AHS ADVISORY ISSUED ABOUT POOR AIR IN CENTRAL ALBERTA - JULY 30, 2010
A health advisory has been issued in Central Alberta warning of poor air quality in the region this weekend. Dr. Deena Hinshaw with Alberta Health Services says the forecast has played a large role in issuing this advisory with projected high temperatures and stagnant air. If outside for long periods of time, the public could start to notice eye, nose or throat irritation as well as coughing and headaches. Children, the elderly and those with health conditions like asthma and bronchitis are at heightened risk. Hinshaw recommends to limit time outside, close the windows and use air conditioning if available.
DOGS AT RISK IN SEVERE HEAT - JULY 30, 2010
Some humane societies across Alberta are warning pet owners that the heat can cause severe health issues with dogs. A Pet Heat Alert has been issued in Calgary and Edmonton urging owners not to leave their pets in cars even with the window open. Dr. Christie Volk with the Easthill Dog and Cat Hospital says dogs are unable to sweat, and therefore have a higher risk of heat stroke. If you think your pet might have heat stroke, Volk advises to wet them down with cool water and make sure they have access to air.
 PERFORMERS HIT RED DEER STREETS - JULY 30, 2010
Red Deer's Centrefest kicks off this weekend, but you can get a little taste of the street performer festival today. The event runs Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Ross Street, but you can get a sneak preview today. A BBQ gets underway at City Hall Park at noon.
CRASH SENDS FOUR TO STETTLER HOSPITAL - JULY 30, 2010
Seatbelts are being credited as saving lives just west of Big Valley. A three-vehicle collision yesterday sent four people to hospital, including one child. Stettler RCMP say a semi trailer was about to turn into the landfill when an SUV hit it from behind then drove into the concoming lane and hit a jeep. That jeep caught fire, and its driver was helped out by the SUV driver. None of the injuries are life-threatening.
HOBBEMA RCMP LAY CHARGES IN GUN SEIZURE - JULY 29, 2010
 A Hobbema man is facing 26 firearm related charges following a weapons bust on the Ermineskin First Nation on Wednesday. RCMP seized seven handguns, 11 rifles, six shotguns and a large collection of knives. Wayne Roan, 65, has been charged and released from custody. He's scheduled to appear in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court in early August.
ALBERTANS URGED TO CALL 911 TO REPORT IMPAIRED DRIVERS - JULY 29, 2010
 Impaired drivers in Alberta are being watched. That's the message MADD Canada wants to get out as they launch a new campaign in Red Deer today urging the public to call 911 if they spot a drunk driver. MADD National President Denise Dubyk lost her son Darryl in a crash involving a drunk driver 10 years ago. She says this campaign promotes the message that a single pro-active phone call could save a life. Impaired driving is the number one criminal cause of death in Canada with an average of four fatalities each day. The RID (Report Impaired Driving) launch is in partnership with RCMP and Alberta Health Services.
SORENSEN STATION OPENS ON SUNDAY - JULY 29, 2010
Red Deer's bus route will be back to normal as of Sunday.
The city is officially opening Sorensen Station on 49th Avenue on Sunday, so the buses will no longer operate out of the temporary site on Alexander Way.
The new station will feature a lost and found, customer service centre and 400 additional parking stalls.
The station is named after the late Gordon Lloyd Sorensen who launched Red Deer's original bus service in 1957.
ROOFER FALLS OFF NORTH APARTMENT - JULY 29, 2010
Occupational Health and Safety will look into a workplace accident that sent one man to hospital. A West Point Roofing worker fell off Taylor Heights Apartments, at Taylor Drive and 60th Street, after 8:30 this morning. Emergency officials say the man was talking, and is in stable condition.
MURDER SUSPECTS BACK IN COURT - JULY 28, 2010
Three men charged in the gang-killing of a Red Deer man will likely have a preliminary inquiry set next month. Lawyers wanted to set a date for the inquiry in Red Deer court this morning, but hit a snag when 22 year old Christopher Smith fired his lawyer. Smith is charged along with Pedro Julio Saenz and Christopher McIvor in the April 2009 drive-by shooting of Brandon Prevey. The man was sitting in his Jeep in Inglewood when he was shot to death. The three are jointly charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. They'll be back on August 10th to set a date for the inquiry.
