Lethbridge news

• Layoff notices given to 1,900 part and full-time Calgary Board of Education workers

  09-04-2020 23:05
  
  The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) has handed layoff notices to 1,900 employees because of the provincial government's decision to cut $21 million from its budget. Christopher Usih, the CBE's superintendent of schools, made the announcement Thursday, saying the last day of work for the employees who were given notice is April 30. Both full-time and part-time staff are being affected. "The CBE has never had to contend with layoffs of this magnitude. Each and every employee plays a valuable role
  
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• Investing in climate goals could play key role in coronavirus economic recovery

  09-04-2020 23:01 via globalnews.ca
  
  The federal budget, which was set to come March 30 before the pandemic delayed its release indefinitely, was promised to be a down payment on the government's strategy to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
  
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• Resources for Alberta small businesses struggling through COVID-19 pandemic

  09-04-2020 22:52 via globalnews.ca
  
  Business Link is meant to serve as a one-stop resource to connect small businesses with free advice, coaching and information.
  
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• Wheeldon and Cavalry embrace technology to continue training during pandemic

  09-04-2020 22:16
  
  Cavalry head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. is used to training his players on the soccer pitch but with the COVID-19 pandemic he’s had to get creative. Thanks to technology, the Cavalry have been able to get information to players for individual training. Wheeldon says recently the whole team has even started group training. "We’re doing Zoom and getting all the players involved. I led the session. Everyone had a ball each and the minimum requirement was a three by three space," Wheeldon
  
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• Hope Mission helping Calgary families in need during COVID-19 pandemic

  09-04-2020 22:13
  
  For many families experiencing poverty in Calgary, it can be a struggle to make sure there's enough food in the fridge, a task that becomes doubly difficult during a pandemic. So staff and volunteers with Hope Mission Hub are packing food hampers and delivering them to the families they're connected to. Up to 20 hampers are now being delivered weekly. “We know our families basically are at home with empty cupboards most of the time so in this time of crisis it's been tough for them to get
  
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• City extends State of Local Emergency for 90 days - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 22:07 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  City extends State of Local Emergency for 90 days  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Rules changing for truck drivers and railway operators to maintain Alberta's supply chain

  09-04-2020 22:02
  
  The Alberta government says they are changing the rules for commercial truck drivers tasked with bringing essential supplies into the province during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the measures being implemented are:Longer working hours for drivers, as long as safety rules are being maintained Permission to increase the weight of loads some vehicles can carry Exemption from road bans Exemption from municipal bylaws that put restrictions on the hours drivers work and where they can parkThe governme
  
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• Alberta sees 3 more deaths from COVID-19; hospital expansion announced in Calgary

  09-04-2020 21:30 via globalnews.ca
  
  Alberta's COVID-19 death toll rose by three Thursday, reaching 32 total fatalities from the disease. Twenty-two of those were in the Calgary zone.
  
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• Alberta sees 3 more deaths from COVID-19

  09-04-2020 21:30 via globalnews.ca
  
  Alberta's COVID-19 death toll rose by three Thursday, reaching 32 total fatalities from the disease. Twenty-two of those were in the Calgary zone.
  
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• Alberta health officials to update COVID-19 cases and response Thursday afternoon

  09-04-2020 21:30 via globalnews.ca
  Dr. Deena Hinshaw is scheduled to provide her daily update on the COVID-19 pandemic Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
  
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• COVID-19 education checkstops planned near Banff over Easter long weekend

  09-04-2020 21:01
  
  Educational checkstops will be set up near Banff over the Easter long weekend to inform drivers about the importance of avoiding non-essential travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staffed by RCMP, Banff community peace officers and firefighters, there will be two checkstops just off the Trans-Canada Highway, one on Mount Norquay Road and the other at Banff Avenue Road at Compound Road. The goal is to "inform visitors seeking a day-trip in the Banff townsite about the public health directives suc
  
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• Provincial government doubles infrastructure spending to put Albertans to work

  09-04-2020 20:28
  
  Albertans will be getting back onto the job thanks to a massive cash injection from the Kenney government. The government announced it was boosting its infrastructure spending by about $1 billion in order to allow companies to keep their workers employed as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. "By doubling our capital maintenance and renewal project funds, we will deliver much-needed improvements to important assets, keep companies operating and most importantly, keep Albertans working. As the weath
  
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• Slave Lake deems Easter Bunny an essential worker during COVID-19 pandemic

  09-04-2020 20:18 via globalnews.ca
  
  The Town of Slave Lake said despite rumours, the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy remain essential workers and will continue deliveries throughout the long weekend.
  
