Lethbridge news

• Murder to manslaughter: Calgary victim’s family outraged by guilty plea to reduced charge

  03-05-2021 23:56
  
  The family of a Calgary man fatally shot in 2019 while trying to protect a friend from making a poor decision say they only found out about a plea deal two weeks ago. “My whole family felt entirely blindsided,” said Jason Moore, the brother of victim Jordan Moore. “For the last two plus years of consistent message from the prosecutors office was, we have a good case for first-degree murder,” said Moore, who added that the Crown did say the case was mainly circumstantial e
  
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• Pivoting during the pandemic: How some Calgary businesses started or grew during COVID-19

  03-05-2021 23:39
  
  When public health measures were brought in to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta, keeping many businesses closed and forcing people to stay at home, Jeff Bradshaw and Jamie Starchuk say a seed was planted. What grew out of that idea is the pair's pandemic project-turned-business — Plantsie. "A Plantsie is a plant with personality and when we started the company, we wanted to create a fun, fresh, modern twist on indoor potted house plants" said Starchuk, a co-founder of the company.&nb
  
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• Current enforcement measures not good enough for some experts

  03-05-2021 23:23
  
  The province is facing the wrath of Albertans angry and upset at what is perceived to be a lack of enforcement when it comes to pandemic-related public health measures. Thousands gathered over the weekend near Bowden, Alta., to participate in a ‘no more lockdown rodeo rally’ where all public health measures were dismissed. On Saturday, two RCMP officers spoke with organizers at the event, before leaving. A Calgary criminologist said the premier has fumbled his words throughout the pa
  
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• Rapid access counselling program helps Albertans get mental health services faster

  03-05-2021 23:04
  
  When it comes to mental health services, experts in the field say fast access to programs is key to success. Especially during the pandemic, when more people are reporting their mental health is immensely impacted, getting quick access when needed is paramount.  According to a recent study by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) national team and the University of British Columbia, since the onset of the pandemic 41per cent of Canadians said their mental health has deteriorated and
  
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• 5 years after ‘The Beast’ ignited, investigation into Fort McMurray wildfire ‘remains open and active’

  03-05-2021 23:00 via globalnews.ca
  
  Five years after a wildfire event wreaked havoc on Fort McMurray and surrounding communities, the RCMP says its investigation into the blaze remains open and active.
  
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• Alberta’s current COVID-19 status worse than every province and state: Former top doctor

  03-05-2021 22:33 via globalnews.ca
  
  "We have the worst performance right now of every province and state in the United States and Canada," Alberta's former chief medical officer of health Dr. James Talbot said.
  
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• Alberta's GDP fell 8.2% in 2020, hardest-hit province in Canada - Lethbridge News Now

  03-05-2021 22:29 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  Alberta's GDP fell 8.2% in 2020, hardest-hit province in Canada  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Trial underway for Alberta pastor accused of violating COVID-19 health orders

  03-05-2021 21:27
  
  The trial for an Alberta pastor accused of repeatedly flouting Alberta's COVID-19 public health orders got underway in Edmonton on Monday.  James Coates appeared in court, charged with one count of violating the Public Health Act. On Monday, the court heard from an Alberta Health Services inspector who visited GraceLife Church.  Janine Hanrahan told the cour ttold the court she first inspected the church in July 2020 following multiple complaints by the public to AHS. She testified to
  
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• Alberta pastor defiant, refers to 'so-called' pandemic on first day of trial for violating public health orders

  03-05-2021 21:27
  
  An Alberta pastor accused of repeatedly flouting Alberta's COVID-19 public health restrictions was defiant on the first day of his trial on Monday, claiming both the health risk of COVID-19 and the government response to the pandemic were exaggerated.  James Coates appeared in Edmonton provincial court charged with one count of violating the Public Health Act while leading services at GraceLife church in Parkland County.  Coates told the court that he initially followed public health r
  
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• Lethbridge police seize $17K worth of drugs, $12K in cash, 2 facing charges - CTV Toronto

  03-05-2021 21:23 via calgary.ctvnews.ca
  
  Lethbridge police seize $17K worth of drugs, $12K in cash, 2 facing charges  CTV Toronto
  
