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UCP policy reversals costing taxpayers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

Dear Editor:Re: U. C. P. reversal of private medical lab testing     Another U.C.P. reversal, the latest in a long line of policy reversals, is the buyout of Dynalife Labs by our government, after unacceptable backlogs of testing in that private provider. The U.C.P. cancelled our new public health care superlab in Edmonton, in 2019, before it could be completed and opened. Ask Danielle Smith and Justin Wright how much money we lost in that cancellation. Ask them how much money we will pay to buy the assets of the failed Dynalife Labs and to bring the function of that business and its staff  back into public health care, when the final price is known later this year.     The big blue U.C.P. pickup truck only has one gear in the transmission- reverse. More examples of policy reversals in the last four years include:• Cancelling the oil-by-rail contracts the N.D.P. had in place by early 2019. The U.C.P. instead promised more pipelines, got none completed, and shipped no more oil.• The ...

Canada dawdles behind OECD members in public housing Stock 30 years after Liberals abandon public housing strategy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

Canada’s housing crisis is dire. More and more, people are sharing stories of how the high cost of living across Canada is pricing everyday Canadians out of housing.While the housing markets in Toronto and Vancouver receive the bulk of the spotlight, small town residents are feeling the squeeze too, and landlords with multiple properties continue to jack up rental prices to “keep up” with the high interest rates set by the Bank of Canada.It is true that interest rates are hurting people’s investments; but at what point do we acknowledge the moral implications of leveraging a volatile market against people trying to maintain access to shelter?All investments, including property, carry inherent risk, and based on current public discourse, somewhere along the way, many people seem to have forgotten that owning an investment property should not protect you from unfavourable market conditions, such as high interest rates.That is not to say landlords are uniquely implicated in these high ...

Rising indie-pop artist with Prairie roots drops new single and video

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsNow based in Los Angeles, Alberta-raised singer-songwriter, Laur Elle is giving her over 100,000 monthly Spotify listeners something new to listen to in the weeks leading up to her album release.Oklahoma native Laur Elle spent her formative years in Alberta and has connections to Edmonton and Medicine Hat. The up-and-coming indie-pop artist dropped her latest single “The Morning Song” on Aug. 18. It is the fourth release from her full length debut album, which is scheduled for release this fall. Described as an intimate acoustic ballad with a stripped down sound, the music video for “The Morning Song” was published shortly after on Aug. 23.In a PR release issued by PR firm Indoor Recess, Laur Elle said, “If my life was a movie, The Morning Song would be the soundtrack to the biggest heartbreak of my life. It’s the moment that sinking feeling in your stomach comes rising up to the surface. The moment you notice that nothing feels like it used to. The M...

Wetland planting, Coalhurst public works addition nearing November completion

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsThe following are selected briefs from Coalhurst town council’s regular Aug. 15 meeting:CAO reportCouncil accepted Shawn Patience’s CAO report as presented.Some of the highlights from the report include:• Work continues on completing the infrastructure master plan and costing options for light industrial property as well as exploring commercial expansion opportunities.• Patience met with Dawna Coslovi, CEO of the Green Acres Foundation, to discuss options for housing models for Coalhurst, funding options and partnership opportunities.• The town office was being used as a drop-off location for the FCSS clothing and school supply drive, in support of local families. A clothing fest will also be held here in September.• The Town continues to undergo a review and update of their bylaws and policies. bylaws under review include Community Standards, which is a new bylaw, Animal Control, Land Use Bylaw, Business License Bylaw and Emergency Management Plan. ...

Chinook Arch makes carbon dioxide monitors available to loan from local libraries

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Chinook Arch Regional Library System (CARLS), is adding Carbon Dioxide monitors to their inventory to allow members to borrow and test indoor air quality in their own homes.The new offering from Chinook Arch Regional Library System is being supported through a partnership with Community Access to Ventilation Information (CAVI), and will ensure people in southwestern Alberta have a way to easily monitor CO2 levels in their homes.Indoor air quality is impacted by a number of factors including exhalations, which add CO2 to the air, and CO2 levels can rise quickly in a room with more people and little ventilation or fresh air coming into the space. High levels of indoor CO2 can cause fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms. Monitoring CO2 levels can help people determine if additional simple steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of viral transmissions. Indoor pollutants also include respiratory particles and the viruses which are transmitted throu...

