Airdrie

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced Friday an overhaul of several government ministries, creating two new health services portfolios and replacing her Indigenous relations minister.

Former health minister Adriana LaGrange was sworn in as minister of primary and preventative health services, while former jobs minister Matt Jones is now in charge of hospital and surgical health services.

Previous Indigenous relations minister Rick Wilson becomes minister of mental health and addiction. He replaces Dan Williams, who moves to municipal affairs.

The program supports four agricultural societies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba by awarding $10,000 grants each to projects that support rural communities.
 
Garrett Ganden, President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Equipment, says they take pride in being embedded in rural communities in Western Canada.

Last year’s grant recipients were:

The Forestburg Ag Society in Northern Alberta, which received a credit towards a Case IH Farmall tractor to groom its indoor riding arena used for barrel racing and rodeo practice

Mounties say stolen property linked to thefts in Airdrie and several other southern Alberta communities has been recovered following coordinated RCMP operations in April.

On April 16, police received a report of suspicious activity. RCMP said the Central and Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Units (SAD CRU), with assistance from the Emergency Response Team and Strathmore RCMP, executed a search warrant for stolen property in Rockyford.

Another case of avian influenza has been detected, this time in Alberta in a non-commercial, non-poultry flock in Leduc County. 

The premise is under CFIA quarantine and subject to restrictions, bringing the total number of AI cases in Alberta now to two.

Two cases have been found in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan, and three in British Columbia, including an ostrich farm.

There are now 19 premises across Canada infected with AI.

Numerous countries are dealing with avian influenza.

There’s never been a better time to celebrate Canada’s beauty and support the businesses that make it the greatest country in the world.

Golden West introduces the See MORE Canada Auction, which will boost local tourism while helping Canadians rediscover the wonders in their backyard.

From lakeside retreats to city weekend getaways, individual adventures, this online auction is the ticket to unforgettable experiences at unbeatable prices.

But this is more than just an auction.

Wanda and Rob watched more than three decades of family life vanish in smoke and flame.

"We raised three of our girls in that house," Wanda said. "All the bike riding down the drive, basketball in the back…You look at it, and that's gone."

"The fact that we've lost our pets has been very difficult," she added. "And our memories — everything's gone. Like, we have nothing at all."

With the upcoming long weekend being the first of spring, it looks like many Airdronians have different plans.

DiscoverAirdrie conducted a poll this week to see what Airdronians plan on doing over the long weekend, and many plan on staying close to home.

With Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasting rain for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 62 per cent of those who took part in the poll stated they plan on staying close to their couch.

Fourteen per cent said they plan on going glamping, which is pretty much hiding in the big fancy trailer they might have.

The sexual assault case of five hockey players faced another major upheaval Friday, abruptly converting from a jury to a judge alone in order to avoid a mistrial that would have rebooted the proceedings for a second time in less than a month.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia ruled to discharge the jury Friday over concerns about possible jury bias. The move came after a juror sent a note to the Carroccia indicating some members of the panel felt two of the defence lawyers were laughing at them as they came into court each day.

Airdrie residents heading into the Victoria Day long weekend should prepare for cool temperatures, showers, and a possible overnight frost, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

"A chance of showers, at the very least, particularly in the afternoon, with the risk of thunderstorms," is expected Saturday across the Airdrie and Calgary region, said meteorologist Todd Bate.

Airdrie is no longer under a fire advisory heading into the Victoria Day long weekend.

The advisory, originally issued May 2 in response to hot, dry and windy conditions, has since been lifted. As of early Friday morning, the City had not issued a formal statement acknowledging the change.

However, the advisory no longer appears on the City’s "Current fire bans and advisories" webpage, and Airdrie is no longer listed on the Alberta Fire Bans map as being under any advisory.