LUKASZUK SAYS RED DEER IS STILL IN REBUILDING STAGE - JULY 28, 2010
 Alberta's Employment and Immigration Minister says Central Alberta is slowly starting to rebuild in the labour market. After severe job losses over the past year and a half, and a huge jump in the unemployment rate to 7.1 per cent at the end of 2009, Thomas Lukaszuk says he is noticing growing optimism in our region. Lukaszuk says local residents should utilize the employment office in Red Deer which has proven successful in helping link up employees with open job markets.
BIG CASH FOR PLASCO - JULY 28, 2010
A gasification plant south of Red Deer is starting to look more like reality. Plasco Energy Group announced today that Ares Management in Los Angeles has put $110-million in an equity placement. When it's finished in 2012, the plant will convert Central Alberta's household waste into energy. The plant is expected to process 300 tonnes of garbage per day.
RED DEER PHASING OUT TWO MORE AMBULANCES - JULY 28, 2010
First there was nine, soon, there will be five city-owned ambulances on the street. Red Deer Emergency Services is phasing out four if its vehicles after Alberta Health Services took over ambulance service. It contracted the City to provide keep five on the road. Development Services Director Paul Goranson says ambulances will be called in from out-of-town if there is a high demand in the city. He says there has already been two or three instances when ambulances from outside Red Deer had to be called in. Goranson says ambulance service providers outside of Red Deer were given a guide about landmarks and major roads in order to find their way around the city.
BLACKFALDS TO GET BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING - JULY 28, 2010
The Little Star Play School and Out of School Program is expanding its services to school-age kids. Blackfalds Town Council has agreed to lease space in one of its buildings to Little Star to operate before and after school programming. Mayor Melodie Stol says her community needs the service. She says Little Star addresses presechool and after school needs. Stol expects the town will need more child care spaces as many young families call Blackfalds home. The Little Star Play School operates in the former downtown library.
SEX ASSAULT SUSPECT MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT - JULY 28, 2010
A man facing numerous violent charges out of Innisfail including the sexual assault of a minor made his first court appearance today. Brandon Bill, 22, has been held in custody in Red Deer while he tries to find a lawyer. The man is facing a long list of charges including Sexual Assault of a girl under 16, Harassment, Dangerous Driving, Uttering Threats and Choking. The charges stem from incidents in the Central Alberta town between June and October of last year, but no more details have been released. He'll be back in court on August 4th to enter a plea.
FIRE SCARE AT CLEARVIEW INDUSTRIAL - JULY 28, 2010
About 18 employees of an oilfield servicing company in Red Deer county had to be evacuated this morning when someone spotted smoke. Allan Weiss, with Red Deer County Fire, says they got the call from Packers Plus around 9:30 and three stations responded. Crews believe an electrical problem is to blame. No one was injured and no damage sustained.
OLDS COLLEGE URGING RESIDENTS TO 'BUY A MILE' IN SUPPORT OF HAITIAN STUDENTS - JULY 27, 2010
Three Haitian students will be making their way to Olds College in less than a month, but the College needs more support from the community. They have launched the Buy a Mile Campaign asking the public to contribute five dollars each to help cover the travel and cost of living expenses for the three incoming students. College Coordinator Carmel Maloney says they students will take a program and then return home to help Haiti rebuild after the devastating earthquake in January. The College has already contributed $18,000 to cover tuition and books. Anyone looking to donate can do so through the College.
SALESPEOPLE FINED FOR FORGING ENERGY CONTRACTS - JULY 27, 2010
Three former employees with Alberta Energy Savings have been fined for forging contracts and impersonating clients. The Alberta Government received complaints from homeowners in Innisfail, Barrhead and Edmonton saying they had been charged under long term contracts that they hadn't signed up for. Further investigation reveals that the three had forged customers signatures and impersonated customers during phone calls. They have been slapped with a $6800 fine plus a year of probation which includes community service.
