Local News
Hat adds just 11 people in five years
By COLLIN GALLANT on February 10th, 2022
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant The population of Medicine Hat rose by just 11 people over the course of five years, according to the 2021 census data released Wednesday. The figure, 63,271, leaves population change at essentially zero, compared to a growth rate in Alberta of 4.8 per cent, while Redcliff and Cypress County lost residents. The first data ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Mixed feelings for schools after Kenney’s announcement
By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 10th, 2022
kking@medicinehatnews.com The provincial government announced Tuesday students will no longer be required to wear face masks in schools beginning Feb. 14. Local school superintendents report mixed reactions to the announcement, but are not surprised by it. “We were expecting pretty quick adjustment to the restrictions and measures that were in place,” Mark Davidson, Medicine Hat ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Added care urged following avian flu discovery in N.S., but risk in Alberta is low
By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 10th, 2022
kking@medicinehatnews.com Following the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Feb. 4 discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza among a Nova Scotia commercial flock, officials in Alberta’s poultry and wildlife sectors say the risk of inter-provincial transmission is low, but advise those in close contact with birds to be mindful of bio-security measures. “Certainly avian influenza is an ... Read More »
1 responseMontana vaccination rates lagging
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 9th, 2022
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews The vaccination rate in Hill County, Mont., including Havre, has hit 60 per cent, according to data posted by that state’s health officials. That makes the region south of Cypress County, Alta. one of nine of Montana’s 58 counties to reach that mark. With about 14,900 residents of the area eligible by age for ... Read More »
1 responseCouncil more likely to let provincial orders play out
By COLLIN GALLANT on February 9th, 2022
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant The province has announced a timetable to remove most COVID-19 restrictions and city council is signalling it may be reluctant to bring in local rules to replace them. Premier Jason Kenney called the schedule – which ended the restrictions exemptions program at midnight Tuesday, ends masking in schools on Feb. 13 and changes other ... Read More »
1 responseDoes the Hat really have a court ‘backlog’?
By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 9th, 2022
kking@medicinehatnews.com In a statement announcing a 90-120-day pause on Phase Two of SafeRoads Alberta – a policy which, when implemented, will result in the abolition of traffic court – the provincial government cited “significant backlogs” in the traffic court system as reasoning behind the policy. The News reached out to sources on both sides of ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Downtown YMCA closes briefly over chlorine leak
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 9th, 2022
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews The Downtown YMCA closed down on Tuesday evening after a chlorine leak in the afternoon, the agency announced. Officials say a mechanical breakdown caused one pool to become over-chlorinated, causing discomfort but no danger, and credited staff for their quick action. The facility was closed to the public as a precaution as repairs are ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Grain producers get compensation for bankrupt food handler’s arrears
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 9th, 2022
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Grain producers who were not paid by a bankrupt food handler with a Gull lake location will be compensated by the Canadian Grain Commission, it was announced on Tuesday. A total of $2.2 million will come from the commission’s surety system to settle 49 claims against Pipeline Foods LLC while it accepted deliveries at ... Read More »
1 responseLower than average runoff expected in SW Saskatchewan this spring
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 9th, 2022
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Southwest Saskatchewan will likely see lower than average runoff this spring following an extremely dry growing season in 2021, according to a new report. The Saskatchewan Water Authority made its February estimates this week stating there are eight to 10 weeks left in the winter season, but “without additional snowfall, surface water supply issues ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Shining star returns home for Rotary Music Festival
By LAUREN THOMSON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 8th, 2022
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com The Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival is going live this year and one of the adjudicators is returning home to participate in a new way. Kumiko Sakamoto, born and raised in Medicine Hat, began training at a young age. She studied various arts at the Cultural Centre, including violin, voice, dance and musical theatre. ... Read More »
1 responseEducators caught in crosshairs of angry anti-maskers
By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 8th, 2022
kking@medicinehatnews.com Staff and educators at Prairie Rose Public Schools are working to address an incident at a Dunmore school on Feb. 4, during which unauthorized individuals protesting mask mandates entered the school and, joined by some of the student body, walked through the school chanting ‘No masks,’ until escorted off the property by local RCMP. ... Read More »
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