ST. PAUL - A pick-up truck hit a snowplow on Highway 652 east of Saddle Lake on the morning of Jan. 7, resulting in significant damage to both vehicles and the temporary closure of the stretch of highway. According to Mike Neuman, a resident of Lamont who was on his way home from buying a snow blower in St. Paul and witnessed the accident, it happened just after 11 a.m. when the sun was shining. “I was about 250 feet back from the plow,” said Neuman, who was planning to pass because the plow was going about 60 km/h, but decided not to when he saw the oncoming vehicle. Neuman said he helped the plow driver after the collision, who was “shaken up, but OK.” “They hadn’t removed [the occupants] from the pickup truck by the time I left, about 50 minutes after,” said Neuman. “But I could only assume there would be broken limbs, or legs or feet or something. I mean the plow was in the air about two or three feet,” said Neuman. When he left, there were two ambulances on scene. According to Kellieka Formanek, a spokesperson for the St. Paul RCMP, the collision is still under investigation. Formanek confirmed the highway was closed for a time and two women were taken to hospital. EMCON Services According to Frank Rizzardo, the president for Emcon Services, which holds the maintenance contract for the roads in the region, “the operator was in his lane and was patrolling and applying abrasive as necessary . . . and the oncoming vehicle crossed the centre line.” According to Rizzardo, the plow operator did not have to go to the hospital and was able to participate in the accident reporting process with the company and the RCMP, who also attended the scene. “There’s nothing in his actions that caused the problem. He didn’t leave his lane . . . Slow down. It’s winter. Get off your phones. Pay attention to the lights,” stated Rizzardo. In Alberta, snowplows must be equipped with at least one amber light on top of the vehicle and visible from all directions. They can also use flashing rear-facing blue lights to improve visibility. Rizzardo said the plow truck involved was a 2015 model they had planned to shift from a primary to a stand-by truck for next season, “but it’s probably going to be retired now because the frame is bent . . . the only thing we might be able to reuse is the spreader body, the actual attachment that goes on the truck itself.” The pick-up truck also sustained significant damage, with the hood, engine, and front and rear fenders all visibly damaged in photos from the accident. According to Neuman, the pick-up hit the plow head on. Why the plow isn’t on the far right One question drivers sometimes have about snowplows is why the plow is in the normal lane instead of the passing lane on the right. According to Rizzardo, it has to do with how the plow is shaped and the physics of snow clearing. Snowplow blades are angled from left to right. “We have to move the snow from the main lane to the right, because there’s oncoming traffic and you can’t move it to the left,” said Rizzardo. He noted drivers should never pass on the right of the plow using the shoulder because “that’s where the wing is. And the other reason is because that’s where the rooster tail of snow and maybe sand is going.” According to the Government of Alberta website, roads are cleared any time there is three or more centimetres of snow, or when highways become icy. “If you encounter a working snowplow or sander truck on the road, give them space until they can pull over for you to safely pass,” reads the website. It also notes drivers should not pass a snowplow when the view is obstructed, would impede the plow’s operation, or cannot be done safely. Failing to comply with the rules can be punished with a $324 fine and three demerits. “Patience is key. Operators will let you pass every five to eight kilometres, or when it is safe to do so.” Rizzardo said he would like for drivers to give themselves more time for winter travel and check road reports before they leave. “Ten minutes isn’t worth losing your vehicle or your life. Get up 10 minutes earlier and you can actually slow down. . . You can relax because that guy, that plow truck in front of you, is putting out abrasive to make your road, your travel safer,” said Rizzardo.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's Major Projects Office, established last year, currently aims to complete regulatory reviews within two years.

The report says a substantial majority of Alberta auto insurers were unprofitable that year, with private passenger automobile insurance taking the biggest hit.

The initiative is volunteer-based, and administered through Bonnyville and District FCSS.

The City of Cold Lake has been battling record snowfall over the past couple of weeks, forcing transportation teams to accelerate snow clearing efforts far earlier, and far more often than usual.

On Thursday, Lloydminster RCMP received a report that a firearm had been pointed at people within City Hall.

RCMP arrested a 44-year-old man from Fort McMurray who they say is connected to a vehicle theft that took place on Dec. 24 in a rural area in the Lac La Biche region.

Sirens for Life runs until the end of January and encourages teams of first responders, public safety, and military personnel to give blood.

Trump has said he thinks Venezuela’s decimated oil industry could be rebuilt in less than 18 months with U.S. support.

The afternoon of bingo games took place on Jan. 6 at the organization's building in the hamlet of Lac La Biche.

The ice melt used to remove ice buildup on sidewalks in the winter often contains toxic or harmful chemicals which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive drooling if consumed by pets.

Rob Kruk, president of the Lac La Biche Back Country Riders, said snowmobiling is always dependent on the weather.

COOL WINTER GUIDE: Ready to shake off the winter blahs in the coolest way possible? This one-of-a-kind winter music festival transforms an old industrial landmark into a warm, toe-tapping celebration of folk, community, and Alberta talent. Trust us, you’ve never experienced live music like this.

Obstetrical services are now being provided at the Cold Lake hospital following a service disruption that began in November.

“It really boils down to the support of your community, no matter where you are, and I feel really fortunate that I have built a community out here in Powell River, as well as back home in Alberta,” said Liz Wik.

The roosters, who had been found huddled together in the cold by community peace officers, were brought into the animal shelter on the evening of Jan. 5.

Cold Lake RCMP are investigating a series of mailbox break-ins that have left residents frustrated and searching for ways to protect their mail.

While more than 500 organizations and consultant lobbyist firms appeared in the provincial registry in 2025, three well-connected firms accounted for about 25 per cent of all lobbying efforts.

A confetti-worthy countdown in the middle of the afternoon brought Cold Lake kids sprinting for balloons on Dec. 31, turning the Reid Field House into the city’s loudest daytime New Year’s celebration.

Alberta’s premier steered her party in unpopular directions in 2025 while neglecting critical rural issues like Chinese tariffs on canola, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said.

Elk Point Public Works spent much of the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s building a long line of snow banks.

Alberta brewer serves up Wyrd Bier

Members of the Elk Point Theatre Project have been busy fundraising to support their 2026 efforts.

COOL WINTER GUIDE: If you love a good walking, hiking, snowshoeing, or biking trail, you’re going to find it in this Albertan city with over 110 kms of beautiful trails.

COLD LAKE - Police in Cold Lake say they have been responding to an increased number of "cash box thefts" at businesses in the city over the past week.