-Rainfall warnings continue for a large area in southeastern Alberta and into southwestern Saskatchewan.
Forecasters have been talking about more than a month’s worth of rain in about 48-hours, as it started yesterday afternoon, and is supposed to keep going til tomorrow night.
They say most of those areas could be looking at 50 to 70mm of rain, with some getting up to 100mm before it tapers off.
The Edmonton region is looking at another 15 to 25mm today.
****************
-Even though we’re getting a nice soaking rain across a large part of Alberta and Saskatchewan this week, officials say we could still be looking at a bad wildfire season, and Intact Financial has come up with a pilot program that they’re hoping will reduce the damage done to homes during wildfires.
They’re talking about removing combustible materials from around eligible customer’s properties, and setting up temporary sprinklers when a wildfire is less than 5km away from that home.
The project is going to be free for this year.

******************
-Looks like all the London Drugs stores in the Edmonton region are going to be open today, as the company says it’s looking to have all its stores in western Canada re-opened.
They had been forced to close for several days, following a cyber-security breach last weekend.
But some of the pharmacies are now having connectivity problems, so if you get your medication through London Drugs, take your previous medication bottles with you, so they can check the prescription numbers.
The company has said they’re having to have all stores back, by the end of today.

**************
-The Municipal Affairs Critic is once again calling on the Premier to scrap Bill 20.
Kyle Kasawski says the government has promised to consult with more than 3-hundred municipalities before making changes to the bill this week.
The bill, as it currently stands, would give the province sweeping powers over local governments.
Kasawski says one weekend isn’t enough time to do it, and is demanding the government go back to the drawing board.
Premier Danielle Smith says the changes are going to clarify that the power would only be used in very rare occasions.
*********************
-The federal Ag Minister announced a new investment yesterday into mental health support for farmers and ranchers.
Lawrence MacAulay says more than 1-million dollars will go into the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing.
It includes mental health literacy for ag-educators, the development of a mental health toolkit, and help to share and expand farm mental health strategies and resources.
Rural doctors will also get training to better interact with farmers who need their help.

*****************
-Lawyers for a Winnipeg man who admitted in court he killed four women in that city, are now asking that their client be found “not criminally responsible” because of mental illness.
He’s facing four counts of first degree murder in the case, and while a jury had been chosen just last week, he’s now going to be tried by judge-alone.

*******************
-Appeals by the men who’d been convicted in the shooting deaths of two hunters near Glendon four years ago have been dismissed.
Anthony Bilodeau had been found guilty of manslaughter and 2nd degree murder in the case, while his father Roger was found guilty of two counts of manslaughter, in the deaths of Maurice Cardinal and Jacob Sansom.
The Bilodeau’s lawyers said the trial judge failed to provide adequate instruction to the jury.
Anthony got life in prison with no chance of parole for 13 years, while Roger got ten years, but has since been granted day parole.

****************
-A 43-year old Bonnyville man is facing a list of charges, after RCMP say they found a list of stolen items on a rural property in the Bonnyville region late last month.
Among the items were drugs, 21 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammo, five stolen trailers, a stolen ATV, a stolen engine skid and much more.
Mounties say the search was done as part of an ongoing investigation into missing property.

****************
-The central U-S has been hit by a series of powerful storms this week.
Roger Edwards is the lead forecaster with the Storm Prediction Centre, and says a tornado did extensive damage in a small town just north of Tulsa, Oklahoma, while some areas of Kansas were hit by apple-sized hail.

******************
-A new study has found a spoonful of olive oil each day could cut your risk of death from dementia.
Scientists at Harvard kept an eye on more than 92-thousand adults over 28-years, and those who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil each day, had a 28-percent lower risk of dementia-related death, than those who never or rarely had olive oil.
Researchers say more studies are needed, but for now, they say it’s possible olive oil has an indirect effect on brain health, because it’s better for your cardiovascular system.

**************

-Seems the new owners of the Edmonton Queen Riverboat are excited to set sail this summer.
Rob Davy and Eric Warnke, who own the Laser City laser tag business, bought the boat, as they’re looking to hold corporate events, birthday parties and all kinds of special occasions on the craft, including live music and barbecues.
They’d also like to do something with it during the winter, but for now, they hit the open river June 1st.

******************
-The feds are supposed to be conducting a test of the national emergency alert system tomorrow morning.
Here in Alberta, it’s scheduled to happen at 11:55am tomorrow, with messages coming thru your radio, TV, smartphones and tablets.

********************
-Intact Financial is launching a pilot program in Alberta and BC that’s designed to reduce wildfire damage to homes.
Wildfire Defense Systems will remove combustible materials from around customer’s properties, while setting up temporary sprinkler system, when a wildfire is less than 5km away.
It’s going to be free for eligible customers for this year’s wildfire season.

***************
-There’s a new Commander at the RCMP detachment in Whitecourt.
Staff-Sgt. Matthew Clarke is in his 20th year of policing, with all of his service in the K-Division area.
That includes several units within the Edmonton Serious Crimes branch, including historical homicide and behavioural sciences.
**************
-Bruins beat the Panthers 5-1 last night, so Boston has taken a 1-nothing lead in their playoff series.

-There will be two outdoor watch parties in the ICE-District tomorrow night in Edmonton, when the Oilers take on the Canucks in Vancouver. 8pm start for that one.

TODAY/TONIGHT:

-Hurricanes face the Rangers tonight at 5.
-Avalanche take on the Stars at 7:30…

-Jays meet the Phillies at 4:40.