FAILED BREAK AND ENTER - JULY 27, 2010
Red Deer RCMP are on the hunt for a man who attempted to break into a local home this morning. At 11:30, a 51 year old woman was in her home on 49th Avenue when a male knocked on the door. She didn't answer and a few minutes later, the man kicked down her back door. Upon seeing the woman in the residence, he fled. RCMP are now searching for a man about 6 feet tall, clean shaven, bald and heavy set. He was wearing red and white plaid shorts and a grey backpack. Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP.
SECONDARY SUITE PERMIT DEADLINE EXTENDED - JULY 27, 2010
September 1st is the new deadline for property owners to register secondary suites. Owners originally had until July 1st to apply for a permit but city council voted to extend the deadline. They want to make sure all suites in Red Deer meet provincial fire and building code regulations. If the City finds anyone operating a suite without a permit, the owner could be fined up to $5,000.
BLACKFALDS STAND OFF ENDS WITH TRAGEDY - JULY 26, 2010
An armed stand off in a Blackfalds neighbourhood ended with a man taking his own life last night. Around 3 o'clock, RCMP were called to a home in Panorama Estates with reports of an armed, suicidal man. Several homes had to be evacuated during the stand off. Police negotiated with the 36 year old man until about 7 o'clock. That's when the Red Deer Emergency Response Team entered the home to find a deceased man. Police say nobody else was in the home at the time.
WASKASOO PARK TO GET BIGGER - JULY 26, 2010
City Council has identified land it hopes to add to Waskasoo Park. The River Valley and Tributaries Park Concept Plan looks into the City's growth area for potential parks and trails. In order to do that, the City will need to buy 1,000 hectares of land by 2035 if it wants to keep 13 per cent of land mass as green space. Councillor Larry Pimm doesn't expect the City to pick up the entire tab. He says the City can tap on private investment and other levels of government. An expanded park system comes with higher maintenance costs, which Parks Superintendent Trevor Poth says can be supported by the City as its tax base grows.
CITY WORKS TOWARDS ENVIROMENTAL MASTER PLAN - JULY 26, 2010
By the end of the year, City Council is expected to have a environmental vision for Red Deer. Council was updated on the progress in developing an Environmental Master Plan last night. The Plan will guide politicians over the next 25 years when making decisions. Councillor Tara Veer says it's important that the Plan be flexible. She says trends change and the City needs to be flexible with any proposals that Red Deerians bring forward. The consultant developing the Master Plan says maintaining the City's walkability is something that is important as Red Deer continues to grow.
RED DEER CEMETERIES TO BECOME MULTICULTURAL - JULY 26, 2010
City Council is looking to see how it can better accommodate a diversity of faiths in its cemeteries. Council voted to spend $50,000 to research how it should develop the last section of land in the Alto Reste cemetery. Parks Superintendent Trevor Poth says Alto Reste and the Red Deer Cemetery have traditionally followed the traditions of the Christian faith. He says there are lots of opportunities to incorporate several different cultures into the cemeteries. Poth estimates Alto Reste can accommodate Red Deer's needs for the next 15 years.
MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT GOING UP AT GAETZ AVENUE AND 55TH STREET - JULY 26, 2010
City Council's vision to transform the west side of downtown is starting to come to fruition. River City Developments got what it needed last night to build a 5 storey residential and commercial building at the corner of Gaetz Avenue and 55th Street. Owner Ken Wessel says he came up with the vision for the site about a year ago. He says the old Shell site is a premier area development. Despite locating across the street from the Saputo plant, Wessel is confident in his project and doesn't expect the plant to be there forever.
WESTERNER ATTENDANCE BREAKS RECORDS - JULY 26, 2010
More people than ever took in Westerner Days this year. Attendance numbers increased by five per cent over last year, bringing the total to 92,689 people. Westerner CEO John Harms says the event brings a lot of tourism to our city with about 50 per cent of attendees coming in from outside Red Deer. Harms credits the increase on the good weather and great line up of entertainment over the four day stretch. They hope to crack 100,000 in attendance at next years fair.
