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Columns

sustainability
Op-ed: Lodge review panel to help seniors age in their communities
Communities are better with grandma and grandpa in them. That is why Alberta's government wants to ensure that senior's lodges are vibrant community spaces that meet the needs of seniors across the province - from our smallest communities to our biggest cities.In my mandate letter from Premier Smith, I have been tasked...
Feb 26, 2024
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'Simply Not Interested'
Op-Ed: Albertans do not want political parties in local elections
The following official statement is issued on behalf of the Alberta Municipalities Board of Directors:"Albertans have heard rumblings for the last six months that the provincial government is considering introducing political parties to local municipal government and school board elections through changes to the L...
Feb 23, 2024
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letter to the editor
Wolf Creek Board of Trustees begins budget preparations
Wolf Creek Public Schools has begun its annual shift towards the task of budget preparations for the 2024/2025 academic year. This process is not just about crunching numbers; it's about strategically investing in our future - our students.Our budget is primarily supported by funding from the Government of Alberta, thr...
Feb 01, 2024
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buffalo lake area is one such area
Op-ed: Canada's wetlands need to be conserved and restored
Friday, February 2 is World Wetlands Day. While many of these beautiful places are frozen over this time of year, this occasion gives us a chance to reflect on their importance and the never-ending services they offer to set our own communities up for a hopeful future. Canada is home to one quarter of the world's wetla...
Feb 01, 2024
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Columns

letter to the editor
Letter to the Editor: In response to downtown property owners threatening to withhold property taxes
The below letter is submitted in response to the article entitled 'Property owners in downtown Red Deer threaten to withhold property taxes until plan for shelter is revealed and OPS removed', published Jan. 26, 2024 on rdnewsNOW.com--Dear Editor,I write to address the concerns raised by nearly 40 property owners in do...
Jan 27, 2024
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Op-Ed
No farms, no food: Statement from Minister Sigurdson
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson issued the following statement on Dec. 29, 2023, recognizing the importance of Alberta agriculture during the holidays: "No farms, no food. It's that simple. "The holiday season is full of festivities, from Christmas carolling and lighting the Menorah to sle...
Dec 29, 2023
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Letter To The Editor
Investment and economic growth in 2023: Minister Jones
Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Matt Jones issued the following statement recapping highlights from Alberta's economy in 2023:"Alberta showed tremendous economic strength in 2023. We continue to lead the nation in growth while creating jobs and welcoming billions of dollars in investment to our province. Alber...
Dec 27, 2023
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Letter To The Editor
Wolf Creek Public Schools' Board looks forward to second half of school year as holiday break begins
"The holiday season is upon us and it's a time for reflection and to take stock of how far we have come. In Wolf Creek Public Schools, we've made significant strides in enhancing educational opportunities for our students. "Our implementation of a common report card across grades K-9 is a testament to our com...
Dec 22, 2023
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"Taking action on drought in Alberta"
Minister Schulz shares op-ed on current drought situation
The Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, the Honourable Rebecca Schulz has written an opinion editorial on the current drought situation in the province. In a released statement, Press Secretary for the Minister Ryan Fournier says the op-ed highlights what actions the government will be taking in the coming yea...
Dec 13, 2023
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Op-Ed
Gaetz Memorial United Church 'disappointed' in Catholic trustee's Pride related 'brainwashing' comments
Dear Editor, We are writing to express our disappointment in the behaviour of Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools Trustee Monique LaGrange. She recently posted an image to her personal Facebook Story comparing young people celebrating gender and sexual diversity to young Nazis. The caption said, "Brainwashing is br...
Sep 12, 2023
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stay in the know!
EDITORS' NOTE: Prepare to lose access to local news on Facebook, Instagram & Google
By now many of you have likely heard about Canada's Online News Act - formerly known as Bill C-18. The new law calls for big tech companies to compensate media outlets and aims to make a more level playing field when it comes to online advertising - a revenue stream many of our local newsrooms within Pattison Media rel...
Aug 01, 2023
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Letter To The Editor
Op-Ed - Councillor Higham reacts to Council Code of Conduct findings
Have we become a community incapable of rigorous, respectful discussion in the public square? Have we become so insulated in our siloed mindsets that we cannot abide a narrative or opinion different from our own?These are questions I've pondered after last week's finding against City Councillor Kraymer Barnstable that ...
May 26, 2023
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Crops & Bees
Team Alberta Crops releases election priorities
By Reg Warkentin, Government Relations and Policy Manager, Team Alberta Crops Team Alberta Crops developed election priorities to help candidates understand the issues important to Alberta producers of crops and bees. Alberta farmers represent less than one percent of Alberta's population yet contribute billions to Alb...
May 16, 2023
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SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE MAYOR
This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston: April 2023
Welcome to 'This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston,' a special monthly feature on rdnewsNOW.com.Going forward, we invite you, the readers, to submit questions to us by messaging us on Facebook or by emailing news@rdnewsnow.com-Email subject line: 'Ask the Mayor' -Deadline: 15th of the month -Question should pertain to even...
