October 13th, 2024

City’s rec facilities open with fewer restrictions

By COLLIN GALLANT on February 10th, 2022

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Hatters arrived at city recreation facilities on Wednesday morning no longer required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter. And they can expect concessions to be open at this weekend’s hockey game at Co-op Place, though administrators were still sorting out how changes to capacity limits announced Tuesday night ... Read More »

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Mixed feelings for schools after Kenney’s announcement

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 10th, 2022

kking@medicinehatnews.com The provincial government announced Tuesday students will no longer be required to wear face masks in schools beginning Feb. 14. Local school superintendents report mixed reactions to the announcement, but are not surprised by it. “We were expecting pretty quick adjustment to the restrictions and measures that were in place,” Mark Davidson, Medicine Hat ... Read More »

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34 inmates, nine staff with COVID at local remand centre

By COLLIN GALLANT on February 10th, 2022

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at the Medicine Hat Remand Centre. Alberta Health Services confirmed late Wednesday that 34 inmates have been diagnosed with the respiratory disease as well as eight members of the corrections staff. All were reporting “mild, if any” symptoms. Provincial Court proceedings in Medicine Hat slowed during the ... Read More »

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Added care urged following avian flu discovery in N.S., but risk in Alberta is low

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 10th, 2022

kking@medicinehatnews.com Following the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Feb. 4 discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza among a Nova Scotia commercial flock, officials in Alberta’s poultry and wildlife sectors say the risk of inter-provincial transmission is low, but advise those in close contact with birds to be mindful of bio-security measures. “Certainly avian influenza is an ... Read More »

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Montana vaccination rates lagging

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 9th, 2022

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews The vaccination rate in Hill County, Mont., including Havre, has hit 60 per cent, according to data posted by that state’s health officials. That makes the region south of Cypress County, Alta. one of nine of Montana’s 58 counties to reach that mark. With about 14,900 residents of the area eligible by age for ... Read More »

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Grain producers get compensation for bankrupt food handler’s arrears

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 9th, 2022

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Grain producers who were not paid by a bankrupt food handler with a Gull lake location will be compensated by the Canadian Grain Commission, it was announced on Tuesday. A total of $2.2 million will come from the commission’s surety system to settle 49 claims against Pipeline Foods LLC while it accepted deliveries at ... Read More »

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Downtown YMCA closes briefly over chlorine leak

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 9th, 2022

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews The Downtown YMCA closed down on Tuesday evening after a chlorine leak in the afternoon, the agency announced. Officials say a mechanical breakdown caused one pool to become over-chlorinated, causing discomfort but no danger, and credited staff for their quick action. The facility was closed to the public as a precaution as repairs are ... Read More »

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Does the Hat really have a court ‘backlog’?

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 9th, 2022

kking@medicinehatnews.com In a statement announcing a 90-120-day pause on Phase Two of SafeRoads Alberta – a policy which, when implemented, will result in the abolition of traffic court – the provincial government cited “significant backlogs” in the traffic court system as reasoning behind the policy. The News reached out to sources on both sides of ... Read More »

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Lower than average runoff expected in SW Saskatchewan this spring

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 9th, 2022

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Southwest Saskatchewan will likely see lower than average runoff this spring following an extremely dry growing season in 2021, according to a new report. The Saskatchewan Water Authority made its February estimates this week stating there are eight to 10 weeks left in the winter season, but “without additional snowfall, surface water supply issues ... Read More »

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Council more likely to let provincial orders play out

By COLLIN GALLANT on February 9th, 2022

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant The province has announced a timetable to remove most COVID-19 restrictions and city council is signalling it may be reluctant to bring in local rules to replace them. Premier Jason Kenney called the schedule – which ended the restrictions exemptions program at midnight Tuesday, ends masking in schools on Feb. 13 and changes other ... Read More »

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Shining star returns home for Rotary Music Festival

By LAUREN THOMSON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 8th, 2022

lthomson@medicinehatnews.com The Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival is going live this year and one of the adjudicators is returning home to participate in a new way. Kumiko Sakamoto, born and raised in Medicine Hat, began training at a young age. She studied various arts at the Cultural Centre, including violin, voice, dance and musical theatre. ... Read More »

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