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• Lethbridge police seize $17K worth of drugs, $12K in cash, 2 facing charges

  03-05-2021 21:23
  
  A man and a woman from Lethbridge are facing charges after police seized more than $17,000 worth of drugs and $12,000 in cash. The arrests were the result of a short-term investigation about 11:15 a.m. on Sunday involving a vehicle in the 100 block of Purdue Court W. that had a stolen licence plate attached. A search of the vehicle turned up:62.9 grams of methamphetamine; 18.6 grams of fentanyl, and; More than $12,000 cash.Jyi Trotter, 41, has been charged with:Two counts of possession for the p
  
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• Premier, Dr. Hinshaw to update Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout Monday

  03-05-2021 21:04 via globalnews.ca
  
  Earlier on Monday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization approved the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for those 30 and older in Canada. 
  
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• Alberta expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to teachers, school and childcare staff

  03-05-2021 21:04 via globalnews.ca
  
  Bookings will be made based on the honour system, meaning no proof of employment is needed for those booking appointments, Premier Jason Kenney said.
  
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• Calgary home sales up 462 per cent, hit record high in April: CREB

  03-05-2021 20:49
  
  The Calgary Real Estate Board says the city set a new record for April home sales as the market continued to rebound from lows triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Alberta board says 3,209 homes were sold in the city in April compared with 571 during the same month last year, when the pandemic was beginning. New listings soared by 227 per cent to reach 4,670, up from 1,425 last April. CREB says the city's inventory amounted to 6,070 homes, an increase from 5,645 during the prior Apr
  
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• Manslaughter conviction upheld for woman who claimed she was victim of domestic abuse

  03-05-2021 20:40
  
  A southern Alberta woman who stabbed her common-law partner to death has been unsuccessful in having her conviction overturned. Vanessa Poucette killed Brennon Twoyoungmen during an argument in Morley, west of Calgary, in October 2016 and was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of probation. She admitted to stabbing Twoyoungmen, and the sole question at trial was whether she had acted in self-defence. The trial heard that Poucette was in a long-term and abusive relationship with the
  
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• Manslaughter conviction upheld for Alberta woman who said she acted in self-defence

  03-05-2021 20:37 via globalnews.ca
  
  A southern Alberta woman who stabbed her common-law partner to death has been unsuccessful in having her conviction overturned.
  
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• Airdrie's Canada Day parade cancelled, home decorating contest returns

  03-05-2021 20:28
  
  The traditional celebration of Canada Day in Airdrie will be altered by the pandemic for the second straight year. Airdrie Parades announced the cancellation of the 2021 Canada Day parade Monday morning. "Airdrie Parades has decided not to go forward with a traditional Canada Day parade due to concerns around COVID-19," said organizers in a Facebook post. "Instead, celebrations will continue through the Airdrie Canada Day Home Decorating Contest, the details of which will be released in the comi
  
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• Einarson loses fourth straight in women's world curling, more COVID among TV staff

  03-05-2021 20:10
  
  Stress levels of the host team and television crew rose Monday at the women's world curling championship in Calgary. Canada's Kerri Einarson was dangerously close to missing the playoffs with a fourth straight loss, while the number of positive tests for the COVID-19 virus among broadcast staff rose from four to seven. Games went off air and the morning draw was postponed Sunday because four television personnel were affected. “The broadcast staff remain in isolation in their hotel an
  
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• Canada's Einarson loses fourth straight in women's world curling championship

  03-05-2021 20:10
  
  Canada's Kerri Einarson lost a fourth straight game at the women's world curling championship falling 6-2 to Germany on Monday. At 1-5, Canada can't afford any more losses if the host team is going to make the playoffs. Einarson was to face South Korea later Monday. The top six teams at the conclusion of the round-robin make playoffs. Up 4-2 after eight ends, Germany stole two points in the ninth when Einarson was heavy on a draw. The Canadians shook hands after that end. Germany is competing wi
  
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• City launches COVID-19 community survey for 2021 - Lethbridge News Now

  03-05-2021 20:03 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  City launches COVID-19 community survey for 2021  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• 'Incredibly frustrating': Calgary mayor wants courts to uphold COVID-19 measures

