The past year saw many unique stories in and around our city and the My Lethbridge Now newsroom wanted to share some of our most-read stories from 2023. Thank you to all of our loyal readers and listeners who make it possible for us to spend every day finding and telling stories. In no particular order, here are some of the headlines that grabbed our readers’ attention in the past year.
Lethbridge man celebrates $55 million Lotto Max win
A Lethbridge man celebrated the largest Lotto Max win in the city’s history. Aaron Parsons said he could not believe it when he saw he won $55 million.
“I started shaking violently,” he said. “I was just super overwhelmed, anxious, excited, happy, cried a little bit. Went home and told my girlfriend that we won and she didn’t believe it at first.”
Not long after the lottery win, scammers took to social media to try to get a win of their own.
Environment Canada confirms six tornado touchdowns in Lethbridge region on Wednesday
Environment Canada confirmed six tornadoes and funnel clouds touched down near Lethbridge in June.
Group rallies outside Lethbridge courthouse for infant assault victim
A small group gathered outside the Lethbridge courthouse in January as parents accused of assaulting and sexually assaulting their six-week-old daughter made a court appearance.
Many of the protesters traveled from other parts of the province to call for strict penalties for the accused and carried signs calling for bail to be denied.
‘She is not welcome on our campus’: hundreds rally against controversial speaker at U of L
Hundreds of University of Lethbridge students attended what was supposed to be a talk from former Mount Royal University professor, Dr. Frances Widdowson, with a clear message that she was not welcome on the campus. Widdowson was scheduled to give a talk on “how ‘woke-ism’ threatens academic freedom” on Feb. 1, but it was cancelled by the university after many students and groups spoke out against her.
Man facing fines after single vehicle collision shuts down Whoop Up Drive
Both river crossings were shut down briefly in June after a single vehicle collision on Whoop Up Drive. Increased traffic on the Crowsnest Highway resulted in a second collision involving 10 vehicles.
Premier Smith questioned on pregnancy care at Lethbridge hospital
Premier Danielle Smith took questions from members of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and was pressed on the need for obstetrical care in the city.
Dr. Sharon Rowen pointed out an Alberta Health Services prenatal clinic was funded for a year, but does not know what will happen when the money runs out. She is a family physician, specialized in low risk pregnancies and says she is one of the few remaining obstetrical care providers in the community.
Man facing charges in connection to two north side bank robberies
A man was arrested in connection to two armed robberies at the same bank in north Lethbridge in April. The incidents happened on March 17 and April 11 at the CIBC on 13 Street North and police said a vehicle with distinctive features helped identify the suspect.
Crowd protests Galt Garden fencing before idea defeated in council chambers
A crowd gathered outside city hall as councillors inside discussed the idea of installing a wrought iron fence around Galt Gardens. Many people in the crowd carried signs calling for housing, not fencing and saying public parks do not need fences.
Parks and Playground Passport returns this summer
The Parks & Playground Passport returned for summer ’23. The scavenger hunt style activity took community members through various parks and playgrounds in the city and this summer, kids had the opportunity to name a new reptile climber at one of the local playgrounds.
Hundreds protest, counter protest gender policy in schools in Lethbridge
Hundreds of people gathered outside Lethbridge city hall to both protest and counter protest Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sexual Orientation guidelines in Lethbridge schools (SOGI).