Lethbridge Herald
Foodgrains Harvest cancelled after devasating storm wipes out crops
As communities across the region prepare for the fall harvest, a storm that swept through Coaldale Tuesday evening, wiped out entire crops and left many area farmers devastated. Late in the afternoon on Aug. 11, a southeast moving storm south of...
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Four years later, Medicine Hat’s Special Olympics moment arrives
The Special Olympics Canada Summer Games opened in Medicine Hat this week, four years after the city’s first chance to host was cancelled because of COVID-19. Following cancellation the city re-bid and was chosen to host in 2025. The city was first...
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A Flame, a community, a message
There was a torch to carry, a route to run and a national competition waiting at the end of it. But for the athletes, families, police officers, volunteers and supporters gathered outside Lethbridge City Hall Sunday, the Flame of Hope carried...
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Lethbridge couple’s 54-year tradition hits a $100 roadblock at Glacier National Park
Setting out from their home in Lethbridge, Alberta, on the dawn of their 54th wedding anniversary, Ric and Sharon Swyhart thought they had planned for everything. Every year since they were married, the couple has driven south across the border to...
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McGuinty wants to revive BATUS tank training program
Federal Minister of Defence David McGuinty says he is working to restore the BATUS tank training program, which ground to a halt in 2023 after decades of collaboration at CFB Suffield. McGuinty was in Alberta on Thursday for an itinerary that included...
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Southern Alberta Art Gallery set for $7.7M modernization
The Southern Alberta Art Gallery Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin (SAAG) will undergo a major $7.714-million modernization and expansion project, the City of Lethbridge announced Wednesday. The initiative is part of the city’s 2022 to 2031 Capital...
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Survey shows more confidence in local policing
After a community survey was conducted earlier this year, Lethbridge Police Service found that public confidence and perception of safety is at its highest level in recent years. The 2026 Community Survey found record or near-record results across...
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Heritage Day brings the world together at Henderson Lake Park
If the quickest way to discover another culture is through its food, then Henderson Lake Park was the place to be Monday. The aromas of sizzling meats, fresh bannock, sweet pastries and savoury dishes from around the world drifted through the air as...
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Stuff the Bus campaign now underway
The annual Stuff the Bus campaign, in partnership with the Ready, Set, GO! initiative, is officially underway, and organizers are in dire need of community support. With early community donations rolling in slower than expected, organizers are...
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Firearms, knives and edged weapons seized in relation to drug trafficking investigation
On July 15, members of Lethbridge Police and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) executed a search warrant along the 2000 block of 7 Avenue North, which resulted in the seizure of two dozen firearms, nearly 200 knives and edged weapons...
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EMS’s future remains uncertain
Mayor Blaine Hyggen shared an update on the future of Emergency Medical Services on Wednesday and said city council received an update on the EMS contract Tuesday. Hyggen shared that city council met with Minister Adriana LaGrange, Alberta’s Minister...
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Wide Skies finds new footing downtown
There was no rooftop view at this year’s Wide Skies Music and Art Festival. Instead, there was grass beneath the lawn chairs, blankets spread across the ground, a light summer breeze and live music drifting through downtown Lethbridge. After five...
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Legion commemorates Korean War Armistice Day
The Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart Branch No. 4 commemorated Korean War Armistice Day on Monday with a wreath laying ceremony at the Lethbridge Cenotaph. Although often referred to as Canada’s “Forgotten War” the Legion says the service and...
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LFES wants extra precautions taken to lessen fire risk
With extreme heat and dry conditions continuing over the weekend, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is reminding residents there is an increased fire risk, especially along the river valley, and they are asking visitors of the area to take...
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Canadian Blood Services urges donors as blood supply drops 20%
Canadian Blood Services is encouraging residents who are eligible to donate blood or plasma, to do so as they are experiencing a blood supply declined by nearly 20 per cent since June 1. Community development manager with Canadian Blood Services,...
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Lethbridge Police Make Strides Against Crime
In 2025, the Crime Severely Index (CSI) results represented a balanced picture. Overall crime is down, more crimes are being solved, and more offenders are being held accountable. At the same time, several serious offences increased and continued to...
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Life jackets save lives, rescuers stress
This week marks National Drowning Prevention Week and Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is asking residents and visitors to be safe near water. On Tuesday, members of the Water Rescue Team engaged in a training exercise in the Oldman River...
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U.S. hits Canada with steep tariffs on range of products, including hockey sticks
President Donald Trump signed orders Monday to hammer certain Canadian products with 50 per cent tariffs, escalating trade tensions with the United States’ northern neighbour. “President Trump took decisive action to hold Canada accountable for its...
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Strathcona troop rides into Whoop-up Days
Whoop-Up Days is bringing a piece of history to those in attendance this year through the Strathcona Mounted Troop to showcase horsemanship, precision riding skills and a colourful display to entertain guests of all ages. Director of event development...