  03-05-2021 19:54
  
  The mayor of Alberta's largest city says he's frustrated to hear tickets given to people for breaching COVID-19 public health orders are being thrown out in the courts. “I think it's handcuffing the police and their work and we need to do much, much better,” Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Monday. “I'm calling on the court system to take this as seriously as the police do.” Large groups have regularly been gathering in Calgary public spaces without ma
  
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• Calgary mayor Nenshi calls for tougher enforcement of COVID-19 measures in courts

  03-05-2021 19:54
  
  The mayor of Alberta's largest city says he's frustrated to hear that tickets given to people for breaching COVID-19 public health orders are being thrown out in the courts. Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says the justice system needs to take the matter as seriously as police do and should be holding violators accountable. Nenshi made his comments during a city council meeting today as Calgary Police Commission chairwoman Bonita Croft presented. Croft says officers are doing their be
  
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• Two former Pronghorns to have their jerseys retired - Lethbridge News Now

  03-05-2021 19:42 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  Two former Pronghorns to have their jerseys retired  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Greenhouses preparing for a busy season, highlight benefits during pandemic - Lethbridge News Now

  03-05-2021 19:36 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  Greenhouses preparing for a busy season, highlight benefits during pandemic  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Calgary man's disappearance enters 3rd week after departing for 'the woods'

  03-05-2021 19:36
  
  The Calgary Police Service is seeking tips from the public as the search continues for a man last seen in mid-April. Matthew Benner, 26, left his home in the 9700 block of Elbow Drive S.W. on April 15 with plans to 'head to the woods'. According to police, Benner did not indicate a specific location or planned direction of travel, and it's believed he was travelling on foot. After not hearing from the 26-year-old for more than two weeks, his family and friends became concerned and notified polic
  
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• 'It'll crash tremendously': Alberta now leads Canada and U.S. in per capita COVID-19 cases

  03-05-2021 19:21
  
  Alberta is now reporting the highest number of COVID-19 cases per capita in all of Canada and the United States. According to CTVNews.ca's tracker, there have been an average of 423.8 daily cases per million people in the last seven days, more than any other province or territory in Canada as well as every U.S. state. Cases had been trending upward since March and continue to climb. The province broke its daily COVID-19 record for the third day in a row on Saturday when it reported 2,433 new inf
  
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• Lethbridge College and U of L react to “Alberta 2030” post-secondary plan - Lethbridge News Now

  03-05-2021 19:14 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  Lethbridge College and U of L react to “Alberta 2030” post-secondary plan  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Calgary post-secondary institutions partner for workshops emphasizing consent

  03-05-2021 19:05
  
  In recognition of sexual violence awareness month in Alberta, three Calgary post-secondary institutions will be hosting consent workshops for students, staff and faculty members. The University of Calgary, Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College are offering the 'Rethinking Consent' program in an effort to raise awareness to the issues of dating violence, domestic violence and sexual and gender-based violence. According to the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services, 45 per cent of
  
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• Canadian warship makes record-setting heroin seizure on Arabian Sea

  03-05-2021 19:02
  
  A Canadian warship has seized an estimated $23 million in heroin and methamphetamine off the coast of Oman, a record-setting haul for the multinational Combined Maritime Forces coalition that was founded in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The Victoria-based frigate HMCS Calgary intercepted two vessels suspected of smuggling drugs on the Arabian Sea on April 23 and 24.A search of the first vessel turned up 1,286 kilograms of heroin – the most ever seized by a coalition ves
  
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• Kenney, Hinshaw to give COVID-19 vaccine update at 4 p.m.

