RCMP in central Alberta say an attempt to steal copper wire from an underground vault was responsible for a power failure that affected multiple neighbourhoods. Police say someone got into the enclosure in Red Deer and tried to cut live electrical wires early Monday. Red Deer utilities manager Jim Jorgensen says approximately six thousand customers were affected. Police said yesterday they were still trying to locate the suspect, noting the person might be seriously injured.

The Calgary Real Estate Board says last month's home sales slipped by three per cent year-over-year as the market continued to experience a slowdown. The region's sales for the month totalled 2,254, down from 2,314 last July. The Alberta board says the figures mark the second month in a row that the pace of sales slowed, but noted that the numbers are still among the strongest the market has ever seen. Last month's new listings amounted to 3,174, down almost four per cent from 3,298 in July 2021. The average price of a home in the region hit $491,392, a nearly one per cent climb from $488,484

Police say a man armed with a large knife inside Calgary City Hall was arrested this morning. Police and firefighters were called to the building located at the corner of 7 Avenue and Mcleod Trail just before 4 a-m. Police say the suspect, who was armed with a knife, set four separate fires on the third floor, but minimal damage was caused due to the building's sprinkler system. The Calgary Fire Department says that though the fire damage is minimal, there is water damage from the sprinkler system and it's expected the third floor will be off limits for some time.

Children and babies in Alberta are now eligible to receive a dose of the Moderna Spikevax vaccine. Health Canada approved Moderna's vaccine for infants and preschoolers in mid-July. Alberta is the last jurisdiction in the country to open up vaccine eligibility to the age group, making the announcement on Friday. The recommended dose for children ages six months to 11 years is a series of two doses, with an interval of at least two months between each shot. First-dose appointments must be booked through the Alberta Vaccine Booking System or by calling Health Link at 811. The doses given to youn

Alberta's chief medical officer of health received almost 228-thousand dollars in cash benefits during the 2021 calendar year. That was on top of a salary for Doctor Deena Hinshaw of 363-thousand, 634 dollars and ``non-cash benefits'' of about 52-hundred dollars last year. Health Ministry spokesman Steve Buick says Hinshaw's bonuses were calculated using her base hourly rate and the number of overtime hours she worked in 2021 beyond 45 hours a week. Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt says he understands the pandemic-related payouts -- but he doesn't think every Albertan wil

A United Conservative Party leadership candidate leapt a fence to assist a man who was being trampled by a bull at the Strathmore Stampede east of Calgary over the weekend. A male participant was charged and flipped during the running of the bulls event on Saturday, and that's when Leela Aheer jumped in. Aheer, who represents the riding of Chestermere-Strathmore, can be seen in a video on social media trying to push the bull, which she later described as like ``trying to push a car.'' Others joined in and Aheer was able to help the man to safety over the fence.

The owners of three pit bulls who killed an elderly Calgary woman last month have surrendered one of the dogs to be euthanized. Smoki and two other dogs _ Cinnamon and Bossii _ attacked 86-year-old Betty Williams on June 5th as she was gardening. The owners have handed over ownership of Smoki in court. But they plan to fight to keep the other two animals at a court hearing to be held this fall.

Alberta Health says details of its rollout plan for COVID-19 vaccines for young children will be released soon. Two weeks ago, Health Canada approved a COVID-19 vaccine for children aged six months to five years. Other provinces have already started administering the shot, or are booking appointments for kids in that age group. The Opposition N-D-P says Alberta families deserve to have the same access to COVID-19 vaccines as every other province.

Political observers say this week's United Conservative leadership debate demonstrated that former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith is the front-runner in the race to replace Jason Kenney as party leader and premier. Pollster Janet Brown and political scientist Duane Bratt say the way Smith was attacked and criticized by multiple opponents at the debate make it clear she is seen as the one to beat. Smith came under fire for her proposed Alberta sovereignty act, which she promises to pass this fall if she wins. The act would grant the province the power to ignore federal laws and court rulings de