Lacombe

Penhold Firefighters celebrate tradition, community and youth as Penhold Elementary closes for the summer.

With buses lined up to take students home for the final time from Penhold Elementary School (PES) on Thursday, June 26, the Penhold Volunteer Fire Department made sure the day ended on a high note — by spraying cheering students as they left the school.

Although the origin of the year-end spray tradition is unclear, it holds a special place in the hearts of many.

The Red Deer Royals marching band are inviting alumni to join them in a final performance.

The band is playing the "Sounds of Summer" event on July 2 at the St. Joseph High School sports field and is inviting all former members to take part in a final performance.

Alumni are being asked to play “Hey Baby” with the band and relive their glory days.

Those interested can email the director at director@reddeerroyals.com by June 30.

The Federal Court has approved a multi-billion-dollar class-action settlement for people who suffered abuse at federally run 'Indian hospitals' following out-of-court negotiations between Ottawa and Indigenous survivors.

The federal government ran 33 such hospitals between 1936 and 1981. The total compensation amount is expected to be between $3 billion and $5.3 billion.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday that a 49-year-old Canadian has died while in its custody.

A detainee death notice from the agency, commonly known as ICE, said that Johnny Noviello was pronounced dead by the Miami Fire Rescue Department at 1:36 p.m. on June 23.

The agency said he was found unresponsive at 12:54 p.m. at a federal detention centre where he was being held pending deportation proceedings. Medical staff attempted CPR and defibrillation but were unsuccessful, the agency said.

The annual Ponoka Stampede Parade will roll through downtown Ponoka today, June 27, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Temporary road closures will be in effect along the parade route beginning at about 9:00 a.m. and ending at approximately 12:00 p.m., immediately after the parade concludes.

The parade will begin at the Ponoka Arena Complex (4410 54th St.) and will proceed:

• North on 55th Street (from 45th Avenue to 48th Avenue)

• East on 48th Avenue (from 55th Street to 51st Street)

Downtown Red Deer residents and business owners were expecting sidewalk and parking closures over the weekend as crews prepared to demolish the Empire Building at 4909 48 Street.

However, the teardown has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances and out of an abundance of caution.

The contractor will continue with investigation and preparation work in the meantime. A new demolition timeline will be shared once it is confirmed.

The Empire Building was destroyed by fire in October 2021.

An Alberta company swept up in allegations of government corruption says it’s being further harmed by the suppression of a report it believes could clear the name of its CEO.

Medical supply company MHCare Medical is calling on the provincial government to release an audit initiated by Alberta’s former head of health services into certain health contracts.

Calgary police say charges have been laid after an 11-year-old boy was hit earlier this year by a light-rail train car.

Officers say the boy was walking in a marked crosswalk at Banff Trail Station in mid-April when the CTrain entered the station.

The pedestrian barriers weren't down, and the train struck the boy, who was treated in hospital for life-threatening injuries.

They also said the driver of the train was arrested.

Police say the 60-year-old train operator has since been charged with dangerous operation causing bodily harm.

Two people, including a nine-year-old girl, are dead following an early morning house fire east of the Calgary airport.

The second victim, a man in his 50s, was found deceased inside the home, while the girl was sent to hospital but did not survive.

Fire spokeswoman Carole Henke says emergency crews called to the Taradale neighbourhood were met by roaring flames bursting from a two-storey home, threatening other nearby structures.

Wolf Creek Public Schools has announced the appointment of Adam Sia as the new principal of Bentley School, effective for the 2025–26 school year.

Sia brings more than 20 years of experience in education and school leadership, with a strong background in both teaching and administration. He is currently the assistant principal at École Lacombe Junior High School, where he is recognized for his student-centred approach and collaborative leadership style.