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Local decision making key in AHS reorganization: Hunter

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

By Trevor BuschSouthern Alberta [email protected] status quo at Alberta Health Services isn’t working, argues Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter, and radically reshaping the landscape for health care in the province is both necessary and overdue.With the announcement earlier this month that Alberta’s UCP government will be dismantling its primary health-care delivery organization into four separate entities, each with a narrower focus, critics have been vocal but Premier Danielle Smith is adamant the changes will improve access to care for Albertans grappling with a system under severe strain.The new organizations will deliver health services in primary care, acute care, continuing care and mental health and addictions, and will be overseen by a council of politicians and senior bureaucrats. “We’ve been concerned for some time about having one organization having to do so much,” said Hunter. “AHS will still be an entity within Alberta, but they will be responsible specif...

Innovative energy projects bearing fruit in Taber

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

Dear Editor,Yesterday (Oct. 31) I was at a presentation here in Calgary on the RenuWell project that has seen two pilots move ahead in the MD of Taber, installing solar power on a couple of orphan well sites primarily to supply power for irrigation. I was very impressed to hear of the range of benefits shown; providing renewable power at the times of highest demand, saving electricity costs and load on the electricity grid, accelerating the cleanup of unproductive and orphan wells, making use of brownfield sites, providing lease income for farmers, and tax benefits for the MD. That’s an amazing collection of benefits coming out of one type of project! I applaud the MD of Taber for showing leadership in shepherding these developments through to completion. I do not doubt that municipalities up and down the province are going to learn from and imitate this work done in your region.Sincerely yours,Roger Gagne, Calgary 

Alberta Liberal leader calls for 75% threshold on CPP referendum

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

Dear Editor,I support the CPP. An Alberta Pension Plan will expose Alberta workers to unnecessary risk and make Alberta a pariah in the rest of Canada. The UCP government shouldn’t even be entertaining this idea. But they will almost certainly force a referendum. If we have to have one, let’s make it fair. The threshold for leaving the CPP should require no less than 75 per cent of Albertans voting in favour with a clear and certain question.We are not talking about a simple policy change. We are discussing permanently and fundamentally changing a program Albertans have spent decades paying into. A program Albertans have planned our entire lives around. A monumental change like this demands a larger threshold for support than fifty percent plus one. What’s good enough for daylight saving time isn’t good enough for our pensions.If Alberta Liberals sat in the Legislature, we would put forward this amendment. But our absence in the Legislature doesn’t stop us from raising our voices in...

Budget update proves Trudeau isn’t serious about federal finances

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

Taxpayers should brace for impact based on the finance minister’s latest projections.Interest charges on the federal debt will go from $47 billion this year to $61 billion in 2028-29, according to the budget update.But what does $61 billion mean to you?Sixty-one billion is the same amount the government plans to collect with the GST in 2028-29.So, in a few short years, when you pay the GST on a hockey stick, a tank of gas or bar of soap, every penny will go to interest charges on the federal debt.In fact, interest charges will surpass federal health-care transfers next year. Let the shock sink in just a little deeper: what could we do if it weren’t for the federal debt?We could virtually double federal health spending.Or we could completely eliminate the GST in a couple years.Somehow the government is communicating these perplexing projections with considerable calmness.Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland claims “the foundation of our Fall Economic Statement is our responsible fiscal...

Lark Street to host 7th annual Chili and Chowder Stroll

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Lark Street Business Improvement District announced they will be presenting their seventh annual Chili and Chowder Stroll. The event is scheduled for December 9. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Over a dozen Albany eateries will compete to be see who makes the greatest chilis and chowders in the area. Last year's champions Keobi and TapAsia, both on Lark Street, will be looking to maintain their crowns. Attendees will be able to purchase samples and vote for their favorites while getting some respite from the winter air. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will coincide with the Santa Speedo Sprint, which begins at 2 p.m. Hattie’s in Albany expected to open in first few months of 2024 The Chili and Chowder Stroll will kick off at the Lark Street BID, located at 194 Lark Street in Albany. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Harbor Freight opening new store in Schenectady

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Harbor Freight Tools is set to open a new location in Schenectady. The store will be at 2330 Watt Street in Crosstown Commons. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The company said construction has already started on the new store. According to the Harbor Freight website, the store is estimated to open in January.The store is expected to bring about 25 to 30 new jobs to Schenectady, said Harbor Freight. If interested, you can apply for a job on the Harbor Freight website. New Thai restaurant opens in Bennington This will be Harbor Freight's seventh store in the Capital Region. The company has other locations in Albany, Amsterdam, Catskill, Clifton Park, Queensbury and Troy.

