News
M.D. farmland taxes increase, residential taxes decrease
By Rob VogtRatepayers in the Municipal District of Willow Creek who own farmland will see an 13 percent increase in their mill rate, those who own residential property will see a 21 percent decrease, and the non-residential mill rate will go up two per cent.At its April 10 meeting, the M.D. council discussed what the mill rate for 2024 will … Read more…
Province investing in EMS systems
By Steffanie Costigan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Alberta government announced on Thursday $35 million in funding over three years to assist with reducing emergency response times and support EMS workers. “We will outline significant steps our government and partners are taking to enhance the emergency response capabilities and healthcare across Alberta, said Alberta Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange on Thursday … Read more…
Revamped health advisory system gives voice to rural Albertans – minister
4/16/24By: George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Revamped advisory councils blanketing the province will help ensure that the government understands and addresses rural health-care challenges while improving service, the health minister said Monday. Rural Alberta will be heard through 13 new advisory councils – 12 regional and one Indigenous – that give traction to diverse concerns and ideas, said Adriana … Read more…
Lessons learned from record-breaking 2023 inform province’s approach to new wildfire season, minister says
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Innovations that prepare Alberta to attack wildfires sooner, more efficiently and more effectively are baked into an updated approach after last year’s record-breaking season, Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen told The Macleod Gazette. “Our number one concern is public and community safety when we’re dealing with wildfires,” said Loewen, the UCP member … Read more…
Bears starting to emerge from hibernation in Jasper National Park
By Scott Hayes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Jasper National Park has confirmed that the first black bear sighting occurred locally on Tuesday, April 2 in the area between Old Fort Point and Jasper Park Lodge. This report is on par with the first sighting last year, which occurred on March 31, 2023. “Spring brings important changes to the landscape and to … Read more…
Alberta eyes greater reliance on wildfire technology
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter What if you showed up for an Alberta wildfire and your water source was frozen over? That was just one of the many challenges crews faced last year in a long, arduous and record-breaking season that burned a combined area the size of Prince Edward Island – times four. Todd Loewen, the minister of … Read more…