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UCP prepared to grapple with strong opposition: MLA Hunter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

By Trevor BuschSunny South NewsWhen the ballots were all in and counted on May 29, there was no doubt Alberta’s United Conservative Party had secured a majority election win.But as the dust settled, it was also clear Danielle Smith and the UCP would be returning to the provincial legislature with far fewer MLAs in tow than Jason Kenney did in 2019.Dropping from 60 to 49 while the NDP increased their seat total from 23 to 38 has created a more balanced legislature than in the previous four years, and a much stronger opposition should ensure the UCP will be held to account.“It will affect it,” said Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter. “And first of all, there’s nothing wrong with a strong opposition. I think that it keeps the government on track and keeps us frosty with the things that we need to do. And so there’s nothing wrong with that.”In the 2019 election, the UCP took 54.9 per cent of the vote, to the NDP’s 32.7 per cent. In 2023, the UCP dropped to 52.6 per cent, while the NDP leapt ...

Professional Bull Riding rodeo returning to Butte July 8

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsRodeo fans can expect to be treated to quite the show at the upcoming Professional Bull Riding (PBR) rodeo in Picture Butte on July 8.Chantele and Cody DeBolt produce the entire event under their events production company, Voltage Productions. The event-packed summer season is a hectic time, and organizers are hoping the upcoming PBR event in Picture Butte is bigger and better than in previous years.“Things are crazy busy on our end, but it’s a good busy,” said Chantele.The PBR event in Butte was first hosted in 2019, before pandemic restrictions forced the event into a two-year long postponement, before bringing the event live again in 2022.“Last year we had approximately 1300 people attend and the hope is to hit 2000 this year.”The main draw is the bull riding, and being a PBR event means the arena will see some of the best bull riding on a local stage during the highly sanctioned event. In addition to the main event, this year’s festivities will al...

Roller crimping project research findings presented at Farming Smarter Field School

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsFarming Smarter held their annual Field School on June 15 in Lethbridge County.The curriculum kicked off in the morning with a talk by Dr. Gurbir Dhillon on ongoing projects exploring the results of roller crimping fall rye and seeding barley behind the crimper. The project examines the viability and outcomes of roller crimping cover crops under southern Alberta growing conditions.Roller crimping is achieved by machines affixed with a rolling drum and blunt blades which crimps and damages plant stems when it is driven over a cover crop, resulting in a blanket of biomass which can aid in weed suppression and terminate cover crops without needing to till or use chemical herbicides.Executive Director of Farming Smarter, Ken Coles said, “this is our first year doing this and with a fall rye cover crop, we are hitting anthesis often in that first week of June, so it almost matches a dry bean seeding system. So there is a couple of factors. This is a proven...

New Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre marries tradition and tech in new facility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe new Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre in Lethbridge has found plenty of ways to honour its long history.During a presentation before members of the Coaldale Chamber of Commerce last week, Sydney Koppe, director of community engagement at the Lethbridge & District Exhibition, and senior manager of marketing and communications, Paul Kingsmith provided updates and an overview on the new facilities slated to open later this summer.Lethbridge and District Exhibition began as an agricultural society in 1897. The new Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre has been in the works for over 15 years, and is now nearing completion. The $78 million project includes 268,000 square feet of event space, which has been designed to attract world-class conventions and better situate Lethbridge and southern Alberta as the epicentre for showcases and agricultural events given its proximity to Canada’s premier food corridor, the highest concentration of agri-food processing pl...

St. Joseph’s School wins $10,000 in nation-wide contest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsSt. Joseph’s School is celebrating last week’s announcement that the school has won $10,000 as part of the Kidoodle.TV’s $1 Million School Giveaway.Kidoodle.TV is a free and child-safe streaming platform which, in partnership with DudePerfect a popular comedy group which posts kid-friendly videos to YouTube and social media, is giving away $1 million to 100 schools across Canada and the U.S.As part of the nomination process, participating schools created and uploaded a video submission sharing why their school should be considered for the Kidoodle.TV’s $1 Million School Giveaway. The contest was open to school staff members of public elementary schools across Canada and the U.S. Once all video submissions were received and posted, voting commenced from June 1-15, with community members able to cast one ballot per day during the four day voting period. The top five schools with the most votes received $20,000.St. Joseph’s School in Coaldale is among se...