St. Charles County tax bills to warn of title theft and property fraud

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - Some property owners in St. Charles County will notice a warning on this year's tax bills about title theft and property fraud. Officials say it's part of the county's plan to be proactive against title theft. The FOX Files reported weeks ago that vehicle owners in the St. Louis area and elsewhere in Missouri could receive similar warnings of fraud. Tow truck operator killed in Illinois served as volunteer firefighter Property fraud happens when someone registers a fake deed with forged signatures to claim ownership of a property in order to sell it or take out fraudulent loans against the property.To combat concerns, St. Charles County officials reminded property owners of its Property Fraud Alert system, a free notification service that helps owners detect potential scams. “It hasn’t happened here yet, but it could,” says St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds Mary Dempsey via a news release Thursday. “This type of fraud tends to target victims who won’t...

McDonald's bringing back adult happy meals with a special toy

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- McDonald's is releasing a new limited-edition happy meal for adults, complete with a very special toy. It's a modern take on the beloved McNugget buddy toys of the '80s and '90s. You can choose from a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets or a Big Mac box. The ‘center’ of Missouri isn’t too far from Jefferson City Step Into Frost Way with The Kerwin Frost Box at McDonald’sIt also comes with fries, a soft drink and, of course, the toy. There are six different buddies that come with mix-and-match outfits. The meals will be available at participating McDonald's starting December 11.A special McNugget Buddy collectible makes its return after 25 years, designed in partnership with Kerwin Frost.Hailing from Harlem, New York, Kerwin Frost found creative inspiration in his childhood McNugget Buddy collection. McDonald's decided to reintroduce the Buddies. Here are descriptions of each one.Kerwin Frost – The Mayor of Frost Way, champions the Buddies to be themselves, adding art to his...

Aurora brewery will close, sell to new owners

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

Scott Procop is getting out of the brewery business. But he’s not going far away.The owner of Ursula Brewery, which opened in 2014 next to the Anschutz Medical Campus, Procop decided earlier this year that it was time to sell the brewery in order to focus on his family restaurant at 2100 Ursula St., Cedar Creek Pub, which is across the street from the brewery.Ursula Brewery is closing in December 2023 after a nine-year run in Aurora. (Staff photo by Jonathan Shikes)That happened this week, and the new owners, who he didn’t name, plan to reopen the brewery with a different name in early or mid-2024.“I’ve been in the restaurant business for 34 years, so this is sort of like going back to my roots,” Procop said about turning his attention to Cedar Creek, which he opened in 2011 with his wife. “It was a good run [at Ursula]. We did great, and this is the end of the story.”The last few years have been harrowing for small brewery owners, who have dealt with the eff...

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller accused of assaulting pregnant woman in Dallas, police say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:24:57 GMT

An arrest warrant has been issued for NFL star and former Broncos player Von Miller after he allegedly assaulted a pregnant woman Wednesday in Dallas.Dallas police officers responded to the 3100 block of North Harwood Street in Dallas about 11 a.m. to a “major disturbance call,” where they found the 34-year-old Buffalo Bills linebacker allegedly got into a verbal argument with the woman before assaulting her, Dallas police spokesperson Brian Martinez said in an email.Miller left the scene before police arrived.The woman was treated for minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital.The arrest warrant is for assault of a pregnant person, which is a third-degree felony under Texas law.Police did not state whether the woman had a relationship with Miller.The Bills issued a statement on the investigation on X, saying, “This morning, we were made aware of an incident involving Von Miller. We are in the process of gathering more information and will have no further comme...