Local News
Cypress County creates subdivision, development appeal board
By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on January 17th, 2026
asmith@medicinehatnews.com Cypress County moved to form a new subdivision and development appeal board Tuesday, following recent changes and the repeal of the Municipal Planning Commission bylaw. Under the Municipal Government Act, there must be clear division between those who make subdivision and development decisions and who hears appeals of said decisions. With council now serving ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Province launches health data dashboard, shows minor changes in surgery numbers
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 17th, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com The province launched an online health dashboard Friday that allows Albertans to access data about surgical waits and other key health system metrics. Over the last several months, the province’s four health ministries have come under fire for a lack of transparency and communication. In December, a report by the Auditor General highlighted gaps ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!YMCA says injury incident led to probationary licence, ‘will do everything necessary to regain full compliance’
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 16th, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com The probationary licence issued to the John Millar Child Development Centre at the Medicine Hat YMCA was responding to an injury that occurred, according to a statement from he YMCA of Southeastern Alberta. The YMCA says supervision lapses were identified after the injury occurred, and the organization is committed to thoroughly and promptly addressing ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Minister says fatality inquiry coming for man who died waiting in Edmonton hospital ER
By ZOE MASON on January 16th, 2026
zmason@medicinehatnews.com Minister of Hospital and Surgical Services Matt Jones announced Thursday that the province is initiating a fatality inquiry into the Dec. 22 death of a 44-year-old man in the emergency room of an Edmonton hospital. Prashant Sreekumar waited to see a doctor for chest pain for nearly eight hours at Grey Nuns Community Hospital, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Volunteerism series highlights community role of youth
By BRENDAN MILLER on January 16th, 2026
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com An ongoing volunteerism series explored in depth the role of young people who choose to engage within their community and give back in a meaningful way. The hour-long webinar held Thursday, titled “Youth Engagement Matters,” was the third of five free learning sessions called “Rooted in Action,” held by the city in partnership with ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City warns of door-to-door solicitors selling home energy upgrades
By Medicine Hat News on January 16th, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com The City of Medicine Hat has released a public announcement warning residents of door-to-door salespersons offering financing, incentives and rebates for home energy upgrades. City staff say they have received reports of solicitors in other communities making unauthorized claims to guarantees related to the Clean Energy Improvement Program, particularly relating to solar upgrades. Medicine ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Airdrie MLA attending State Legislature’s conference in California
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 16th, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Conservative MLA for Airdrie East, Angela Pitt, is in San Diego for a three-day trip to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures meeting. Pitt arrived in California on Thursday to join U.S. legislators in programming and sessions at the 2026 NCSL winter meetings, which continue throughout the day and will wrap up tomorrow. ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Work to recall Premier Danielle Smith meets community positivity, organizer says
By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on January 16th, 2026
asmith@medicinehatnews.com Regardless of the outcome of the petition to recall Premier and Brooks-Medicine Hart MLA Danielle Smith, organizers believe the result will be positive. Momentum is strong among canvassers, says petition applicant Heather Van Snick. “We have a great bunch of canvassers who are excited to be out there pounding the pavement, doing their thing ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Police continue search for suspect evading arrest
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 16th, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Police are continuing their search for Chad Lentz, 46, who is wanted on numerous Canada-wide warrants and is believed to be actively attempting to avoid detection. Medicine Hat police say they believe Lentz may be attempting to avoid detection by altering his appearance and wearing disguises. On Tuesday, members of the MHPS tactical unit ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Firefighters warn of ice dangers during warm spell
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 16th, 2026
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Medicine Hat firefighters are cautioning residents to stay away from frozen bodies of water as warmer temperatures make ice unpredictable and unsafe. Following a record high temperature Wednesday in the Hat, local fire crews have posted a public announcement warning of the dangers of frozen surfaces in warmer weather. “Ice can weaken quickly, even ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Crisis? What Crisis? Hospital minister says he already has enough to address capacity issues
By ZOE MASON on January 16th, 2026
zmason@medicinehatnews.com Provincial health system leaders are calling the conditions in Alberta’s hospitals “extreme” and “extraordinary.” They say acute care facilities are facing “higher sustained demand than normal,’ and that this is “a very difficult time.” One thing they won’t call it is a crisis. According to Acute Care Alberta, the province’s 16 largest hospitals are ... Read More »
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