Rural Alberta Report

09/11/2026

09/08/2026

When I was asked to write a column for a rural paper, my honest first reaction was to wonder whether I had any business doing it. I currently live in Edmonton, a city of more than a million people. It felt a little presumptuous to type up advice from here and send it out down highways twelve to sixteen where everybody already knows how things work and don’t need someone from the big smoke telling them.

But my current address doesn’t really tell the whole story. I grew up in Coronation and once upon a time used to help out in the photo lab at the Coronation Review.

Learn why rural businesses need broad services at home but focused messaging to stand out and attract customers in larger urban markets.

09/01/2026

Stettler has scheduled a Nov. 17 tax-recovery auction for two residential lots and four manufactured homes, though owners can stop the process by paying all arrears before the sale. Rural Alberta Report - C. Bowman

08/27/2026

Dogs were welcomed into the Hanna swimming pool for an end-of-season event supporting Harvest Sky Animal Rescue. Donations collected during the six-hour swim will help the volunteer-operated organization. Credit: Cedar Luider

Dogs took over the Hanna swimming pool for Paws in the Pool, an end-of-summer event collecting donations for Harvest Sky Animal Rescue.

08/26/2026

A collection of public improvements, private renovations and new business activity is giving downtown Stettler a fresh look as summer draws to a close.

A collection of public improvements, private renovations and new business activity is giving downtown Stettler a fresh look as summer draws to a close.

08/22/2026

What's happening this weekend in east central Alberta.

Find events happening Aug. 22 and 23, 2026, in Stettler, Hanna, Coronation, Forestburg, Castor, Bashaw, Alix, Three Hills, Canmore and Red Deer.

08/21/2026

Due to a family emergency, we were unable to attend the Hanna Rodeo this year.

We are preparing our rodeo coverage for the upcoming edition of The Rural Alberta Report and would love to include a photo from someone who attended.

If you have a good photo from the Hanna Rodeo that you would be willing to have published, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Please include the photographer’s name so we can provide proper photo credit.

Thank you for helping us share and preserve the stories of our rural communities. We truly appreciate your support.

08/19/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James “Jim” Martin Leszynski, who passed away on August 15, 2026, at Foothills Hospital at the age of 67. Jim was born in Stettler, Alberta, and was raised in Red Deer and Red Deer County.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James “Jim” Martin Leszynski, who passed away on August 15, 2026, at Foothills Hospital at the age of 67.

08/18/2026

The federal government has proposed repealing national electric-vehicle sales requirements, opening a 75-day period for public comment before a final decision.

Ottawa proposes repealing federal electric-vehicle sales requirements, opening a 75-day public comment period before a final decision.