Lethbridge news

• Shoelaces, Snickers and calling loved ones: CFLers honour superstitions to get into the game

  22-11-2019 23:56
  
  CALGARY - Football players prefer to call them pre-game rituals rather than superstitions, but some Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats players are particular about what they do in the hours before kickoff. The 'rituals' can be quirky. “I just eat a Snickers before every game and tie my left shoe before I tie my right shoe,” Hamilton receiver Brandon Banks, the CFL's most outstanding player, said as his team prepared for Sunday's Grey Cup against Winnipeg. “Actually t
  
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• 'The thrill of the spiral': Concussions and concerns about football's future

  22-11-2019 23:02
  
  CALGARY -- Thirty years ago, Dan Szutiak played football for the University of Manitoba Bisons. The memories aren’t all pleasant. "Football can be rough at any position,” he says. "You can remember some of the contact in games back then, that bright flash of light in your head when you get hit." Szutiak still loves the game and brought his family to Calgary to watch their hometown Blue Bombers fight for the Grey Cup Sunday at McMahon Stadium. However, as much as his kids love watchin
  
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• Man flown to hospital after crash near Taber

  22-11-2019 22:42
  
  CALGARY – STARS Air Ambulance was deployed early Friday morning to the scene of rollover crash near the town of Taber. Officials say four vehicles were involved in a crash at Highway 3 and Range Road 153 at about 7 a.m. near the southern Alberta community. One of the vehicles in the incident ended up rolling over onto its roof. A passenger in that vehicle, a 62-year-old man, was flown from the scene by STARS to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. Officials say he was in serious, but stabl
  
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• Despite CN Rail strike, Parliament won't be recalled before Dec. 5: House leader

  22-11-2019 22:25
  
  OTTAWA – Despite calls from federal and provincial leaders to recall Parliament early in light of the CN Rail strike, Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez says the first day of the new Parliament will remain Dec. 5. “The date set is Dec. 5 and that’s what’s going to happen,” Rodriguez said in an interview with CTV’s Question Period host Evan Solomon.          A new Parliament begins soon: Sign up for our Capital Dispatch newsle
  
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• ‘He came here to listen’: Alberta energy minister ‘very encouraged’ by meeting with federal counterpart

  22-11-2019 22:24 via globalnews.ca
  
  Alberta was Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan's first stop after being appointed to his new post on Wednesday.
  
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• University of Calgary proposes tuition hikes for students in wake of cuts

  22-11-2019 21:49
  
  CALGARY – Students at the University of Calgary can expect to be paying more to attend class thanks to the UCP government's change to post-secondary school funding last month. Officials at the school confirm to CTV News they are proposing a five per cent hike for undergraduate students, a seven per cent hike for new students and a 10 per cent hike for new engineering and international students. The news comes after a period of unrest at the school that drew over a thousand people to p
  
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• Province to fund affordable rental homes in Victoria

  22-11-2019 21:31
  
  VICTORIA – The B.C. government is funding 130 new affordable rental homes in Victoria's downtown for those with low and middle incomes. The province will work with Pacifica Housing and Dalmatian Developments to build the largest purpose-built affordable rental project of its kind in the downtown core, the B.C. government announced Friday. The project is part of the new fire hall project at 1025 Johnson St. "Victoria has an acute shortage of affordable rental housing," said Margaret Eckenfe
  
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• Kaillie Humphries formally selected for USA Bobsled's national team

  22-11-2019 21:26
  
  Kaillie Humphries is officially part of USA Bobsled's national team. The two-time Olympic champion for Canada was selected Thursday night as a member of the U.S. team for this season. The announcement was merely a formality, since Humphries won the U.S. team trials in Lake Placid, New York, earlier this week. Humphries will make her World Cup debut for the U.S. in Lake Placid next month. Brittany Reinbolt will be USA-1 on the women's side to start the season, with Humphries driving USA-2 and Kri
  
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• Bill 22 officially law, election commissioner's contract terminated

  22-11-2019 21:16
  
  EDMONTON – Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell gave Bill 22 royal assent Friday, effectively terminating the contract of Alberta's election commissioner and putting his investigation of the 2017 UCP leadership race in limbo. The bill was introduced Monday and passed third reading after four days of debate. Effective immediately, the responsibilities of the Office of the Election Commissioner are transferred to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. According to a release from Elections Alberta, all
  
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• Local economist skeptical of optimistic Grey Cup economic forecast

  22-11-2019 21:08
  
  CALGARY –The City of Calgary is forecasting an economic benefit of $80 million dollars as an expected 30,000 new visitors will roll into town for the 2019 Grey Cup. Tourism Calgary’s projection is a bit more modest at $50 million in economic impact and around 15,000 unique guests.  The actual numbers of course won’t be known until Grey Cup festivities wrap up, but University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe suggests these figures represent an inappropriate measu
  
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• Kenney speaks to media for first time after Bill 22 passed through the legislature

  22-11-2019 20:27 via globalnews.ca
  
  Alberta Premier Jason Kenney talks to the media for the first time since his government passed Bill 22, to fire the elections commissioner amid an investigation into the 2017 UCP leadership vote.
  