CANADIAN RED CROSS PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL FAMILY - JULY 26, 2010
Red Deer's local Red Cross is providing food, shelter and hygiene kits to a family of five that were put out by a fire last night. The blaze broke out around 6 PM in the Glendale community. The family of two adults and three children will recieve 72 hours of assistance from the Red Cross before other assistance groups step in to help. No other details about the fire have been made available.
SOMALI WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OFF TO A GREAT START - JULY 25, 2010
A Sylvan Lake journalist who held captive in Somalia for 15 months last year says her scholarship program is off to a good start. Inspired by her experience, 28 year old Amanda Lindhout created the Somali Women's Scholarship Program in order to plant the seeds of change in the world's poorest country. Lindhout wonders if her captors would have taken up a life of violence if their mothers were educated. Speaking in Sylvan Lake on Sunday, she says she's confident her program will work despite gruelling challenges women face in Somalia. She says Somali women are resilient, strong, and want change. Eleven scholarships were awarded this year and Lindhout hopes to have given out 100 in four years.
BIG CROWDS AT WESTERNER DAYS - JULY 25, 2010
Westerner Days is drawing big crowds. Day 3 of the fair saw over 24,000 people walk through the front gates. For the same Friday last year, that's up by 6,000 guests. So far, nearly 58,000 people have taken in the sights and sounds of Westerner Days during the first three days.
BLACKFALDS BEGINS PLANNING FOR A FIELD HOUSE - JULY 25, 2010
A new field house may be coming to Blackfalds within a few years. It would include gym space, a fitness centre, meeting rooms, and swimming pool down the road. Mayor Melodie Stol says a consultant will come up with a price tag once feedback from residents is incorporated. She says once that work is finished, Town Council must balance cost and what residents want from the facility. Stol says the field house was identified as a priority a couple of years ago in a Community Facility Needs Assessment.
THIEVES BREAK INTO CARS IN LACOMBE - JULY 25, 2010
Lacombe Police are looking for thieves who targeted several vehicles in the town. Last week, wallets, electronic devices, and loose change went missing from several cars in two neighbourhoods. Police say residents should be locking their doors. Anyone who may have noticed property missing from their vehicles is asked to report to police.
RED DEER COUNTY MATCHES FUNDS FOR A NEW PLAYGROUND IN BENALTO - JULY 24, 2010
Red Deer County is helping a group of parents in Benalto. The County is matching the $20,000 they raised to make improvements to their school's playground. Councillor Reimar Poth says he's impressed by the amount of work the parents put in to raise the funds. He says when people put up their own money, talk is cheap. In this case he says parents have gone out of their way to raise funds for the facility. Poth says Benalto is one area of the County that could benefit from more recreational opportunities.
BROTHER PLEADS FOR HELP IN SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN - JULY 23, 2010
The brother of a 20 year old man who went missing in the North Saskatchewan River says he won't lose hope that his little brother is out there. Rocky Mountain House RCMP called off the search this morning after two days of ground, air and water search. But when his older brother, Emery Heynh, was told that the search was being called off, he felt that he couldn't give up and he and his family are continuing the search. The man, who can not be identified at the request of the family, went missing on Tuesday when he went wading in the river to cool off while camping. The current pulled him under somewhere near the Big Horn Dam which is about 200 kilometers west of Red Deer. The family is making a call for help from anyone who wishes to help in the search effort and can contact Big 105 to get more information.
COURT CASE SET OVER IN CANADA DAY FATAL - JULY 23, 2010
A court case has been set over for a local man charged in a Canada Day crash that killed a 13 year old boy. The Chanminaraj family was at the courthouse today to see the man charged with impaired driving in their son Jeffery's death. But 32 year old Rodney Arens was not in court today, instead having a lawyer appear on his behalf. The teen was killed when a pickup truck slammed into the car he was riding in while heading to Bower Ponds to watch the fireworks. Arens is facing eight charges including impaired driving causing death and refusing to provide a breath sample to police. His case has been pushed to August 6th.
