Local News
Four structure fires among 240 calls for service in December
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 6th, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Medicine Hat firefighters responded to 240 calls for service in December and members also participated in several holiday events giving back to the community. Crews were dispatched to four structure fires calls and eight outdoor fires last month, as well as responding to three ice and aquatic related incidents. Firefighters also responded to 83 ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Alberta on pace to shatter recent influenza records, adding more than 2,500 cases in the last week of the year
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 6th, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Alberta is straining under the pressure of a particularly difficult flu season heading into the new year, with more than 11,000 cases of influenza confirmed according to the most recent provincial numbers. The last week of the year saw the province contending with 2,719 influenza cases and an influenza positivity rate of 35.95 per ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!One person dead after falling through ice on Rattlesnake Lake
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 3rd, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com An individual in Bow Island has died after falling through the ice on Rattlesnake Lake. The Bow Island Fire Department were dispatched to Rattlesnake Lake at 9:43 p.m. on Thursday night in response to reports of a person falling through the ice. Command 1, Rescue 1 and Rescue 3 were dispatched to the scene ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Council to consider rezoning request facing neighbour opposition
By BRENDAN MILLER on January 3rd, 2026
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com During its first regular meeting of 2026, city councillors are expected to vote on rezoning changes that would allow the development of new multi-dwellings homes in Southlands. New Tab Homes is seeking council to approve a request to rezone four sites of vacant parcels from low density residential to medium density residential along Southlands ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Hat’s New Year’s Baby born to first-time parents
By ZOE MASON on January 3rd, 2026
zmason@medicinehatnews.com The first baby born in Medicine Hat in the New Year arrived just under five hours after the turn of the calendar to 2026. Wren Durham was born at 4:43 a.m. at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Thursday morning, making her the unofficial New Year’s Baby for the region. Wren is the first child ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Fate of two local elementary schools awaits vote on Tuesday
By BRENDAN MILLER on January 3rd, 2026
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com Medicine Hat Public School Division school board trustees will vote on the proposed closure of two elementary schools during a special meeting set for 2 p.m. on Jan. 6. During the only item for action planned in the special meetings agenda, trustees will vote on whether to permanently close both Southview and Webster Niblock ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Natural gas rates dip in January, electric rates set to default minimum
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 3rd, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com This month’s natural gas rate for all customers has dipped approximately 50 cents from December, while still beginning the year approximately $1 more than January 2025. On Friday, Medicine Hat set its January natural gas rate at $2.865 per GJ, down from December’s rate of $3.293, the highest of 2025. However, at this time ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Police seek two suspects in early morning shooting
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 3rd, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Police have issued warrants and are looking for two suspects involved in a targeted robbery and shooting in the city’s southeast in the early morning hours Friday. Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service’s Major Crime Unit are looking for Brendon Webb, 33, and Brooklyn Carriere, 31, after officers responded to an altercation between ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Wright cites strong working relationships with UCP caucus for promotion to chief whip
By ZOE MASON on January 3rd, 2026
zmason@medicinehatnews.com In a set of shakeups to the Alberta government cabinet and caucus leadership announced this week, Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright has taken on a new role as the chief government whip for the UCP caucus. The role of the chief government whip is to facilitate communications between members of the United Conservative Party, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Schulz resigns, Wright named party whip and Hunter takes over environment
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 2nd, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Premier Danielle Smith announced several changes to cabinet and caucus leadership on New Year’s Eve. Among changes announced Wednesday is a new role for Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, who will become the Chief Government Whip for the United Conservative Caucus. The changes were announced following the resignation of Minister of Environment and Protected ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!MH Interpretive Program celebrating 40th anniversary in 2026
By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on January 2nd, 2026
asmith@medicinehatnews.com Facing the new year and a 40th anniversary, the Medicine Hat Interpretive Program also reflects on its past and present. The program first began in 1982, which is also when the Nature Centre located in Police Point Park was first opened. While it is a long time partnership between the City of Medicine Hat ... Read More »
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