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• Rachel Notley on contentious week at the Alberta legislature

  22-11-2019 20:20 via globalnews.ca
  
  It was an intense week at the Alberta legislature, where opposition leader Rachel Notley was kicked out during debate over a bill allowing the government to fire the election watchdog who is investigating the UCP. Notley joined Global News at Noon to talk about the contentious week and how she plans to continue fighting recent...
  
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• China's 'different view of the world' major focus of Halifax security forum

  22-11-2019 19:54
  
  HALIFAX -- Canada's defence minister says he doesn't see China as an adversary, as a security conference in Halifax this weekend prepares to focus heavily on the Asian superpower. Harjit Sajjan said while there are significant challenges in Canada's relationship with China -- including the detention by the Chinese of two Canadians -- there is co-operation on "certain aspects of trade," and now is the time to try to work together to find solutions. "We don't consider China as an adversary," Sajja
  
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• Mending fences: Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan meets with Sonya Savage

  22-11-2019 19:34
  
  CALGARY – After being named to the federal cabinet earlier this week, Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan is in Calgary on Friday, meeting with Alberta's energy minister. O'Regan, the MP for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, was named to Trudeau's cabinet on Wednesday and his first order of business was a meeting in Alberta. Experts say the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa has been quite strained, especially since the Liberals were completely shutout in the Prairies in last month'
  
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• 'He came here to listen': Alberta's energy minister meets with Minister Seamus O'Regan

  22-11-2019 19:34
  
  CALGARY – After being named to the federal cabinet earlier this week, Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan is in Calgary on Friday, meeting with Alberta's energy minister. O'Regan, the MP for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, was named to Trudeau's cabinet on Wednesday and his first order of business was a meeting in Alberta. Experts say the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa has been quite strained, especially since the Liberals were completely shutout in the Prairies in last month'
  
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• Most B.C. residents against pairing Grey Cup with rodeo, poll finds

  22-11-2019 19:26
  
  Animal rights activists have slammed the decision to hold a rodeo during this weekend's Grey Cup festivities in Calgary, and it appears most British Columbians agree. A new survey from Research Co. found a slim majority of B.C. residents – 53 per cent – disagree with the Canadian Football League's decision to organize a rodeo this year. Only 31 per cent told pollsters they agree with the move, while 16 per cent said they aren't sure where they stand on the issue. Opposition to the Gr
  
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• Quebec farmers protest propane shortage with rolling convoy from MP's office to Montreal

  22-11-2019 19:20
  
  Dozens of farmers rode tractors to the offices of their local MP on Friday to protest the ongoing CN Rail strike, then continued rolling along Highway 132 and into Montreal. The strike has created a shortage of propane in Quebec, and the provincial government has begun rationing the fuel, which farmers say is affecting their businesses. Christian Kaiser, a grain and dairy farmer, co-owner of Imperiale Farms in Noyan, Quebec, said he and his colleagues want the federal government to pass legislat
  
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• Hard to question actions in the moment of 7-Eleven incident, says police use-of-force expert

  22-11-2019 19:10 via globalnews.ca
  
  Winnipeg police are under a lot of scrutiny after a Thursday night incident that saw a man shot nine times after an attempted convenience store robbery.
  
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• Two arrested, $220K in drugs seized during coordinated searches in three neighbourhoods

  22-11-2019 17:40
  
  CALGARY – Two Calgary men face charges following a four-month long investigation into drug trafficking that culminated in the seizure of more than two kilograms of cocaine. According to police, the investigation was spurred by the discovery of a suspected drug stash location within Calgary city limits. Two men were identified as suspected drug dealers and police began to monitor their activity. On Nov. 5, search warrants were executed at three residences. The searches of the homes in Bridg
  
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• Sask. First Nation declares state of crisis over recent suicides, including 10-year-old girl

  22-11-2019 17:19
  
  SASKATOON -- Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Chief Ronald Mitsuing has declared a state of crisis and emergency in the northwest Sask. community after three suicides in recent weeks - with the latest involving a 10-year-old girl. “We’re all recovering from a sleepless night,” band manager Barry Chalifoux said. Thursday’s suicide is the third suicide this month. Last week a father in his early 40s died, and earlier this month a 14-year-old died by suicide. “We’r
  
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• Jumpstart brings together CFL stars and local students

