Local News
Alberta gets emergency exemption for strychnine to help $800M gopher problem
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 1st, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com The federal government has authorized an emergency use of strychnine for pest control two years after imposing a ban on the chemical used to control gophers. Ottawa imposed the ban on strychnine in 2024 after finding it threatened other wildlife that may consume contaminated carcasses. Last summer, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation R.J. Sigurdson ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Shelter beds cut by 40% as Mustard Seed’s winter surge funding ends
By ZOE MASON on April 1st, 2026
zmason@medicinehatnews.com Winter surge funding is ending at the Mustard Seed on Wednesday, reducing the shelter’s total capacity from 50 to 30 beds. The Mustard Seed received a funding boost of $250,000 earlier this year to support the shelter’s surge capacity during the coldest months of winter. The funding was used to support the 20 additional ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City announces free compost giveaway days for green-thumbs
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 1st, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com This year the City of Medicine Hat will host three compost giveaway events beginning in April with free SureGrow Multi-Purpose Compost for residents. The three dates are April 18, May 9 and Sept. 12 this year at 1453 Hutchinson Ave., across from the City of Medicine Hat Municipal Works facility along Kipling Street. Gardeners ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Notre Dame teacher nominated for provincial first-year award
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 1st, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Stephanie Laing, a first-year teacher at Notre Dame Academy, has been chosen to represent the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education as its 2026 Alberta School Boards Association Edwin Parr Award nominee. Every year the Alberta School Boards Association honours six first-year teachers who have demonstrated excellence in the Teaching Quality Standard for the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Alberta government to bring forward changes to citizen initiative act, court appointment procedure
By ZOE MASON on March 31st, 2026
zmason@medicinehatnews.com A new bill tabled Monday introduces another round of changes to legislation governing recalls and citizen initiative petitions. Bill 23 would update several pieces of legislation, including the Citizen Initiative Act and the Recall Act. “We are committed to protecting the integrity of our elections and our democracy, and we believe that these amendments ... Read More »
2 responsesProposed animal welfare update would be first changes to APA in 20 years
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 31st, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Alberta is updating the legislation that outlines protections for animals. If passed, Bill 22 will update the Animal Protection Act for the first time in 20 years. “Whether it’s livestock on a farm or pets, animals deserve appropriate care and to be protected from distress. It’s an important topic,” said Minister of Agriculture and ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Man charged after police discover meth, air pistol during traffic stop
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 31st, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com John Lewis, 45, of no fixed address, faces several charges after a patrol section officer discovered methamphetamine, ammunition and an air pistol during a traffic stop in the early morning hours Saturday. According to the Medicine Hat Police Service, an officer pulled over a 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit in the 600 block of College Drive, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Nortera announces closure of Lethbridge vegetable processing facility
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 31st, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com A large vegetable processing company is closing its facility in Lethbridge, taking 70 jobs with it. Nortera, a frozen and canned vegetable processor, will shut down its facility in June as part of a consolidation of the company’s Canadian facilities. There are 13 Nortera plants across Canada and the U.S., processing and marketing more ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Former Hat fire chief remembered for fairness and steady leadership
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 31st, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Ronald Bell, former fire chief of the Medicine Hat Fire Department, has passed away at the age of 93. Bell began his 33-year career with the fire department in 1960 serving as firefighter for 17 years before being promoted to deputy chief of fire prevention in 1977. In 1982, Bell was promoted to deputy ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Suspects sought after attempted jewellery heist in Brooks
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 31st, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Brooks Mounties are on the lookout for three suspects following an attempted break-and-enter at Hicks Jewellery store using a stolen pickup truck from Calgary. RCMP were dispatched to Hicks Jewellery store at approximately 4:30 a.m. Monday and located an abandoned stolen black Ford F-150 which had driven into the front barred windows of the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Ottawa provides $50K to city for adaptive transit updates
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 31st, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Medicine Hat is receiving federal funding to support updates to the city’s special transit services for people who live with disabilities. Adaptive transit services offer specialized, shared-ride and curb-to-curb transportation services to eligible Hatters. The city will receive up to $50,000 through the federal Rural Transit Solution Fund. “Adaptive Transit in Medicine Hat serves ... Read More »
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