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Latest dispute brings renewed attention to Jeffrey Rath’s long history of legal and disciplinary proceedings
One of Alberta’s most outspoken separatist agitators is embroiled in a legal battle with a First Nation in what is the latest in a long list of legal and professional challenges. Jeffrey Rath was the subject of a hearing Wednesday that saw Court of...
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Good Movement puts wellness, youth first at Twin Arenas
An Indigenous-led organization, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles for Indigenous people, has taken over the operations of the new Blood Tribe Twin Arenas in Standoff. Good Movement was founded by Tyler Swag in 2023 as he found healing from his...
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After 10 years, new Piyami Lodge finally takes shape
After a decade of advocating and planning, the Green Acres Foundation’s Piyami Lodge in Picture Butte is finally being replaced with a new two-story seniors’ living community. On Tuesday morning, residents heard the good news from Green Acres...
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Federal crime secretary hears Lethbridge concerns on safety, homelessness
Earlier this week, Ruby Sahota, secretary of state for combatting crime, paid a visit to Lethbridge where she had the opportunity to tour the downtown core and meet with city officials. She says she was amazed at the city’s ability to think outside of...
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Secretary of State for combatting crime visits
Earlier this week, Member of Parliamnet Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State for combatting crime, paid a visit to Lethbridge where she had the opportunity to tour the downtown core and meet with city officials. She says she was amazed at the city’s...
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ALBERTA DECIDES: Inside Canadians’ views on Alberta’s outside ambitions
Anthony Koch’s Canada includes Alberta. And a prosperous one at that. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have questions about what’s happening here right now. “From my perspective, there’s a question. Even for those of us that like Alberta, love...
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Kids ‘N’ Kops gives youth an inside look at policing
For most children, climbing aboard an armoured rescue vehicle, peering through its rotating roof turret or watching a tactical robot navigate toward a mock house would be enough to make for an unforgettable summer day. For the nine youngsters taking...
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New nighttime outreach patrol to help Lethbridge’s most vulnerable people
A new nighttime outreach patrol will hit the streets within the next couple of weeks to provide resources and support to the city’s vulnerable population. Alvin Mills, founder of Kii-Maa-PiiPii-Tsin (meaning kindness to others), says his organization...
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Premiers Smith, Ford unveil proposed pipeline route
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled Monday a route for a proposed westeast oil pipeline. The two premiers say it would stretch 3,300 kilometres from Hardisty, Alta., to refineries in Sarnia, Ont., without crossing the...
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Feds invest in southern Alberta through RTRI
The federal government is investing into multiple projects in Lethbridge and across southern Alberta through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). With tariffs and shifting global trade conditions increasing pressures on businesses across...
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LFES issues boating advisory for Oldman River
Following the recent rain events Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services have issued a boating advisory on the Oldman River as water levels are higher than normal. Water Rescue Team lead with Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services, Charles Schoening...
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Keeping Shakespeare alive
Shakespeare has survived plagues, wars and more than 400 years of history. A little Southern Alberta weather isn’t about to stop him now. After Monday’s rehearsal was chased indoors by threatening skies at Gate Church, members of the Lethbridge...
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LFES transitions to CRTC-based initiative
With technology rapidly evolving, the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services is evolving along with it to improve and modernize their system. The transition is part of Canada’s nationwide move toward Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1), a modernization...
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King Lear brings tragedy and community to the stage at Galt Gardens
The Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society is bringing back Shakespeare in the park to entertain audiences and this year they are showcasing King Lear in multiple locations. King Lear director, Shelley Scott says they are doing 14 shows this year...
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Lethbridge Police put out reminder about speed restrictions as school year concludes
School is out for the Summer, but Lethbridge Police remind residents that school and playground zones are harmonized and speed limit restrictions continue to apply throughout the Summer. LPS sergeant in charge of the Traffic Response Unit, Tony...
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Gardeners dig into city’s black gold giveaway
Some people arrived with fivegallon buckets. Others showed up carrying beach pails, storage totes, plastic grocery bags and whatever containers they could scrounge from garages, sheds and garden corners. On Wednesday afternoon, a steady stream of...
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Hyggen, Nunweiler weigh in on procurement strategy decision
After the halt of the current procurement strategy for integrated Fire and EMS operators was announced Monday, Lethbridge Mayor and president of the Lethbridge Firefighters IAFF local 237 shared their thoughts on the matter Tuesday afternoon. Mayor...
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Procurement strategy for integrated Fire/ EHS operators halted by province
On Monday Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, Adriana LaGrange shared on her social media that she had directed EHS Alberta to halt its current procurement strategy for integrated Fire/EHS operators. Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen...
