Lethbridge news

• Around 1,000 Cargill employees laid off following outbreak of COVID-19 cases: Union

  14-04-2020 23:49
  
  The union representing workers at the Cargill High River protein facility says around 1,000 employees have been laid off following an outbreak of COVID-19 related cases at the plant. "We’re very disappointed because we’re not really hearing from Cargill," said Tom Hesse, executive director of labour relations for the United Food and Commercial Workers. The union said about 2,000 workers are split into a morning and afternoon shift. "We’re being told by workers that they have la
  
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• Pita Basket offers free meals to those who are struggling during the pandemic

  14-04-2020 23:47
  
  If you are having a hard time putting food on the table, a family-owned restaurant wants to help out. Pita Basket in Airdrie, Alta. says it will be providing meals, free of charge, to those in need and it wants other businesses to do the same. "Other people are going through a very rough time. (They are) backed up on bills. Food is very important and I’m trying to help out with what I can," said Chef Ro, Pita Basket owner. All Chef Ro asks for is, when people come for a free meal, they sho
  
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• Lethbridge native Kris Versteeg announces retirement from NHL - Global News

  14-04-2020 23:17 via globalnews.ca
  
  Lethbridge native Kris Versteeg announces retirement from NHL  Global News
  
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• Lethbridge native Kris Versteeg announces retirement from NHL

  14-04-2020 23:12 via globalnews.ca
  
  Two-time Stanley Cup champion Kris Versteeg has retired after 11 NHL seasons.
  
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• Canadian cattle group looks for help to weather COVID-19 as meat packers slow work

  14-04-2020 23:10 via globalnews.ca
  
  A cattle industry group says measures that helped ranchers weather the BSE crisis in the early 2000s should be brought back immediately as the COVID-19 pandemic slows down work at packing plants.
  
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• Flame Milan Lucic wants games to resume, but until then spends time with his kids

  14-04-2020 23:08
  
  Milan Lucic has been in the National Hockey League for thirteen seasons. When you’ve been around the game for that long it’s tough when it gets taken away like it has been during the COVID-19 pandemic. The veteran forward says that’s made him appreciate the game even more. “Sometimes whether it’s hockey or whatever you do, when things stop in a sense like this, sometimes you lose appreciation of things and what they really mean," he says. Lucic -- like everyone, eve
  
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• Fewer passenger vehicles and buses on Calgary roads, data shows

  14-04-2020 23:07
  
  There has been a consistent flow of trucking traffic in the City of Calgary after officials installed the state of emergency last month, a new report shows. Officials released the latest data on vehicle traffic from its Transportation Data Collection Program Tuesday and found a number of interesting trends. While many would understand that social distancing protocol would vastly reduce the amount of vehicles on the road, the city says large trucks, such as those hauling essential items, are stil
  
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• Tsuut’ina First Nation drops opposition to Springbank Dry Dam

  14-04-2020 22:50
  
  The Alberta Government says its proposed Springbank Off-stream Reservoir (SR1) project has cleared a major hurdle. The Tsuut’ina First Nation has formally withdrawn its opposition to SR1 and reached an agreement with the province to protect its land. Details of the agreement between the province and the Tsuut’ina First Nation have not yet been released. The proposed project is the province’s plan to temporarily store water in the event of a flood. “Our primary concern has
  
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• AHS closes Edmonton gym that remained open during COVID-19 pandemic

  14-04-2020 22:37
  
  An Edmonton gym was forced to close its doors last week after Alberta Health Services found out it was disregarding the province's health orders amid the coronavirus pandemic. On April 10, AHS asked The Bull Pen Gym, located at 10121 159 Street, to immediately close to the public.Alberta's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, ordered all non-essential businesses, including gyms, to close in March to prevent the spread of COVID-19. "Albertans are prohibited from attending all publi
  
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• Petition urges Alberta to allow golf courses to open - Lethbridge News Now

  14-04-2020 21:47 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Petition urges Alberta to allow golf courses to open  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• COVID-19 online assessment tool accessed more than 3.1M times, AHS says

  14-04-2020 21:36
  
  Alberta Health Services (AHS) says the online COVID-19 assessment tool has been used extensively by the public in order to determine the true nature of their health symptoms without coming into contact with others. To date, the tool has been access more than 3.1 million times, while the portal devoted to health-care workers has completed 120,000 assessments, officials say. "The online assessment tool has been a valuable guide in referring large numbers of Albertans for testing and providing info
  
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• Alberta is not bringing back wildfire rappel crews, new firefighter hires will be ground support

  14-04-2020 21:24 via globalnews.ca
  
  Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen said the province is not bringing back the program which saw firefighters rappel from helicopters directly into areas where wildfires have started, and instead will be hiring more ground crews.
  
