Claresholm Local Press

By Justin Sibbet, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Following a record-high number of overdose fatalities in the province last year, the funeral processions are not stopping. Like the province, Lethbridge also saw a yearly record rate of fatal overdose victims, with 124 total deaths in 2023. This is up dramatically from 78 deaths in 2022 and 70 the year before that. Dr. … Read more…

By Jessica Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A planned logging operation in the upper Highwood River watershed threatens critical habitat for at-risk trout species, raising concerns over increased erosion, sedimentation and altered stream flows that could harm sensitive fish populations. A new report from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and Freshwater Research Ltd. found lumber company West Fraser’s 1,100-hectare … Read more…

By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Leaders of two organizations representing Alberta’s municipalities say the reasons for changes to voter ID requirements in Bill 20 are unclear and could inadvertently fuel distrust in the election process. Proposed changes in Bill 20 would remove vouching as a form of voting ID, except in cases of confirming an elector’s physical address if … Read more…

By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Captus Generation is looking to build a natural gas-firing plant with incorporated carbon capture and sequestration in the MD of Pincher Creek.  The hub would be constructed on land purchased in Division 1 of the MD of Pincher Creek, situated directly above a depleted natural gas reservoir with wells travelling over three kilometres below … Read more…