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• Protest held in Fort Saskatchewan after man charged in death of infant son granted bail

  09-04-2020 20:09 via globalnews.ca
  
  Damien Starrett, of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his one-year-old son, Ares.
  
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• Premier Kenney explains why construction jobs are being generated during time of isolation

  09-04-2020 20:07 via globalnews.ca
  
  Premier Jason Kenney explained why during a time of self-isolation jobs are being created that will send construction workers out into the community.
  
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• Alberta Medical Association files lawsuit against provincial government

  09-04-2020 20:02 via globalnews.ca
  
  The Alberta Medical Association cites the termination of its agreement, the government's conduct during negotiations and Bill 21 as some of the reasons for filing the claim.
  
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• Alberta government bumps up infrastructure projects to create jobs during COVID-19 downturn

  09-04-2020 20:00 via globalnews.ca
  
  Premier Jason Kenney announced a $2B accelerated infrastructure program to push up construction and repairs on roads and bridges, including pothole repairs, as well as school renewals and public building renovations.
  
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• Guard injured in armoured truck robbery attempt in southwest Calgary

  09-04-2020 19:57
  
  Calgary police are looking for the public's help to track down a suspect wanted in connection with an attempted armed robbery that took place in Aspen Woods earlier this week. Officials say guards with an armoured truck, which had stopped in front of the RBC Royal Bank at 383 Aspen Glen Landing S.W., had just gotten out when an unknown male approached them at around 12:50 a.m. on March 30. The individual was armed and demanded money from the guards. They told the suspect the truck was empty, but
  
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• Alberta doctors launch $250M lawsuit against the province

  09-04-2020 19:57
  
  The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) has launched a lawsuit seeking more than $250 million in damages from the province for what it calls a denial of their charter rights during negotiations. The suit was filed Thursday, two months after the UCP government ended its existing contract with doctors and in the middle of the largest health crisis in more than a century. The two sides had spent months negotiating the new contract, which was set to expire April 1. The suit names the AMA itself as a p
  
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• Hinshaw to provide COVID-19 update at 3:30 p.m.

  09-04-2020 19:50
  
  Dr. Deena Hinshaw will give Alberta's customary COVID-19 update at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Alberta reported 50 new cases of the novel coronavirus and three more deaths on Wednesday, bringing case total to 1,423 and the death toll to 29. There were 44 COVID-19 patients in hospital, including 16 in ICU, as of Wednesday afternoon.Alberta reports 50 new COVID-19 cases, three deathsThe number of confirmed cases has decreased in recent days — it was 25 on Tuesday — with Alberta Health Services
  
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• Alberta reports 3 more deaths, 28 new cases of COVID-19

  09-04-2020 19:50
  
  Alberta reported 28 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths Thursday. The province has a total of 1,451 cases, 592 recoveries and 32 deaths. This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as more information becomes available. Original story: Dr. Deena Hinshaw will give Alberta's customary COVID-19 update at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Alberta reported 50 new cases of the novel coronavirus and three more deaths on Wednesday, bringing case total to 1,423 and
  
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• Shakers Family Fun Centre announces permanent closure citing COVID-19 risks, economy

  09-04-2020 19:22
  
  The go-kart tracks and mini-golf course at a family fun centre in southeast Calgary will not reopen to the public as ownership has decided to permanently close the facility. The decision to make the temporary closure permanent was announced in a statement posted on the Shakers Fun Centre website.   As of March 9th, 2020, Shakers Fun Centre closed due to the risks related to the Coronavirus. Based on the economic situation in Calgary and the unknowns of the Coronavirus and the impact we feel
  
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• Alberta, B.C. officials urge residents to stay home over Easter long weekend

  09-04-2020 19:19 via globalnews.ca
  
  As the Easter long weekend approaches, health officials in Alberta and British Columbia are urging residents to stick to their respective provinces as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
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• Kenney to announce infrastructure plan to create jobs amid pandemic

  09-04-2020 19:09
  
  The Alberta government is speeding up infrastructure projects in an attempt to create jobs during the coronavirus pandemic. Premier Jason Kenney and members of cabinet will announce the plan at 11:30 a.m. Watch the press conference live at CTVNewsEdmonton.ca.​
  
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• Reports of Alberta dentists performing non-emergency services ‘alarming’: registrar

  09-04-2020 19:02 via globalnews.ca
  
  Non-emergency dental treatments were suspended by the association on March 17.
  
