Joyous, tragic and in-between: rdnewsNOW’s top headlines of 2023

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We were there to continue bringing you, the readers, the credible, reliable and free news that Red Deerians and central Albertans alike have come to expect.

$120,000

City of Lacombe announces provincial funding for airport safety improvements

44m ago

'A real concern'

Invasive Prussian carp species found in Sylvan Lake prompts awareness campaign

1h ago

jackpot!

Lacombe man wins $15 million

3h ago

We were also there because of you. So before we look at the year that was, all its joy, sorrow or otherwise, Sheldon Spackman, Alessia Proietti and Josh Hall, plus everyone at Pattison Media, wish to say thank you for your support and readership.

Pssst… if you haven’t yet, download our mobile app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

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(rdnewsNOW)

YEARS IN REVIEW AROUND CENTRAL ALBERTA

More year in review stories for various communities will be published in the coming days and weeks, but here’s what we’ve put out thus far:

• Year-in-review: Diving deep on 2023, and what’s to come in 2024, with Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston
• Year-in-review: Sylvan Lake Mayor says community connection is of utmost importance
• Year-in-review: Innisfail Mayor says 2023 reinforced her belief of staying true to priorities
• Year-in-review: Lacombe County Reeve says 2023 has been a successful year despite challenges
• Year-in-review: Blackfalds had many projects commence in 2023, says Mayor Hoover

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(rdnewsNOW)

SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• World champion BMXer from Red Deer, Molly Simpson, accepts Mayor’s Recognition Award
• Canadian Finals Rodeo saying goodbye to Red Deer after Westerner Park opts not to renew
• RDSO conductor and cellist part of Juno-winning Classical album
• Red Deer Minor Hockey alters ‘Chiefs’ logo in, “great act of reconciliation,” Chief says
• Local curler Jocelyn Peterman competes this weekend at Scotties Tournament of Hearts
• Lacombe golfer breaks Utah Valley University wins record
• Central Alberta dancers win gold and silver in Belgium
• Red Deer artist headed to France for exclusive residency
• After heartbreaking end to season, Rebels look to what’s on horizon
• Grand Slam of Curling comes to Red Deer in January 2024
• SkyHawks and Snowbirds fly in for Red Deer Regional Air Show
• “Sincerely sorry,” Rebels new captain looks to turn racist incident into positive culture change

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(rdnewsNOW)

COMMUNITY AND HUMAN INTEREST

• New mosque under contruction in northeast Red Deer
• International Pow Wow is all about giving
• Northwest Territories’ Premier Cochrane thanks Red Deer and Alberta for its kindness amid nightmare
• Red Deer hospital expansion group demands province and AHS provide clear transition plan
• “It’s been a rough 10 years”: Fabricland store leaving Railyards location
• Chief J. Wilton Littlechild of Maskwacis promoted to Companion of The Order of Canada
• November opioid data shows slower summer in Red Deer, but crisis remains
• Red Deer Deputy Fire Chief’s duel with death the subject of new award-winning documentary
• Two youths found deceased in Sylvan Lake hotel
• Two local nightclubs permanently close this Saturday; 40 year history in Red Deer
• ‘1 Million March 4 Children’ protest meets counter-protesters in downtown Red Deer
• Dream Centre holds grand opening after 7 months of operation

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(rdnewsNOW)

POLITICS

• Michael Dawe, beloved Red Deer city councillor and historian, passes away at 67
• Former long-time councillor and city planner Frank Wong passes away
• Mayor, premier and others react to MLA Adriana LaGrange’s appointment as Health Minister
• Mayors make joint business trip to Paris
• Lacombe-Ponoka UCP candidate espouses school litter box conspiracy; NDP calls for her ousting
• Dismissed former trustee taking school board to court, hopes to be reinstated
• NDP host 200 at Red Deer CPP town hall, make appeal to younger people
• Sylvan Lake town councillor found in breach of Code of Conduct policy for social media post
• Shelter gets 15-month extension as wait for permanent site drags into 2024
• City council approves rezoning and lane closure application for proposed Ambulatory Care Facility
• Code of Conduct investigation closes on Red Deer city councillor
• MLA-elect Jason Stephan misses swearing-in ceremony due to pre-planned vacation
• UPDATE: Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan sworn-in after return from Africa trip

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(rdnewsNOW)

ECONOMY

• Regional ‘power centre’ approved by city council
• Red Deer Tourism on goal to become major events destination among Canadian mid-sized cities
• Airport expansion moving ahead to phase two
• Red Deer Resort & Casino opens to a lot of pomp and circumstance
• Mayor and City urging Red Deerians to return downtown, where “city was born”
• Alberta living wages far exceed minimum wage; province ‘actively assessing’ wage structure
• Farmer’s market launches at new location / receives warm embrace at new location
• Central Alberta farmer, Chamber of Commerce bemoan Senate foot-dragging on Bill C-234
• Blackfalds and Penhold latest to show interest in Varme waste-to-energy facility near Innisfail

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(rdnewsNOW)

CRIME AND FIRES

• Authorities seize $2.2 million worth of drugs and cash in Red Deer’s largest bust
• Pair of Red Deer men arrested in drug trafficking investigation
• Trial dates scheduled for local Mountie charged with theft
• Red Deer RCMP arrest and charge man for arson in Canadian Tire north-end fire
• RCMP release photos of vehicle of interest in Ponoka homicide
• Structure fire causes reported ‘explosion’ in Red Deer’s West Park area
• House destroyed by fire on Saturday in Riverside Meadows
• Smoke alarms and escape plan save family after house fire Tuesday
• House fire in Oriole Park becomes complete write-off; one person sent to hospital

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(rdnewsNOW)

KICKERS AND OTHER STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

• City of Red Deer vows toplessness at pools is A-okay for all, among other revisions to swimwear requirements
• After tragedy, Red Deer family turns 2023 Christmas lights on at Ronald McDonald House
• Plarning donation gives comfort to those who have very little
• Black bear sighting in Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary
• Bear believed moved on from Red Deer’s Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary
• Red Deer man chased up a tree in local bull moose encounter
• RCMP investigating cause of fatal crash east of Red Deer
• QEll fully open after multiple collisions Thursday, but one fatality
• A Piece of Advice You NEED to Know Before Skydiving: SCREAM!
• Red Deer’s Canyon Ski Resort opens longest summer tubing slide in western Canada
• Canada Day tornado in central Alberta rated an EF4
• Local Mounties launch billboard campaign in hopes of identifying fatal hit and run suspect

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(rdnewsNOW)

VIDEO WE BROUGHT YOU THIS YEAR

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Where to connect with us outside of rdnewsNOW.com

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Watch for more ways to connect with us in 2024!

Thank you for sticking with us, and here’s to a happy, healthy and peaceful 2024.