Local News

(Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

PHOTOS: Ponoka hosts Battle River High School Rodeo

Photos and results

  • Sep 17, 2021
Photo/ Metro Creative Connection

WCPS schools to include mandatory masking following new provincial restrictions

Masking will be mandatory for students Grades 4-12.

There are now 19,201 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, to go along with 255,834 recovered cases and 2,523 deaths. (File photo)

Red Deer up to 680 active COVID-19 cases

Alberta identifies 2,020 new COVID-19 cases, 18 additional deaths

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said hospitals have never been under greater strain, as the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hits the province hard. (Photo by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)

Red Deer nears 600 active cases of COVID-19

Province reports 1,718 new cases and 10 new deaths

  • Sep 16, 2021
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said hospitals have never been under greater strain, as the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hits the province hard. (Photo by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)
(Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

PHOTOS: Black Elk Cutting Classic

The Black Elk Cutting Classic was held at the Calnash Ag Event…

  • Sep 16, 2021
(Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
(File photo)

UPDATE: STAR Catholic rescinds masking mandate

UPDATE: In the absence of provincial guidance at the time of the…

  • Sep 16, 2021
(File photo)
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Melodie Woods, former president of the Rotary Club of Ponoka, left, and Mayor Rick Bonnett, cut the ribbon, officially opening the Old Hospital Rotary Park on Sept. 9. (Photo submitted)
VIDEO: Town of Ponoka celebrates opening of new park
Canadians should expect plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors this fall, according to the Weather Network’s long-term outlook. (Jenna Hauck/ Progress file)
Weather Network says a pretty nice fall is in store for Canada
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh puts on his jacket following a morning announcement in Sioux Lookout, Ont., Monday, September 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Singh and Trudeau promise to crack down on demonstrations outside hospitals
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau makes a campaign stop in Mississauga, Ont., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
VIDEO: Trudeau says he did not want Wilson-Raybould to lie as SNC-Lavalin affair re-emerges
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Ponoka cowgirl Janae McDougall in the short go at nationals in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo AcentricRodeo)

Ponoka teen has successful barrel racing summer

Local cowgirl does well at provincials, nationals

  • Sep 16, 2021
Ponoka cowgirl Janae McDougall in the short go at nationals in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo AcentricRodeo)
Since the pandemic began, 48 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Red Deer. (Black Press file photo)

Three more COVID-19 deaths in Red Deer

Red Deer has now had 48 deaths since pandemic began

  • Sep 15, 2021
Since the pandemic began, 48 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Red Deer. (Black Press file photo)
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Saving Grace Animal Society to hold spay/neuter clinic in Ponoka this weekend

The veterinary doctors of Central Veterinary Clinic in Ponoka are teaming up…

  • Sep 15, 2021
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Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre. (File photo)

Ponoka doctor says fourth wave is here ‘in full force’

Local doctor warns wait times may be longer at the Ponoka hospital, asks for patience

Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre. (File photo)
<strong>Sholarship winner:</strong> McDonald’s Ponoka employee Emily Spelrem receives a $1,000 scholarship. L-R: Jerilee Buffalo, Darrelynn Fair, market people lead, Teresa Hoffmann, owner/operator, Spelrem, Ana Marie Ladim, general manager, Tony Hoffmann,owner/operator and Jhoejo Soco, operations manager. The criteria for this scholarship included writing an essay about “why McDonald’s is your favourite place to work” while pursuing education. The Hoffmanns offered five $1,000 scholarships throughout their market. The other four winners are from Wetaskiwin, Blackfalds and two from Gasoline Alley. (Photo submitted)

PHOTO: Scholarship winner

Sholarship winner: McDonald’s Ponoka employee Emily Spelrem receives a $1,000 scholarship. L-R:…