AN EMAIL HAS LACOMBE POLICE WARNING CENTRAL ALBERTANS - JULY 23, 2010
Lacombe Police are trying to clear up any misconceptions after an urban myth was sent around on emails. The email is about a young woman who is told by her parents to dial *77 or #77 if she is being pulled over by an unmarked police car. Lacombe Police are reminding the public that dialing *77 or #77 will get you nowhere and you must always instead call 911. Constable Steve Murray says it's important for people to be aware given that a teen was abducted by a man impersonating an officer in Penhold last year. He says cases of impersonating an officer are rare but they can happen. Murray says if you're in a situation where an unmarked police car is trying to pull you over and you feel uncomfortable, it is okay to wait a bit and pull over in a well lit and well populated area.
FLOOD CLEANUP CAN BE HAZARDOUS - JULY 23, 2010
Alberta Health Services is urging Central Albertans to use precaution after heavy rains caused hundreds of homes in the region to flood. Doctor Digby Horne with the AHS says there are serious risks when trying to clean up a flooded basement. They include electrocution as well as dangerous mold which can cause several different types of illness. Horne urges flood victims to get all electronic devices and appliances professionally cleaned and checked and to clean all surfaces with detergent or bleach solutions. More cleanup information can be found on the Alberta Health Services website.
CITY PROBES PLUMBING IN OLDER NEIGHBOURHOODS - JULY 23, 2010
The City of Red Deer wants to make sure there's no lead in your water. Owners of some homes built before 1960 will be contacted and their systems tested to see if lead pipes were used. Officials say there are approximately 3500 homes in Red Deer where the piping material is unknown.
AFGHANISTAN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO STABBING WIFE -JULY 22, 2010
Guilty pleas today from a man charged in a double stabbing in our city two years ago. Hamadullah Barkza, 34, could face up to five years in prison when a judge delivers the sentence on July 30th. Barkza admitted that he was on an eight day drinking binge when he stabbed his wife in the chest in April of 2008 before turning the knife on himself. The woman had given birth just a week prior to the stabbing, but made a quick recovery in the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Two young children were also in the home at the time of the attack.
RED DEER WOMAN TO TAKE PART IN WEEKEND TO END WOMEN'S CANCERS - JULY 22, 2010
A Red Deer woman will walk 60 kilometres of Calgary's streets this weekend in an effort to cure cancer. Darla Henderson is participating in the sixth annual Weekend to End Women's Cancers. Henderson, who is taking part for the third time, says it's an emotional weekend. In five years, $22-million has been raised from this event. The money goes to the Alberta Cancer Foundation to help with research and patient care.
CHARGES LAID FOLLOWING DRUG BUST IN OUR CITY - JULY 22, 2010
Drug charges have been laid after Red Deer Mounties seized crack cocaine from a vehicle this week. RCMP pulled over the vehicle in the 4100 block of Ross Street on Tuesday to find the cocaine as well as an unspecified amount of money and several cell phones. A 19-year old Red Deer man faces two drug related charges. Two 21-year old Edmonton men have also been charged. The Red Deer man, who hasn't been identified, will be in court in September
PROVINCIAL CASH SHOULD HELP EASE CANCER BATTLE - JULY 22, 2010
Provincial money has come through for the expansion of the Central Alberta Cancer Centre at Red Deer Regional Hospital. Nearly $43 million is being handed over so cancer patients can get radiation therapy in Red Deer. Jenna Millar with the Canadian Cancer Society in Red Deer says 15,900 people are diagnosed with cancer in Alberta every year, and that getting treatment here instead of travelling to Edmonton or Calgary can help with an already overwhelming situation. Expansion should be complete by 2012.
