Pincher Creek Skating Club Featured Skater Jenna

Jenna

Jenna is 9 years old and attends Canyon School. This is her second year in CanSkate and she also enjoys soccer.

Memorial Torch Light Parade to be held at Castle Mountain February 8

Castle Mountain Resort in hosting their second Annual Memorial Torch Light Parade on Saturday February 8 at 6:00 pm. Skiers and snowboarders wanting to participate must be able to travel up the T-Rex lift line to tower 5, those wanting to just watch can join others in the base area in from of the day lodge.

For more information contact the CMR customer service office at 403-627-5101 or Wendy Ryan at 403-627-4106

Emergency services dispatch to remain in Lethbridge

Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman made this brief statement on Facebook today: "I'm very pleased to announce that regional EMS Dispatch and Integrated Fire and Ambulance Service will be staying in Lethbridge. Thanks to MLA Greg Weadick for his hard work on this file and for his support of Lethbridge City Council."

The dispatch services were scheduled to be moved to Calgary this spring.

For more complete coverage of this most recent development, see the following Global Lethbridge story:
Fire and ambulance dispatch service will stay in Lethbridge

Warranty protection for new home buyers starts February 1

The New Home Buyer Protection Act and supporting regulations will require builders to provide mandatory home warranty coverage for new homes built in the province of Alberta.

“Starting in February, we’re rolling out the strongest consumer protection in Canada for new home buyers. This legislation will help protect the single largest purchase that most people make…a home.”- Ken Hughes, Minister of Municipal Affairs

The legislation applies to newly constructed homes, including single family homes, multi-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, manufactured homes and recreational properties.

Mental Math magic, memorization, and an auction at Canyon School

Principal Goodreau makes her bid

submitted by Lorraine Robbins

Canyon School is holding a Math Fair on March 5th and 6th and to help get students excited about this upcoming event, two speakers shared their expertise in using mental math in their lives and in their jobs.

Mental Math Magician Trevor Kiitokii

Mr. Trevor Kiitokii amazed the students and staff members with his Mental Math magic. It was astounding. Mr. Kiitokii was an expert performer getting his audience really involved with his presentation.

Tongue twisting auctioneer Bob Westrop explains Betty's bitter batter

Provincial Playdown win for Peewee Chinooks

Peewee Chinooks vs Kainai
Lloyd Lybbert photos

• Playdown wins for Chinooks 
• Chinooks vs Lethbridge 1 at Enmax Centre

Update:  The Peewee Chinooks will face Vauxhall for the next round of playdowns.

Playdown win for Chinooks

The Peewee Chinooks hosted Kainai for the second of two Spud League Peewee B Provincial playdown games at Pincher Creek's Memorial Community Centre Arena on Thursday evening, January 30.  The Chinooks won the first game, held at Kainai's home rink, by a score of 6-3.  By playdown rules Kainai needed to win this one by 4 points to advance.  Kainai certainly gave it their all in their attempt to do so.  Talk about a transformation since the beginning of the season.  From the rough material of that Kainai team came this polished hockey machine.

The Chinooks too have demonstrated incredible growth this season.  What was essentially 3 teams squished together made up of players with widely varying levels of skill has become a solidified and intensified unit.  They would need every iota of their new found confidence and teamwork to defeat a Kainai team that definitely came to win it.

The ingredients for great hockey.

The fans were not disappointed.

Policing in Alberta to January 31, 2014

RCMP press releases

• Hit and Run Involving 8 year old pedestrian at Morinville Elementary School
• Two Hills and Vegreville RCMP lay 39 charges during Traffic Enforcement near school in Andrew
• Man charged with firearms-related offences, possession of components to construct an explosive device
• Cannabis Seizure on Highway 1 near Lake Louise
• RCMP Canmore conducts traffic stop; more drugs seized
• Charges laid against Cody Feil, previously wanted on Canada-wide warrant

Junior B Boys basketball - Flyers edge Dragons

Dragons vs Flyers

Chris Davis

Saint Michael's Junior B boys Dragons hosted Fort Macleod's F.P. Walshe Flyers for a game of basketball at the Dale Wentz Memorial Gymnasium on Tuesday evening, January 28.

New year is testing resolve of the Southwest Rockies

Southwest Rockies vs Sylvan Lake
Lloyd Lybbert photos and video

Frank McTighe, Macleod Gazette Editor

The Southwest Rockies are still looking for their first win of 2014.  They dropped two South Central Alberta Bantam AA Hockey League games on the weekend to extend their losing streak to six games.

