-The largest water-sharing agreements in Alberta’s history are now in place to help if severe drought conditions develop this spring and summer.
Thirty-eight of the largest and oldest water licence-holders in southern Alberta, say they will reduce the water they use, if need be.
Participating municipalities would cut water consumption by 5 to 10 percent, while industries would only use the minimum water needed to maintain safe and reliable operations.
Irrigation districts would use less water, and allow other users to get their water first.
***************
-The town of Whitecourt has issued a full fire ban.
That means no burning of any kind, including backyard fire pits, fireworks, turkey fryers, and charcoal briquettes.
You CAN use gas or propane barbecues, CSA approved wood-pellet smokers, propane or natural gas fire pits, and electric or propane meat smokers.
You can find out more at whitecourt.ca.
For the latest information on fire bans throughout the province, head to albertafirebans.ca.
*********************
-Alberta Wildfire came out with its first update of the season yesterday, as there are 50 wildfires burning in the forest protection area right now.
Four are “being held”, while the rest are considered “under control.”
More than 5-hundred hectares has already burned this year.
Four are “being held”, while the rest are considered “under control.”
More than 5-hundred hectares has already burned this year.
*****************
-The provincial government says it’s trying to make power more affordable for Albertans, so they’re setting default rates for each provider every two years.
Premier Danielle Smith says they’re also re-naming the regulated rate, the “rate of last resort”, because she says it’s not a stable rate and while it can be extremely affordable one month, it can be crushingly expensive the next, depending on what’s happening in the world.
She says the fact it’s been called the regulated rate has confused a lot of people.
*****************
-Something happened, but the Israeli government and military haven’t admitted to being involved in a drone attack last night on Iran.
Iranian troops say they fired air-batteries to protect an airbase and nuclear site in the southern part of the country.
G-7 nations are calling on both countries to not escalate the situation.
*****************
-Researchers at the U of A have been studying the use of brassica plant genes in their quest to come up with higher yielding canola crops.
They’re looking at crossing them with plants such as kale, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, in the hopes of increasing seed yield, oil content and increase resistance to disease.
Professor Habib Rahmann says they’re now working with Bayer Crop Science on field testing to see which ones tend to work best.
Professor Habib Rahmann says they’re now working with Bayer Crop Science on field testing to see which ones tend to work best.
He says a new canola hybrid could be ready to go in about five years.
******************
-The latest installment of the Canada Child Benefit should show up today in your bank account if you qualify for that payment.
It had been introduced in 2016, to help low and middle-income families with child costs.
Next payment date is May 17th.
******************
-Vandals hit a number of businesses in Beaumont last night.
Owners arrived to work this morning, to find windows smashed at Jef’s Cafe, Chartier’s restaurant, Pizza Hut and other places along 50th Street.
Mounties say many were also spray-painted with graffitti.
RCMP continue to investigate.
*****************
-Not many details have been released, but a worker died on the job earlier this week in Edmonton.
Occupational Health and Safety says it happened at a construction site on 137th Avenue and Castledowns Road on Monday.
All that’s been said, is that the person fell from a height.
Occupational Health and Safety says it happened at a construction site on 137th Avenue and Castledowns Road on Monday.
All that’s been said, is that the person fell from a height.
******************
-Residents of Morinville are being asked to “keep a watchful eye”, after a number of community mailboxes were broken into this week.
RCMP say it happenened Wednesday night, on 105th Avenue, 99th Street and 101-A street in the community.
Mounties say it’s a good idea to check your mailbox everyday, track your parcels, and never send cash in the mail.
RCMP say it happenened Wednesday night, on 105th Avenue, 99th Street and 101-A street in the community.
Mounties say it’s a good idea to check your mailbox everyday, track your parcels, and never send cash in the mail.
*****************
-The province is allowing the permanent exchange of Ukraine Class B and B-E driver’s licences with an Alberta Class 5 licence, with no extra testing.
A temporary program had been set up last year, so Ukrainian evacuees could find a job and care for their families here.
It worked so well, the government decided to make it permanent, as Ministers say licencing standards in Ukraine meet or exceed Alberta standards.
A temporary program had been set up last year, so Ukrainian evacuees could find a job and care for their families here.
It worked so well, the government decided to make it permanent, as Ministers say licencing standards in Ukraine meet or exceed Alberta standards.
***************
-The hunt continues for two peacocks who went on the lam earlier this month, when they broke out of their cages at a “rare & exotic sale” in Lloydminster.
The owner says Big Blue and No Toes were seen heading towards the graveyard and golf course.
Big Blue has been seen a few times, with people reporting the sightings on Facebook.
No Toes has been more elusive.
The owner does say they can fly and sleep in tall trees, but it would be possible to trap them in a shed.
The owner says Big Blue and No Toes were seen heading towards the graveyard and golf course.
Big Blue has been seen a few times, with people reporting the sightings on Facebook.
No Toes has been more elusive.
The owner does say they can fly and sleep in tall trees, but it would be possible to trap them in a shed.
************
-When the Ritchie Brothers auction happens later this month in Nisku, there’s going to be something a little different on the block.
A custom pink and teal Barbie Jeep.
A custom pink and teal Barbie Jeep.
It’s a 2006, and the owner says he really wants it to go to a family that will enjoy it.
The sale is April 24th.
***********
************
-The Oilers ended the regular season on a losing note, as the Avalanche beat them 5-1 last night.
But they’re thinking ahead to the playoffs which start Monday for them, as they’ll face the Kings in Game 1 of the first round.
8pm start that night at Rogers Place.
-Jets doubled the Canucks 4-2 last night.
-Flames beat the Sharks 5-1.
-The Arizona Coyotes are officially heading to Salt Lake City, after the NHL’s Board of Govenors voted to approve the sale of the team to the owners of the Utah Jazz next season.
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE:
-Boston edged Toronto 2-1.
-Montreal nicked Minnesota 4-3.
TONIGHT:
-Jays take on the Padres at 7:40pm.
Comments