Driving deep: minister hears perspectives and gathers ideas during tour of central and southern Alberta

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams renewed his appreciation of one swath of rural Alberta and the people who live there during a whirlwind summertime tour. In just over one zig-zagging week in July, the premier’s latest pick for the portfolio discussed issues of the day with government and community leaders and stakeholders in more … Read more

Municipal District of Willow Creek purchases new loader

By Rob Vogt The Municipal District of Willow Creek will spend almost $500,000 on a new loader for its gravel operations.At its Aug. 20 meeting, M.D. council was updated on the situation by Derrick Krizsan, the M.D.’s chief administrative officer.He explained the municipality’s 2016 Caterpillar – CAT 950M was struck by lightning, and is currently being inspected by a Caterpillar … Read more

Town council approves $1.1 million water meter replacement

By Rob Vogt Water meters in Claresholm have reached the end of life, and must be replaced.At its Aug. 11 meeting, Claresholm town council awarded a contract for about $1.1 million to replace water meters, after hearing a report from Chief Administrative Officer Abe Tinney.Referring to a written report, he said the water meters, encoder receiver transmitters, and data collection system … Read more

Nanton, Alberta RCMP partnering on new detachment on Highway 2

Rob Vogt After more than a year of exploratory discussions, The Town of Nanton and Alberta RCMP are excited to announce an initiative that will re-locate the present detachment from 2501 – 21st to 1907 – 21st Avenue, the present location of the town office on Highway 2 south.Council and the RCMP agree that a strong, visible and accessible police … Read more

Province cracking down on predatory tow trucks

By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Alberta government has introduced new rules to help protect citizens involved in collisions by cracking down on predatory tow trucking practices. Effective tomorrow, August 8, these rules will include a 200-metre exclusion radius around collision scenes, prohibiting tow truck drivers or anyone directing tow trucks from pitching their services to victims. Anyone who … Read more

Claresholm town council takes no action on request for air monitoring station

By Rob Vogt The Town of Claresholm will take no action on a request to install an air monitoring station on town property for one year.At its July 14 meeting, town council discussed the request, made by Cynthia Wannamaker, who is the town’s representative on the Calgary Regional Airshed Zone.She appeared as a delegation at council’s June 23 meeting to … Read more

M.D. of Willow Creek council updated on status of capital projects

By Rob Vogt The Municipal District of Willow Creek continues to work on several infrastructure projects throughout the municipality, including roads, sidewalks in Granum, bridges, shop improvements, and more.At M.D. council’s July 23 meeting, Craig Pittman, the M.D.’s director of infrastructure, outlined the projects, as follows:Granum stormwater managementThis project involves designing and constructing drainage improvements in Granum and surrounding area … Read more