Fecal bacteria prompts water quality advisory at Cove Beach in Chestermere

Alberta Health Services has issued a water quality advisory for Cove Beach at Chestermere Lake due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria.

“Alberta Health Services is advising the public not to swim or wade at the Cove Beach area, effective immediately,” the agency stated Friday.

Pool reopening delayed at Airdrie's Genesis Place amid basin complications

Airdrie’s Genesis Place pool will remain closed past the previously announced Sept. 13 reopening date after staff discovered “unexpected basin complications” during routine maintenance.

“The Genesis Place pool and aquatics area will not reopen on Sept. 13,” the City of Airdrie stated Friday in an update on its website. “The pool maintenance closure is expected to be extended by two weeks – at minimum.”

According to the city, the delay stems from issues identified during biennial maintenance work on the dive tank and lane pool.

Previously missing 19-year-old found: Airdrie RCMP

Airdrie RCMP say a 19-year-old reported missing earlier this week has been located safe.

Police issued a request for public assistance late Thursday.

In a Friday morning update, RCMP confirmed the person had been found and thanked the public for their assistance.

No further details will be released.

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Updated: Harvest is just getting underway across the Prairies

Harvest operations are slowly starting to get underway. Crop condition and staging across the Prairies is variable depending on location and rainfall patterns.

In Manitoba, early reports of swathing in canola have come in from the Interlake and Central regions, along with some winter cereals.

Oilseed Specialist Sonia Wilson put together this week's Manitoba Crop Report.

Advance polls open in Alberta byelection with 214 candidates, historic blank ballots

Advance polls in a historic federal byelection for Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot open today.

For the first time ever, Elections Canada says voters must fill out a blank ballot.

The agency lists a record 214 candidates running in the rural riding, with voting day on Aug. 18.

The majority are part of the Longest Ballot Committee, a protest group calling for various changes to Canada's electoral system.

Storm drenches parts of Airdrie — motorists urged to be ready for the next one

Hail, heavy rain and localized flooding in parts of Airdrie on Thursday have prompted fresh safety reminders for drivers as forecasters call for the possibility of more unsettled weather and a wetter-than-normal August.

Environment Canada’s Friday morning forecast called for showers and a risk of a thunderstorm this afternoon, with 5 to 10 millimetres of rain and northwest winds gusting to 40 km/h. Thursday’s severe thunderstorm warning brought hail to parts of the city, but no hail is in the current forecast.

Bridge construction taking place in Nose Creek Park still on track

Two bridges being replaced in Nose Creek Park are still on track.

In recent years, several pedestrian bridges have been replaced in Nose Creek Park, with two more currently under construction.

Scott Fediow, a project manager with the Capital Projects Office, told DiscoverAirdrie that while the weather has been challenging, things are still looking good.

"The rain has pushed us a bit behind. However, the good news is that we were ahead of schedule to begin with. So long story short is we are still on schedule for our completion date in early September."