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Meta news meltdown leaves readers holding the bag

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

The dreaded “People in Canada can’t see this content In response to Canadian government legislation, news content can’t be viewed in Canada. Learn more” notice whenever a reader of our publications tries to access Southern Alberta Newspapers’ Facebook pages.No more direct links to stories on media sources all from Southern Alberta Newspapers to CBC, CTV and the Globe and Mail.If you hadn’t heard about the controversy, the Canadian government passed Bill C-18 or the Online News Act which requires social media mega groups like Meta (Facebook or Instagram) pay news agencies like News Media Canada if news stories appeared on those sites. When the law comes into effect in December, Google says it will eliminate all news links for Canadians including the “news” and discover” options. Bill C-18 was created because a lot of the absolutely free content which is on Facebook, other than a FB friend’s dog’s latest trick is from an outside source which they tap into. As media outlets, we use the...

Team Canada walking football team sees great result at World Nations Cup

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

By Justin SewardSouthern Alberta NewspapersTeam Canada had a Federation of International Walking Footbal Associations’ Walking Football World Nations Cup to remember in England from Aug. 23-26.The red and white roster included Will Tietz, George Lubberts and Bill Chapman of  Lethbridge at the inaugural event and finished with a world ranking of fourth.Team Canada had a record of 3-2 in round robin play, finished third in their pool and earned a berth into the quarterfinals.Canada had a 6-0 win over South Korea, a 3-0 loss to France, a 3-1 win over Japan, blanked Spain 3-0 and lost to England 10-0 in round robin.The red and white beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in the quarterfinals and earned themselves a semi-final date with England, who beat them 10-0 and went on to win the tournament.Chapman scored the lone goal to get Canada to the semi-finals.Canada played Italy to determine an overall ranking and lost 6-1 to claim the fourth overall world ranking.Lubberts was named top  goal keeper i...

Tax strategy giving Coaldale competitive edge for attracting new business

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsData shows the town of Coaldale is a great place to set up shop.According to the Town’s 2022 Comparative Analysis, many of Coaldale’s peer communities continue to see increases to non-residential mill rates, while Coaldale’s has remained constant over the last four years.The 2022 Comparative Analysis was published this spring, and provides a side-by-side summary of how the Town ranks in seven key benchmarks, compared to similarly-sized, and geographically-proximate municipalities. These comparable municipalities include Blackfalds, Drumheller, Edson, Innisfail, Lethbridge, Lethbridge County, Ponoka, and Taber.With infrastructure upgrades such as the completion of the wastewater lagoon in 2022, and council’s adoption of an updated Industrial Incentive Policy in February 2023, the Town is thinking “big-picture” on long-term sustainable growth, and implementing tangible policy changes to ensure Coaldale is an attractive place to invest in business.The 20...

40th anniversary for LTRA Ride for Dreams

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsThe Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association is asking for support as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Joanne Perlich ‘Ride for Dreams’ fundraiser.The fundraiser, which will take place Sept. 15-16, supports LTRA’s efforts and commitment to the transformative power of therapeutic riding and equine facilitated wellness. This year is especially important for the association, as not only has the pandemic impacted their ability to host large events in recent years, but they have been facing increased operational costs, especially for horse care items like hay.“The Joanne Perlich Ride for Dreams is one of our organization’s core fundraising events. At its core, the two-part fundraising event is to support the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association. Each ticket, dance step, and bid go beyond the night’s festivities, supporting the work of LTRA and our services to have continued impact for our clients at affordable prices,” said Kale Hayes, exe...

Coaldale educator awarded Share the Mission Award by HSCSD

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsAn Early Learning Leader at St. Joseph School in Coaldale is being recognized for her outstanding service to her school and community by the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division (HSCSD).On Aug. 30, HSCSD’s Board of Trustees honoured two recipients for the prestigious “Share the Mission Award” for their contributions in 2022-2023.Recipients of this year’s “Share the Mission Award” are Rosalinde (Rosie) Bartosek of St. Joseph School in Coaldale, and principal of Our Lady of the Assumption School in Lethbridge, Meghan Calder.According to the Division, the award recognizes those who have “offered outstanding or long-term service; accepted demanding challenges and set new standards for the rest of us to follow; contributed, through action and deed, to the Catholic atmosphere of our schools; demonstrated involvement and leadership in community/parish organizations; and reflected the Mission Statement of the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division in all action...

