Lethbridge news

• Confusion after 141 communities removed from rural list and Shandro walks back rural doctor pay changes

  26-04-2020 23:32
  
  Nearly a quarter of the communities listed on Alberta's Rural Remote Program list were quietly removed Friday, according to NDP health critic David Shepherd, but the government says it's a mistake.  On Friday, Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced the government was rolling back billing changes his ministry made to the way rural doctors bill for services, in an attempt to keep rural doctors from leaving town and pulling back from hospital duties. On Friday, Sandro said the changes
  
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• 141 communities removed from rural list as Shandro walks back rural pay changes. Alberta health critic

  26-04-2020 23:32
  
  Nearly a quarter of the communities listed on Alberta's Rural Remote Program list were quietly removed Friday, according to NDP health critic David Shepherd. That same day, Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced the government was rolling back billing changes his ministry made to the way rural doctors bill for services, in an attempt to keep rural doctors from leaving town and pulling back from hospital duties. On Friday, Sandro said the changes totaled $81 million and included cash top
  
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• 141 communities removed from rural list as Shandro walks back rural doctor pay changes: Alberta health critic

  26-04-2020 23:32
  
  Nearly a quarter of the communities listed on Alberta's Rural Remote Program list were quietly removed Friday, according to NDP health critic David Shepherd. That same day, Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced the government was rolling back billing changes his ministry made to the way rural doctors bill for services, in an attempt to keep rural doctors from leaving town and pulling back from hospital duties. On Friday, Sandro said the changes totaled $81 million and included cash top
  
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• Alberta government to discuss support for vulnerable residents

  26-04-2020 22:43
  
  The Alberta government will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. on Sunday to discuss support for vulnerable residents during the pandemic. Minister of Community and Social Services Rajan Sawhney will speak at the event. CTV News Edmonton will carry the press conference live on our website.  
  
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• Alberta government outlines support for vulnerable residents during the pandemic

  26-04-2020 22:43
  
  The Alberta government says it is working hard to get support to vulnerable Albertans during the pandemic. “Our government is committed to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting vulnerable Albertans. Those who rely on social services need our support more than ever before and we will continue working closely with community partners to address the needs of all who are at risk and help them get through this challenging time,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Community and Social
  
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• Canadians should be brushing, flossing teeth more often amid pandemic: dentist

  26-04-2020 20:51
  
  Canadians are being advised to take extra care in maintaining their oral hygiene amid the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent a surge in serious oral health problems once dental offices reopen. In an interview with CTV News Channel on Sunday, the president of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) said Canadians should try to keep their mouths healthy during this time as they find themselves eating more snacks while staying at home. "With respect to dental care, obviously this is a time where there's mor
  
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• Garden centres and growers in southern Alberta adjust to heightened requests amid COVID-19

  26-04-2020 20:24 via globalnews.ca
  
  Gardening is a hobby enjoyed by many in the spring and summer months. As the weather warms, people are flocking to garden centres for new curbside pick-up and deliveries. Eloise Therien has the details on what is being done to help anyone with a green thumb get their fix during COVID-19.
  
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• Evacuation orders issued as rising rivers threaten Fort McMurray

  26-04-2020 19:15 via globalnews.ca
  
  The spring ice breakup on rivers in northern Alberta is forcing some residents of Fort McMurray neighbourhoods from their homes, and people in the city's downtown have been warned to be ready to react in case the evolving situation changes.
  
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• Canadians have been told to stay home during the pandemic. Are we listening?

