EDMONTON — A man is facing 16 charges after Red Deer RCMP executed a search warrant that resulted in a large drug seizure.

On April 30, RCMP conducted a search warrant on a home in the Highland Green neighbourhood and found a large amount of drugs and a weapon.

Crime Reduction Team officers found a loaded firearm, ammunition, money and a large amount of drugs and trafficking material, said RCMP.

Those drugs included:

• 17 g of Methamphetamine
• 67 g of Fentanyl
• 3 g of suspected Carfentanil
• 2 g of cocaine

Matthew Ridsdale, 36, faces 16 charges including:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x3)
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x2)
• Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x2)
• Careless use of a firearm
• Illegal possession of government documents
• Possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000
• Fail to comply probation order (x4)
• Fail to comply with release order conditions

Ridsdale is scheduled to appear at Red Deer Provincial Court on Thursday.

CALGARY — British Columbia RCMP officials confirm a 41-year-old man has been charged following the recent discovery of a body east of Radium, B.C.

Philip Toner, 41, faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of 35-year-old Brenda Ware.

Ware, who lived on a rural property between the Alberta towns of Sundre and Cremona, went missing earlier this month.

Her body was located near her vehicle on May 6 at a location approximately 50 kilometres east of Radium along Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park.

RCMP released a photograph of Philip Toner on Tuesday and indicated he was considered a person of interest in connection with the suspicious death investigation.

Toner was arrested that same day in the central Okanagan region of B.C. and, on Wednesday, RCMP officials confirmed a second-degree murder charge had been laid.

The accused appeared in Kelowna provincial court Wednesday morning ahead of his scheduled return to Alberta.

According to RCMP, the second-degree murder charge was officially laid by Alberta courts as its believed the alleged offense occurred within Alberta’s boundaries.

“Although a charge has now been laid in relation to this complex, inter-provincial criminal investigation, the investigation is still very much active and ongoing at this time,” said acting officer-In-charge Supt. Sanjaya Wijayakoon of the BC RCMP Major Crime Section.

“We continue to share Toner’s photo in an effort to advance the investigation,”

RCMP officials are asking anyone who was in contact with Toner between May 4 and 11 to contact police immediately.

Anyone who may have offered or provided a ride to a hitchhiker between Columbia Valley and Lake Country in recent days is also encouraged to reach out to police.

MIRROR — RCMP say they ticketed four people after an anti-lockdown rally was attended by hundreds in central Alberta over the weekend.

A “Save Alberta Campout Protest” was held Saturday outside the Whistle Stop Cafe in the hamlet of Mirror, Alta., to support owner Chris Scott as health officials had closed his business earlier in the week.

Alberta Health Services had said they received hundreds of complaints about the cafe and that it had not been complying with COVID-19 restrictions.

Scott, who also organized the rally, stood on a stage in the rain and rallied the crowd to challenge measures meant to curb the spread of the virus.

He was arrested a few hours later and RCMP say they ticketed four people under the Public Health Act for attending the gathering.

A court decision last week gives health authorities and the RCMP the power to take legal action to stop any planned protests of public health restrictions.

EDMONTON — Nazi and confederate flags were flying at a property near Breton, Alta., Tuesday.

RCMP have been in contact with the property owner, but the flags were still up on Tuesday afternoon.

“Our investigation continues as to whether this is a criminal act or not,” RCMP said in a statement to CTV News Edmonton.

According to a neighbour, the person who lives at the property is new to the area.

Breton is around an hour southwest of Edmonton.

It is unknown how long the flags have been up for.

EDMONTON — The EE Football Team lost more than $7 million last year after revenues fell by 84 per cent from the year before, according to the team’s latest annual report. 

Board of Directors Chair Janice Agrios called 2020 “the most difficult year” in the team’s history. 

“These are uncertain times,” she wrote in the report. “Many have suffered and lost loved ones. But Edmonton is and has always been resilient. Our team and our fans are no different.”

The team said it incurred “significant expenses and commitments” in preparing to play a modified 2020 season that was eventually called off before it could start on Aug. 17. 

Team revenue fell down to $3.8 million last year after reaching $23.5 million the year before. 

The club says it relied on the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy for $2.5 million.

The report noted the organization had reduced its football and business staff to a “skeleton operation” amid the pandemic. 

The team is still planning on the Canadian Football League holding a 14-game season, but the report indicates it’s looking at other options should the 2021 season be cancelled as well. 

“Every member of this organization has the following goals. Playing games in front of fans, making the experience safe and enjoyable, and presenting a championship caliber football team,” wrote Chris Presson, the team’s president.

The team did not give an indication regarding when it was revealing its new name. 

“The team will take to the field this year with a new name,” Agrios wrote. “We expect to be in a position to announce a new name shortly.”

The team had previously said it intended to reveal its rebrand this spring. 

The CFL is expecting to return this year with a full 18-game season but has delayed its planned start to Aug. 5 and reduced its schedule to 14 games.