HIT AND RUN CRASH NEAR PIGEON LAKE HAS RCMP LOOKING FOR VEHICLE - JULY 21, 2010
A man has died after being hit by a vehicle on a road near Pigeon Lake. The crash happened at about 11:30pm on Tuesday night. RCMP were called out to Highway 780 to find the body of 41-year old Brian Stephen Junck. Witnesses told Mounties that a newer model white Ford extended cab truck was seen driving along that road around the same time Junck was hit. Police are now looking for information from that night.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY INVESTIGATING WORKPLACE INCIDENT NEAR ROCKY - JULY 21, 2010
A workplace incident just outside Rocky Mountain House at one of Pidherney's gravel pit operations is being investigated. Occupational Health and Safety is looking into the incident where a worker was hit by a dump truck on Wednesday morning. Spokesman Barrie Harrison says the driver thought his co-worker was out of the way. The man was airlifted to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Harrison says it's too early to tell if charges will be laid.
SEARCH AND RESCUE LOOKING FOR MISSING MAN IN THE NORTH SASKATCHEWAN RIVER - JULY 21, 2010
Emergency services officials are searching the North Saskatchewan River for a missing swimmer. Two campers in their early 20s were taking a dip in the river at the Big Horn Dam near Rocky Mountain House when one of them was swept away by the river. One of the men was able to swim to shore and was rescued by helicopter. RCMP Corporal Mark Burnell says it can be dangerous to swim in the river. He says the water in the North Saskatchewan is glacier water and many won't be able to swim in it for very long. A dive team will be searching the area this afternoon.
RED DEER GETS $20,000 TO FIGHT CRIME - JULY 21, 2010
Red Deer is the recipient of a $20,000 cheque to help keep youth away from crime. It's part of a province-wide initiative to support youth justice committees. The committees provide an alternative to the formal court process. They give advice on sentencing for convicted youths and provide alternatives for those charged with minor offences. Those alternatives can include community service work and victim compensation.
BEAVER KILLED AT RED DEER PARK - JULY 21, 2010
A beaver has been shot and killed at a north Red Deer park. Parks Superintendent Trevor Poth says it's not known whether or not this beaver is the one that attacked several dogs earlier this month. One dog died and several more were injured from beaver attacks at the Three Mile Bend Recreation Area. RCMP are investigating and criminal charges could be laid if a suspect is caught.
LOCAL WOMAN WANTS TO LET MCCANN FAMILY KNOW THAT CANADIANS ARE THINKING ABOUT THEM - JULY 20, 2010
 A Red Deer woman is asking you to turn your porch light on tonight. Sherri Larson says by turning it on, you're showing the McCann family that you're thinking about them. Lyle and Marie McCann (right) of St. Albert have not been seen since July 3rd when they were heading out on a camping trip in BC. Larson says she's been getting a great response from people on the Mccann Facebook page. Yesterday, RCMP arrested a man who they call a "person of interest" in the case but the search for the elderly couple continues.
 TOEWS DENIED BAIL - JULY 20, 2010
A Red Deer man will remain behind bars on allegations that he robbed and sexual assaulted an elderly woman. The woman was attacked in broad daylight in Red Deer's north end last July. RCMP say the culprit assaulted the woman before robbing her of her wallet and watch. Jesse Toews, 26, (left) was recently denied bail after spending the last year in custody. He is set to stand trial in January of 2011 on charges of aggravated sexual assault, robbery and unlawful confinement.
WESTERNER DAYS ARRESTS SOME GUESTS - JULY 20, 2010
A 6 year old boy and his parents won't get to see the dinosaurs for a few days. That's because they were pulled over by Red Deer Mounties today as part of Westerner Days' Arrest-a-Guest event. Grant Marven says his wife, Cindy, and his son, Ian, are looking forward to the fair. The Marvens will be tomorrow's guests of honour when the parade kicks off at 9:30.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT TRAINING FACILITY FOR RED DEER COUNTY - JULY 20, 2010
A new school for heavy equipment operators is getting support from Red Deer County Council. The training centre, which would be built on an old gravel pit just north of Innisfail, will educate people about driving everything from a bulldozer to a grader. Councillor Penny Archibald says it would be the first of its kind in the County. She says it will ensure operators in the County will be trained properly and professionally. Three readings must be given to a zoning bylaw before the training centre is allowed to operate.