The Rockies are 4-21-2 and one point ahead of Brooks Longhorns in the race for the final playoff spot with just five games remaining.

The Rockies are on the road this weekend for games at Red Deer and Cochrane.

Albertans invited to comment on Health Charter and Health Advocate regulation

Albertans are encouraged to take part in a month-long comment period that begins today on the draft Health Charter and a proposed Health Advocate regulation.

Albertans can view the draft documents and provide their comments online until March 3. Albertans’ input is important as the Health Charter and Health Advocate regulation are being finalized.

2014 Pincher Creek Curling Club Bonspiel

Pat MacInnis, Cherylanne Nazarek, and Michelle Visser

Toni Lucas

The Pincher Creek Curling Club Combo Bonspiel 2014 took place on Friday January 24 and Saturday, January 25. Eight mens teams and six ladies teams participated in the spiel, with a dinner held Saturday evening.

Michelle Visser, Cherylanne Nazarek, Carrie Kinahan and Pat MacInnis
Mighty good, Minnie bows

Senior Girls basketball - Dragons defeat Pandas

Toni Lucas

St. Michael's Senior Girls Dragons basketball team hosted the Crowsnest Pass Consolidated High Pandas on Wednesday, January 29. The action was swift throughout the game,  which the Dragons won 57 - 25.

Policing in Alberta to January 30, 2014

RCMP press releases

• "K" Division ceremony welcomes Assistant Commissioner Marianne Ryan
• Fatal MVC on Highway 1
• Fatal collision on Highway 2 near Airdrie
• Multi-vehicle pile-up near Fox Creek
• Death of 16 year old Eckville boy confirmed
• Theft of welding tools near Kitscoty
• RCMP Canmore Conducts Traffic Stop; Drugs Seized
• Man flees scene of Mayerthorpe collision
• Youth found dead at Maskwacis
• Grande Prairie ITU nabs drunk driver clocked at 154 km/hr
• Consort RCMP November / December 2013 Police Report
• Assault in Smoky Lake
• RCMP Red Deer City reminds drivers when to report motor vehicle collisions

Junior B Boys Basketball - Hawks defeat Sabres

Toni Lucas

Matthew Halton's  Junior B Boys Hawks basketball team hosted Livingstone's Sabres on Tuesday, January 28.  It was a close game at the half with the score 8 - 9 for the Sabres.  The Hawks then pushed back hard scoring 11 points in the third quarter.  The game ended with the Hawks victorious by 27 - 19.

Athlete of the Day - Carlee Fitzpatrick

Carlee Fitzpatrick

St. Michael's Senior Girls Dragons guard Carlee Fitzpatrick showed great stamina and defensive abilities in their game against the Pandas on January 29.

"I was frustrated with myself because my shots weren't going in, but I thought I played a strong defensive game," said Fitzpatrick, who scored 6 points. She is looking forward to the tournament in Riley on Friday, January 31. "I think it will be new, harder competition, it will be good to work on the plays we have going and see what's generated this weekend."

Currently in Grade 12, Fitzpatrick will be 18 in March and has been playing on the team since grade 11. She also plays volleyball, participates in track and field, and enjoys chemistry class.

Silver Reins 4-H Light Horse Club gets Equine First Aid lessons

Greetings from Jessie Terpstra, club reporter of Silver Reins 4-H Light Horse Club!

Dr. Amanda Elliott, from Country Vets Inc., came to Silver Reins 4-H Light Horse Club. Dr. Elliott has come twice (November 16th, 2013 and January 18th, 2014) to do theory presentations on Equine First Aid.  Some of the things Dr. Elliott taught us about were Dentistry, Hoof Care, Deworming, Regular Temperature, Feed (if they are hard/easy keepers), Colic, and Wounds. We enjoyed Dr. Elliott lots and enjoyed her coming.  Silver Reins would like to thank Dr. Elliott very much for taking the time come and teach us!

High Country Rockies douse Midget Huskies' Provincials aspirations

A tale of two great goalies - Huskies' Jeremy Kretz (above) and Rockies' Kody Briggs (below)

Lloyd Lybbert photos

Chris Davis with Toni Lucas

Photos and videos by C. Davis, T. Lucas, L. Lybbert

Pincher Creek's Midget Huskies saw their Provincials aspirations dashed after a loss and a tie during provincial playdowns to the Black Diamond based High Country Rockies.

On Sunday the Rockies hosted the Huskies and defeated them 6-4. That put the Huskies in the position of needing a three point win when they hosted the Rockies at Pincher Creek's Memorial Community Centre arena on Tuesday evening, January 28. That game played to a 4-4 tie.