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• StatsCan: 21,000 Edmontonians lost their jobs in March, city's unemployment at 7.9 per cent

  09-04-2020 18:56
  
  More than 21,000 Edmontonians lost their jobs in March, bringing the city's unemployment rate to 7.9 per cent, according to new Statistics Canada data. The new numbers provide the first snapshot of job losses since COVID-19 began taking a toll on the Canadian economy. Economists warn that the numbers for April, when proctective measures against the coronavirus were ramped up even further, will be worse. Edmonton now has the fourth highest unemployment rate of major Canadian cities, behind Windso
  
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• Lethbridge man arrested in connection to three arsons over two days - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 18:25 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Lethbridge man arrested in connection to three arsons over two days  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Methamphetamine seized, suspected dealers arrested in Lethbridge bust - CTV News

  09-04-2020 18:13 via calgary.ctvnews.ca
  
  Methamphetamine seized, suspected dealers arrested in Lethbridge bust  CTV News
  
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• Methamphetamine seized, suspected dealers arrested in Lethbridge bust

  09-04-2020 18:13
  
  A man and a woman face drug trafficking charges following a Lethbridge Police Service investigation into the methamphetamine trade. Police identified a home in the 2100 block of 15th Avenue N. as being connected to drug trafficking. On Wednesday, officers witnessed a vehicle leaving the home and returning a short time later. Upon the vehicle's return, officers arrested a 34-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman as they exited. A search resulted in the seizure of:65 grams of methamphetamine (estim
  
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• Parliament recalled for rare Saturday sitting to pass COVID-19 wage subsidy bill

  09-04-2020 18:00
  
  The House of Commons and Senate are being recalled on Saturday for a second emergency parliamentary sitting, to study and pass an expansion to the wage subsidy program. The rare weekend sitting is scheduled to run from 12:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT in the House of Commons, with senators then convening at 4 p.m. to consider the legislation as passed by MPs. Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez sent a letter to the House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota requesting the sitting, after coming to an agre
  
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• Police charge two individuals with drug trafficking offences in Lethbridge - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 17:46 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Police charge two individuals with drug trafficking offences in Lethbridge  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Lethbridge-Medicine Hat's jobless rate at 5.2 percent in March - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 17:21 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Lethbridge-Medicine Hat's jobless rate at 5.2 percent in March  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Jason Kenney to announce plan to accelerate infrastructure amid COVID-19 pandemic

  09-04-2020 17:19 via globalnews.ca
  
  Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is scheduled to make an infrastructure announcement in Edmonton at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
  
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• Alberta announces $2B to protect jobs, maintain and improve road, school infrastructure

  09-04-2020 17:19 via globalnews.ca
  
  Projects include school repairs, HVAC updates and mechanical retrofits, work on roads and bridge decks, and filling potholes.
  
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• Calgary’s unemployment rate is highest in Canada as Alberta’s jobless rate spikes

  09-04-2020 16:33 via globalnews.ca
  
  Calgary's unemployment rate is now the highest in the country as residents deal with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
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• Southampton becomes 1st EPL club to defer player salaries - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 16:25 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Southampton becomes 1st EPL club to defer player salaries  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Custom-made rifle stolen during break-and-enter in Marlborough

  09-04-2020 16:18
  
  The Calgary Police Service has released surveillance images of the suspect in a recent break-and-enter where a firearm was stolen in a northeast neighbourhood. On the afternoon of April 3, a man broke a basement window at a home in the 4000 block of Marbank Drive N.E. in Marlborough. Once inside, the suspect stole identification, cash, jewelry and a custom-made rifle. A surveillance camera recorded the man leaving the area on a bike. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the
  
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• Top court won't hear bid to suspend Quebec's secularism law - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 16:17 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Top court won't hear bid to suspend Quebec's secularism law  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• 'Dynamic' physical distancing could help balance COVID-19 fight, economy: study - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 15:51 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  'Dynamic' physical distancing could help balance COVID-19 fight, economy: study  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• UK braces for more virus deaths; Johnson reported stable - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 15:43 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  UK braces for more virus deaths; Johnson reported stable  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• 16.8M Americans thrown out of work as economic toll rises - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 15:43 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  16.8M Americans thrown out of work as economic toll rises  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Alberta plan to use smartphones to enforce quarantines raises privacy questions

