Local News
Alberta government updates rural policing model after municipalities complained about high costs and inadequate service
By ZOE MASON on December 19th, 2025
zmason@medicinehatnews.com The Alberta government announced Thursday it will be updating its police funding model to ensure municipal contributions are increased in a sustainable way. The current funding model for rural policing was introduced in 2020, creating a framework for municipalities with less than 5,000 to contribute up to 30 per cent of front-line policing costs ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Stampede’s Beef Pen Show kicks off this afternoon
By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on December 19th, 2025
asmith@medicinehatnews.com Today marks the opening of the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede’s Beef Pen Show and Cowboy Christmas Trade Show. This year marks 27 years of the now well-entrenched holiday tradition, hosted down at the Cypress Field House Dec. 19-20. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. with cattle viewing and the opening of the trade show ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Cost for citizen initiative petitions increased to $25,000
By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on December 19th, 2025
asmith@medicinehatnews.com An order in council has increased the cost to apply for a citizen lead petition from $500 to $25,000. The order came in Wednesday evening and states that the fee may be refundable in the event the applicant meets the required threshold of signatures and completes reporting requirements. A statement from press secretary Heather ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Alberta appoints former South Zone lead as new chief medical officer of health
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 19th, 2025
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com The province has appointed Dr. Viven Suttorp as Alberta’s new, permanent chief medical officer of health effective Dec. 18. Dr. Suttorp previously served as the lead medical officer of health for the South Zone for 17 years, where she oversaw public health, workplace health and safety and infection prevention and control for the area ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Motz reflects on issues before the federal government in 2025 including cost of living, Alberta pipeline dreams
By ZOE MASON on December 19th, 2025
zmason@medicinehatnews.com Glen Motz, MP for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, is not satisfied with the way things went in 2025. Motz doesn’t believe Alberta has much to show from this year’s federal policy. He says that even the memorandum of understanding, which Premier Danielle Smith points to as the beginning of a new era in Alberta-Ottawa relations, is ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City announces Christmas tree recycling locations
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 19th, 2025
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com The City of Medicine Hat will have three locations for Hatters to recycle their Christmas trees following the holiday. The locations will be set up on Christmas Day and residents will be able to recycle their real Christmas trees until Jan. 30. Trees can be dropped off at bulk recycling depots located at 20 ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!It’s Old News: A historic moment for Gretzky, maybe even a Great One
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 18th, 2025
In his fifth season in the National Hockey League, Wayne Gretzky set one of his 61 records. A then 23-year-old Gretzky recorded an assist two minutes into an Edmonton Oilers’ 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The assist, the first of a six-point night against what would be his next team in the NHL, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Year-to-date value of building permits stays high heading into the final stretch of 2025
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 18th, 2025
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Residential building permits in Medicine Hat for the month of November are up slightly compared to the same month in 2024. However, the total value of all buildings for which permits have been approved is still substantially higher than in 2024, helped by the approval of the Holy Trinity Academy school. Both the total ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!McBride’s Bakery targeted by bad reviews online for hosting Smith recall petition
By Zoe Mason on December 18th, 2025
The recall petition against Premier Danielle Smith is in its second week of collecting signatures. With winter weather here to stay in southern Alberta, local businesses have opened their doors to canvassers to set up shop. McBride’s Bakery on Dunmore Road is one of them. Since McBride’s owner Brendan Hillson posted on social media he ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Province announces new program to assist Albertan’s facing domestic abuse
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 18th, 2025
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com On Tuesday the province announced a new support program for survivors of family violence who are going through the court process as it announced the launch of the Family Violence Court Liaison program. These new family violence court liaisons will provide dedicated case management services to families in an attempt to improve communication and ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Winter weather returning for the weekend
By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on December 18th, 2025
asmith@medicinehatnews.com The brief respite from winter weather turned yesterday, causing potentially dangerous road conditions. Two weather alerts were issued yesterday by Environment Canada, one for wind and one for an incoming winter storm. Wind gusts were expected to reach 120 km/h, risking overturning high-sided vehicles and potentially causing utility outages. Warnings were also issued for ... Read More »
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