner in February, predicts Alberta will register a $5.2-billion deficit at the end of March 2026.

Two Lacombe firefighters have been recognized for their hard work and promoted to new leadership roles within the Lacombe Fire Department.

In a statement, Fire Chief Jason Fleming expressed his pride in the department’s continued commitment to developing leaders from within.

“I am pleased to announce the promotions of Deputy Fire Chief Mike Regier and Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Fauria, who have advanced through our ranks,” said Fleming. “These well-earned promotions highlight the dedication, skill and leadership that Mike and Ryan have shown in their careers.”

Arrest made in proactive patrol – drugs and weapons seized in Lacombe.

On June 15, at approximately 9:50 a.m., officers located a black 2017 Dodge Ram truck suspiciously parked behind a local motel.

A male occupant was found unconscious inside the vehicle and was arrested at the scene.

During the investigation and a search incidental to arrest, police located a bag containing approximately 20 grams of methamphetamine, a large hunting knife strapped to the center console, and an AR-15 replica rifle positioned next to the driver’s seat.

Highway 53 corridor improvements begin this month.

The Town of Ponoka has partnered with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors to begin extensive improvements and rehabilitation of Highway 53, between Highway 2A and 38 Street.

Construction is expected to begin after the Ponoka Stampede.

Planned improvements along the corridor include: