Nurses’ strike narrowly averted; agreement to be voted on

By Rob Vogt It literally went down to the last minute before auxiliary nursing care licensed practical nurses and health care aides were set to go on strike. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees reported their negotiating team secured a tentative agreement with the employer, Alberta Health Services, just one minute before a strike was scheduled to begin. Members still … Read more

Candidates running for mayor of Claresholm make their pitch

By Rob Vogt The two men seeking to be mayor of Claresholm were front and centre last week, making their case for ratepayers to choose them.Challenger Lon Hall and incumbent Brad Schlossberger attended a candidates forum the Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce and the Claresholm Local Press hosted at the Claresholm Community Centre on Oct. 8.It was moderated by … Read more

Decades-long provincial underfunding threatens rural infrastructure, municipalities say

Published on Sep 15, 2025 at 05:56 By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A critical need for infrastructure spending persists in rural Alberta because of decades of provincial government neglect, says the president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta. Kara Westerlund, a councillor in central Alberta’s Brazeau County, said the unique needs of the countryside aren’t met in current funding … Read more

Let’s address that code of conduct void, rural leader tells province

Published on Sep 08, 2025 at 12:13 By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Unresolved issues surround a new provincial act that eliminates council codes of conduct, the president of the association representing rural municipalities said in advance of the fall sitting of the Alberta legislature. Kara Westerlund, a Brazeau County councillor and the president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, … Read more