May 11, 2023
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Board Column
Wolf Creek Board of Trustees ready to advocate for students and schools during provincial election
The Alberta Provincial Election is near, and for the Wolf Creek Public Schools' (WCPS) Board of Trustees the topic of quality, well funded and supported public education remains a high priority. Wolf Creek has six trustees serving 30 schools in nine communities throughout central Alberta, and we know that an election i...
May 05, 2023
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Child-friendly tablets ease stress thank
Emergency nurses bring comfort to young patients in Red Deer
RED DEER - Nursing staff at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC) are providing a new way of supporting pediatric patients while they receive care in the Emergency Department. To ease the stress children may experience during an emergency visit, Registered Nurses Ronnie Biletsky, Nadita Dutt, Caitlyn DeBoer, Ke...
Apr 21, 2023
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march 2023
This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston: March 2023
Welcome to 'This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston,' a special monthly feature on rdnewsNOW.com.Going forward, we invite you, the readers, to submit questions to us by messaging us on Facebook or by emailing news@rdnewsnow.com-Email subject line: 'Ask the Mayor' -Deadline: 15th of the month -Question should pertain to even...
Apr 04, 2023
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EPS
What is it like to be an Edmonton Police Officer?
I felt a compelling need to provide a perspective for all who have asked what it is like to be an Edmonton Police Officer. The recent murder of our two police Brothers has brought this to the forefront where many are trying to understand how the professionals of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) continue to march forwa...
Mar 24, 2023
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Op-Ed
Big overhaul planned for Alberta's Land Titles Registry
The real estate industry is a vitally important sector of Alberta's economy. More than $50 billion in real estate transactions are conducted in Alberta every year. The industry employs thousands, from skilled tradespeople to surveyors, engineers and architects, realtors and legal professionals. And for tens of thousand...
Mar 21, 2023
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in response
LETTER: AHS responds to demands and concerns from Central Zone doctors
EDITOR'S NOTE: The below comments from AHS came in by request from rdnewsNOW and are in response to our story published March 8, 2023: Red Deer hospital expansion group demands province and AHS provide clear transition plan--Alberta Health Services (AHS) greatly values the work our physicians and healthcare teams do to...
Mar 09, 2023
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Valuable Communication
Wolf Creek Board grateful for meaningful engagement with students, staff, parents and MLA
Outreach, listening to concerns, generating new ideas and gathering insight from staff, students and parents is crucial in planning for the future in a school division. Wolf Creek Public Schools has been reaching out through feedback sessions in February. These were very candid and honest group conversations in-person ...
Mar 03, 2023
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Op-Ed
Rehabilitating problematic oil and gas sites: Statement from Premier Smith
Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement this week in response to what she says are inaccurate claims about the government's ongoing efforts to rehabilitate Alberta's oldest and most problematic oil and gas development sites, many of which have flare pits, sumps and other environmental hazards that must be...
Feb 24, 2023
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Op-Ed
You're our biggest advocate - and we need your help
For six years, the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) has been advocating for children and youth who have had opportunities taken from them by abusers. The families we work with need support and guidance at a time that is often highly traumatic. In times of trauma, it's hard - if not impossible - to navigate...
Feb 23, 2023
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With Comment From Alberta NDP
Letter from Premier Smith to Prime Minister Trudeau
Premier Danielle Smith invited Ottawa this week to collaborate with Alberta on carbon capture, utilization and storage investment and halt the introduction of Just Transition legislation and an oil and gas emissions cap."Dear Prime Minister:I am writing in follow up to our meeting of February 7th, during which we ...
Feb 17, 2023
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Op-Ed
Red Deer Regional Hospital expansion
Recently, I had the privilege to travel to Red Deer, meet with elected officials from across central Alberta, and host a public information session about the Red Deer Regional Hospital Expansion project to help answer the central question: why does building a hospital take so long?As the many folks in attendance at our...
Feb 16, 2023
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submitted
Mayor: Clarifying City's role in decision about OPS transition
With the Province's decision to transition local overdose prevention services (OPS) from locally run services to an AHS-run mobile site, there have been many conversations occurring in our community and with local media. As such, I want to clarify some of the information being shared.The City of Red Deer and Province o...
Feb 09, 2023
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all can play a part
LETTER: Holiday season mental health and addiction supports are available
The holiday season offers friends and families moments to gather, celebrate and reconnect, but it can also be a difficult time for Albertans who are struggling with mental health and addiction.This year may be especially difficult. Despite the strong recovery of Alberta's economy, many Albertans are struggling to cover...
Dec 22, 2022
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Op-Ed
A lot to reflect on as Wolf Creek enters the Christmas break
Students, staff, and families around Wolf Creek Public Schools are getting ready for the Christmas break. As we prepare for the break, the Board of Trustees wants to give you a sense of the work that has been accomplished so far this school year, is still ongoing and that we are anticipating through the remainder of th...
Dec 19, 2022
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