All Lethbridge Articles
Discover all 53 articles about Lethbridge, Southern Alberta.
Lethbridge Hail Storm: Red Alerts Issued for Coaldale and Claresholm as Baseball-Size Hail Warnings Hit Southern Alberta
Environment Canada issued red alerts Tuesday evening for extremely dangerous thunderstorms near Coaldale and Claresholm, warning of baseball size or greater hail. Claresholm was pounded. Storms tracked east across southern Alberta into the night as part of a system running the length of the province.
Lethbridge Wastewater Rates Will Rise 18% a Year Until 2030 to Pay for a $261 Million Plant Expansion
City council voted unanimously to borrow up to $261 million for the largest infrastructure project in Lethbridge's history, a 50 per cent expansion of a wastewater plant last enlarged in the 1980s. It's paid through your utility bill: rates climb 18.05 per cent a year from 2027 to 2030, adding $23.05 a month to the average household by the end of it. Here's what the money builds, why council wouldn't wait, and what your bill looks like each year.
Things to Do in Lethbridge This Long Weekend: July 31–August 3, 2026 (Heritage Day Festival & More)
Heritage Day gets marked twice in Lethbridge on Monday: free at Henderson Lake Park with the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association, and at Nikka Yuko with taiko drumming, a lion dance and a new yukata dressing experience. Plus three Bulls home games and the Saturday market.
Lethbridge Drug Bust: Freddy Krueger Claws, Hundreds of Weapons, and 23 Illegal Guns in One of ALERT's Largest Weapons Seizures
ALERT found 19 rifles, three shotguns, a pistol and 4,700 rounds of ammunition in a home on 7 Avenue North, along with roughly 170 knives and edged weapons. None of the firearms were lawfully owned. One of the two people charged is under a lifetime firearms prohibition. For scale, ALERT's Lethbridge organized crime team seized five firearms in all of 2024-25.
Lethbridge Legacy Park Knife Attack: 14 Year Old Charged, 19 Year Old Hospitalized
Two masked males approached a 19-year-old at Legacy Park just after midnight. One of them had a knife. Police set a cordon and searched the park that night without finding him. Among the four charges laid against a 14-year-old is a breach of a probation order that told him not to possess weapons.
Things to Do in Lethbridge This Weekend: July 24–26, 2026 (Natsu Matsuri at Nikka Yuko & More)
Whoop-Up Days is still a few weeks off, which leaves the river valley and Henderson Lake to carry the weekend — and they deliver: Nikka Yuko marks its 50th anniversary with a summer festival, the Bulls play a Friday-night home game, and Fort Whoop-Up and the coulee trails are open all weekend. Here's everything worth getting off the couch for.
Lethbridge Encampment Calls Down 72% From Last Summer: What the City's 2026 Data Actually Shows
Lethbridge logged 159 encampment-related 311 calls in the second quarter of 2026, down from 454 in the same stretch last year, a 72 per cent drop the city credits to centralizing services for vulnerable residents. The number is real and the trend is real. What a 311 call can and can't measure is the part worth understanding.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Hosts Free UNESCO 50th Anniversary Celebration July 29: Event Details and What to Know Before You Go
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is one of just three Canadian World Heritage sites chosen to host celebrations marking 50 years since Canada signed the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The free, family-friendly event runs July 29 with drumming, dancing, guided tours and activities. Here's what's planned, and everything worth knowing for a visit to the World Heritage site sitting 45 minutes from Lethbridge.
Tornado Watch Issued for Lethbridge and Southern Alberta: Hail, Damaging Winds and a Tornado Risk Today
Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch for southern Alberta, covering everywhere within about 130 kilometres of Lethbridge. Conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes later today, along with large hail, strong winds and heavy rain. This is a watch, not a warning, so there's still time to prepare. Here's what it covers and what to do if a warning follows.
