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

Alberta teachers announce strike notice

Release date: 2025 09 10 Teachers will be on strike October 6, if a deal isn’t reached between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA). Reaching a negotiated settlement for teachers, students and their families remains our priority. “What teachers want is simple: classrooms that are properly funded and wages that reflect their value to … Read more

Forever Canadian petition comes to town

By Rob Vogt People had the chance last week to sign a petition seeking a referendum on the question: “Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?”Jackie Chalmers was downtown seeking signatures on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.The group she is with needs to gather at least 300,000 signatures, representing 10 per cent of the electorate who voted in the … Read more

Students back in class at Willow Creek Composite High School

By Rob Vogt Willow Creek Composite High School was a busy place last week, as students returned to classes on Sept. 2.“There’s lots of things happening,” said Principal Robert Rodgers.Enrollment has remained steady at 366 students, just as projected.The school has also welcomed five new teachers.Ella Maleszewski is teaching physical education and is the school’s new athletic director.Kaitlyn Bowman, who is … Read more