  22-11-2019 17:09
  
  CALGARY –  Grey Cup fever has hit the Calgary West Soccer Centre thanks to Jumpstart. The charity has brought together 250 local children, between the ages of 9 and 12,  to team up with 10 of the top players from the Canadian Football League for a day of physical activity.  Jumpstart hosts a series of games annually that provide fun day for kids to get active and learn new skills. Since 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities has disbursed more than $6.5 million to help tens
  
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• Moose's affinity for salt creates unforgettable moment for Kananaskis Country visitors

  22-11-2019 15:23
  
  CALGARY – A family from the Netherlands had a memorable encounter with wildlife during their trip to the Rocky Mountains as they found themselves right next to a moose. Manon Platje, along with her brother and mother, had been returning from a hike near Chester Lake in Kananaskis Provincial Park on Wednesday when they encountered a moose in the middle of the road. The family brought their car to a stop and watched as the animal made its way toward them. The moose approached the car and beg
  
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• Premier Jason Kenney returns to Alberta amid Bill 22 controversy

  22-11-2019 15:10 via globalnews.ca
  
  For the first time since the political battle over Bill 22 began, Premier Jason Kenney will appear in front of reporters at a groundbreaking on Friday after being in Texas all week.
  
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• Stolen pickup truck crashes into vehicles, bridge railing in High River

  22-11-2019 14:45
  
  CALGARY – High River RCMP are searching for two suspects after two vehicles and the guard railing of the Centre Street bridge were damaged during a Thursday afternoon getaway in a stolen pickup truck. Officers responded to the Tim Hortons parking lot on High Country Drive shortly after 4 p.m. as part of the investigation into a suspicious vehicle. An idling 2004 Ford F-350 was spotted in the lot but the driver of the truck sped away in an attempt to evade police. According to RCMP, the sus
  
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• CFL fans ready to celebrate Grey Cup weekend in Calgary

  22-11-2019 14:20
  
  CALGARY – There's still two days until the big game but the party is already underway in Calgary for the 107th Grey Cup.  The fan festival is underway at Stampede Park, running daily from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with no shortage of fun activities for all ages.  Some of the main attractions include a 50 metre slide, a showcase of minor football players, an indoor maze, a mini putt course and a 13,000 square metre street festival with daily pancake breakfasts and outdoor concerts.&
  
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• Alberta’s controversial ‘conscience rights’ Bill 207 voted down in committee hearing

  22-11-2019 13:00 via globalnews.ca
  
  A bill proposing Alberta healthcare providers be allowed to refuse to medical services and referrals on moral grounds was voted down at a committee hearing Thursday night in Edmonton.
  
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• 'I was bawling': Injured Bronco's mother stunned by his progress after surgery

  22-11-2019 11:08
  
  The mother of a hockey player paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash says she's stunned by the progress he has made since receiving spinal surgery in Thailand. Doctors implanted an epidural stimulator in Ryan Straschnitzki's spine earlier this month and a week later injected stem cells above and below the injury in the hope that will help reverse some of the damage. The 20-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., is to remain in Thailand until early December. "Hands down I'm 200 per cent behind this.
  
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• Doug Ford stresses national unity after meeting with Trudeau in Ottawa

  22-11-2019 10:26
  
  OTTAWA -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is trying to play the part of Canada's peacemaker, asking his counterparts in Ottawa and in other provinces to turn down the heated rhetoric and find a way to get along. "We just have to calm the temperature," he said.A new Parliament begins soon: Sign up for our Capital Dispatch newsletter"I can't emphasize it enough. We have to stick together as a country and send the message to the rest of the world that we're Canada and we're ready to move forward." Ford h
  
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• Committee votes against 'conscience rights' bill heading to legislature

  22-11-2019 06:37
  
  EDMONTON -- A private member's bill proposing Alberta doctors be allowed to refuse to offer both a service and referral on moral grounds hit a likely fatal roadblock Thursday night. A standing committee on private members' bills heard feedback from six people and organizations Thursday night—including four doctors, the Trans Equality Society of Alberta, and Dying With Dignity Canada—before voting against Bill 207, The Conscience Rights Protection Act.   "I cannot support this bi
  
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• Alberta’s UCP government unveils legislation to recover health-care costs associated with opioids

  22-11-2019 05:50 via globalnews.ca
  
  The Alberta government has introduced new legislation it says is meant to help it recover health-care costs resulting from opioid use.
  