Southern Alberta Fire Danger Is Climbing as the Heat Peaks: Where Fire Bans Are in Effect Right Now
Southern Alberta is in the hottest, driest stretch of summer, and fire risk is climbing with it. Lethbridge's River Valley is under a full fire ban, Cypress County around Medicine Hat has had one of its worst fire seasons in years, and a dry-lightning threat is forecast to push toward the Alberta border this week. But the status is patchy, banned in some places, clear in others. Here's where things stand and how to check your own area.
Lethbridge Street Machine Weekend: Police Issue 257 Tickets and Say a Fire Truck Got Stuck in the Crowd
Lethbridge police issued 257 tickets over this year's Street Machine Weekend, but the bigger concern in their account is public safety. An unofficial gathering drew an estimated 2,000 people and 800 vehicles, a fire truck responding to reports of smoke got stuck in traffic gridlock, and a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Friday night. Police say they'll review the event to decide what more is needed.
ASIRT Is Investigating After a 22-Year-Old Man Fell From Lethbridge's High Level Bridge and Died During a Police Response
Alberta's police watchdog, ASIRT, has been called to investigate the death of a 22-year-old man who fell from Lethbridge's High Level Bridge on Sunday. Lethbridge police say officers had responded to a report of a man on the bridge deck, and that he backed away and fell as they approached. He was pronounced dead at the scene. ASIRT investigates any death that happens in connection with police, which is standard procedure.
Lethbridge Drug House Shut Down for 90 Days After Neighbours' Complaints
A north Lethbridge home tied to persistent drug activity has been ordered closed for 90 days after a SCAN investigation that started in March 2025. The property was boarded up and fenced off at noon on July 7 and stays closed until October 5, with conditions in place for two more years. Police seized drugs at the home last year and arrested four people.
Lethbridge Firefighters Rescued Six People from the Oldman River Weir. Their Raft Had Deflated. None Were Wearing Life Jackets.
Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services responded to the Oldman River weir on the evening of July 5 after six boaters were caught in dangerous high-water conditions when their inflatable raft deflated. None of the six were wearing personal flotation devices. Crews from four stations, eight emergency apparatus, and 18 firefighters responded. The Water Rescue Team deployed two boats and brought all six safely to shore. No injuries were reported. A boating advisory remains in effect for the Oldman River.
ASIRT Clears Lethbridge Police After Woman Dies in Custody in 2023. The Report Details Missed Checks and a Fatal Overdose
ASIRT has released its findings into the September 2, 2023 death of a woman in Lethbridge Police Service custody. No criminal charges will be laid against any officer or staff member. The report documents missed wellness checks, a supervising officer who nudged an unresponsive woman with his foot and left, and a commissionaire who recorded checks she did not complete. The woman died of acute p-fluorofentanyl intoxication. The investigation took nearly three years.
Lethbridge Urges Residents to Stay Away from the Oldman River on Canada Day as Flows Hit 900 Cubic Metres Per Second
The City of Lethbridge issued an urgent update at 9:45 a.m. on July 1 warning residents to stay away from the Oldman River after significant rainfall caused flows to rise to 900 cubic metres per second. That is higher than the peaks seen during the June flooding events and well above the normal Canada Day flow of 200 to 250 cubic metres per second. Pavan Park, Popson Park, Alexander Wilderness Park, and Cottonwood Park are all closed. No flood risk to homes or infrastructure has been identified
Lethbridge Closed Its Last Harm Reduction Site Today After Overdose Deaths Fell 89 Percent. Not Everyone Thinks That's Why
The Lethbridge Overdose Prevention Site closed July 1, 2026 after six years of operation outside the Lethbridge Wellness Shelter. The City of Lethbridge requested the closure in a January 2026 letter to the province following a 7-2 council vote in December 2025. In its place: a RAAM clinic, 10 new withdrawal beds, and a 24-hour outreach team. Overdose deaths in Lethbridge are down 89.7 percent since 2023 according to city statistics cited by Mayor Hyggen. Harm reduction experts say closing the site is not evidence-based
Lethbridge Has No Commercial Flights for the First Time in Decades. The Hunt for a Replacement Has Begun
WestJet flew its last flight out of Lethbridge Regional Airport on June 24. No replacement carrier has been confirmed. The airport still handles about 100 movements a day through medevac, charter, flight training, and agricultural aviation. The city has a 2026 Airport Workplan in place and is in active talks with carriers. The province is willing to spend up to $5 million to underwrite a replacement carrier. Submissions close July 6.