  26-04-2020 19:15
  
  As leaders in many provinces start talking about loosening movement restrictions, new data suggests Canadians may already be deciding on their own to head out of the house a little more often. Physical distancing has been a key weapon in the battle against COVID-19 in Canada and around the world. Because the virus can be transmitted from person to person, entire populations have been urged to never get within two metres of anyone who is not a part of their household. Canadians started to hear th
  
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• Former Stony Plain MLA Erin Babcock dies of cancer

  26-04-2020 19:12
  
  Former MLA for Stony Plain Erin Babcock passed away Saturday after a short battle with cancer. She was 38. She was elected in 2015 representing the electoral district of Stony Plain, running as a member of the New Democratic Party. Babcock was diagnosed with uterine cancer in May 2018. Tributes poured in from political leaders across Alberta in memory of Babcock.Erin Babcock was all heart, grit, determination and fun.She was a wonderful friend to those around her, a dedicated mother, and was pas
  
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• Gloves and masks become problem litter as COVID-19 prompts people to cover up

  26-04-2020 18:55
  
  When Debbie Barna takes her dogs Moe and Joey for a walk, she sees gloves and masks around her apartment building. "I've noticed on the lawn area where we take the dogs, the masks are starting to appear," she says. "It's noticeable. You get the face masks. You get the rubber gloves." The property maintenance company Barna works for in Winnipeg and others in Canada are experiencing an increase in medical litter during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We noticed it particularly outside of grocery stores an
  
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• Former Stony Plain MLA Erin Babcock dies following cancer battle

  26-04-2020 18:36 via globalnews.ca
  
  Erin Babcock, who served as MLA for the Stony Plain area from 2015 to 2019, has died following a battle with cancer. 
  
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• Evacuation order issued due to flooding in the Fort McMurray area

  26-04-2020 18:23
  
  Flooding within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alta., is forcing some residents from their homes. People living in the community of Draper and the Taiga Nova Industrial Park need to evacuate immediately, according to an emergency alert on Sunday. Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for the Waterways, the Longboat Landing neighbourhood, Reidel Street to Marshall Street along Manning Avenue, Pond Crescent, Poplar Crescent and the southern portion of Alberta Drive and for Demer
  
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• Brooks unveils COVID-19 complaint line and assessment centre - Lethbridge News Now

  26-04-2020 17:52 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Brooks unveils COVID-19 complaint line and assessment centre  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Canadian stars unite in 'Stronger Together' COVID-19 broadcast benefit

  26-04-2020 16:01
  
  These are trying times for Canada, but we're all in this together and hope is on the horizon. Such was the message of Sunday's "Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble," a star-studded show of support for those on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 crisis. A who's who of Canadian artists, athletes, authors, activists and even astronauts appeared from their respective locations during the 90-minute broadcast benefit, which English and French Canadian broadcasters aired on dozens of TV, st
  
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• Trans Mountain, LNG Canada say they are on track despite pandemic

  26-04-2020 14:15
  
  Energy projects like an LNG Canada export terminal and the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion may face short-term setbacks but the pandemic and oil price crash shouldn't threaten their long-term viability, economists say. Andrew Leach, an energy economist at the University of Alberta, said the long-term forecast for both natural gas and oil remains steady, even as some companies scale back workforces to meet safety protocols. "I think the consensus amongst most people is that there isn't a big im
  
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• Trans Mountain, LNG Canada say project progressing despite coronavirus pandemic

  26-04-2020 13:31 via globalnews.ca
  
  Trans Mountain said in a statement that construction on the expansion project is progressing well at its terminals and along the right-of-way in B.C. and Alberta with COVID-19 safety measures in place.
  
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• Prime Minister Trudeau taking cautious approach to economic recovery plans

  26-04-2020 13:12
  
  COVID-19 claimed another 115 lives in Canada Saturday as the number of confirmed and presumptive cases across the country rose by nearly a thousand to 45,354. Despite the ongoing coronavirus carnage, provinces are moving ahead with plans to cautiously begin reopening their locked down economies. Ontario and Quebec are both expected to unveil their initial plans this week. However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked to the premiers on Friday about their recovery strategies, stressed yester
  
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• Report of person with gun outside Canmore hospital unsubstantiated: RCMP

  26-04-2020 04:40
  
  Canmore RCMP received a call on Saturday evening about what appeared to be a man with a long gun near the Canmore Hospital. Officers responded and locked down the hospital for over half an hour. Police quickly determined that the complaint was unsubstantiated. Investigators said there is no threat to public safety, and thank the hospital employees for their cooperation during the investigation.  
  