Junior A Boys basketball - Sabres defeat Hawks

Tip off - Sabres #2 Jonathan Erickson and Hawks #11 Matthew Bruder

Toni Lucas

Matthew Halton Hawks Junior A Boys basketball team hosted the Livingstone School Sabres on Tuesday, January 28.  The Sabres won by a wide margin.

High River store benefits from Beaver Mines fundraiser

submitted

Beaver Mines Store held a parking lot party last July as a fundraiser for victims of the flooding in High River. Highwood Natural Foods owners Brenda and James Shaw (center) were the recipients of $5000 raised during that event.

Related story:
Beaver Mines fundraiser raises over $4000 for High River flood victims

Priceless

Eileen McGlynn and Carole Ferguson, Letter to the Editor

The Watertown 'corridor’ south of Pincher Creek is not being recognized as an area worthy of environmental protection. The destruction of this pristine and valuable landscape will be forever and irreversibly damaged by industrial wind power development.

The Alberta Government plans to enact the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP) by the end of 2014. It establishes a Government Appointed Board to control land-use planning; overriding the rights of local Municipal Governments and landowners on both Crown and private land. The primary focus of the SSRP is economic development strategies and objectives; two of which are removing barriers to renewable energy development and promoting power infrastructure that supports linkages to markets.

Athlete of the Day - Taite Jessen

Matthew Halton Hawks Junior B Boys basketball player Taite Jessen was an integral part in the team's win on Tuesday, January 28.

Showing remarkable maturity for his age, he has good speed, a strong dribble, and is always looking for who will have the best shot at scoring a basket.

Taite is currently in grade 7. He enjoys mountain biking, hockey, soccer, and football with his favorite class being gym class. He admitted that he has sometimes suffered injury with all the action that he enjoys.  "I've fractured my spine, and I've had 5 concussions," he said. Before he could explain more, he was photobombed and then off to his next task as a scorekeeper for the following game.

Modernization plan for St. Michael's School announced

Alberta Minister of Infrastructure Ric McIver at St. Michael's
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis

St. Michael's School in Pincher Creek got an early present for its upcoming 110th birthday.

Alberta Minister of Infrastructure Ric McIver was the keynote speaker at an event held in the school's Dale Wentz Memorial Gymnasium on January 28.  In attendance were many dignitaries, students, former students, and former principals. During his speech McIver announced that St. Michael's has been greenlighted for a modernization project.

Pincher Creek Town Bylaw Officer Nigel Whittington retires

Nigel Whittington
T. Lucas photo

Toni Lucas

*Updated with comment from Gord Pitt

"I started working for the town on January 9, eight years ago," said Pincher Creek Town Bylaw Officer Nigel Whittington, who is retiring from the position on Thursday. "I'm done in two days."

"Its been wonderful, wonderful people," he said regarding what made his time working as a bylaw officer special. Whittington said that his favorite part of the job has been working with the mayors, council, and staff.   "They have all treated me well, have all been very good, very supportive. It's sad to move on."

Policing in Alberta to January 28, 2014

• LRPS looking for black SUV, suspect vehicle in Lethbridge hit and run

RCMP press releases

• Missing Lac La Biche man found
• Body discovered at Samson First Nation
• RCMP Canmore seizes drugs after traffic stop
• Ice Road traffic blitz
• Grande Prairie Integrated Traffic Unit - Catching people in a big hurry
• Money and drugs seized after Innisfail traffic stop

Skater of the Week Leah

Skater of the Week Leah

Leah, 9, attends Canyon School.  This is her second year of CanSkate and skating and soccer are her favorite sports. She was named a Skater of the Week on December 23.

Skater of the Week Laura

Skater of the Week Laura

Laura, 9, is enjoying her 3rd year of CanSkate. She attends Canyon School and her favorite sports are skating and soccer, swimming and judo. She was named a Skater of the Week on December 23.

Alberta highway planning consultations underway

Highway 3 east of Highway 6 intersection
C. Davis file photo

Toni Lucas and Chris Davis

Town of Pincher Creek Mayor Don Anderberg and Councillor Mark Barber are scheduled to attend a meeting in Fort Macleod on Monday February 3, at which regional concerns about Highway 3 will be aired with  representatives of  Alberta Transportation.

The "community-led discussion" on February 3 is one of 18 planned by Alberta Transportation to be held in various Alberta communities,  phase one of a two phase consultation process.

South Zone influenza immunization program update

Using additional doses of influenza vaccine secured by Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS) will now be offering influenza vaccine to all children who turned, or will turn, six months of age, on or after December 1, 2013, through to March 31, 2014.