West Lethbridge Is Getting a $300 Million Development. A Hotel, Wendy's, 450 Homes, and a Seniors Facility Are All Coming to The Crossings
The Core Crossing development broke ground May 29, 2026 in west Lethbridge with a total estimated investment of $300 million. The project brings the first full-service hotel in West Lethbridge, a new Wendy's, 100,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space, 450 residential units, and a new Green Acres Foundation seniors facility. Completion is expected by 2030.
Lethbridge Police Are Warning Residents About a Fake Text Message Claiming You Owe Money for an Unpaid Ticket
Lethbridge Police issued a fraud warning on June 22 about a text message scam claiming recipients have unpaid fines or tickets and must click a link to pay. The messages are fraudulent. LPS, the City of Lethbridge, and the Government of Alberta do not send text messages requesting fine payments. Delete the message immediately and do not click anything.
A 25-Year-Old Lethbridge Man Identified as Gunman Who Killed Montreal Police Officer and Innocent Bystander
Seth Scott Hatfield, 25, of Lethbridge, Alberta, has been identified by Quebec's coroner as the gunman who opened fire on Montreal police officers outside a Hilton hotel in Côte-des-Neiges on June 22. A Montreal police officer and an innocent bystander were killed. Hatfield died in the exchange. Lethbridge Police conducted a high-risk search at a home on Lemoyne Crescent on Tuesday.
Lethbridge Police Caught Two Teenagers Street Racing at 125 km/h on Mayor Magrath Drive and Issued 116 Tickets in One Weekend
On June 5, a motorcycle officer watched a truck and a sedan race down Mayor Magrath Drive South at speeds over 125 km/h, weaving through traffic. The drivers — aged 16 and 17 — were criminally charged with dangerous driving. The following night, a targeted enforcement operation resulted in 116 violation tickets and three impaired driving sanctions.
Lethbridge's Henderson Ice Centre Is Getting a $6 Million Makeover. Phase Two Is Underway Now.
The Henderson Ice Centre at 2301 Parkside Drive South is halfway through a two-phase $6.1 million modernization. Four new dressing rooms with private bathrooms are already done and came in on budget. Phase two started this spring and covers a new entrance, expanded lobby, and renovated washrooms. The whole project wraps late summer 2026 before hockey season starts.
WestJet's Last Flights Out of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat Are June 24. Neither City Has a Replacement.
WestJet Encore's final scheduled flights from both Lethbridge and Medicine Hat depart June 24. After that, neither city has commercial passenger service. Both have been working to attract new carriers since February. No airline has committed to either route yet.
Oldman River Peaks Tonight in Lethbridge. Stay Off the Coulee Trails
The Oldman River is under a high streamflow advisory and expected to peak Wednesday evening between 750 and 1,000 cubic metres per second. That is the highest Lethbridge has seen in several years. Minor flooding of low-lying river valley parks and trails is expected. Overland flooding is not.
Lethbridge's Southern Alberta Art Gallery Is Turning 50 and Getting Its Biggest Renovation in Half a Century
The Southern Alberta Art Gallery Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin is undergoing a $7 million renovation at its home in Galt Gardens. Construction starts in 2026. The gallery is operating offsite at the Lethbridge Trade and Convention Centre during the build. Admission is free while the gallery is in community.
