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Canada fires bring dystopian haze, air-quality alerts in US. Is it safe to go outside?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.The effects of hundreds of wildfires burning across the western provinces to Quebec could be felt as far away as New York City and New England, blotting out skylines and irritating throats.U.S. authorities issued air quality alerts. Hazy conditions and smoke from the wildfires were reported across the Great Lakes region from Cleveland to Buffalo.A smoky haze that hung over New York City much of the day Tuesday thickened in the late afternoon, obscuring views of New Jersey across the Hudson River and making the setting sun look like a reddish orb. In the Philadelphia area, dusk brought more of a lavender haze. Here's where Canadian wildfire smoke is making air quality worst Sal and Lilly Murphy, of Brooklyn, likened the burning scent to a campfire. They said they could even smell...

Victims killed in graduation mass shooting identified; suspect charged

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Seven people were shot, two fatally, when gunfire rang out Tuesday outside a downtown theater in Richmond, Virginia, where a high school graduation ceremony had just ended, causing hundreds of attendees to flee in panic, weep and clutch their children, authorities and witnesses said.The two people killed in the shooting were 18-year-old Shawn Jackson and his father, 36-year-old Renzo Smith, according to a family representative.Shawn Jackson (Family photo)Renzo Smith and Shawn Jackson (Family photo)Shawn Jackson (Family photo)According to court records, 19-year-old Amari Ty-Jon Pollard has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the incident. He will be held without bond until further proceedings. Pollard’s status hearing in court is scheduled for June 21.Police said five other people were shot. A 14-year-old boy, a 32-year-old man, a 55-year-old man and a 58-year-old man all have non-life-threatening injuries. A 31-year-old has ...

Kyle PD: 16-year-old fentanyl overdose first week into summer break

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — It's been about two weeks since many school districts let out for summer break and the Kyle Police Department said they've already seen one teen-related fentanyl overdose. "Fortunately, both law enforcement and paramedics were able to arrive and safely revive that child and they've recovered," said Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett. Chief Barnett said the teenager was 16 years old. They've seen others leading up to this one as well."We had one two weeks prior to that, and one a couple of weeks prior to that. So the danger has not necessarily gone away," Chief Barnett said. It was around this time last year that Hays County saw a spike in fentanyl overdoses among teens. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Three Hays CISD high school students die from suspected fentanyl overdoses in past month "In the summer of 2022, we saw a rise in deaths of young people related to fentanyl. We had several students in our local school district that had taken fentanyl, and it cost them the...

Local 4H club raises $83k to support local charities

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Lethbridge Northern 4-H Beef Club (LN4H) have more than doubled previous annual fundraising efforts thanks to the generous support of the farming community.The LN4H club recently held their annual Show & Sale on May 31 at Alberton Farms, just outside of the Town of Picture Butte. Community supporters of the event raised a whopping $83,650 to be donated local charities, smashing the previous charity record of the club by more than double.The event kicked off with a skills showcase in the show  ring, where the 20 young members exhibited their high-quality market-ready steers to the audience. The showcase was followed by a roast beef dinner, where all the beef was generously donated by Cattlemen’s Chophouse in Picture Butte.Members of this 75-year-old club range from the ages of 9-20 and have worked tirelessly on their market beef projects throughout the year.After the dinner, a charity auction was held. As per the tradition of the club, a calf r...

Farmer’s Day BBQ to return this week in Butte

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsPicture Butte & District Ag Society is kicking off the organization’s 50th summer as a society with the return of the Farmer’s Day community barbecue on Friday, June 9.Farmers Day is returning to Picture Butte this Friday from 11:30 am to 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Community Center in Picture Butte. Sponsored by the Picture Butte & District Ag Society, the event will be a celebration of farming and agriculture within the community. This year, the Ag Society is also celebrating its 50th year in operation, making 2023’s event even more special.The event will feature a delicious BBQ serving up burgers, drinks, and cake for all attendees. Additionally, some local farmers will have equipment parked at the BBQ for people to take a look at and learn more about the farming industry in the area.Secretary for the Picture Butte & District Ag Society, Leanne de Kok, said this is the first time in quite a while that the society will be putting...

