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Feds should cut spending, but don’t hold your breath

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

Cutting back on Big Macs so you can spend more on beef Wellingtons isn’t saving money.Taxpayers want to be optimistic as Treasury Board President Anita Anand orders ministers to find $15 billion in savings. Only one problem: saving money means something different in Ottawa than in the rest of Canada.“The budget … includes that $15 billion of savings so we could fund the programs outlined in the budget,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said. “It is not new savings.”In other words, the savings will be spent – and then some.Budget 2023 shows spending was $470 billion in 2022. By 2027, Ottawa plans to spend almost $556 billion. When you increase spending by $85 billion, you’re saving money wrong.The Trudeau government was spending all-time highs before the pandemic, even after accounting for inflation and population differences. The 2019 budget then projected spending this year at $402 billion. The Trudeau government now plans to spend $491 billion this year.After years of embarking ...

Database connects local libraries and schools with books published in-province

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Book Publishers Association of Alberta has released its 2023-2024 Alberta Books for Schools catalogue, in addition to publishing updates to the digital database.The catalogue is intended to be used as a resource for libraries, schools, booksellers, and educators to help them discover books published in Alberta. Although the subject matter varies by genre and author, many of the titles on the list are set in or feature Alberta landscapes. The annual print catalogue now contains nearly 100 titles, and the digital database contains over 150 titles.Although it is a useful resource for bookworms looking to “read local”, staff at the Alberta Library have determined curriculum connections for all titles in both the digital database and the selected titles featured in the print catalogue, with accessibility/alternative formats, such as eBooks or audiobooks, noted in the catalogue’s description.Executive Director of the Book Publishers Association of Alber...

Local ag research continues to benefit from OFCAF funding

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsResults Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) has declared the first year distributing OFCAF funding to be a huge success.Last month, Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) announced the organization had distributed funding to over 1,200 projects on over one million acres of farm land since August 4, 2022.In 2022, RDAR was selected as the distribution partner of $33 million in federal funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF).The OFCAF facilitates funding to farmers giving them the supports to adopt best management practices which are geared towards sustainability. Just under one third of the $33 million in funding ($10 million) was been awarded by RDAR in 2022, with an additional $18 million to be distributed in 2023 with the program.While BMP’s (beneficial management practices) are often goals for producers, cost can be a barrier for farmers looking to adopt new techniques, especially in cases...

Coalhurst approves budget consultation plan

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsA plan to gain public feedback on upcoming budgets has been approved by Coalhurst town council.During their regular Sept. 5 meeting, Coalhurst town council discussed a consultation plan for the upcoming budget.As budget deliberations are soon to begin, administration proposed the following as a consultation plan for the 2024 Budget: first, administration puts out a survey where residents indicate how they would like levels of service to be impacted for the varying departments; second, the town holds an Open House for residents to attend and provide input directly with members of council; and that the results of the survey engagement be presented during a council meeting.“At this stage, it’s more of gaining an idea of where they’ll like to see the service levels, rather than a specific item,” said Mike Passey, director of corporate service for the town. “When you think of X,Y, Z, this gives you an idea of… where they’ll want to see the town go and pro...

RCMP encouraging citizens to register for CAPTURE camera database

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsAn RCMP delegation by the Coaldale and Picture Butte detachments during the Sept. 7 Lethbridge County council meeting, encouraged citizens with surveillance cameras on their property to opt into registering for the Alberta RCMP Rural Capture Program. CAPTURE stands for “community assisted policing through use of recorded evidence.”The RCMP-backed initiative was originally set to first be piloted in Coalhurst, but was launched across Alberta earlier this year.In addition to presenting the quarterly update and report to council, Sgt. Dave Marintette also provided council with an update on Project CAPTURE.“It is something (we) want to get out into the public and make them aware of it.”CAPTURE is an online program which allows anyone to go in, create an account and register that you have video cameras, either at the door or elsewhere on the property.Marintette said registering, “does not give the RCMP or any police access to your cameras. We are not able ...

Coaldale gears up for Fall Community Meetup & Registration night

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Town of Coaldale’s wildly successful community registration event is returning Sept. 12.Previously known as Fall Mass Registration, the Fall Community Meetup & Registration event is held annually and facilitates connection between various community groups, organizations, and committees in Coaldale.The event provides attendees with the opportunity to learn more about what is going on in their community and provides an opportunity and communal space for organizations seeking new membership to hold registration. In addition to registration opportunities, the event will include information booths, and activities for the duration of the event.The event will also include a Pickleball clinic, hosted by the Coaldale Pickleball Club where attendees can earn more about the fastest growing sport in North America.Once again in 2023, the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Coaldale will be sponsoring free pizza and refreshments for those in attendance.Community S...

Troy residents concerned about building collapse

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Dilapidated buildings in Troy have alarmed neighbors and renewed calls for the city to crack down on property owners who let buildings become hazards. Three families were displaced after a neighboring building collapsed and others fear the same could happen to them. A vacant building collapsed on Friday, on Fourth Street in Troy and eight people who lived in the neighboring building were displaced.  Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Mary Alice Molgard is a spokesperson for the American Red Cross and said they responded to assist the families.“We had requests from one of the families for assistance and we got there as soon as we were able to get personnel on the scene,” said Molgard. She said they helped with financial assistance to the families and provided “comfort kits” that contain basic needs, like blankets and hygiene products.“You know this is often the worst day of their lives when something...

County makes changes at 'chaotic' crosswalk after FOX Files exposes dangers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - There are changes happening outside a St. Charles County middle school after dangers were exposed in a recent FOX Files investigation.Crews with the St. Charles County Highway Department were along O'Fallon Road on Thursday, installing new, eye-catching, pedestrian crosswalk signs.It comes after the FOX Files exposed what parents have described as a chaotic crossing outside Francis Howell Middle School.Our camera captured a young girl crossing the road, only to be briefly stuck in the median because the other lane of traffic would not stop. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW On Thursday, the county started to replace crosswalk signs and install even more caution signs to warn drivers of children ahead.Highway officia...

'Life is too short' - A plea to halt the violence after overnight shootings

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis community leaders are calling for the violence to end after a Sumner High School student was shot and killed and two other juveniles were injured in separate shootings overnight.No one is in custody for the shootings. Homicide detectives have more questions than answers and are urging anyone with information about the murder to come forward.St. Louis police received a call for a shooting just after 9:45 p.m. in the 5800 block of Minerva, located in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood. Officers arrived at the scene and found the victim, Antonio Thompson, shot outside. Thompson was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 16.Representatives for the St. Louis Public School District say they’re deeply saddened by Thompson’s death, and their hearts go out to his friends, family, and classmates. The district will have counselors and other mental health professionals at Sumner High School to help in any way they can.Resident Clara Homes is calling for an end to the violence...

Woman found shot to death inside Central West End apartment

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A woman was found shot to death Thursday morning inside an apartment in the Central West End.According to a spokesperson for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, homicide detectives received word of a body at an apartment in the 4300 block of Maryland Avenue.Detectives made their way into the apartment and found the victim, a 41-year-old woman, dead with a gunshot wound to her head.Anyone with information on the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. If you wish to remain anonymous or are interested in a cash reward, call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.