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Learning Garden party plants seeds of community connection
The last day of spring ended the way summer likes to introduce itself. Sunshine warmed the raised beds at the Interfaith Food Bank (IFB) Society of Lethbridge’s Learning Garden on Friday while a playful breeze occasionally sent paper plates,...
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Referendums , rhetoric and reading the fine print
Most Albertans will probably show up at the polls on Oct. 19 thinking about one referendum question. The problem is they’ll be handed 10. That was one of the key warnings from political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt during Thursday’s Southern Alberta...
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Construction begins on Whoop-Up ramp
West side commuters will see some construction happening along the westbound Whoop-Up Drive on-ramp starting this week to add a second lane to it. This is the first step on a series of upgrades taking place in the area. Road Infrastructure Manager...
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Pride flag rises over City Hall as community celebrates progress and looks ahead to week of events
The Pride flag rose above Lethbridge City Hall Monday evening beneath threatening skies, but the mood below remained unmistakably hopeful. More than 100 people gathered outside City Hall to officially launch Pride Week in Lethbridge, celebrating...
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Carney in France for G7 summit after Trump says deal reached with Iran
Canada stands ready to help restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz if an announced breakthrough in talks between Iran and the U.S. comes to fruition, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday, ahead of the G7 leaders’ summit in the French Alps. Carney...
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Library leaders raise concerns over Bill 28’s capabilities
For more than a century, Alberta’s public libraries have largely answered to the communities they serve. That long-standing model of local governance and accountability is now facing its biggest challenge in decades, according to two southern Alberta...
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Lethbridge Police implementing body cameras
Lethbridge Police frontline officers will begin to use body-worn cameras on Monday to record interactions with the public. Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh said Thursday that this program is about strengthening, transparency, accountability, and public trust...
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CIC discuss 2027 Operating Budget deliberations
The Community Issues Committee met Wednesday for 2027 Operating Budget deliberations, to make recommendations for city council to review later. During the meeting Chief Financial Officer, Darrell Mathews explained that one item that was not included...
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Water Not Coal clears hurdle as Corb Lund gathers petitions in Lethbridge
The stacks of petition sheets piled up at Bully’s Sport & Entertainment Centre on Sunday represented more than signatures. They represented months of conversations at farmers’ markets, community events, kitchen tables and doorsteps across Alberta, all...
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Kirk’s Tire rolls into 90th year of business
A 400-pound female fiberglass mascot that has been kidnapped by graduating students three times might seem like an unusual symbol for a successful business. But then again, there is nothing quite ordinary about a company that has spent nine decades...
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City asking residents to stay away from river areas that are still closed
The City of Lethbridge is asking residents to refrain from areas that remain closed due to heavy rainfall, the riverbanks along the Old Man River, and to continue conserving water until further notice. Even though the rain has stopped, conditions...
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City looking at how to keep airport viable
With the last commercial passenger flight from WestJet taking place on June 24, the City of Lethbridge is looking for ways to keep the airport viability, after renovations were completed less than five years ago. Capital infrastructure investments in...
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City shares river’s water levels and safety tips
With the Old Man River levels rising over the last couple of days, the City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services provided an update on how this is affecting the Water Treatment Plant and how to stay safe. The city shared that the...
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Businesses, residents asked to conserve water as treatment plants face challenges
The City of Lethbridge is asking residents and businesses to conserve water as heavy rainfall is creating challenges in the water and wastewater treatment plants. General manager of Water, Wastewater, and Electric Utilities for the city of Lethbridge,...
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Weekend Rain Could Ease River Valley Fire Risk
With weather conditions calling for rain over the weekend, there is hope in the horizon not only for greener grass, but also for a potential fire ban lift in the river valley. Chief Fire Marshal, Troy Hicks told the Herald Friday that it all depends...
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Cedar Ridge Homes breaks ground on big westside development
It was a monumental day on Thursday for Cedar Ridge Homes as they held a ground-breaking ceremony for the residential piece of the Core Crossings project on the westside. There will be over 450 residential units built under this phase and will include...
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Little Souls marathon get Lethbridge kids moving
For one warm Wednesday evening, the track at Chinook High School became the finish line to hundreds of tiny marathons. As air horns blasted and children bounced impatiently behind ropes waiting for their age group to start, more than 600 young...
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Feds called on to halt MAID for mental illness through open letter
Ninety disability advocacy and mental health organizations have signed an open letter urging the federal Liberals to permanently exclude people with mental illness from eligibility for medical assistance in dying. Inclusion Canada is leading the...
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Smile Cookie Campaign raises over $75K
The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign raised over $75,000 for the Green Shirt Day National Campaign and the Logan Boulet Endowment Fund within the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta. From April 27 to May 3 Tim Hortons...
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Skretting took being the Polytech grad’s valedictorian as a ‘big surprise’
Lethbridge Polytechnic graduates had the opportunity to cross the stage to receive their diplomas in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium, during two convocation ceremonies on Friday. Before graduating, Indigenous graduates were welcomed to an Honour Night on...