Influenza vaccine also continues to be offered to all children less than nine years of age who received a first dose of influenza vaccine already this season, and still require a second dose this season. Children (less than nine years of age) receiving influenza vaccine for the first time this season require two doses, this season, to be fully immunized.

Policing in Alberta to January 26, 2014

RCMP press releases

• Pincher Creek RCMP media summary for the week of January 20 to January 26, 2014
• Innisfail stolen vehicle investigation leads to multiple charges
• Grande Prairie RCMP weekend news summary
• Missing Lac La Biche man found

Chili cook off held at Matthew Halton School

Lloyd Lybbert incognito at Matthew Halton School
C. Davis photo

Lloyd Lybbert, Student Voice, with Chris Davis

On Thursday January 23, students in grade 7 at Matthew Halton School participated in a chili cook-off.

Pincher Creek Oldtimers 35th Annual Hockey Tournament

C Division champs: The Rats (Calgary)
T. Lucas and C. Davis photos and videos

Toni Lucas and Chris Davis

Related story: Videos from 2014 Pincher Creek Oldtimers Tournament

The Pincher Creek Oldtimers 35th Annual Tournament was held at the MCC arena from Friday January 24 through Sunday January 26.

12 teams competed in three 4-team divisions, with players coming from Pincher Creek, Elk Valley, Fort Macleod, Piikani, Lethbridge, Calgary, and parts unknown. The youngest participant was 35 (the youngest age allowed), and the oldest was over 60. The youngest player was born the first year of the tournament.

The Withdrawls won the A division, the Nighthawks won the B division, and the Rats won the C division.

Videos from 2014 Pincher Creek Oldtimers Hockey Tournament

Puck Dynasty: The Olsons at the Oldtimers tournament
T. Lucas photo

Related story: Pincher Creek Oldtimers 35th Annual Tournament

The 35th Annual Pincher Creek Oldtimers Tournament was held last weekend at the Memorial Community Centre Arena.

12 teams in 3 pools are competed for fun, glory, and liquor.  The full story will be told in a separate post.  This one is all about the videos (and a slideshow).

Out and About - Foamcanos at Beaver Creek

Jaxon Hammond with Beaver Creak foamcanos
Myra Hammond photo

Myra Hammond and Linda Hammond took these fascinating photos at Beaver Creek, northeast of the town of Pincher Creek. Linda also took the video below of the phenomenon.

"My father in law (Scott) found these interesting and very cool 'things' in the creek.  Water off a beaver dam, creating foam that freezes. In some pictures you can see the foam bubbling up. My nephew (Shawn) suitably named them a 'foamcano'. Jaxon (Myra's son) says they are worthy of a Dr. Seuss book."

Linda Hammond photo

Dynamic Dragons defeat Eagles and Warriors

Isaak of the Junior A Dragons scores vs Kainai

The Dale Memorial Gymnasium at St. Michael's School was the scene of two basketball games on Thursday evening January 23.

Skater of the Week Isis

Isis

Isis, 5, is in her first year of CanSkate.  She attends St. Michael's School.  Sports that she enjoys are skating and rock climbing.  She was awarded Skater of the Week on December 19, 2013.

Related link:
www.skatecanada.ca/pinchercreek

Pincher Creek Skating Club Bottle Drive February 8, 2014 starting at 10:00 am. 

Skater of the Week Yoenne

Yoenne

Yoenne, 8, attends St. Michael's school and this is her 1st year of CanSkate. Other sports she participates in are swimming, rock climbing and Taekwando. She was awarded Skater of the Week on December 19.

Related link:
www.skatecanada.ca/pinchercreek

Pincher Creek Skating Club Bottle Drive February 8, 2014 starting at 10:00 am. 

Celebrate Family Literacy Day at the Ranchland Mall on January 30

The Pincher Creek Adult Learning Council, Read/Write Program, Parent Link, The Family Resource Society and Brighter Futures invite you to celebrate Family Literacy Day with them at Pincher Creek's Ranchland Mall on Thursday, January 30, 2014  from 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm. A scrabble tournament will kick-off the event, and will continue every Thursday for 4 weeks, after which a winner will receive a new e-reader with money to spend on books, as well as other prizes being awarded to 2nd, 3rd and 4th place.

A new STARS in the southern sky

New STARS AW139 lands at Pincher Creek Municipal Airport
T. Lucas photo (other photos/video T. Lucas/C. Davis)

Chris Davis and Toni Lucas with material from www.stars.ca

Members of Alberta's Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) dropped in for a visit at Pincher Creek Municipal Airport Saturday morning January 25, flying in the newest addition to their fleet, a donor-funded AgustaWestland AW139 medium twin turbine helicopter.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea a reportable disease in Alberta

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea, or PED as it is widely known as, is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs.