  03-05-2021 18:36
  
  Alberta's premier and chief medical officer of health will give a COVID-19 vaccine rollout update Monday afternoon. Watch Premier Jason Kenney and Dr. Deena Hinshaw at 4 p.m. live on CTVNewsEdmonton.ca. More to come…
  
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• Kenney, Hinshaw to give COVID-19 vaccine update after landmark weekend

  03-05-2021 18:36
  
  Alberta's premier and chief medical officer of health will give a COVID-19 vaccine rollout update Monday afternoon. Watch Premier Jason Kenney and Dr. Deena Hinshaw at 4 p.m. live on CTVNewsEdmonton.ca. RECORD-BREAKING NUMBERS Alberta reported 4,164 COVID-19 cases this weekend, including a single-day pandemic high of 2,433 infections on Saturday. Active cases set records on Saturday and Sunday and now stand at 22,920 infections. ICU admissions, now at 155 out of 648 patients in hospital with COV
  
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• Alberta adds teachers to COVID-19 vaccine eligibility list

  03-05-2021 18:36
  
  Alberta expanded its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility list on Monday to add teachers, school support staff and child-care workers. Bus drivers, custodians and education assistants are part of the expansion group which can begin to book appointments on Tuesday. Proof of employment will not be required, Premier Jason Kenney said. Phase 3 is expected to open "in the very near future." "This vaccine is our ticket to getting out of the pandemic and getting back to normal but right now it's not enough," K
  
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• Canada's emergency notification system to be tested Wednesday - Lethbridge News Now

  03-05-2021 18:30 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  Canada's emergency notification system to be tested Wednesday  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Lower visits, revenue reported as pandemic measures created unpredictable ski season

  03-05-2021 17:58
  
  Measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic made for a bumpy ride for most of the ski and snowboard industry in Canada, as revenues slumped even at resorts that were able to maintain near-normal lift ticket sales in a season that's coming to a close. While some resorts are reporting increases in visits thanks to local support, most were hurt by the loss of well-heeled international guests as well as COVID-19 related disruptions to food and guest services, said Paul Pinchbeck, CEO of the Canadian S
  
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• What can you do safely after being fulling vaccinated? Dr. Bogoch weighs in

  03-05-2021 17:28 via globalnews.ca
  
  Infectious diseases physician Dr. Isaac Bogoch breaks down the latest COVID-19 headlines, including rising case numbers in Alberta, bending the curve in British Columbia and vaccine updates.
  
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• A look back: 5 years after the Fort McMurray wildfire

  03-05-2021 17:24
  
  Five years ago, some 80,000 northern Albertans in Fort McMurray left home, likely terrified of the threat facing their community but without a way of knowing just how devastating it would be. Some communities had already been evacuated prior to May 3, 2016, but that Tuesday, officials decided they could not guarantee the safety of any Fort McMurray resident from a fire eventually dubbed "The Beast." It had doubled in size in a manner of hours that morning, and at one point crossed Highway 63, th
  
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• Albertans invited to submit portraits for new Galt Museum mosaic - Lethbridge News Now

  03-05-2021 17:11 via lethbridgenewsnow.com
  
  Albertans invited to submit portraits for new Galt Museum mosaic  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Ontario reports single-day drop in new COVID-19 cases with fewer than 3,500 logged

  03-05-2021 16:16
  
  Ontario health officials reported fewer than 3,500 new COVID-19 cases as the positivity rate in the province climbed higher for the second day in a row. The province confirmed 3,436 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, which comes after officials reported 3,369 new cases on Saturday and 3,732 new cases on Sunday. With 33,179 tests processed in the last 24 hours, the Ontario Ministry of Health said its COVID-19 positivity rate increased from 8.5 per cent on Sunday to 9.7 per cent on Mond
  
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• Much-needed rain on the way for parts of Alberta

  03-05-2021 15:27
  
  In meteorology, there can be good and bad in just about every set of circumstances; outdoor enthusiasts love the sun and certainly don't mind that April fell short of seasonal average precipitation (while simultaneously cursing that we were above seasonal on snowfall, all the same!) That data's below:How badly do we need that rain? Pretty badly. Here's the data from Agroclimate Canada:This means that from a period starting from meteorological fall (Sep 1, 2020) to present day, conditions are qui
  
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• Think carefully, redact personal information before posting vaccine-card selfies, expert advises

  03-05-2021 14:45
  
  As more people in British Columbia and across Canada receive COVID-19 vaccines, social media feeds look likely to be hit by a flood of vaccine-card selfies. Posting a photo of yourself holding up your vaccine card isn't inherently a bad idea, according to Jesse Miller, social media educator for mediatedreality.com. Miller describes vaccine selfies - or "vaxxies" - as an example of "positive participation." They show that the poster was willing and able to get vaccinated and can encourage others
  
