February 4th, 2025

Local News

City suffers highest drug poisoning death toll ever

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 19th, 2021

kking@medicinehatnews.com Medicine Hat’s drug poisoning deaths have reached an all-time high since the beginning of 2021, and the year’s not over yet. Data from Alberta’s Substance Use Surveillance System shows as of August, 23 people died by drug poisoning in the city. The previous year’s total was 15 deaths. Medicine Hat’s chief of police, Mike ... Read More »

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Three men face charges following downtown street fight

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19th, 2021

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Three men have been charged after a fight between them on a downtown street put two of them in hospital earlier this month. Police say an argument broke out on the 300 block of Sixth Avenue downtown at about 11 p.m. on Nov. 7 and “several” weapons were produced as it escalated. By the ... Read More »

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Saskatchewan’s childcare deal will cut costs for parents by half

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19th, 2021

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews A federal-provincial childcare partnership in Saskatchewan will cut daycare costs to parents by about half, retroactive to last July, it was announced on Friday. The reduction of fees paid for children aged five and younger will range between $306 to $395 per month and be provided directly to licensed childcare providers to reduce cost ... Read More »

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Municipalities group rebrands, introduces its new president

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19th, 2021

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association has a new name and a new president as the group that lobbies the province on behalf of cities and towns concludes its annual convention this week.. Going forward it will call itself “Alberta Municipalities,” and new president Cathy Heron, the mayor of St. Albert, takes over from former ... Read More »

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City’s power, gas profits could spike next year

By COLLIN GALLANT on November 19th, 2021

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Medicine Hat’s power and gas divisions could record a bonanza in 2022 due to high and still rising commodity rates, but budget forecasters warn that even a two-year outlook is not clear. Amended budget forecasts for next year were presented to city council Monday, which predict profits rising by 50% above original forecasts in ... Read More »

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Vaccines OK’d for kids 5-11

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 19th, 2021

kking@medicinehatnews.com Health Canada announced Friday the approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11. The approval comes a month after the vaccine was submitted to Health Canada for review on Oct. 18. While certain parents may have apprehension about the pediatric vaccine, health experts say it has undergone extensive testing and is ... Read More »

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Midnight Madness is back in the Hat

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 19th, 2021

kking@medicinehatnews.com Midnight Madness, a downtown shopping experience which encourages Hatters to support local businesses, is returning tonight. More than 40 vendors will participate. Below are some of the activities being held. 640 Professional Building – Take a tour of the building, meet some furry friends from the Medicine Hat SPCA or enter to win in ... Read More »

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More funding announced to support shelters across Alberta

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 19th, 2021

kking@medicinehatnews.com The Government of Alberta announced Wednesday it would be providing an additional $21.5 million in funding to homeless shelters, isolation sites and emergency women’s shelters across the province, including those in Medicine Hat. “As we continue to navigate through COVID, one of our top priorities is to make sure all Albertans have a safe ... Read More »

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Advocates work to close winter service gaps for homeless

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 19th, 2021

kking@medicinehatnews.com As the weather gets colder, many Hatters settle inside their houses, but for some, that’s not an option. In the Medicine Hat community, there still exists individuals experiencing homelessness. While frigid temperatures can pose a threat to individuals’ health, Medicine Hat Community Housing Society’s homeless and housing development manager, Jaime Rogers, confirms there are ... Read More »

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Programs put focus on child mental health

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 19th, 2021

kking@medicinehatnews.com Medicine Hat Public School Division is working to promote student mental health through its H.U.G. and MyPlace programs. The programs, which are two out of 37 in the province, are funded through Alberta Health Services and contracted through the division. H.U.G. works with elementary school students and MyPlace operates in local junior high and ... Read More »

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COVID cases in SW Sask. starting to come down from record highs

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19th, 2021

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews COVID-19 cases are trending down in southwest Saskatchewan, but the area including Maple Creek and Swift Current recorded another death on Thursday. Active cases in the health zone totalled 35 that day, essentially maintaining a plateau that has held this month after falling from an all-time high of 282 active cases on Oct. 2. ... Read More »

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