By Rob Vogt By all accounts, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot was a successful program for the Town of Claresholm.Officials with Alberta Immigration and Multiculturalism were recently in Claresholm where they were updated on the program.Claresholm was one of 11 communities in Canada approved for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program, and the only community to be … Read more…
By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s government has invested $4.3 million toward two specialized surveillance teams to support fighting crime in rural Alberta, which are now fully operational. “Two new surveillance teams are filling a gap by helping rural RCMP detachments with local investigations to combat local crime,” said Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services, in … Read more…
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter September 25, 2024 In an ongoing effort to combat drug use and ensure community safety, Piikani Nation RCMP have issued a critical warning regarding the circulation of a dangerous drug known as U-47700. Also referred to as pink, pinky or U4, the opioid has been linked to several recent overdoses and multiple deaths, Piikani … Read more…
GEORGE LEE MACLEOD GAZETTE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE Health-care understaffing, limited access to services and reduced emergency department hours — they’re features of rural life that Albertans should not be forced to endure, the health minister acknowledged Oct. 7. But Adriana LaGrange said her government is on the case through health-care delivery restructuring and a strategic document called Rural Health Care Action Plan … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A shift to regionalization extends victim services access to “every Albertan in every corner of the province,” says Mike Ellis, the minister of public safety and emergency services. Before the change, 14 areas of Alberta went unserved, Ellis wrote in an opinion piece his ministry distributed to media. “That means if you were a … Read more…
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter In a unique blend of tradition and conservation, dozens of people gathered Saturday near Buffalo Rock Tipi Camp in Piikani Nation to participate in the annual Peigan Friends Along the River fish rescue. This drive, founded by Harley Bastien in 1990, aims to save fish trapped in the irrigation canal after water levels drop … Read more…
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter In the heart of Pincher Creek, a land parcel serves as a beloved community space featuring a picturesque walking trail and off-leash dog park where residents enjoy the tranquility of nature. However, beneath its surface lies a rich tapestry of history that remains largely unrecognized. According to town councillor David Green, this land may … Read more…