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Smith defies court on separation vote
Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta’s future will be “decided by Albertans, not the courts,” as she moves to put a question about separation on the ballot of the coming referendum. In a televised address Thursday night, Smith announced she will be...
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City releases wage comparison after IAFF turns down pay reduction request
The city has released a wage comparison between Lethbridge firefightersparamedics and paramedics across the province, after asking the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) union to reduce their wages to keep the integrated Fire and EMS...
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Project to bring connected approach to tourism
Multiple municipalities along the Highway 3 corridor are partnering to take a coordinated approach to tourism with financial support from the provincial government. The Government of Alberta’s Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) program...
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Riders brave chill for DGR in Lethbridge
By 10 a.m. 11 motorcycles sat lined up outside the German Canadian Club — chrome gleaming beneath a cold, uncertain southern Alberta sky. At just four degrees Celsius with the threat of rain or even snow hanging overhead, it would have been easy for...
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Two popular southern Alberta attractions kickoff tourism season
As campgrounds fill, highways grow busier and southern Albertans shake off the last traces of winter, Victoria Day weekend is once again marking the unofficial start of tourism season across the region. And right on cue, two of the Lethbridge area’s...
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‘Lives will be lost’ without integrated EMS: Nunweiler
The longest-standing integrated Fire/ EMS system in North America is staring down what many at Thursday’s Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) session learned is its biggest existential threat in 114 years. And if the mood in the room at...
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Future of EMS in the province’s hands, city council will not cover additional costs
After weeks of deliberations, public outcry and outrage, hundreds of messages to city council and hours spent at city hall by many members of the community, the future of the integrated Fire and EMS service is now in the provincial government’s...
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Screening says coal fight far from finished
If anyone in Tuesday night’s crowd thought Alberta’s coal fight had already been settled, The Eastern Slopes had other plans. What was billed as a documentary screening at University of Lethbridge quickly became a pointed reminder that the battle over...
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Teddy Bear Parade sees biggest turnout in years
The rumble of motorcycles outside Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH)l on Saturday morning carried more than chrome and horsepower…it carried teddy bears, stuffed animals, cash donations and a reminder that community can arrive in many forms—sometimes...
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Resident sounds alarm on dangerous intersection
A local resident has been sounding the alarm about the intersection at 13th Street S. and Ninth Avenue after both a pedestrian and cyclist were struck by vehicles within a two-month span. Virgil Grandfield lives a few blocks down from the intersection...
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Blood Tribe Police Service adds K-9 unit
STANDOFF, ALTA.- The Blood Tribe Police have recruited a couple of four-legged furry officers to assist them in their patrols. Police service dogs Grizzly, a three year-old German Shepherd and Fergus, an eight year old German Shepherd have officially...
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Council extends EMS contract discussions to May 12
A special city council meeting was scheduled for May 5 to vote on a motion regarding the new contract conditions presented by EHS, but due to a procedural error, where council had already voted on that motion during a previous closed meeting, council...
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CSAC to host a one-day awareness conference
With May being Sexual Violence Awareness Month, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre (CSAC) is hoping to spark community conversations by hosting a one-day conference. The Believe and Transform Conference will take place at the Galt Museum and Archives...
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City providing many learning opportunities during National Emergency Preparedness Week
This week marks National Emergency Preparedness Week, and residents will have an opportunity to learn about it from the city and Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services during planned outreach activities throughout the week. Emergency Planning...
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EMS contract decision could hike taxes
After a long Thursday Community Issues Committee meeting, city administration is recommending city council not accept the province’s new contract conditions for emergency medical services (EMS), while preserving the right to participate in further...
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Students’ union funds $13.5M U of L sports dome
A major new indoor sports facility is coming to the University of Lethbridge (U of L) backed by a rare and significant investment from its own students. University officials announced Thursday a $13.5-million, airsupported multi-sport dome will be...
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Community booster Knud Petersen to lead 2026 Whoop-Up Days parade
If there is a fundraiser to staff, a game to cheer at, a cause to champion or a community project that needs another pair of hands, chances are Knud Petersen is already there. Now…one of Lethbridge’s most familiar and quietly tireless volunteers will...
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Lethbridge ceremony honours fallen workers, renews push for workplace safety
Every name remembered carries a story, mourners were told Tuesday morning at Mountain View Cemetery… and every story is a reminder that going to work should never cost a life. Under partly-cloudy prairie skies, workers, union leaders, city officials,...
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Smile Cookie week kickoff shares organ donation message from Green Shirt Day
The Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie week is back and this time to spread the message of organ donation and Green Shirt Day. From now until May 3, residents will have the opportunity to enjoy a cookie that will not only satisfy their sweet tooth, but...
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