Ottawa in UCP crosshairs over oil and gas sector

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

By Trevor BuschSunny South NewsWith another majority election win under their belt, the United Conservative Party was riding high last month.But while pundits continue to discuss the fallout and the NDP conduct a post-mortem of their failed campaign, the hard business of effective governance begins.In the days following the election, Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter was busy taking down signs and wrapping up his campaign office.“And just doing a bit of relaxing, spending a bit of time with family,” said Hunter, who has also been taking time to lend assistance to an ailing family member. “But other than that, just trying to take it easy. When you first get elected, you have an orientation by the Legislative Assembly offices, get to meet other MLAs and other new MLAs and talk to them and do a bit of mentoring and helping them to see their way around.”With a renewed mandate in the legislature but a shrunken majority, Hunter says the UCP is here to listen to all Albertans but wasn’t giving...

Coaldale student awarded $5,000 scholarship to U of L

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsA local Kate Andrews high school student has been named one of six recipients of the prestigious Chinook Scholarship from the University of Lethbridge.Among the successful applicants, are some of Alberta’s brightest young scholars. Each recipient will receive $5,000 towards their studies at the University of LethbridgeApplicants were considered based on their academic achievements, with a minimum of an 85 per cent admission average, as well as for their demonstrated excellence in leadership roles.This year’s winners hail from across the province, including Abigail Giacchetta of Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale. Giacchetta is an accomplished musician, holding the first chair in both jazz and concert band, as well as being the second chair in the honour band. She has also been an active member of her community as the Co-President of the Kate Andrews Student Council and a volunteer for Youth-Do Crew and the Rachael Thomas Youth Advisory Board. Giacch...

Coaldale Council holds first meeting in new council chambers after grand opening of Civic Square

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe community of Coaldale came together on June 17 to celebrate the grand opening of the new Civic Square building. Local residents, elected officials, faith leaders, and dignitaries from the Indigenous community all gathered to mark the occasion.With Town offices located on the second floor, and big plans underway transforming the space behind the building into an outdoor gathering spot, the entire structure and surrounding area has been designed with functionality and community in mind. Following the sale of the old town office, administrative staff have been working out of the building for several months. While council has been holding regular council meetings at the new Civic Square location within one of the board rooms, the first meeting in the completed chambers was officially held on Monday, June 26. Now that the technology has been calibrated, the public will be able to observe the open portion of meetings at the new location moving forward. ...

Dyken Pond 50th anniversary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

GRAFTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) - During the month of July, Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is hosting a series of events celebrating 50 years of environmental education, outdoor recreation and youth development. These events will take place on the weekend of July 8 and 9.On both days they will be offering free kayak rentals. You must be at least 12 years old to rent a kayak and they ask that you call in advance to reserve your boat. Life jackets are available for use as well. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Saturday at 11 a.m. you can enjoy a paddle of the lake, guided by a Friend’s of Dyken Pond Board Member. This event also requires pre-registration.At 4 p.m. there will be a Mushroom walk hosted by Avery Stempel of Collar City Mushrooms. The walk offers an opportunity to learn to identify different mushrooms while enjoying a stroll in the forest. This event is $5 per person and requires pre-registration.Dyken Pond is...

Storms popping up near St. Louis Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:51 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The Heat Advisory continues for today into Friday for top temperatures that may reach over 100 degrees in Missouri. However, scattered storms in Illinois will cut down on the heat in areas east of St. Louis. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here This is the batch of storms we are tracking for around lunchtime Thursday. The storm will roll across our northern and northeastern counties as this complex makes a turn to the southeast.Several clusters of strong to severe storms are forecast to drop for Iowa into central and then southern Illinois today into tonight. These storms may bring damaging winds, hail and even a tornado threat to the St. Louis area. Some of them may start to pop up at around midday Thursday. A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the area until 5 p.m.The extreme heat will continue to be an issue in Missouri Friday and more storms are expected in Illinois, with St. Louis right in the middle of it all. I cannot rule out additional...