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The provincial government released its 2021 wheat midge forecast recently. (File photo by The Canadian Press)

2021 forecast shows increase in wheat midge risk in parts of Alberta

The provincial government’s wheat midge forecast for 2021 shows an increase in…

The provincial government released its 2021 wheat midge forecast recently. (File photo by The Canadian Press)
Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said that after examining the evidence this week, the province determined it was safe to open some personal wellness businesses by appointment only. (photography by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)

Alberta eases some COVID-19 restrictions

Salons, barbershops and other personal and wellness services will be open by appointment only

Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said that after examining the evidence this week, the province determined it was safe to open some personal wellness businesses by appointment only. (photography by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)
Academic public policy expert Jack Mintz believes oil prices could strengthen later this decade as investment in new projects fails to keep up with the depletion of oil in existing wells. (Black Press file photo).

Alberta’s oil prices could be driven up by lagging investment in the energy sector, says expert

Jack Mintz spoke on ‘Building Back Better’ in a Red Deer Chamber webinar

Academic public policy expert Jack Mintz believes oil prices could strengthen later this decade as investment in new projects fails to keep up with the depletion of oil in existing wells. (Black Press file photo).
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Innisfail shop reopens during COVID restrictions
Red Deer seniors among first to receive COVID-19 vaccine
Central Alberta Humane Society
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The Central Alberta Humane Society currently has about 130 cats in its care. (Photo contributed) Jim deBoon, owner of Klassic Kennels, says Blackfalds has a 46 per cent return-to-owner rate for cats. (Contributed photo)

Klassic Kennels set to name Blackfalds ‘North America’s most pet-caring community’

The town’s return-to-owner rate for cats is 46 per cent

The Central Alberta Humane Society currently has about 130 cats in its care. (Photo contributed) Jim deBoon, owner of Klassic Kennels, says Blackfalds has a 46 per cent return-to-owner rate for cats. (Contributed photo)
Red Deer College engineering technology students have upgraded an app to provide health checks and contact tracing during the pandemic. Advocate file photo

Red Deer College offers new path for ESL students to become health care aide

Red Deer College will begin to offer a new academic stream for…

Red Deer College engineering technology students have upgraded an app to provide health checks and contact tracing during the pandemic. Advocate file photo
Parker the dog is recovering from machete wounds at the Saving Grace Animal Society shelter in Alix. (Contributed photo).

Dog with machete wounds is latest animal abuse case handled by central Alberta shelter

Saving Grace Animal Society is fundraising to build its own vet clinic

Parker the dog is recovering from machete wounds at the Saving Grace Animal Society shelter in Alix. (Contributed photo).
Premier Jason Kenney has directed Alberta officials to look for ways for Alberta to procure additional doses of the vaccine from those other sources. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)

Alberta looking for ways to secure its own doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Premier Jason Kenney suggested this week that the province begin working on…

Premier Jason Kenney has directed Alberta officials to look for ways for Alberta to procure additional doses of the vaccine from those other sources. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
Wetaskiwin RCMP is on the lookout for 23-year-old Chelsey Rain, who has been missing since Jan. 1. (Photo courtesy of RCMP)

23-year-old Chelsey Rain located

Wetaskiwin RCMP have located a 23-year-old who was missing. Police say Rain…

Wetaskiwin RCMP is on the lookout for 23-year-old Chelsey Rain, who has been missing since Jan. 1. (Photo courtesy of RCMP)
Innisfail business Bladez to Fadez Barbershop was issued two closure orders this week. (Photo from Bladez to Fadez Barbershop Facebook)

Central Alberta barbershop gets court date for reopening despite COVID restrictions

Innisfail shop to be monitored

Innisfail business Bladez to Fadez Barbershop was issued two closure orders this week. (Photo from Bladez to Fadez Barbershop Facebook)
RCMP have charged a Sylvan Lake man for allegedly defrauding five people of more than $100,000. Advocate file photo

Central Alberta man charged in $100,000 fraud

RCMP allege Sylvan Lake man bilked five people out of more than $100,000 in total

  • Jan 14, 2021
RCMP have charged a Sylvan Lake man for allegedly defrauding five people of more than $100,000. Advocate file photo
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said in a Facebook Live video Tuesday he had no problem with elderly prisoners receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. (File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Kenney supports federal government’s vaccination of older prisoners

Plan is to vaccinate 600 federal inmates across the country

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said in a Facebook Live video Tuesday he had no problem with elderly prisoners receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. (File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Chinook’s Edge School Division will be moving its career high schools to traditional school buildings. (Image contributed)

Career high schools in central Alberta are on the move

Gasoline Alley Career High will relocate fall 2022

Chinook’s Edge School Division will be moving its career high schools to traditional school buildings. (Image contributed)
A new program will provide mental health supports to central Alberta youth. File photo

AHS aims to help Central Alberta youth with new mental health program

Alberta Health Services has created a new program to help central Alberta…

A new program will provide mental health supports to central Alberta youth. File photo
RCMP say missing teen Hope Tivendale has been found. (File photo by Advocate staff)

Missing central Alberta teen found

Public assistance no longer required

RCMP say missing teen Hope Tivendale has been found. (File photo by Advocate staff)
Hope Tivendale Photo from RCMP

MISSING: Hope Tivendale

Blackfalds RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance to locate 14-year-old Hope…

  • Jan 13, 2021
Hope Tivendale Photo from RCMP
Alberta Chief Medicial Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported an additional 23 deaths due to the COVID-19 virus. (photography by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)

Red Deer reports one more death Wednesday

875 new COVID-19 cases, 23 new deaths

Alberta Chief Medicial Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported an additional 23 deaths due to the COVID-19 virus. (photography by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)
An advocacy group describes Alberta’s Aids to Daily Living program as “inefficient and inhumane” because of the time lag in getting needed equipment out to clients with disabilities. (File photo by Black Press news services)

People with disabilities deserve more timely support from Alberta, says advocacy group

Getting a wheelchair from the Aids to Daily Living program can take up to a year

An advocacy group describes Alberta’s Aids to Daily Living program as “inefficient and inhumane” because of the time lag in getting needed equipment out to clients with disabilities. (File photo by Black Press news services)
Vaccines are running out in Alberta with Central Zone using up its supply last weekend. More doses are coming, but vaccination program in supportive living and long-term care facilities in Central zone had to be temporarily put on hold. File photo.

Updated: Central zone has run out of COVID vaccine

Immunization of residents in long-term care and supportive living facilities temporarily halted

  • Jan 13, 2021
Vaccines are running out in Alberta with Central Zone using up its supply last weekend. More doses are coming, but vaccination program in supportive living and long-term care facilities in Central zone had to be temporarily put on hold. File photo.
Dr. Glen Burton, an anesthetist at the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre, demonstrates new operating room lights, which were funded by donations to the Rocky Mountain and Area Health Services Foundation. (Photo contributed)

Central Alberta hospital gets operating room upgrades

Equipment and lighting improvements

Dr. Glen Burton, an anesthetist at the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre, demonstrates new operating room lights, which were funded by donations to the Rocky Mountain and Area Health Services Foundation. (Photo contributed)
Penhold Fire Chief Jim Pendergast has added his voice to those who want firefighters/first responders to be included in Alberta’s first round of vaccinations against COVID-19. (File photo by Advocate staff)

Central Alberta firefighters want to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in first phase

They are usually the first responders at health emergencies

Penhold Fire Chief Jim Pendergast has added his voice to those who want firefighters/first responders to be included in Alberta’s first round of vaccinations against COVID-19. (File photo by Advocate staff)