Firefighting support boosted at community level

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The government is throwing fuel on the firefighting in Alberta communities this year to bolster public safety. More support for training and response is being combined with enhanced collaboration to “help keep Albertans and their communities safe,” said Tany Yao, the UCP member for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo. The government is providing $585,000 to support … Read more

Province charts course to full restoration of grants-in-place-of-taxes system

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta is financially sound enough to fully restore municipal grants based on the value of local taxation on eligible provincial properties, the government said today. The budget tabled last month paves the way for putting $17 million more into the hands of municipalities in 2025 through the grants-in-place-of-taxes system. Another $20 million is projected … Read more

RCMP delivers third quarter report to council

By Mickey Dumont Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Claresholm’s top cop RCMP Sergeant Perry Pelletier, had little to reveal in his third-quarter report to town council, adding up to good news for the community.Pelletier’s 2024 third quarter report covers RCMP activity from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.“This report serves to provide a quarterly snapshot of human resources, financial data, and crime … Read more

Elementary school students learn about lacrosse

By Rob Vogt Students at West Meadow Elementary School learned more last week about Canada’s national game and the oldest sport in North America.Jake Gillis of Elev8 Lacrosse was at the school throughout the week introducing students to lacrosse.For many, it is their first exposure to the game.“They always enjoy it,” said Gillis, adding there is another reason to get … Read more

No fee increase as ATCO prepares franchise agreement

By Mickey Dumont Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ATCO is proposing the Town of Claresholm again enter into a 20-year natural gas franchise agreement.Last signed in 2005, Dan Magnan Senior Manager, Lethbridge Region appeared as a delegation at council’s Feb. 24 meeting to remind them the 20-year lease is coming due.The Town of Claresholm has an agreement with ATCO Gas and … Read more

Provincial budget covers access improvements for three remote Indigenous communities

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Paving the only access route to a trio of remote Alberta Indigenous communities found a home in the province’s first deficit budget since 2021. Capital spending in the budget tabled Thursday includes work on Highway 58, serving John D’Or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River. “The paved highway will improve mobility for more than … Read more