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• Agriculture minister on Cargill meat-packing plant worker concerns

  14-04-2020 21:24 via globalnews.ca
  
  Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen addressed calls by the union representing workers at the Cargill meat-packing plant in High River to temporary close the facility due to COVID-19 concerns.
  
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• Alberta government’s plan for evacuation centres amid COVID-19 pandemic

  14-04-2020 21:23 via globalnews.ca
  
  As wildfire season and the risk of evacuations approaches, Alberta Emergency Management Agency managing director Shane Schreiber talked about how the province is adapting plans to accommodate COVID-19 physical distancing rules.
  
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• Forestry minister addresses distancing plan for wildfire firefighters

  14-04-2020 21:22 via globalnews.ca
  
  In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic distancing requirements, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen explains how firefighting crews will follow the rules while also doing their jobs this spring and summer.
  
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• Quads, off-road vehicles banned on Alberta’s forest protection area

  14-04-2020 21:21 via globalnews.ca
  
  Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen said with the exception of on private land and for Indigenous use, all off-road vehicles such as quads and dirt bikes are banned in Alberta’s forest protection area in the northern and western parts of Alberta.
  
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• Alberta Emergency Management Agency on preparing for multiple disasters

  14-04-2020 21:20 via globalnews.ca
  
  Alberta Emergency Management Agency managing director Shane Schreiber said the creation of a dedicated pandemic response team will allow the provincial operation centre to focus on preparing for summer natural disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes, and floods.
  
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• Demolition of Kensington Manor to begin by end of April

  14-04-2020 21:15
  
  The demolition of Kensington Manor is expected to begin by the end of the month. Work to remove asbestos was started in November and completed in the spring, and city officials confirm they are aiming to start demolition in late April on the seven-storey apartment building in the 300 block of 10th Street N.W. The building has been vacant since November 2017 when more than 100 residents were forced out with just 15 minutes notice after it was found to be structurally unsafe. The property owner wa
  
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• Alberta banning fires in 60% of province, hiring more wildfire firefighters

  14-04-2020 21:05 via globalnews.ca
  
  Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen said a temporary fire ban will go into effect Wednesday in the forest protection area — about 60 per cent of the province along the western edge and northern half of Alberta —as well as announced more wildfire firefighter jobs and stiffer penalties to anyone who is caught setting...
  
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• Alberta announces several enforceable actions to prevent spring wildfires - Lethbridge News Now

  14-04-2020 20:34 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Alberta announces several enforceable actions to prevent spring wildfires  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Coronavirus: Alberta fast-tracks new school builds, creates jobs amid economic turmoil

  14-04-2020 20:30 via globalnews.ca
  
  On Tuesday, the government announced the $100-million project will move forward this summer, creating 560 "well-paying" construction jobs for Albertans.
  
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• N.B. nurse, 85, comes out of retirement to help care for seniors amid pandemic

  14-04-2020 20:05 via globalnews.ca
  
  'They needed me," says 85-year-old Marg Miller of Dalhousie, N.B.
  
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• Bears are waking up, here's how to keep them from coming over

  14-04-2020 19:57
  
  As COVID-19 forces Albertans to stay at home in self-isolation hibernation, bears across the province are waking up from theirs and Alberta Fish and Wildlife wants people to do their part to keep wildlife out of their backyards. Attractants like food and garbage can lure bears travelling through wildlife corridors into residential neighbourhoods. Alberta Fish and Wildlife recommends trash and recycling be stored in airtight, bear-proof containers and that compost be kept indoors. The agency sugg
  
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• Coronavirus: Alberta golfers ask Dr. Hinshaw to change her mind and open courses

  14-04-2020 19:47 via globalnews.ca
  
  An online petition has golfers across Alberta calling on the province to roll back course closures this spring.
  