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• Magic hour on the Trans-Canada Highway as herd of elk stop traffic

  22-11-2019 05:01
  
  CALGARY -- Magic hour is the time of day movie directors love: when the light is the most beautiful, at dawn and then again at dusk. Late Thursday afternoon on the Trans-Canada Highway outside Canmore, Alta. was a little more magic than usual. That's because a huge herd of elk wandered out onto the highway and crossed it, stopping traffic for all the right reasons. Filmmaker Andy Arts was one of the lucky motorists stuck in traffic, and pulled out his phone to record the event. "This was taken a
  
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• Calgary mother cautions other parents after trip to indoor play park

  22-11-2019 03:54
  
  A Calgary mother who injured her tailbone at an indoor play park is sharing her story in hopes of warning other parents of the potential dangers. Sabiha Sumra brought her five-year-old son to KidzGo last week. She says she felt her clothing snag on something while going down a slide but didn’t realize until she got out of the ball bit at the bottom that she was bleeding. “My son had mentioned that he could see blood,” said Sumra. Kidz Go offered to call an ambulance but Sumra d
  
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• Calgary municipal budget debate reignites criticism over funding of new arena

  22-11-2019 03:30
  
  As Calgary City Council wades through its options to address cuts to its operating budget, some within chambers are questioning the deal for a new events centre. The capital project was approved by council in July, and funding is not currently being debated. Friday Ward 8 Councillor Evan Woolley tweeted “I'm concerned about cutting essential services to all Calgarians in favour of giving money to billionaires.” Replacing the Scotiabank Saddledome is part of an approved project to rev
  
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• Pronghorns set to host Canada West Swimming Championships

  22-11-2019 02:10 via globalnews.ca
  
  The top university swimmers in western Canada will dive into the 2019 Canada West Swimming Championships this weekend, with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns playing host. 
  
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• Unorthodox and eco-friendly: Calgary’s Lougheed House gets decked out for Christmas

  22-11-2019 01:26
  
  CALGARY — Eco-friendly Christmas decorations and recycled couture installations at Lougheed house are now open for all to see. Eight Calgary interior designers were challenged to adorn the historic halls of one Alberta’s oldest Victorian mansions. Designers used old scarves and sweaters, vintage furniture and even dried orange slices to bring the holiday season to life in some of the 20 rooms of the historic home.Holleay Rohm with the Lougheed House said the design took three full da
  
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• CUPS family development centre reopens

  22-11-2019 01:22
  
  CALGARY -- The Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS) re-opened their newly renovated family development centre Thursday. The centre is inspired by the Calgary Reads Children’s Reading Place and was designed by a team of local artists and carpenters. The room features murals, kid-sized tables and chairs, has soft lighting and is filled with books and educational toys. Carlene Donnelly, executive director of CUPS, says the space was designed to be cozy, interactive, calming and above all kid-
  
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• City of Lethbridge considers transferring school bus operation to schools

  22-11-2019 00:59 via globalnews.ca
  
  Lethbridge is considering one of the suggestions listed in Monday’s Fiscal and Operational Review that would see school bus operations taken over by school divisions. Emily Olsen reports
  
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• ‘We keep it playable, as it should be’: McMahon Stadium crew prepping turf for Grey Cup

  22-11-2019 00:18 via globalnews.ca
  
  "I just don't want anyone to come here and say, 'Well, we would have done better had the field been better.' This field is always playable and we take a great deal of pride in saying that."
  
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• Want to visit Lake O'Hara? Bus reservations now up to random draw

  22-11-2019 00:15
  
  YOHO NATIONAL PARK — Parks Canada is making changes next year for people hoping to visit a highly sought after destination in British Columbia's Yoho National Park. Visitors to Lake O'Hara, which has a quota system in place to protect the sensitive alpine area, are required to advance book for a bus that takes them up an 11-kilometre road for day hiking and overnight camping. “It's a high-elevation alpine ecosystem that Parks Canada has been working hard to preserve and protect ... e
  
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• For Canadian football fans, madness comes in November

  22-11-2019 00:13
  
  CALGARY — Fans from across Canada have converged on Calgary for the 107th Grey Cup. At Stampede Park on Thursday, jerseys from every CFL team were represented. The two teams who will battle it out on Sunday have both suffered lengthy championship droughts. It’s been 29 years since the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last hoisted the Grey Cup in 1990, while the Hamilton Tiger Cats last took home the cup in 1999. Blue Bomber fan Fred Burdon believes the team's streak of misery will finally end o
  
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• Toddler with rare condition scratches police car ride off her bucket list

  22-11-2019 00:06
  
  CALGARY — From cruising in a cop car to meeting canine officers, a little girl with a rare medical condition got to share a special experience with members of the Calgary Police Service on Thursday. Now 19-months-old, Ryah Reiley was born with trisomy 13, a condition most children don’t survive with past the age of one, so her family made a bucket list of experiences they wanted to share with her, including seeing the ocean, going to the zoo and riding in a police cruiser. “It
  
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