Lacombe

The City of Red Deer reminds residents of fireworks safety rules for Canada Day.

This Canada Days celebrations usually involve fireworks, and you can't just go lighting them off in your own backyard.

The City of Red Deer is reminding residents to follow local fireworks bylaws to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday.

The Fireworks Bylaw regulates the sale, possession and use of all fireworks, including consumer, display and pyrotechnic, within city limits.

 Alberta Health Services has announced the addition of a locum nurse practitioner (NP) to the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre. The NP will be providing overnight coverage in the ED from 6 p.m. July 2 to 7 a.m. July 3, allowing the Emergency Department to remain open during a gap in physician availability.

During this time, some patients may be diverted to other facilities for higher level emergency care. As always, patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS will be available to transport patients if required. 

Parliamentarians likely will get a chance later this year to debate whether to adopt a livestock brand as an official national symbol.

A bill to create the brand was introduced earlier in June by Saskatchewan Conservative MP Steven Bonk.

If the bill passes, the brand will become Canada's 10th national symbol — joining O Canada, the coat of arms and the maple tree.

Here are five things you may not know about the official symbols that say "Canada."

1. The beaver does not stand alone

Samantha Sannella shed happy tears as she stood to sing the national anthem at her citizenship ceremony in early June, nearly three decades after she moved to Canada. 

She had sung "O Canada" countless times before, but this was the first time she’d done so as a Canadian. 

Originally from Houston, Texas, Sannella moved to Toronto 28 years ago for a job. For the longest time, she still considered herself a U.S. citizen, with a part of her thinking she might move back one day.

But that changed last fall.

Fluoride is back in Calgary's drinking water.

The city, in a news release, says it has begun adding the chemical into the water at the direction of councillors.

Council's decision follows a 2021 plebiscite in which about two-thirds of those who voted said they wanted fluoride put back in the water.

The city says fluoride is safe at low levels and is an effective way to prevent cavities and keep teeth strong.

One of two men jailed last year for their roles in the Coutts, Alta., border protest has been granted bail while he appeals his conviction and sentence.

An Alberta appeal court judge says Chris Carbert does not pose a threat to public safety and is unlikely to commit a criminal offence if released from custody.

Last fall, a jury found Carbert and Anthony Olienick guilty of mischief over $5,000 and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace for their role in the blockade.

They were each given prison sentences of 6 ½ years. 

Ponoka RCMP have released a record of some of the arrests made in the month of June.

Here is the list:

June 4, 2025 – Ponoka RCMP received a report of a vehicle travelling north bound in the south bound lane on highway 2A. Members responded and, in their patrols, located the suspect vehicle driving on 2A near Burger King. The investigation resulted in the driver failing a roadside screening for alcohol and was arrested for warrants out of Calgary. The vehicle was seized for 30 days, and the driver was held until sober and released with a Calgary court date.

At around 3:30 Monday afternoon, Environment Canada issued a heat warning for most parts of Central Alberta.

During a water main service repair today, a significant issue occurred which has resulted in substantial disruption to the municipal water system. Town crews are working urgently to complete the repair and restore normal operations.

To maintain essential service levels and protect the system from further strain, the Town of Olds is now implementing Level 3 Water Restrictions, effective immediately.

Alberta's government is seeking advice to address violence and aggression in schools.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says it's a serious problem as learning disruptions and mental health concerns are becoming more and more common.

Nicolaides says a team of 20 education system officials and teachers will develop potential policy options and solutions over the next six months.

He says some of the recommendations could be implemented as soon as the fall.