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• Supporting your neighbours during a pandemic - Lethbridge News Now

  14-04-2020 19:44 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Supporting your neighbours during a pandemic  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Construction to begin on 5 new schools this fall, classes to start in 2022

  14-04-2020 19:34
  
  Construction is scheduled to begin in September on five schools across the province, with classes expected to start in the fall of 2022. The province is moving forward with tender packages for the design and construction of four, K-9 schools and one K-4 school, located in:Calgary (one K-4 public school) Edmonton (one K-9 public school and one K-9 Catholic school) Cochrane (one K-9 Catholic school) Legal (one K-9 Francophone school)Cost of construction is budgeted at $100 million and the projects
  
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• Province to outline plans to reduce wildfires during the pandemic

  14-04-2020 19:25
  
  The province will announce new steps to help reduce the number of human-caused wildfires during the COVID-19 pandemic. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen will give an update on Tuesday afternoon.READ MORE: Wildfire season in Alberta began March 1. Premier Jason Kenney spoke about new measures on April 6. "We are quite concerned about the possibility of managing this pandemic, and then having a lot of wildfires at the same time like we did last summer and spring," Kenney said. The p
  
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• Alberta aims to limit human-caused wildfires during the COVID-19 pandemic

  14-04-2020 19:25
  
  Wildfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic are projected to peak at the same time. The province is taking steps to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires, including new fire bans and hiring 200 extra firefighters. "We don't need the added burden of a wildfire this year," Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen said on Tuesday afternoon. "Albertans have shown they're willing to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Now, at this critical time, we are asking you to do your part
  
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• Dr. Deena Hinshaw to update COVID-19 situation in Alberta Tuesday afternoon

  14-04-2020 19:16 via globalnews.ca
  
  Alberta's top doctor will be hosting an update at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, with the latest numbers of COVID-19 in the province.
  
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• Child and spousal support not covered by government’s coronavirus emergency benefit plan

  14-04-2020 19:15 via globalnews.ca
  
  Single parents who's ex-partners can't pay child and spousal support due to COVID-19 don't qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, Global News has learned.
  
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• Alberta reports 138 new COVID-19 cases; single-largest day yet for new infections

  14-04-2020 19:07
  
  Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported 138 new cases of COVID-19 — Alberta's highest day-to-day increase during the pandemic so far. This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as more information becomes available. Original story: Alberta's chief medical officer of health will provide Tuesday's COVID-19 update at 3:30 p.m. On Monday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced 81 new cases of the novel coronavirus and two more deaths. Alberta now has more recovered (877)
  
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• Alberta, now with more recovered than active COVID-19 cases, to issue update at 3:30 p.m.

  14-04-2020 19:07
  
  Alberta's chief medical officer of health will provide Tuesday's COVID-19 update at 3:30 p.m. On Monday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced 81 new cases of the novel coronavirus and two more deaths. Alberta now has more recovered (877) than active cases (855) for a total of 1,732.Alberta reports 81 new cases of COVID-19; opens testing to anyone with symptoms Infographics: COVID-19 in Alberta by the numbersForty-six Albertans have died after contracting COVID-19. There are currently 47 patients in hospi
  
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• Koletrane Wilson signs with AHL's Stockton Heat - Lethbridge News Now

  14-04-2020 19:00 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Koletrane Wilson signs with AHL's Stockton Heat  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• ‘Cough chamber’ shows 2 metres of physical distancing not enough: Western University researchers

  14-04-2020 19:00 via globalnews.ca
  
  The findings of a recently published Western University study show that droplets from a cough can reach a person standing six feet away in just three seconds.
  
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• Trudeau says relief for oil sector amid COVID-19 pandemic coming ‘shortly’

  14-04-2020 18:52 via globalnews.ca
  
  The prime minister says more information on a financial aid package for the struggling oil and gas sector is coming, although a timeline has not been released.
  
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• Alberta Labour Minister clarifies COVID-19 job protection measures - Lethbridge News Now

  14-04-2020 18:47 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Alberta Labour Minister clarifies COVID-19 job protection measures  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Child struck and killed by vehicle while crossing Lethbridge street - Calgary Herald

  14-04-2020 16:54 via calgaryherald.com
  Child struck and killed by vehicle while crossing Lethbridge street  Calgary Herald
  
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• Trudeau resuming daily updates on federal efforts to combat COVID-19

  14-04-2020 16:00
  
  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is resuming daily addresses on the latest measures the federal government is taking to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, which over the last month has considerably shaken up Canadians’ lives. After taking Sunday and Monday off to spend time with his family at Harrington Lake, the prime minister’s rural retreat 30 minutes' drive from Ottawa in Quebec, Trudeau will be providing an update on the next steps his government plans to take. Provinces have already be
  
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• Feds imposing tougher quarantine rules on returning travellers, PM Trudeau says