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• Trial to begin for Alberta pastor accused of violating COVID-19 health orders

  03-05-2021 14:16
  
  The trial of an Alberta pastor accused of not following public health orders meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 is to begin today. Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church spent a month in jail for violating a bail condition not to hold church services that officials have said ignored measures on capacity limits, physical distancing and masking. He was released March 22 after pleading guilty and was fined $1,500. The pastor and the Edmonton-area church still face one charge of violating Alberta
  
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• Calgary-based High Tide buying 80 per cent stake in U.S. CBD company for US$20.64M

  03-05-2021 14:15
  
  Cannabis company High Tide Inc. has signed a deal to buy an 80 per cent stake in U.S. company Fab Nutrition LLC, which is focused on hemp-derived CBD products. The Calgary-based company says it will pay US$20.64 million in shares and cash for the controlling stake and will have a three-year option to acquire the remaining 20 per cent. The deal boosts High Tide's presence in the U.S., where it launched its CBDCity subsidiary in May 2020. Fab Nutrition, which operates as FABCBD, was founded in 201
  
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• Trial begins for Alberta pastor accused of violating COVID-19 health orders

  03-05-2021 14:08 via globalnews.ca
  
  An inspector with AHS says she observed multiple risky behaviours at an Edmonton-area church led by a pastor accused of not following public-health orders.
  
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• Fort McMurray residents preach resilience 5 years after wildfire swept through community

  03-05-2021 13:00 via globalnews.ca
  
  Monday marks the five-year anniversary of one of the largest mass evacuations in Canadian history as a catastrophic wildfire began to wind its way through Fort McMurray.
  
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• Fort McMurray residents reflect back on fires, floods and more

  03-05-2021 12:59 via globalnews.ca
  
  From the 2016 wildfire to the 2020 flood — not to mention the economy and COVID-19 — Fort McMurray residents reflect on the challenges the community has faced and the way they’ve come together in times of need.
  
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• Canada to receive 2M vaccine doses this week as Pfizer-BioNTech ramp up deliveries

  03-05-2021 11:06
  
  Canada is set to begin receiving more than 2 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine each week as the two pharmaceutical firms ramp up their deliveries and begin shipping shots from the United States. Pfizer and BioNTech have been consistently delivering around 1 million doses from Brussels each week since mid-March, but those numbers will double over the next month before increasing further in June. This week's doses will also be the first to arrive from Pfizer's plant in Kalamazoo, Mich.,
  
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• Beloved Lethbridge umpire Mitchell Ball died Saturday morning after spending two weeks on a ventilator with COVID-19. | CTV News - CTV Toronto

  03-05-2021 09:00 via calgary.ctvnews.ca
  
  Beloved Lethbridge umpire Mitchell Ball died Saturday morning after spending two weeks on a ventilator with COVID-19. | CTV News  CTV Toronto
  
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• Einarson falls to U.S. for third straight loss at world women's curling championship

  03-05-2021 03:55
  
  A third straight loss left Canada's Kerri Einarson on the ropes after the opening weekend of round-robin play at the LGT World Women's Curling Championship. It's still quite early but a podium appearance looked like a longshot after the team's latest defeat, a 7-6 decision to the United States in a game where Einarson threw a woeful 54 per cent. "I'm a little disappointed in myself," Einarson said. "I wasn't very sharp out there. I had some opportunities that I missed. My girls played well and I
  
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• Doctors encourage pregnant women to get COVID-19 vaccine to help lower risk of severe outcomes

  03-05-2021 02:46
  
  Experts are calling on women planning to be pregnant or those who are to get their COVID-19 immunizations to ensure they are protected. Troubling trends first seen in Europe when variant cases emerged have begun to replicate in Canada – so far in Quebec and Ontario. In late April, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada noted an alarming trend with many pregnant women requiring ventilators after contracting COVID-19 variant cases.'It's quite alarming': Pregnant people give
  
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• Virtual memorial honours more than 1K Alberta opioid crisis victims

  03-05-2021 02:06 via globalnews.ca
  
  An online campaign featuring a virtual memorial has launched to remember and honour the many lives lost in Alberta due to the opioid crisis.
  
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