Summer brings end to season at Coyote Flats

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsAs summer comes to an end, Coyote Flats Pioneer Village is looking back on another successful season showcasing the history and culture of southern Alberta.Board president Earl Dunn said that the season has been “very good, with lots accomplished by the volunteers and lots of visitors coming through”. New to the site this year is the Nolan Tack Shop and the Odds & Sods Building, which have been well received by visitors.Major events hosted at Coyote Flats include a Tractor Pull in June, a Tractor Show of Power parade around Picture Butte, a Show and Shine on Canada Day and a BBQ cook-off in late July.Harvest Days continued to be a success for Coyote Flats. The two-day event typically consists of harvest demonstrations, dog trials, horse pulls and antique equipment demonstrations, but this year featured two new events: a tractor balance competition and a slow tractor competition.Volunteer, Shirley Olsen added, “Coyote Flats has experienced an exce...

New greenhouse, cafe and event venue bringing hope to children with autism

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsA new business in Lethbridge County is leading the way in innovation with its sustainable farming practices using vermicompost, and inclusive hiring practices.“The Venue for New Hope” was one of the many hosts in the southern region to participate in this year’s Province-wide Open Farm Days on Aug. 19-20, which gave participants a behind-the-scenes look into various farm and ag-related ventures.Owner Suzie Irwin said the event was a success, bringing people in to explore the property.The Venue itself features carefully curated vintage wares, with photo-ready staging that makes it a perfect venue for weddings, markets, and other events. The on-site cafe offers specialty coffees and teas, as well as hard ice cream.Irwin has ambitious plans for the project’s greenhouse operation as well, which will eventually grow produce for the venue, utilizing red wriggler worms for vermicompost to focus on sustainable production, creating new soil for the greenhouse ...

NY: Election staff impersonators knocking on doors

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - In both Warren and Washington counties, authorities this week are warning residents to take caution when interacting with anyone claiming to work for a board of elections. In the last week, both counties have received reports of individuals impersonating election officials. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Warren County described a local case where a county resident with a legal voter registration was visited by two women claiming to come from the Washington County Board of Elections. The individuals carried ID cards and left the woman with a New York State election complaint form.The two North Country counties aren't the only ones. The New York State Board of Elections announced on Wednesday that similar incidents have been seen in counties around the state.“We are extremely alarmed by these actions," said Board of Elections Co-Executive Director Raymond J. Riley III. "These individuals are impersonating gov...

Judge decides pause on NYS cannabis shops will remain

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- There's been another freeze on the recreational cannabis industry in New York State. A judge reversing his ruling from Friday that would've allowed more than two dozen licensees to continue the process of opening up shop, despite an injunction that has the program on pause. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! State Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bryant has decided the freeze on New York State's retail cannabis program will remain in place for all, while the lawsuit by veterans alleging they were cast aside by regulators during the license awarding process continues to play out."I think the overall sentiment that’s been going on through New York State cannabis is frustration at this point," said Ryan McCall, attorney at Tully Rinckey PLLC, "and this is just another setback.”This setback comes after 30 licensees thought there were signs of progress Friday when judge Bryant ruled the injunction would be lifted for them. T...

Subway In The Sky: Free subs and blimp rides coming to Missouri

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:25 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A fast-food experience probably unlike any other you've seen or experienced is coming to Missouri next month. Subway announced its new "Subway In The Sky" campaign on Tuesday. A large Subway-themed blimp will take flight in September. The blimp includes a gondola that's assembled like a makeshift Subway location. It's crafted in a fashion that will allow six lucky guests on board during flights. Guests will have a chance to enjoy unique views from the blimp and sample sandwiches from Subway's Deli Heroes menu at the same time. Four St. Louis restaurants among USA Today’s ‘Top 100 budget eats’ "Subway In The Sky" is only coming to a small handful of cities. Its first stop: Kansas City, Missouri. There will also be stops in two Florida cities (Orlando and Miami) later this month. If you're interested in the ultimate Subway experience and at least 18 years old, you can enter for a chance to win soon. No purchases will be required to ride, but fans will need to reg...