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Regional Roundup
Aug. 12, 2026

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Sturgeon County declares agricultural disaster

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Sturgeon County is sounding the alarm for its farmers after record rainfall soaked the Edmonton region this summer. The county has declared an agricultural disaster as saturation raises concerns related to crop health, reduced yields, forage production, and long-term impacts to farm operations. "These conditions have substantially affected field access, delayed seeding and harvest activities, hindered crop development, and reduced overall agricultural productivity," the county said. Eric Chen of Peas on Earth told the St. Albert Gazette that the mud has made it difficult to harvest potatoes, and hay and grain farmer Tom Eppinga said he hasn't been able to harvest a single bale of hay.

Sturgeon County said the intent of the declaration is to bring attention to the challenges facing the agricultural community and support continued assessment of the impacts on producers. Specifically, the county hopes to communicate these concerns to provincial and federal decision-makers. There will be an information session for farmers to learn more about insurance and disaster assistance on Aug. 19 at Cardiff Community Hall.

The weather has also introduced challenges for agritourism operators. A Leduc County winery told Taproot that business has been slow, the Edmonton Corn Maze had its opening delayed for a few weeks, and several u-pick berry farms are behind. Those looking to check out the region's agriculture can attend Alberta Open Farm Days, which returns on Aug. 15 and 16 with more than 60 destinations to experience, including several in the Edmonton region. One option is the Barr Estate Winery in Sherwood Park, where one can see how fruit wine is made.

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Headlines

  • The Energy City Cactus Rats played their playoff games on the road after construction delays forced another shutdown of the Energy City Metro Ballpark in Spruce Grove. Western Canadian Baseball League president Kevin Kvame said the league did not want to hold playoff games without fans in attendance, and the facility — under construction since 2022 at an estimated cost of $50 million — still lacks operational lighting and full occupancy permits. The Cactus Rats lost twice to the Okotoks Dawgs on Aug. 7 and 8, ending their season.
  • A Sherwood Park house that caught fire on Aug. 9 had a long history of police visits and multiple public-health orders, neighbours told CityNews. Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank said RCMP and the county's fire investigation unit are investigating the blaze and that the county will "continue to pursue all actions available" with Alberta Health and the property owner.
  • The Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital Foundation has met its $80,000 fundraising goal, with $50,000 coming from the Kjenner family. The funds will help the hospital purchase a panda warmer and fetal heart monitor for the labour and delivery unit.
  • Fort Saskatchewan RCMP arrested five people for bicycle theft-related offences after deploying bait bikes with tracking devices. Police said officers will continue to use bait bikes.
  • Fragapalooza, Alberta's long-running non-profit gaming event, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a four-day LAN party at the Leduc Recreation Centre. The event, which began in 1997 at what is now the Alberta Aviation Museum, reached nearly 1,000 attendees at its 2008 peak — Canada's largest-ever LAN party. Organizers expected roughly 400 people this year, with virtual participation available for those who couldn't attend in person.
  • The board of the St. Albert Public Library has estimated it will cost about $100,000 in 2027 to comply with the UCP government's Bill 28, which requires certain books to be held in secured storage areas. Former library CEO Peter Bailey, now a senior fellow at the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, said most Alberta libraries appear to be opting for compliance rather than mounting a constitutional challenge, which he considered disappointing. "Freedom of expression is at the core of what libraries are," Bailey told David Climenhaga of AlbertaPolitics.ca.
  • Edify reviewed Myanm's Noodle in Beaumont, a Burmese restaurant opened in 2025 by husband-and-wife team Hram Thulai and Salai Zete. Reviewer Jeanie Habibi noted generous portions, a gluten-free menu section, and a warm welcome from the owners.
  • Edify reviewed Norma Dee's Kitchen in Devon, a family-run breakfast and lunch diner known for made-from-scratch hashbrowns, eggs Benedict, and a reliably full house.

Happenings

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Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

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