  09-04-2020 15:42
  
  A privacy expert says Alberta's plan to use smartphone technology to enforce quarantines should come with a clear end date and detailed explanation of how data would be handled. The move is one plank of a "relaunch strategy" outlined by Premier Jason Kenney in a televised speech Tuesday to get COVID-19 under control so that economic activity can resume. "I was very clear that we intend to follow the lessons learned from successful countries like Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea to more quickly
  
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• Co-op reopens Village Square gas bar after employee contracts COVID-19

  09-04-2020 15:24
  
  A northeast gas station was temporarily closed after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. According to Co-op officials, the Village Square gas bar, in the 2500 block of 52nd Street N.E., reopened Wednesday after the facility underwent a deep cleaning and was sanitized. The employee has been in self-isolation at home since their symptoms first appeared. In a letter to Co-op members sent April 8, CEO Ken Keelor said the organization is committed to the safety of the public and its employee
  
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• Under strong health measures, 22,000 Canadians could die from COVID-19

  09-04-2020 14:23
  
  With strong public health measures, between 11,000 and 22,000 Canadians could die from COVID-19 in the months ahead, though the death rate could be much higher with poor containment measures, federal modelling shows. Federal projections released by Health Canada show that if 2.5 per cent of the population contracts the virus, 11,000 people could die, but if that case count doubles to five per cent, 22,000 deaths are projected over the course of the pandemic.  The number of Canadians who cou
  
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• PM Trudeau: This will be the new normal, until a vaccine is developed

  09-04-2020 14:23
  
  Under the current public health measures up to 44,000 Canadians could die from COVID-19 in the months ahead. However, federal modelling shows the death rate could skyrocket if efforts stopped. Speaking to these projections during his daily address on Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said keeping the number of deaths as low as possible depends on what each person does now, but it will “take months of continued, determined effort.” Federal projections released by Health Canada d
  
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• 'No easy path': PM Trudeau on national COVID-19 death projections

  09-04-2020 14:23
  
  Under the current public health measures — which officials consider strong — between 11,000 and 22,000 Canadians could die from COVID-19 in the months ahead. However, federal modelling shows the death rate could skyrocket if efforts stopped. Federal projections released by Health Canada detailed the overall best- and worst-case scenarios for the pandemic's spread and impact in Canada, varying on the degree of actions taken by governments and Canadians. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,
  
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• Sunalta shooting victim identified as 28-year-old Calgary man

  09-04-2020 14:13
  
  Calgary police are searching for a suspect after a man in his 20s was shot to death early Thursday morning in a southwest community.  Officers and emergency crews responded around 1:15 a.m. to reports of gunfire at an apartment in the 1600 block of 15th Street S.W.  Paramedics treated a man with gunshot wounds to his head and transported him to hospital in life-threatening condition. He later succumbed his injuries.  Calgary police later identified the victim as Jovaughan Meek, 28
  
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• Police searching for suspect after fatal shooting in Sunalta

  09-04-2020 14:13
  
  Calgary police are searching for a suspect after a man in his 20s was shot to death early Thursday morning in a southwest community.  Officers and emergency crews responded around 1:15 a.m. to reports of gunfire at an apartment in the 1600 block of 15th Street S.W.  Paramedics treated a man with gunshot wounds to his head and transported him to hospital in life-threatening condition. He later succumbed his injuries.  Another woman was also taken to hospital, but suffered just mino
  
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• Is Space Really a Zero-Gravity Environment? - Lethbridge News Now

  09-04-2020 14:09 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  Is Space Really a Zero-Gravity Environment?  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• WestJet to hire back 6,400 laid-off workers

  09-04-2020 13:34
  
  WestJet is following Air Canada's lead and hiring back thousands of laid-off workers now that the government has agreed to pay the majority of their wages. In a video posted to social media late Wednesday night, WestJet president and CEO said nearly 6,400 employees will be brought back onto the company's payroll – although most of them will not be asked to perform any operational duties. "There will simply not be enough work there for them, but it will help them make ends meet," Sims said
  
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