Local News

(Town of Ponoka/Facebook)

Ponoka’s annual Christmas lights display kicks off at Lions Centennial Park

The Town of Ponoka says the annual Christmas lights display at Lions…

  • Dec 8, 2021
(Town of Ponoka/Facebook)
L-R: General manager Stephanie Waldron, Mayor Kevin Ferguson and resident Adele Abt. (Photo submitted)

Ribbon cutting ceremony held for new SL4 beds at Seasons Ponoka

Seasons Ponoka Retirement Community held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 3, to…

L-R: General manager Stephanie Waldron, Mayor Kevin Ferguson and resident Adele Abt. (Photo submitted)
COVID-19 graphic

Alberta reports no new Omicron variant cases but five more COVID-19 deaths

11 Omicron variants have been identified so far and more surely to come, say health officials

COVID-19 graphic
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The Canada Post logo is seen on the outside the company’s Pacific Processing Centre, in Richmond, B.C., on June 1, 2017. A claim by Chinese health authorities that the Omicron variant was introduced to a resident of Beijing through a piece of regular mail from Canada is being dismissed as ludicrous. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
China’s claim that Omicron came from Canadian mail dismissed as ‘ludicrous’
A women walk her dog past a parked school bus in the deep snow after a major snow storm in Mississauga, Ont., on Monday, January 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Winter storm causing school closures, transportation disruptions in parts of Ontario
Quebec Director of Public Health Dr. Horacio Arruda responds to a question during a news conference in Montreal, on January 5, 2022. Arruda, who had been public health director since 2012, abruptly resigned Monday after overseeing the province’s pandemic response for 22 months, citing criticism about the government’s response to the fifth wave. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Canada’s public health leaders navigate choppy waters as pandemic drags on
Quebec Premier François Legault, right, and then-Quebec Public Health Director Horacio Arruda leave a news conference in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Quebec is reporting 62 additional deaths linked to COVID-19 today, one day after the province’s public health director resigned. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Quebec to force unvaccinated to pay ‘significant’ financial penalty
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Christopher Scott, owner of the Whistle Stop Cafe, speaks during a May rally against measures taken by government and health authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19. He has launched a legal challenge saying his constitutional rights have been violated. (Photo by The Canadian Press)

Judge eases some of the restrictions on Mirror café owner convicted of contempt

Christopher Scott’s constitutional rights could be affected by travel and speech restrictions

Christopher Scott, owner of the Whistle Stop Cafe, speaks during a May rally against measures taken by government and health authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19. He has launched a legal challenge saying his constitutional rights have been violated. (Photo by The Canadian Press)
Crestomere 4-H multi-club logo

Crestomere 4-H Multi-Club report

Greetings to the community. “I pledge my head to clear thinking, my…

Crestomere 4-H multi-club logo
Prairie Cove Charolais took the prize for the cow/calf pairing. (Photo submitted)

Bashaw ranchers win the Canadian Western Agribition’s Beef Supreme

By Sam Donnelly For the Bashaw Star Lee Wilson of Miller Wilson…

  • Dec 7, 2021
Prairie Cove Charolais took the prize for the cow/calf pairing. (Photo submitted)
Brett Monea and Kristopher Buffalo bullfighting at the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) 2021. Submitted/ Nicole Monea.

Wetaskiwin County bullfighters find success on the professional circuit

Two Wetaskiwin County raised bullfighters fought side by side at the Canadian Finals Rodeo 2021

Brett Monea and Kristopher Buffalo bullfighting at the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) 2021. Submitted/ Nicole Monea.
Alberta’s total Omicron variant case count is now 12. Province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw identified eight new Omicron variant COVID-19 cases on Monday. (Chris Schwartz/Alberta Government) Alberta’s total Omicron variant case count is now 12. Province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw identified eight new Omicron variant COVID-19 cases on Monday. (Chris Schwartz/Alberta Government)

Alberta identifies eight new Omicron variant COVID-19 cases

Red Deer falls to 76 active cases

Alberta’s total Omicron variant case count is now 12. Province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw identified eight new Omicron variant COVID-19 cases on Monday. (Chris Schwartz/Alberta Government) Alberta’s total Omicron variant case count is now 12. Province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw identified eight new Omicron variant COVID-19 cases on Monday. (Chris Schwartz/Alberta Government)
(Image submitted)

Ponoka FCSS busy ensuring residents have a ‘cozy’ Christmas

By Sam Donnelly For Ponoka News Ponoka Family and Community Support Services…

  • Dec 6, 2021
(Image submitted)
(Black Press file photo)

UPDATE: Ponoka RCMP investigating source of loud ‘boom’

A loud ‘boom’ was felt and heard in the area Friday

(Black Press file photo)
Tsitsi Chiwara, second from left, is now officially a lawyer. (Photos by Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

Ponoka articling student admitted to the Alberta Bar

Zimbabwe immigrant Tsitsi Chiwari had a long wait for her Canadian accreditation

Tsitsi Chiwara, second from left, is now officially a lawyer. (Photos by Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
Alberta has 4,440 active cases of COVID-19, with 395 people in hospital, including 78 in intensive care. (Black Press stock photo)

Red Deer drops below 100 active cases of COVID-19

Red Deer dropped below 100 active COVID-19 cases Friday for the first…

  • Dec 3, 2021
Alberta has 4,440 active cases of COVID-19, with 395 people in hospital, including 78 in intensive care. (Black Press stock photo)
Jason Cline has been named new president of the Ponoka Stampede Association for a two-year term. (Photo submitted)

Ponoka Stampede Association appoints new president

Cline: ‘We need to bring the community back together through the Stampede.’

Jason Cline has been named new president of the Ponoka Stampede Association for a two-year term. (Photo submitted)
Alberta has 4,539 active cases of the COVID-19, with 419 people in hospital infected, including 76 in the ICU. (Black Press stock photo)

Red Deer down to 100 active cases of COVID-19

Alberta reported 336 cases of COVID-19 Thursday, based on 9,465 tests for…

Alberta has 4,539 active cases of the COVID-19, with 419 people in hospital infected, including 76 in the ICU. (Black Press stock photo)
COVID-19 graphic

Albertans over 60 can now sign up for booster shots

Hoped by early next year all adults will be eligible for booster shots

  • Dec 1, 2021
COVID-19 graphic
(AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Rimbey RCMP investigate fatal collision in Ponoka County

On Nov. 30, 2021 at approximately 11:17 a.m., Rimbey RCMP with the…

  • Nov 30, 2021
(AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
COVID-19 virus (file photo).

COVID-19 in Red Deer falls to 110 active cases

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Red Deer fell again on…

COVID-19 virus (file photo).
(Metro Creative Connection)

UPDATE: Physicians against mandates file lawsuit against AHS

AHS employee vaccine mandate now pushed back to Dec. 13, 2021

(Metro Creative Connection)
More than 2.8 million Albertans have been vaccinated so far, with 61.3 per cent of Albertans 12 and over fully immunized against COVID-19. (File photo)

Red Deer falls to 120 active COVID-19 cases, two new deaths reported

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Red Deer fell over the…

More than 2.8 million Albertans have been vaccinated so far, with 61.3 per cent of Albertans 12 and over fully immunized against COVID-19. (File photo)
(File photo)

Ponoka’s Christmas Lights Tour to begin next week

The Town of Ponoka is once again organizing a community self-guided Christmas…

  • Nov 29, 2021
(File photo)