“PED causes diarrhea in pigs of all ages, but is especially severe in young piglets, in fact there are high mortality rates in young piglets because of this disease,” says Dr. Gerald Hauer, Chief Provincial Veterinarian. “There is currently an outbreak of this disease in the United States, and more than a million young pigs have succumbed already.

“As of January 23, 2014, only one case of PED has been confirmed in Canada, in Ontario. There have been no cases diagnosed in Alberta; however, there is concern of the disease spreading due to the movement of animals, trucks and equipment back and forth across borders. It is important to note that PED does not affect other types of animals or people, but it is a very severe disease of pigs.”

Policing in Alberta to January 25, 2014

RCMP and LRPS press releases 

• RCMP requests public's assistance to locate missing Lac La Biche man
• Hit and Run on the QEII - eyewitnesses sought
• Okotoks break and enter suspects flee RCMP in stolen vehicle
• Olds TD Bank robbery suspect arrested
• RCMP Red Deer City assault investigation leads to multiple charges
• Serious Strathcona County motor vehicle collision sends two to hospital
• RCMP continue to investigate a case of Animal Cruelty south of Taber
• Young man waves knife at pedestrians in Brooks
• Two Fort McMurray men charged with forcible confinement
• LRPS: Semi/train collision in Lethbridge
• Charges laid in Cypress County rural residential break and enters
• RCMP officer and Military police seize drugs and gun
• Man charged with thefts from Okotoks vehicles
• St. Albert tire and rim thefts total an estimated $18,000
• Break and enter at Jarvis Lake
• Almost everything but the kitchen sink - showhome near Edmonton robbed
• Flagstaff County search warrant yields recovery of stolen property, charges

New price insurance program for western livestock producers announced

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada press release

An innovative new livestock price insurance program will be available this spring to help cattle and hog producers in Western provinces manage price risks faced by the industry. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart, Alberta Agriculture Minister Verlyn Olson, and MLA Donna Barnett (Cariboo-Chilcotin), on behalf of British Columbia Agriculture Minister Pat Pimm unveiled the new price insurance program today at the Canadian Bull Congress in Camrose.

Cull of Alberta's wild horses concerns citizen

Adrienne Calvert, Letter to the editor

Dear wild horse supporters,

There have been many efforts made by many people over recent months to bring desperately needed attention to our dwindling wild horses and the plight they continue to face in Canada. I write to you today to announce that these valid efforts have sadly continued to be ignored by the government of Alberta, specifically the ESRD (Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development).

Jr A Hawks basketball team puts one in win column

Vincent of the Hawks and Lucas of Piikani preparing for tip-off,
 Randy Whitehead presiding
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis

Matthew Halton School's Junior A Hawks basketball team hosted Piikani on Thursday evening, January 23. After a series of losses the Hawks were in need of a win, and this time out they earned one, their first of the season. 

Policing in Alberta to January 24, 2014

News releases from RCMP and other agencies

• RCMP Red Deer City seeks Cody Feil on Canada-wide warrant
• Fatal Sylvan Lake collision
• Man charged with second degree murder in homicide of 2006 missing person Robin Douglas Goodwin
• Missing Red Deer City man located
• LRPS: Lethbridge teacher charged with sexual assault of two boys
• LRPS: Lethbridge man charged with sexual assaults of minors
• CBSA: Southern Alberta border crossing highlights

Pincher Creek Genealogy Club looking for new members

Pauline Breeze showing Tess Lawson how to use genealogy software

Toni Lucas

Genealogy is the study of family lineage and history. The Pincher Creek Genealogy Club meets once a month on the last Monday of the month at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village. "It's the fastest growing hobby in the world," said organizer Pauline Breeze, who was at the Ranchland Mall on Thursday, January 23. Club members will be in the mall again on Friday, January 24 to answer questions about genealogy and sign people up as members.

Pictures from Group Group Youth's LeBel Photography workshop

Photo by Kaitlin

Ria Choe

Here are pictures some of the participating kids took for their assignment from Yvan LeBel's Photography Workshop last week. The kids that took these particular photos are Kaitlin, Colten and Tysen.  Other participating kids are taking photos of people and pets for their assignment this week.

Related story: Photography the focus of Yvan LeBel program at Group Group Youth

Photo by Colten

Photo by Tysen

Photo by Kaitlin

Photo by Kaitlin

t