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Ministers discuss impact of Bill C-75 on rural crime

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South News“Rural crime is at a tipping point,” Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis told reporters during a rural media roundtable on April 12.Joined by the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Tyler Shandro, the Ministers spoke to rural reporters about Budget 2023’s impact on safety, policing, and justice in rural communities.Budget 2023 announced $1.2 billion in annual funding to operating expenses for Public Safety and Emergency Services, $709 million for public security in 2023–24, $34 million in 2023–24, $37 million in 2024–25, and $40 million in 2025–26 for correctional services. The budget also includes $15 million in funding over two years to operate the newly created Chief Provincial Firearms Office, and $65 million over three years in funding to help strengthen First Nations policing, a portion of which will support the Blood Tribe Police Service.According to Minister Ellis, “Budget 2023 boosted funding to the Alberta Sher...

County to hold public hearing on advertising bylaw

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLethbridge County is looking to formalize methods for advertising public notices in Lethbridge County and will be holding a public hearing on May 18 to hear input on the proposed bylaw.Bylaw 23-013 passed first reading during the April 6 regular meeting of Lethbridge County Council. According to the report presented to Council, the proposed bylaw “reflects current practices in County advertising and public notifications.”As per the Municipal Governance Act, a municipality must advertise certain matters in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks or mail notices directly to affected landowners. The MGA stipulates announcements may be advertised via alternative methods including electronically such as websites, emailed notices, social media, apps, notice boards or newsletters. If passed, the bylaw would allow the County to use alternative means to advertise without the requirement to use a newspaper or mailed letter, “as long as the methods used coul...

Retirement questions growing concern for Albertans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

The National Association of Federal Retirees is calling on the province’s next government to act now to ensure secure, healthy and dignified retirements for Albertans.This is more important now than ever before. Albertans over age 65 are the fastest-growing population segment in the province. Over 15 per cent, or more than 725,000 Albertans, are already over age 65. By 2040, that number is expected to be over 1.1 million. By the mid-2040s, one in five Albertans will be over age 65.Alberta needs a plan for its health-care system, including urgent investment and restructuring so that health care and social services are accessible, equitable and high quality. These investments must be prioritized, along with good decisions made in Albertans’ best interests regarding public safety and the long-term retirement security of Albertans.Alberta needs a plan for a better way forward.Alberta’s next government must commit to…Bringing back an effective, independent seniors advocate and developing...

Amendment for Birds of Prey shelter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsA recent approval means some development on the Coaldale Birds of Prey lands can go forward this spring.During their regular April 11 meeting, Coaldale town council discussed the location of a new picnic shelter at the Coaldale Birds of Prey Facility.A late addition to the agenda, the item concerned an amendment to a development permit.Cameron Mills, director of growth and investment for the Town, said that last year council had approved the rezoning of the BOP land to Direct Control (DC), and approved a development permit for the education centre there. Part of that included an accessory building, or a picnic shelter. Mills said they did not have any drawings of the picnic shelter at that time.“Long story short, the Birds of Prey would like to move that picnic shelter somewhat from what it was originally proposed,” said Mills, adding that because the land is zoned DC, and the new location of the shelter crosses a property line of the lands that make...

R.I. Baker Middle School makes education into a school-wide competition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsR.I. Baker Middle School is “gamifying” education.The learning game, titled Rising Sun, Bending Reed is an eight week project which incorporates curriculum content from social studies and language arts in a game format.Then a scaled up game-board is situated in the main foyer of the middle school. Teachers Michael Willems and Jeff Smith are taking on the project for a second year.This year, students will study elements of historical Japan and will earn points based on their completion of assignments with the goal of “winning” the game. Using their knowledge of Japanese history, student’s main objective is to establish a plan, complete tasks, gather resources, and build an “army” in order to withstand the various challenges and conditions throughout Japan’s history.After a wildly successful pilot, staff applauded the project, and organizing teachers Willems and Smith for the overall positive impact on student engagement. A statement from Palliser Schoo...