$70,000 for BOP internet upgrades, virtual programming

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsThe Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation has received federal funds to update their internet connection and provide virtual schooling.Through the federal Community Services Recovery Fund, the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation has received $70,000 for the installation of high-speed internet and to purchase computer equipment to allow them to deliver online educational programming for the first time.Colin Weir, managing director of the foundation, said they were “absolutely delighted” to receive the funding for the project, as they had been searching for it for several years.“It will allow us to provide ‘virtual’ programs to schools across Alberta and beyond. During the pandemic we had many requests to connect with schools virtually, that unfortunately could not be fulfilled. Broadband internet will finally allow our organization to operate more efficiently for staff and volunteers, who now will be able to work and collaborate from the centre, instead of fr...

AHS announces date for public engagement session following news of ambulatory clinic closure

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsAlberta Health Services (AHS) has announced the date for an upcoming “public engagement session,” regarding the closure of the Piyami Health Centre’s ambulatory care clinic (ACC) in Picture Butte.AHS made the announcement of the closure on Aug. 10, citing October 15, 2023 as the official closure date.A letter signed by South Zone Medical Director, Dr. Aaron Low and Associate Zone Medical Director, Dr. Sandra Stover, claims, “Careful consideration was taken prior to the decision to end the contract for the ACC (ambulatory care clinic), and redirect funding towards supporting the recruitment and retention of family doctors in Picture Butte.”According to the Director and Associate South Zone directors at AHS, “usage of the ACC has continued to drop year over year serving an average of three to four patients during the 16 hours the clinic is open daily,” and said often these, “non-urgent patients could be served at a physician’s private office in the comm...

Where to pick apples in the North Country

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Cool nights, orange leaves and changing seasonal menus mean apple-picking season is here. The Capital Region has its own fair share of orchards, but as you look into the North Country and Adirondack Park, there's even more in store. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Plenty of orchards dot the North Country, and this time of year, there are apples abundant among them. Find out where to go picking this fall: Fiber and fun set for 2023 Adirondack Harvest Festival Banker Orchards1037 Route 3, PlattsburghApples, produce, baked goods, painted pumpkinsOpen daily 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.Hicks Orchard18 Hicks Road, GranvillePick-your-own apples, cider donuts, apple cider and moreWood-fired pizza on Saturdays and Sundays; specialty ciders at Slyboro Ciderhouse onsite9 a.m. - 6 p.m. dailyRogers Family Orchard260 County Highway 131, JohnstownApples, cider, corn, and more produce for sale10 a.m. - 5 p.m. dailyRulfs Orchard531 Bea...

Jury convicts Schenectady man of assaulting former partner

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady male accused of assaulting a former intimate partner and the mother of his two children was convicted by a Schenectady County Jury on Wednesday. Jahaad Ubrich was convicted of burglary in the first degree, burglary in the second degree, assault in the third degree, and endangering the welfare of a child. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Ubrich allegedly entered his former partner's apartment on July 17, 2022, and assaulted her for approximately 10 minutes until the police arrived. The victim reportedly held their four-month-old son in her arms during the assault. Ubrich attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody. The victim was treated by the Schenectady Fire Department, providers at Ellis Hospital, and WellNow Urgent Care. She sustained lacerations to the head and arm and a fractured nose.Due to Ubrich's criminal history, he faces a minimum of eight years to a maximum of 25 years in ...

Missouri inmate convicted of killing cop says judges shouldn't get to hand down death sentences

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:01:47 GMT

A man awaiting sentencing for killing a Missouri police officer is challenging the constitutionality of a state law that allows judges to hand down the death sentence.A jury in June convicted 45-year-old Ian McCarthy of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Clinton Police Officer Gary Lee Michael Jr. during a 2017 traffic stop. After days of deliberation, the jury informed the judge that it couldn't decide between the state's only two sentences for first-degree murder: life in prison without parole or death.Missouri and Indiana are the only active death penalty states that allow judges to sentence people to die. Montana also allows judges to hand down death sentences, but it hasn't executed anyone since 2006.McCarthy's attorneys filed a motion last week asking a Jackson County judge to declare the state law unconstitutional and to sentence McCarthy to life in prison. Judge Marco Roldan will consider the motion at the sentencing hearing on Friday.The motion calls Missouri “a c...