January 21st, 2026

Local News

Five deaths from Meadowlands outbreak

By GILLIAN SLADE on January 21st, 2021

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade A COVID outbreak reported at a local seniors’ residence is now linked to five deaths. Meadowlands Retirement Residence in Medicine Hat revealed on Dec. 30 that nine residents had tested positive since the outbreak began on Dec. 19, and sadly two deaths were linked to it. There was also one member of staff who ... Read More »

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Three hurt in grain elevator fire

By Medicine Hat News on January 21st, 2021

Three people were injured near Brooks on Wednesday as crews fought to extinguish a blaze at a grain elevator. Brooks RCMP, firefighters and utility workers were dispatched the area west of the city at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. A release from the Mounties states three people were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Firefighters ... Read More »

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Two positive COVID cases confirmed at Seven Persons School, isolation protocol underway

By Medicine Hat News on January 21st, 2021

Medicine Hat News There are two positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed at Seven Persons School. Prairie Rose School Division was notified of a second case at the school on Sunday. Alberta Health Services has notified 24 students and six staff that they are close contacts. One substitute was also deemed a close contact. All close ... Read More »

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More than 4,000 health-care workers have tested positive since COVID arrived

By GILLIAN SLADE on January 21st, 2021

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade Alberta Health Services says 5.5 per cent of health workers who have been tested for COVID-19 have been positive for the virus since the pandemic began. By Jan. 13 a total of 74,538 employees within AHS, Alberta Precision Laboratories and Covenant Health had been tested for COVID-19, and of that number 4,127 were positive. ... Read More »

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City awaits provincial orders on COVID

By COLLIN GALLANT on January 20th, 2021

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Albertans and Hatters can expect “an eventful week” according to city officials regarding health restrictions to battle the coronavirus, while warning against expecting widely relaxed rules. City director of emergency management Merrick Brown told council in an update on Monday that figures of new cases across Alberta and the region are pointing downward, which ... Read More »

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Alberta public urged to seek needed care as more than 2,000 cancers went undiagnosed during pandemic

By GILLIAN SLADE on January 20th, 2021

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade Alberta Health Services is urging Albertans not to ignore symptoms of illness after data shows serious issues have been allowed to develop during the pandemic. Dr. Doug Stewart, medical oncologist with AHS, says cancer rates typically go up slightly each year, but since the pandemic started undiagnosed numbers are way up. “… our data ... Read More »

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South zone COVID hospitalization breakdown

By Medicine Hat News on January 20th, 2021

On Tuesday Alberta Health Services confirmed there were 26 cases of people with COVID-19 in three hospitals across the south zone, and five being treated in ICUs. Of the 26 hospitalized cases there were 17 in Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge and two of them were in ICU. Medicine Hat Regional Hospital had eight patients ... Read More »

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City council looking into controversial coal proposal

By COLLIN GALLANT on January 20th, 2021

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Medicine Hat city council will consider lending its voice to opposition of a coal mining proposal near the headwaters of the South Saskatchewan river basin. The proposed Grassy Mountain coal mine would be located in the Crowsnest Pass, just north of the town of Blairmore. Mayor Ted Clugston said Monday that the issue has ... Read More »

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Elder abuse more complex, harder to track

By GILLIAN SLADE on January 20th, 2021

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade The number of reported cases of elder abuse over the past year is similar to other years, but that could be just the tip of the iceberg. Shantel Ottenbreit, community resource worker for the city, says the fact that many have made the extra effort to reach out during the difficult circumstances of a ... Read More »

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AHS hosting free online session regarding screen time for children

By Medicine Hat News on January 19th, 2021

Alberta Health Services is hosting a free online session to help parents set limits on screen time for children. AHS says the information session is for parents, caregivers and influencers of children and youth to learn how to help youth safely navigate the online world. Who’s In the Driver’s Seat? Finding Balance in our Family’s ... Read More »

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Brooks RCMP seek suspects in string of graffiti

By Medicine Hat News on January 19th, 2021

Mounties in Brooks are tracking down taggers who have gone on a graffiti spree this month. The detachment announced Monday it is looking for those responsible for spray painting a number of businesses in the city with crude references to feminine hygiene products, animals as well as “U.S.A.,” and “C.I.A.” Officials say the vandalism, which ... Read More »

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