UCP ministers discuss plans to boost economy during media roundtable

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

By Samantha JohnsonSouthern Alberta NewspapersLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterA rural media roundtable took place earlier this month with Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, and Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development.The population of Alberta has doubled in the last few decades and is now 4.6 million. The third quarter of 2022 saw a net migration into Alberta from other countries and provinces. The government says it is keen to attract global investment and to do so must ensure the infrastructure is in place, thus, budget 2023 has a $700 million increase to the transportation budget. A large portion of this increase will go to maintenance on the 64,000 km of Alberta roads, many that have deteriorated over the past 15 years.Jean suggested Dow Chemical could be bringing an $11-million private investment to Alberta, speculating it could create 8,000 jobs over a five-year period. Additionally, he says, other companies such as Ex...

Lethbridge County passes first reading of bylaw to amend Chinook Industrial ASP

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsInterim Director of Community Services at Lethbridge County, Hilary Janzen presented on Bylaw 23-008, which includes amendments to the existing Chinook Industrial Area Structure Plan (ASP) and rezoning of a portion of land located within it from Lethbridge Urban Fringe to Rural General Industrial and Business Light Industrial.County council previously approved the Chinook Industrial Park ASP in November 2018.“This plan (did) encompass a fairly large area of 200 acres located directly to the east of the city of Lethbridge,” explained Janzen at council’s April 6 meeting, noting the east side of the park is flanked by a St. Mary irrigation canal, marking it as an “ideal area for future industrial development.”In the past year, the land has been sold and the new landowner of the northernmost part has submitted  significant revisions to the ASP. Janzen said the new landowners, “have a particular vision for their property and how they want to see it develop...

Grant Hunter hosts Taber-Warner campaign launch in Coaldale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsMLA for the Taber-Warner riding, Grant Hunter, officially announced his candidacy for re-election as an MLA for the United Conservative Party (UCP) last week.“After eight years as your MLA, I’m putting my name forward once more,” Hunter told supporters at his campaign office in Coaldale on Thursday.As part of his campaign launch Hunter addressed supporters in Coaldale, highlighting several points concerning the Province’s fiscal standing under the UCP’s leadership, including the $13.4 billion in debt reduction commenting that the Province’s “sound financial trajectory (…) didn’t happen by chance.”“This year we were able to present another surplus budget and eliminate a $10 billion structural deficit. Rather than spending the most to provide government services, we were able to bring our spending down to the level we see in other provinces.”Highlighting the unprecedented growth within Canada’s Premier Food Corridor on Highway 3 between Medicine H...

Town building new Coaldale columbarium

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsNew resting places will be added to the Town of Coaldale Cemetery with the completion of a capital project.The cemetery’s current columbarium – a structure that stores cremation urns – is now full, and town council has added the construction of one to its 2023 Capital Budget.Previously, during their Oct. 24, 2022 meeting, council had passed a motion for the town to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to funeral homes in the surrounding area and then later decide if the Town of Coaldale will want to partner with the funeral homes or to undertake the project on its own.Council had considered adding a capital project for the building and operation of a columbarium – without a partner – during the 2023 capital budget deliberation, with town administration proceeding with the RFP and reporting back to council. A RFEI (Request for Expressions of Interest) had been sent out to local funeral homes on March 7, and closed on March 21. Returning to the topic at...

Police arrest 3 in home-invasion robbery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:16:42 GMT

PLEASENT VALLEY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Dutchess County Sheriff's Department announced the arrest of three people for what they are calling a home-invasion-style robbery. Deputies said that the robbery occurred on July 2, 2022.Marlon Washington, 47 of Poughkeepsie, Jimy Peraltamarte, 22 of Poughkeepsie and Miguel Lora, 47 of Poughkeepsie are now facing charges. Police said the three men participated in a robbery in which they stole cash and minorly injured two people. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Deputies said the incident was not random and there was no danger to the public. It is alleged that these particular victims were specifically targeted for the robbery. Information was previously withheld because this investigation has been a complex one that relied heavily on confidentiality to be successful, according to the Sheriff's Department.Charges:WashingtonRobbery in the First Degree (felony)Robbery in the Second Degree (f...