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• No active shooter in Canmore despite social media chatter: RCMP

  26-04-2020 04:40 via globalnews.ca
  
  RCMP responded to a complaint about a man with a long gun near Highway 1 and the Canmore Hospital on Saturday.
  
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• Laid off pilots volunteer to fly supplies to in-need communities

  26-04-2020 04:05
  
  Two Calgarian pilots who are currently out of work are spending their new-found free time helping Albertans. Former Jazz employee Jack Liang and his friend Amer Jaouni, formerly with WestJet, flew medical supplies into Brooks Friday. The pair, who both lost their jobs when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, said they decided to help while they watched the situation in that city worsen. “I saw it get bad and thought ‘what can I do?’” Laing said. ”(Then) I read in the news ac
  
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• Private campgrounds allowed to open in Alberta despite pandemic

  26-04-2020 03:57
  
  While provincial campgrounds in Alberta are closed, new rules mean private campgrounds can open for business, but the official opposition is calling for them to close. Some will open as early as next weekend. Glowing Embers RV Park and Travel Centre is open year round. Some live at the facility, while others just pass through. “Our business is probably down 60 percent to normal,” said owner Michelle Mol. “All of our caravans. Anyone out of country has cancelled, so probably 99
  
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• Coronavirus: Union calls for more protection for Alberta’s front-line food workers

  26-04-2020 03:38 via globalnews.ca
  
  "Recent events suggest that food production has been prioritized over protection of workers’ lives."
  
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• Coronavirus: Albertans unable to afford food for animals are getting much-needed support

  26-04-2020 03:24 via globalnews.ca
  
  To ensure that animals don't starve, the Alberta SPCA is offering support.
  
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• Wildfire risk on the rise in Alberta as warm weather creates dry conditions

  26-04-2020 02:49
  
  Not everyone is welcoming the return of the warm, sunny weather in Alberta. “The grass is yellow and dry and it is extremely flammable,” said Leah Lovequist, a Fire Information Officer in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Officials are worried about the increasing wildfire risk. “These fields were covered in snow last week and now they’re bare and this grass here is an extreme fire hazard in the spring,” Lovequist said. Firefighters have started doing controlled burns in
  
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• Consumers turn to ranchers after outbreaks at Alberta meat packing plants

  26-04-2020 02:36
  
  The closure of the Cargill Meat plant in High River and the reduction of operations at the JBS plant in the Brooks has left at uncertainty for many people of where they will turn to for meat products. “There is just a greater sense of food insecurity and people are wanting to have a direct connection to their producer.” Said Trail’s End Beef rancher Rachel Herbert “We've never seen the volume of orders come in such a narrow amount of time.” Rachel and her husband Ty
  
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• Lethbridge-area garden centres slammed with curbside orders - Global News

  26-04-2020 01:27 via globalnews.ca
  
  Lethbridge-area garden centres slammed with curbside orders  Global News
  
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• ‘People are just dying to get plants’: Lethbridge-area garden centres slammed with curbside orders

  26-04-2020 01:24 via globalnews.ca
  
  With COVID-19 impacting businesses of all avenues, Lethbridge County garden centres and vegetable markets have had to adjust.
  
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• Lethbridge-area garden centres slammed with curbside orders

  26-04-2020 01:24 via globalnews.ca
  
  With COVID-19 impacting businesses of all avenues, Lethbridge County garden centres and vegetable markets have had to adjust.
  
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• Worker at Calgary 7-Eleven location tests positive for COVID-19

  26-04-2020 00:25
  
  Officials with 7-Eleven Canada say anyone who went to a location in southwest Calgary during mid-April may have come into contact with an employee who contracted COVID-19. The company says any customers who shopped at the 7-Eleven at 615 Shawcliffe Gate S.W. between April 11 and April 25 may be at risk. Anyone who visited the store during these times is advised to complete the COVID-19 online assessment on the province's website. In the meantime, all staff at the location are self-isolating, wit
  
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