City of Lethbridge Closes All Outdoor Sports Fields Until at Least Wednesday Due to Heavy Rainfall
The City of Lethbridge has closed all outdoor community sports fields due to heavy rainfall. Fields will remain closed through at least Wednesday, June 3, with a reassessment on June 4. Anyone with games or practices scheduled this week needs to check before showing up
Environment Canada Issues Rainfall Warning for Southern Alberta Through Wednesday. Up to 100 mm Is Coming
A rainfall warning is in effect for Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and communities across southern Alberta through Wednesday morning. Total amounts of 50 to 100 mm are expected. The Oldman River and South Saskatchewan River are both being monitored.
Minimum Wage Jobs Hiring in Lethbridge Right Now — What You'll Actually Earn in 2026
Alberta's minimum wage is $15 an hour and hasn't moved since 2018. In Lethbridge, most entry-level jobs start there — but several employers are paying significantly above it. Here's what's actually hiring, what it pays, and how to apply.
Lethbridge Police Investigate Westside Shooting at Airbnb House Party That Ran for Nearly a Week
A single shot was fired through a second-floor bedroom window on Lafayette Boulevard West in the early hours of May 10. The home had been rented on Airbnb and used for a nearly week-long party with attendees from outside the city. Police are still looking for witnesses.
$1.7 Million Alberta Tax Credit Expands Lactalis Dairy Plants in Lethbridge and Calgary
Lactalis Canada has received a $1.7 million Alberta tax credit to expand facilities in both Lethbridge and Calgary. The Lethbridge plant makes the yogurt and cottage cheese. Calgary handles the milk. Both are getting bigger.
A Lethbridge Professor Just Made the University of Lethbridge a Hub for One of Philosophy's Most Important Journals
The University of Lethbridge is now the publishing home of Informal Logic, a 47-year-old peer-reviewed journal and the only open-access publication in Argumentation Theory. Two ULethbridge students are already on the editorial team.
Alberta Rejects Further EMS Talks With Lethbridge as September 30 Contract Deadline Nears
Alberta has rejected Lethbridge's request to continue negotiating its integrated Fire and EMS contract. With the current deal expiring September 30, 2026, the city has four months to find an alternative — or lose a system that has been running since 1912.
Thousands Are Heading to Lethbridge Alberta for Canada’s First-Ever Grand Slam of Baseball
Ten days of baseball, food trucks, live music, and a Canadian Baseball Legends Gala featuring former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar. The Canadian Grand Slam of Baseball runs May 21 to 31 at Spitz Stadium.
Lethbridge Is More Interesting Than You Think. Here's What to Do There This Summer.
From a Japanese garden built in Kyoto and shipped to the prairies, to Canada's largest birds of prey centre and a whisky-trading fort in a river valley, Lethbridge has a summer lineup that surprises most people who haven't been paying attention.
Lethbridge Rejects Province's EMS Contract, Warns New Terms Would Cost Taxpayers $182 Extra Per Home
Lethbridge City Council has refused to accept new Emergency Health Services contract conditions from the province, citing costs that would grow to $4.6 million annually by 2029 and add nearly $200 to the average homeowner's tax bill.
Lethbridge Man Charged With Impersonating Police Officer After SUV Traffic Stop
Lethbridge police say a 20-year-old man was charged after officers stopped a black Ford Explorer that appeared similar to a law enforcement vehicle, with police-style lights, siren speakers, a push bar, antennas, and a “Police Interceptor” sticker.
Lethbridge Man Charged With Sexual Assault in Two Grocery Store Parking Lot Incidents; Police Believe More Victims Exist
Mackenzie Jackson Murray, 35, of Fort Macleod faces two sexual assault charges after incidents at separate Lethbridge grocery store parking lots in April and May. Police have released his photo and are asking potential additional victims to come forward.
Lethbridge Man Facing Child Sex Charges Caught With Teen at Pool Parking Lot, Police Say
David Hernandez, 36, was already out on bail for child sexual assault and child pornography charges when officers found him with a 15-year-old girl at a northside pool. He's now charged with breaching his release conditions.