<strong>Sholarship winner:</strong> McDonald’s Ponoka employee Emily Spelrem receives a $1,000 scholarship. L-R: Jerilee Buffalo, Darrelynn Fair, market people lead, Teresa Hoffmann, owner/operator, Spelrem, Ana Marie Ladim, general manager, Tony Hoffmann,owner/operator and Jhoejo Soco, operations manager. The criteria for this scholarship included writing an essay about “why McDonald’s is your favourite place to work” while pursuing education. The Hoffmanns offered five $1,000 scholarships throughout their market. The other four winners are from Wetaskiwin, Blackfalds and two from Gasoline Alley. (Photo submitted)
forum screenshot

3 federal parties represented at Ponoka election forum

Community election forum for Red Deer-Lacombe riding hosted by Ponoka chamber

forum screenshot
Red Deer still has the fourth most active cases of COVID-19 in the province, behind Calgary, Edmonton and Medicine Hat. (Black Press file image)

Red Deer drops 24 active cases, adds one new death

Alberta reports 1,434 new COVID-19 cases, nine new deaths

  • Sep 14, 2021
Red Deer still has the fourth most active cases of COVID-19 in the province, behind Calgary, Edmonton and Medicine Hat. (Black Press file image)
A sample of what card-sized immunization record will look like. (Photo courtesy of Alberta Health)

Alberta to release printable, card-sized vaccine record Thursday

The Alberta Government will release a new way for Albertans to show…

A sample of what card-sized immunization record will look like. (Photo courtesy of Alberta Health)
Cutting the cake: On Sept. 10, 2021, the Ponoka Youth Centre celebrated the 20th anniversary of opening its doors. Pictured here are Joziena Meijer, Heather Patterson, Darryl Stretch, Jesse Vaudry and Beth Reitz, executive director. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

Ponoka Youth Centre marks a milestone with 20th anniversary celebration

A celebration was held at the youth centre on Sept. 10

Cutting the cake: On Sept. 10, 2021, the Ponoka Youth Centre celebrated the 20th anniversary of opening its doors. Pictured here are Joziena Meijer, Heather Patterson, Darryl Stretch, Jesse Vaudry and Beth Reitz, executive director. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
Melodie Woods, former president of the Rotary Club of Ponoka, left, and Mayor Rick Bonnett, cut the ribbon, officially opening the Old Hospital Rotary Park on Sept. 9. (Photo submitted)

VIDEO: Town of Ponoka celebrates opening of new park

Old Hospital Rotary Park is on the site of the former general hospital

Melodie Woods, former president of the Rotary Club of Ponoka, left, and Mayor Rick Bonnett, cut the ribbon, officially opening the Old Hospital Rotary Park on Sept. 9. (Photo submitted)
(Black Press file photo)

Ponoka chamber receives federal shop local funds

Funding received from the federal government will go towards supporting Ponoka and…

  • Sep 14, 2021
(Black Press file photo)
The Ponoka Community Growing Project is scheduled to harvest its field north of Ponoka on Sept. 17. (File photo)

Ponoka Community Growing Project harvest this Friday

The Ponoka Community Growing Project, which has been contributing towards global food…

  • Sep 13, 2021
The Ponoka Community Growing Project is scheduled to harvest its field north of Ponoka on Sept. 17. (File photo)
The Government of Alberta identified another 4,740 COVID-19 cases over the weekend: 1,659 on Friday, 1,497 on Saturday and 1,584 on Sunday. (File photo by The Associated Press )

Red Deer jumps to 597 active COVID-19 cases

4,740 COVID-19 cases identified in Alberta over weekend

The Government of Alberta identified another 4,740 COVID-19 cases over the weekend: 1,659 on Friday, 1,497 on Saturday and 1,584 on Sunday. (File photo by The Associated Press )
Some local federal election candidates held an impromptu debate outside the Red Deer Polytechnic Arts Centre last week after the federal election forum was called off because several attendees refused to wear masks. (FIle photo by Advocate staff)

Ponoka election forum goes virtual due to mask controversies

Forums in Innisfail and Red Deer cut short last week because people did not want to wear

Some local federal election candidates held an impromptu debate outside the Red Deer Polytechnic Arts Centre last week after the federal election forum was called off because several attendees refused to wear masks. (FIle photo by Advocate staff)