  14-04-2020 16:00
  
  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is imposing tougher quarantine measures for returning travellers, announcing that as of midnight tonight anyone who is asymptomatic and returning to Canada from abroad has to have a “credible quarantine plan” or they will be forced to spend 14 days in isolation in a hotel. This is an update to the current policy under the Quarantine Act, which came into effect on March 25, that made it mandatory for those arriving in Canada fr
  
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• Canada-U.S. border likely to remain closed for weeks, PM says in imposing tougher quarantine rules

  14-04-2020 16:00
  
  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says shutdown of the Canada-U.S. border to all non-essential travel is likely going to be one of the suite of public health restrictions set to remain in place for weeks. This comes as the federal government imposes tougher mandatory quarantine measures for returning travellers. Over the last month, COVID-19 has considerably shaken up Canadians’ lives and Trudeau said Tuesday that it will be “a while still” before governments can consider getting t
  
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• New Normal: Will we ever shake hands again?

  14-04-2020 14:49
  
  The handshake has endured for millennia. It has ended wars, sealed deals that have built economies, and forged alliances that have changed the course of history. Shaking hands is standard in almost all areas of human endeavour in western culture, including business, sports, politics, and religion. We shake hands to say hello, goodbye and congratulations, to demonstrate respect, loyalty, trust, co-operation, and to signal our confidence and character to strangers, acquaintances, friends and even
  
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• New Normal: Will COVID-19 mark the death of the handshake?

  14-04-2020 14:49
  
  The handshake has endured for millennia. It has ended wars, sealed deals that have built economies, and forged alliances that have changed the course of history. Shaking hands is standard in almost all areas of human endeavour in western culture, including business, sports, politics, and religion. We shake hands to say hello, goodbye and congratulations, to demonstrate respect, loyalty, trust, co-operation, and to signal our confidence and character to strangers, acquaintances, friends and even
  
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• Trump claims he has 'total' authority over reopening economy

  14-04-2020 13:39
  
  U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the "total" authority to decide how and when to reopen the economy after weeks of tough social distancing guidelines aimed at fighting the new coronavirus. But governors from both parties were quick to push back, noting they have primary responsibility for ensuring public safety in their states and would decide when it's safe to begin a return to normal operations. Trump would not offer specifics about the source of his asserted power, which he claimed, despit
  
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• Alberta to announce plan to reduce human-caused wildfires during COVID-19 outbreak

  14-04-2020 13:00 via globalnews.ca
  
  Alberta government officials are set to release details on how the province plans to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
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• Alberta issues fire ban, OHV restrictions in Forest Protection Areas amid COVID-19 pandemic

  14-04-2020 13:00 via globalnews.ca
  
  The Alberta government has issued a fire ban that covers about 60 per cent of the province, in hopes of slowing the start of wildfire season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
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• Canadians want serious progress on COVID-19 before returning to work: poll

  14-04-2020 10:56
  
  Most Canadians want to see significant progress in the fight against COVID-19 before they would feel comfortable with people being allowed to return to work, a new poll suggests. The poll says 29 per cent of Canadians believe restrictions on workplace and leisure activities should only be lifted once the country is free of any new cases for at least two weeks. One-quarter of respondents said they would want to see only sporadic cases being discovered before such restrictions are lifted, and assu
  
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• Lethbridge boy dies in crosswalk collision - CTV News

  14-04-2020 05:50 via calgary.ctvnews.ca
  
  Lethbridge boy dies in crosswalk collision  CTV News
  
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• Lethbridge boy dies in crosswalk collision

  14-04-2020 05:50
  
  A ten-year-old boy died Monday from injuries sustained in a pedestrian motor vehicle collision in Lethbridge. The incident took place at around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Whoop Up Drive Boulevard and Aquitania Boulevard West. A vehicle travelling southbound on Acquitania made a right turn onto westbound Whoop Up Drive, where it hit two boys crossing at a crosswalk. The boys were crossing with their father. The vehicle faced a yield sign. A nine-year-old boy sustained minor injuries, while
  
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• Boy dies after pedestrian collision in west Lethbridge

  14-04-2020 05:31 via globalnews.ca
  
  Investigators said a vehicle was travelling south on Aquitania Boulevard and was making a right turn onto Whoop-Up Drive when it struck two young boys in a crosswalk.
  
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• 10-year-old boy killed, brother injured after being hit by car in Lethbridge

  14-04-2020 05:31 via globalnews.ca
  
  Police say a 10-year-old boy died and his brother was injured after being hit by a car in west Lethbridge on Monday afternoon,
  
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