A three-day commercial vehicle inspection operation in Strathcona County found safety problems on trucks sharing the road with Sherwood Park families and commuters.

Inspectors checked 192 vehicles and placed 77 out of service.

Officials said 40 per cent failed inspection, nearly 20 per cent needed attention and 40 per cent passed.

Led by Strathcona County Enforcement Services and provincial and neighbouring municipal partners, the operation identified cargo securement and brake defects among the common problems.

Inspectors also checked tires, lighting, driver credentials, trip inspections and hours-of-service records.

Vehicles that fail must be repaired before returning to service, and operators may face fines.

For local drivers, the results show why daily maintenance matters: an unsecured load or faulty brakes can put everyone nearby at risk.

Sherwood Park resident Christopher Kalbfleisch, 51, faces a new charge after police alleged he used artificial intelligence to turn publicly available social media photos and videos into child sexual abuse material.

Investigators say the images involved several people known to him, raising concerns about how photos shared online can be misused.

Kalbfleisch was arrested in June on charges of possessing, accessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material after reports that he had shared it online.

In Sherwood Park, conversations about online safety belong alongside everyday talks about school, friends and phones.

A recent Alberta RCMP reminder warns that adults may gain a young person’s trust online before pressuring them into secrecy or exploitation.

Grooming can start with compliments, gifts or promises of friendship on games, social media and messaging apps.

It may escalate into demands for private images, personal information or money.

Regular, judgment-free check-ins can help Sherwood Park families notice troubling contacts without making children afraid to speak up.

If a child shares a concern, respond calmly and avoid blame.

Families can review privacy settings together and remind young people not to share their school, address, routines or passwords with unfamiliar contacts.

Secrecy, withdrawal or unexplained gifts may warrant attention, though none proves grooming on its own.

Across Strathcona County, trusted adults can reinforce a vital message: seeking help is never a child’s fault.

If messages raise concern, preserve them and contact police rather than investigating alone.

Families in Sherwood Park, Alberta face growing concerns as young people encounter rising threats each time they navigate the internet.

Instances of cyberbullying and sextortion are becoming more common, intensifying worries for parents, educators, and youth leaders alike.

Local police are urging vigilance, highlighting risks on popular social media and gaming platforms used daily by children and teens.

One alarming trend is sextortion, where criminals demand compliance by threatening to reveal sensitive images or information.

Youth often become targets when bad actors pose as peers through fake profiles, turning friendly chats into dangerous situations.

Cyberbullying remains a serious challenge in area schools, prompting teachers to stress the importance of documenting incidents and seeking support quickly.

Workshops on online safety are now helping strengthen Sherwood Park’s defenses, offering practical strategies to block, report, and stay safe.

Speaking up protects everyone—no one faces these challenges alone.

A dead rat discovered in central Alberta has caught the attention of provincial officials — and serves as a reminder of just how seriously Alberta protects its famous “rat-free” status.

The Town of Bowden, about 45 kilometres south of Red Deer, reported on September 24 that a dead rat had been found in the area. Alberta’s Rat Control Program — often simply called the Rat Patrol — was brought in to investigate and dispose of the animal.

The discovery came only days after a video circulated online showing what appeared to be a live rat in southeast Calgary. 

Provincial officials had been notified about that sighting as well, although the animal in the Calgary video had not been publicly confirmed as a rat and there is no evidence connecting the two incidents.

Is Alberta Still Rat-Free?

Today, bicycles are used around the world for transportation, exercise, racing and recreation. But the first bicycle-like machines were a far cry from the lightweight bikes we know today.

The story really gets rolling in 1817, when German inventor Karl von Drais demonstrated a two-wheeled machine he called a Laufmaschine, or "running machine."

It had two wheels, a wooden frame, handlebars for steering and a seat.

But there was one rather important thing missing...

It had no pedals!

So How Did You Ride It?

The rider sat on the seat and pushed against the ground with their feet—almost like today's children's balance bikes.

Once moving, the rider could lift their feet and coast.

Drais's invention became known as the draisine or dandy horse, and for a short time it became quite fashionable.

It demonstrated something important: a person really could balance and steer a vehicle with two wheels arranged one behind the other.

You don't have to lift heavy weights or spend hours at the gym to benefit from being stronger.

For women, maintaining muscle becomes increasingly important as we get older. Everyday strength helps us carry groceries, climb stairs, work in the garden, lift grandchildren, and get up from a chair with confidence.

The encouraging part is that a little strength training can go a long way.

Why Strength Matters

We naturally tend to lose muscle mass and strength as we age. Staying active and challenging our muscles can help slow that decline.

Maintaining strength can help support:

• Everyday mobility and independence
• Strong bones
• Better balance and stability
• Good posture
• Confidence with everyday activities

Women entrepreneurs in Sherwood Park can look forward to dynamic networking events designed to help local businesses thrive.

On October 16, 2026, the Womanition Connect Group welcomes area professionals to its monthly luncheon at Headquarters Restaurant and Bar on 101 Granada Boulevard.

This popular event encourages attendees to share experiences, exchange ideas, and forge valuable business connections.

Participants are invited to bring a door prize, offering a unique way to introduce their companies to the group.

With no membership fee and a welcoming, pay-as-you-attend model, the atmosphere remains inclusive and focused on genuine growth.

Professional attire is suggested to enhance the business-forward environment.

Local women in business—from first-time entrepreneurs to seasoned leaders—can build powerful networks and advance their professional journeys at these gatherings.

Winter is an invitation to get outside at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre near Sherwood Park.

When conditions allow, the centre grooms trails for classic and skate skiing, with para nordic options also available.

Visitors can rent skis or choose a snowshoe outing, making it easier for friends and families to enjoy the outdoors at their own pace.

Snowshoe trail use is free, while skiing requires a day pass, season pass or Active Pass.

Check trail conditions, pass requirements and rental arrangements before heading out, and dress for changing Alberta weather.

Beyond winter recreation, the centre hosts gatherings and retreats, and participating organizations offer Indigenous culture camps led by Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Holders.

Whether you’re looking for exercise, fresh air or time together, the centre offers a welcoming way to make the most of winter.

Elevate Acro Festival brings three days of acroyoga, partner acrobatics and connection to Sherwood Park from October 16 to 18, 2026.

At its new home, Van-Es Camp and Conference Centre, participants can move between indoor classes, performances and forest trails, with accommodation and meals available on-site.

Beginner-friendly sessions welcome people arriving alone, with group activities that emphasize trust, communication and safe support.

A Friday pre-festival session led by Jill Campbell and Heidi Blais offers breathing exercises, partner work and recovery time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday brings a costume-friendly evening jam and a showcase that friends and family can attend.

Volunteer exchanges and financial-access support aim to make the weekend more accessible.

For visitors seeking an active autumn getaway, the festival offers space to try something new, meet people and take a break among the changing leaves.