Lethbridge Police Crack Down on Speeding, Street Racing and Loud Exhausts 63 Tickets Issued on Day One
Lethbridge Police have relaunched their annual summer traffic enforcement project, and the first day alone netted 63 tickets, one impaired driver, and a towed vehicle
How a Lethbridge Student’s Story on the Real Cost of Studying in Canada Landed Her a National Media Internship
Patience Omeruo, a second-year Digital Communications and Media student from Nigeria, has been named the latest recipient of the Troy Reeb Internship, a two‑week placement that drops one student each year inside Global News and Corus Radio newsrooms in Toronto and Ottawa.
Professional Basketball Is Returning to Lethbridge for the First Time in Decades
The Calgary Surge will play in Lethbridge on June 20 — the first professional basketball game in the city since the Alberta Dusters folded in the early 1980s. For a city with deep basketball roots, it is a bigger deal than it might appear.
More People Are Visiting Lethbridge, But They're Spending Less Here's What the Numbers Say
Tourism Lethbridge's 2025 Power of Tourism report shows trips to the city jumped 9.5 per cent last year, international visits rose 9.4 per cent, but visitor spending dipped slightly a sign the city is drawing more people while working to keep them longer.
Two Lethbridge Residents Arrested After Police Find Loaded Submachine Gun and Drugs in Vehicle
A man and woman face dozens of weapons and drug charges after Lethbridge police found a loaded Sten submachine gun, two sawed-off shotguns, and hundreds of grams of meth and cocaine in a vehicle and nearby home.
Alberta Commits $74 Million to Replace Cardston's 1959-Era Hospital What It Means for Southern Alberta
The Cardston Health Centre has been standing since Eisenhower was president. On Friday, the province finally said it's time for something new committing $74 million to kick off a replacement project with a total price tag of $474 million. The implications reach well beyond the small southern Alberta town.
Lethbridge Job Posting Offering $36/Hour Sparks Questions Over Use of Foreign Worker Program
A retail supervisor job in Lethbridge offering $36 per hour is prompting debate after the employer applied to hire through Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker program, raising questions about hiring practices and labour availability.
Five Charged With First-Degree Murder in Lethbridge Homicide
Five people have been charged with first-degree murder following the death of a 27-year-old man in Lethbridge late last month.
Lethbridge Approves $33,000 Funding for International Tae Kwon-Do World Cup
Lethbridge City Council has approved $33,000 in funding to help bring an international Tae Kwon-Do World Cup to the city, a move expected to generate nearly $750,000 in local economic activity.
Lethbridge Mattresses: The Unlikely New Addition to Your Yard Waste Run
Starting April 1, residents will be able to drop off mattresses and box springs at any of the City of Lethbridge's yard waste sites... this is a direct response to keeping our community clean and making disposal as accessible as possible
Four Southern Alberta Post-Secondary Institutions Sign Landmark Partnership Agreement
The University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Red Crow Community College and Medicine Hat College have formalized a regional partnership aimed at creating clearer pathways for students and collaborative research across southern Alberta.
Taber Alberta Wins Kraft Hockeyville 2026 $250K and an NHL Game Coming to the Town That Refused to Quit
Less than four months after a Zamboni explosion destroyed their arena, the southern Alberta town of Taber has won the 2026 Kraft Hockeyville competition, securing $250,000 for repairs and the chance to host an NHL pre-season game.
Lethbridge’s Largest Fentanyl Bust in History: 2.25 kg Seized from Victoria Park Home
ALERT and the Lethbridge Police Service pulled 2.25 kilograms of fentanyl enough for roughly 22,000 doses from a home near Chinook Regional Hospital. A 49-year-old woman already out on bail for a prior fentanyl bust was arrested.
Two Lethbridge Men Charged With First-Degree Murder After Man Found Dead in South Side Apartment
Two Lethbridge men face first-degree murder charges after a 27-year-old was found dead inside a south side apartment at 6:30 a.m. on March 27. Police say it was targeted. The killing is the city's first recorded homicide of 2026 in a city that saw just one murder in all of 2024.