Coaldale sets 2023 property taxes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsThe Town of Coaldale has finalized their property tax rates for 2023.During their regular May 23 meeting, Coaldale town council reviewed an amended 2023 property tax bylaw.Bylaw 871-C-04-23 – or the 2023 Property Tax Bylaw – allows the town to set a tax on property within the town’s boundaries. It had previously been given first reading during council’s April 24 meeting.The bylaw has been amended since first reading was performed, as there has been a change concerning tax rates from annexed properties from Lethbridge County, which were not finalized at the time of first reading for the Coaldale bylaw. As Lethbridge County’s rates are now finalized, the tax rates for those properties within Coaldale’s boundaries changed to reflect that.The rates set in the bylaw are, as follows:• Residential• Municipal: 7.6161, a change of 0.011 per cent from first reading• Education: 2.3901, a change of 0.126 per cent• Green Acres: 0.1429, a change of 0.07per cent• T...

Man facing weapons charges after allegedly firing BB-gun pistol at vehicle, residence

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

Southern Alberta NewspapersMounties in Coaldale say they have arrested a man who shot at another vehicle on Highway 3 with what was initially believed to be a handgun.The RCMP detachment in Coaldale announced last month that officers were called to a home on the afternoon of May 26 where a male was reportedly firing at the residence but left heading toward Lethbridge by car.The suspect was apprehended with the assistance of Lethbridge Regional Police at Highway 3 and 43rd Street in the city, and police say they recovered a replica BB-gun pistol.Danial Ferguson, 37, of Coaldale, is charged with two counts each of pointing a firearm, discharging a firearm with intent and mischief, along with single counts of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and dangerous driving.He was scheduled to appear in court May 29.

Season ends for Pride with playoff loss to Hawks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

By Garrett SimmonsSunny South NewsThe high school baseball season is over for the Kate Andrews Pride.The Coaldale team’s season came to an end June 1 after a 15-7 loss to the Medicine Hat High School Hawks.“The boys had a little trouble leading up to the playoffs but we knew what we were capable of, and how to do it,” said Coach Dan Griffith of his team’s recent slate of games, which started May 23 against Medicine Hat’s McCoy Colts.“We took a 1-1 ball game into the seventh and gave up four runs to McCoy in the top of seven. We came up strong and equaled the score in the bottom of seven with the go ahead on base, but were not able to cash that run in. We went to extras and didn’t take care of the ball in the eighth.”McCoy scored seven in the top of eighth and Kate Andrews could not respond any for the comeback and fell 12-5.May 25 the Pride had a doubleheader, ran into available arm trouble and ended up with losses to the Medicine Hat Hawks (1601) and the Catholic Central Cougars (1...

Seniors’ week celebrations show appreciation for elders in the community

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsFamily and Community Support Services (FCSS) is hosting a seniors’ celebration June 8 at Coyote Flats Pioneer Village and Prairie Tractor and Engine Museum just outside of Picture Butte.The event which gives recognition to older adults and their community contributions has been taking place in Alberta since 1986 and takes place from June 5-11.The FCSS Seniors’ Celebration will include lunch, music and prizes. The hoedown event will award prizes to the best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl who arrive dressed in their best western wear.Renee White, the senior services coordinator for the Barons-Eureka-Warner FCSS said the organization puts on a senior’s week event annually, and the events takes place in a different municipality each year.White said, “I think this is really important to recognize seniors. The event is an opportunity for seniors to meet  together. It is a chance for them to get together and renew some friendships, makes a new friends and just h...

Picture Butte Council Briefs

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

The following are selected briefs from the May 29 regular meeting of Picture Butte council.Volunteer firefighter tax creditsAs a follow-up to the policy brought in back in February, Fire Chief of the Picture Butte fire department, Frank West said, based on the volunteer firefighters and their commitments in 2022, the figure was as budgeted. “This year we did include in the operating budget, $15,000 to the credit.” It was requested that council pass a motion in accordance with the MGA approving the credits as presented.Council passed the motion to approved the tax credit for the firefighters as presented.West said, “I do want to convey to council my appreciation for this policy. Being the second municipality that I know of in Alberta that has implemented this after Coaldale, I know after this passed through the budget I had a few calls from other municipalities who were very interested in the program and I shared some details with them. I how it goes further to support volunteer fire...