STATS CANADA REPORT HAS RED DEER CRIME ON THE RISE - JULY 20, 2010
Charges of impaired driving, assault and marijuana trafficking spiked in our city last year. According to a two year comparative report from Statistics Canada, there were over a thousand more offences laid in Red Deer last year in comparison to 2008. The number of violent violations jumped, as did charges of aggravated sexual assault. But it seems thives took a rest in 2009 as the number of break and enter and robbery charges went down.
RED DEER MAN GETS HIS OWN KIND OF MEDAL FOR BEING FAN OF OLYMPICS - JULY 20, 2010
A local man now has his face painted on 100 Royal Canadian Mint medallions. Nelson Lacourse won the "Face of the Games" contest after he submitted a video of himself playing hockey on a local skating rink. Christine Aquino with the Royal Canadian Mint says the medallions are unique. The contest was held during the 2010 Olympic games.
AMA AND SAFE COMMUNITIES PROMOTE BIKE SAFETY - JULY 20, 2010
AMA wants kids to get informed before putting the pedal to the metal this summer. Safe Communities of Central Alberta and AMA are putting on a safety expo in Red Deer today to inform both kids and parents about bicycle safety. Traffic Safety Coordinator Carrie Herrick-Fitzgerald says today's safety expo is all about staying safe while having fun this summer.
INQUIRY TO LOOK INTO THE DEATHS OF FOUR MOUNTIES IN MAYERTHORPE - JULY 19, 2010
An inquiry has been set looking into the deaths of four mounties killed in Mayerthorpe five years ago and the man that shot them. The public inquiry will run in January in Stony Plain in the deaths of Constables Brock Myrol and Anthony Gordon from Red Deer as well as Constables Peter Schiemann and Leo Johnston. In March of 2005, James Roszco shot the four officers on his property and then killed himself. Family members of the deceased are now able to apply to cross-examine witnesses during the inquiry. A judge will then write a written report to make recommendations in preventing similar deaths.
CROPS A WEEK BEHIND - JULY 19, 2010
Central Alberta farmers are rained out. Heavy rainfall over the last month has led to flooding conditions, which is a drastic change from the severe drought last summer. James Wright with the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation says most crops are about a week behind so ideal conditions for farmers in the coming weeks would be dry and hot. Farmers who have suffered major losses due to the excessive moisture can fill out an application form for the Provincial AgriRecovery program.
RESIDENTIAL WIND TURBINES SHELVED - JULY 19, 2010
Residential wind turbines cost more than they save. Red Deer city planners have decided they won't move ahead with a pilot project to see what kind of regulations would be needed. Planner Tara Lodewyk says average wind speeds in Red Deer are about 6 miles per hour. She says to achieve 50 per cent efficiency, wind speeds of 20 miles per hour are needed. Lodewyk says winds only reach those speeds about 100 hours per year. A residential wind turbine costs at least $10,000.
PARKING PASSES FOR RVS - JULY 19, 2010
Red Deerians who want to store their RV in a city-owned lot will have to pay up. Parking Coordinator Fre Dieno says he's working on a monthly fee after it appeared RVs were being stored in a lot at the corner of 52nd Avenue and 47th Street. Dieno says he's also working on a solution for visitors who need a place to park their holiday trailer while they do some shopping downtown. He says the issue came up after the City decided to offer free parking in that lot for users of the nearby spray pad.
RED DEER TRANSIT NOW SELLING DAY PASSES - JULY 19, 2010
Day passes are now available for Red Deer Transit buses. Previously only single fare or monthly passes could be purchased. The Day Passes allow Red Deerians to ride the bus how ever much they want for one day. The passes cost $6.50 but will increase to $7 in September. You can pick them up at Red Deer City Hall as well as various other local businesses.
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