Local News

As of Friday, Alberta has under 10,000 active COVID-19 cases. (Image courtesy CDC)

Red Deer surpasses 500 active COVID-19 cases

212 active COVID-19 cases connected to Olymel outbreak

  • Feb 19, 2021
As of Friday, Alberta has under 10,000 active COVID-19 cases. (Image courtesy CDC)
A total of 16,300 lab tests Thursday showed an eight per cent positivity rate for Alberta, the chief medical officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said on Twitter on Friday. (photography by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)

New high: Red Deer jumps to 493 active COVID-19 cases

7 new deaths, 415 additional COVID-19 cases in Alberta

  • Feb 18, 2021
A total of 16,300 lab tests Thursday showed an eight per cent positivity rate for Alberta, the chief medical officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said on Twitter on Friday. (photography by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)
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Rural Municipalities of Alberta provides information on potential provincial policing service

RMA is presenting the issue to Alberta council’s through their Issue Backgrounder tool.

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Ron Labrie poses for a photo in the Hall of Valour at Ponoka Secondary Campus. (File photo)

Broncs World Tour on pause at Ponoka Secondary Campus, but remembrance continues

Hall of Valour to dedicate new classroom

Ron Labrie poses for a photo in the Hall of Valour at Ponoka Secondary Campus. (File photo)
<strong>Poppy campaign proceeds:</strong> Marlene Perry, right, Poppy Chairman of Royal Canadian Legion Ponoka Branch No. 66 presents a cheque for $2,000 from the Poppy Fund to Dorothy Ungstad of the Ponoka and District Health Foundation. The drive was down about 30 per cent this year, however, the Legion is appreciative of the community’s support during the campaign considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo submitted)

PHOTO: Legion donates funds to PDHF from Poppy Campaign

Poppy campaign proceeds: Marlene Perry, right, Poppy Chairman of Royal Canadian Legion…

<strong>Poppy campaign proceeds:</strong> Marlene Perry, right, Poppy Chairman of Royal Canadian Legion Ponoka Branch No. 66 presents a cheque for $2,000 from the Poppy Fund to Dorothy Ungstad of the Ponoka and District Health Foundation. The drive was down about 30 per cent this year, however, the Legion is appreciative of the community’s support during the campaign considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo submitted)
<strong>Off they go:</strong> Several families took advantage of the slightly warmer temperatures on Feb. 15, enjoying the rush speeding down the Tom Hamilton Memorial Tobogganing Hill on Family Day. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

PHOTOS: Family Day tobogganing fun

Off they go: Several families took advantage of the slightly warmer temperatures…

<strong>Off they go:</strong> Several families took advantage of the slightly warmer temperatures on Feb. 15, enjoying the rush speeding down the Tom Hamilton Memorial Tobogganing Hill on Family Day. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
Lacombe FCSS is housed on the second floor of the Lacombe Memorial Centre. (Photo: lacombefcss.net)

Lacombe FCSS, CAYU receive grants to support mental health

Two Lacombe organizations have been approved for substantial grants under Phase I…

Lacombe FCSS is housed on the second floor of the Lacombe Memorial Centre. (Photo: lacombefcss.net)
House sales drop in northwestern B.C. (THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward)

Central Alberta’s housing market hot in 2021

January sales the best in at least five years

House sales drop in northwestern B.C. (THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward)
Alberta’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Monday July 6, 2020. Two people who were given $1,200 tickets when they took part in protests at the Alberta legislature in May will not have to pay the fines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Independent nation of Alberta sounds good to one in four

25% of Albertans support separating from Canada and 18% support joining the U.S.

  • Feb 16, 2021
Alberta’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Monday July 6, 2020. Two people who were given $1,200 tickets when they took part in protests at the Alberta legislature in May will not have to pay the fines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
<strong>Appreciated donation:</strong> UFA Co-operative Limited recently donated $1,500 to the Ponoka Ag Society (PAS). The funds will be used to support PAS’ 2021 programs and events. L-R: Carter Stebner, assistant manager, UFA, Dale Olson, PAS vice president, Tammy Henkelman, PAS president and Frank Salsbury, manager, UFA. (Photo submitted)

PHOTO: UFA donation to Ponoka Ag Society

Appreciated donation: UFA Co-operative Limited recently donated $1,500 to the Ponoka Ag…

<strong>Appreciated donation:</strong> UFA Co-operative Limited recently donated $1,500 to the Ponoka Ag Society (PAS). The funds will be used to support PAS’ 2021 programs and events. L-R: Carter Stebner, assistant manager, UFA, Dale Olson, PAS vice president, Tammy Henkelman, PAS president and Frank Salsbury, manager, UFA. (Photo submitted)
RCMP stock image of police badge

Collisions included intoxicated drivers and one with a moose

Ponoka RCMP briefs Feb. 12 to 16

RCMP stock image of police badge
Staff Sgt. Chris Smiley and Sgt. Erin St-Cyr. (Photo courtesy the Town of Ponoka)

Staff Sgt. Chris Smiley on murder of Chantelle Firingstoney: ‘Nobody carried a sign for her in our town’

Ponoka RCMP give run down on 2020 to town council

Staff Sgt. Chris Smiley and Sgt. Erin St-Cyr. (Photo courtesy the Town of Ponoka)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

15 new COVID-19 deaths, 305 additional cases in Alberta

Red Deer has 363 active cases of COVID-19

  • Feb 13, 2021
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Juliette was recently reunited with her family. (Photo from Facebook)

Lost central Alberta cat reunited with family after a year

Feral Cat Network Foundation of Alberta working to protect cats

Juliette was recently reunited with her family. (Photo from Facebook)
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Samson Cree Nation creating restorative justice: ‘Pamihowin’

Chevi Rabbit For Ponoka News Samson Cree Nation (SCN) is in the…

  • Feb 12, 2021
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Central zone now has 37 variant cases, all of the U.K. variety. Alberta, overall has 171 cases of the variant. (Image courtesy CDC)

One case of COVID-19 variant reported in Central zone school

16 new COVID-19 deaths, 314 additional cases in Alberta

  • Feb 12, 2021
Central zone now has 37 variant cases, all of the U.K. variety. Alberta, overall has 171 cases of the variant. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alberta Health Services Logo

AHS closes temporary COVID-19 testing site in Ponoka

The temporary testing site in Wetaskiwin will remain open

  • Feb 12, 2021
Alberta Health Services Logo
Students protest the new Alberta government's expected changes to gay-straight alliance law outside Western Canada High School in Calgary on Friday, May 3, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lauren Krugel

Lacombe resident calls Red Deer Public’s vote against Pride Week frightening

William Langille is afraid the vote will have a ripple affect for students and teachers alike

Students protest the new Alberta government's expected changes to gay-straight alliance law outside Western Canada High School in Calgary on Friday, May 3, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lauren Krugel
<ins>The temporary COVID-19 testing centre in the parking lot at the Ponoka Community Health Centre on Hwy. 2A will close at the end of the day on Monday, Feb. 15. (File photo) </ins>

Temporary COVID-19 testing site closing in Ponoka

Testing remains available in other locations for residents

  • Feb 12, 2021
<ins>The temporary COVID-19 testing centre in the parking lot at the Ponoka Community Health Centre on Hwy. 2A will close at the end of the day on Monday, Feb. 15. (File photo) </ins>
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Enjoy skating and tobogganing in Ponoka on Family Day

Family Day is a great opportunity to get outside with your family…

  • Feb 12, 2021
(File photo)