Matthew Halton High School Graduating Class of 2015

2015 Matthew Halton High School Graduands
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas

Matthew Halton High School Graduating Class of 2015 includes 40 students moving into the next phase of their life as young adults.  They celebrated and were celebrated on Saturday, May 23 with a Cap and Gown Ceremony in the morning, then a photo session followed by a dinner and formal ceremonies in the afternoon and evening. The students looked amazing dressed in formal gowns and suits, looking Oscar ready for their theme of 'Night at the Movies'.

Rain and Hail in Pincher Creek May 30, 2015

My trip to Montreal for “La grande finale internationale de la dictée PGL”

Caleb Evans (foreground right) at La grande finale internationale de la dictée PGL

Caleb Evans

Friday May 22nd to May 25th, I was in the City of Montréal, Québec for an international spelling competition called “La grande finale internationale de la dictée PGL”. I was one of the ninety-three competitors who made it to the finals of the competition. Over 300,000 students from grade five and six from across Canada, the United States and several countries from Africa tested to participate in the competition.

2015 Foothills and Timber Trails 4-H Beef and Sheep Achievement Day Show and Sale

Toni Lucas

Pincher Creek's Horseshoe Pavilion was the site of the 2015 Foothills and Timber Trails 4-H Beef Clubs' Achievement Day on Monday, May 25. The club members showed their animal projects, including market animals. This year they auctioned both beef and sheep projects.

Spiderman moves to the country

Fatal cyclist MVC on Highway 3 near Monarch

RCMP Alberta Media Relations

At approximately 10:45 am today, May 30, Lethbridge Rural RCMP, Fort MacLeod RCMP, and Picture Butte RCMP responded to a collision on Highway 3 approximately 20 kms west of Lethbridge, Alberta. Investigation has determined that a cyclist in the eastbound shoulder lane of the highway was struck by an eastbound car. The female driver and lone occupant of the vehicle remained on scene, EMS attended, and the cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

The people in your neighbourhood - Firefighter Michael Whittington

Firefighter Michael Whittington

Michael Whittington is a Pincher Creek Emergency Services firefighter.  "I've been on the Fire Department for 8 years, it's something I wanted to do, and I just went for it," he said.  Whittington can be seen working for Town of Pincher Creek in the MCC Arena in the winter, and in town parks during the summer.  He enjoys being active.  "I like to spend time outdoors whiteboarding, paddleboarding, downhill skiing, camping, and hiking."

High Risk Violent Sex Offender turns himself in (update)

In custody: Keegan Spearchief

Cardston RCMP

Updated May 29, 2015

Keegan SPEARCHIEF has turned himself to the Blood Tribe Police Services today and is no longer wanted.


The RCMP and the Blood Tribe Police Services would like to thank the media and the public in this matter.

First annual Pincher Creek Bike Rodeo promotes safe cycling

^ MD of Pincher Creek Community Policing Officer RCMP Cst. Rodney LeGrow, Town of Pincher Creek Bylaw Officer John Herasemluk, and organizer/EMT/Firefighter Kate Feist hand out positive affirmation tickets to young cyclists wearing the gear at the Pincher Creek Bike Rodeo

Toni Lucas

The first annual Pincher Creek Bike Rodeo happened in the MCC Arena on Thursday evening May 28, allowing young cyclists from 76 families to avoid the drizzle outside and concentrate on learning more about how to signal, navigate turns, read road signs, and be aware on the road, no matter how rough or rocky.  The kids had a lot of fun with the novelty of riding their bikes inside the arena and having a hot dog and juice picnic indoors.  One of the highlights of the event was when the winners of the 'Wear the Gear' bicycle draw were announced.  The day was a collaborative effort put on by Pincher Creek Emergency Services, local RCMP Officers, Pincher Creek Bylaw, Napi Friendship Association, Brighter Futures, Parent Link, and a dedicated band of volunteers working together to  make Pincher's young cyclists safer.

The people in your neighbourhood - Lundbreck Fire Captain Anne Molnar

Lundbreck Fire Captain Anne Molnar

Lundbreck Fire Captain Anne Molnar has been a member of the Lundbreck Fire Station for 13 years, 9 of them in the position of Captain. Having people close to her who needed emergency care has made the position resonate with her. "I want to help people," she said.   Molnar added she was happy to join the station and give her time to the community. "I thought it was exciting, I really did."

"We are a first response unit, so we head out first if it's in our area, and Pincher Creek Fire or Pincher Creek Ambulance is always behind us." Lundbreck Station responded to 96 calls in 2014. Molnar is highly visible in the community of Lundbreck, at the Obie's counter and volunteering at sporting events including baseball and high school volleyball. She is currently taking a course in psychology and enjoys photography, knitting, exercising, and coaching volleyball.

Two vehicle collision east of Pincher Creek sends one person to hospital

Toni Lucas

A collision involving a truck and a car occurred approximately 16 miles northeast of Pincher Creek on a range road near Highway 785 today, Thursday May 5, at approximately 3:00 pm.

Pincher Creek Emergency Services responded with Rescue and an ambulance.  There were two people in each vehicle.  They were assessed on scene and one person was transported to hospital with undetermined injuries.

Canyon School Animal Care Breakout students donate to SPCA

Lorraine Robbins

These wonderful Canyon School's Animal Care Breakout students recently collected and donated money, food, old blankets, towels and toys to the animals at the new SPCA facility in Pincher Creek.

Teck to implement staggered temporary shutdowns at its six Canadian coal operations

Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TCK.A and TCK.B, NYSE: TCK) ("Teck") announced today it will be implementing temporary shutdowns in the third quarter at its six Canadian steelmaking coal operations in order to align production and inventories with changing coal market conditions.

Each of Teck’s steelmaking coal operations will be temporarily shut down for approximately three weeks in the quarter. Shutdowns will be staggered over the summer months among the operations. Teck will continue to meet all contracted and committed coal sales for its entire suite of products.

Community Foundation awards 38 grants across southwestern Alberta

• Pincher Creek are recipients include Pincher Creek Humane Society, Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, Village of Hill Spring, Pincher Creek Community Hall

Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta

The Community Foundation knows that at the heart of every community project, there are local people working hard to make a difference. This is why the Foundation was thrilled to grant over $337,000 at a celebration on May 28, including a significant grant from a field of interest fund that will go towards the rebuild of the Rainbow Riding Arena at Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association (LTRA).

Lethbridge women face charges after toddler located in roadside Fentanyl drug deal

ALERT

Two Lethbridge women were arrested and are facing charges under Alberta’s Drug-endangered Children’s Act after bringing a three-year-old girl to an alleged drug deal, according to Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).

ALERT Lethbridge, an integrated team consisting of Lethbridge Regional Police Service and RCMP members, made the arrest on May 25 as part of an operation targeting street-level fentanyl sales in Southern Alberta. Moments after witnessing the accused complete a roadside fentanyl deal, with the toddler in the backseat, ALERT terminated the operation and made the arrest.

ATCO Sustainable Communities to construct new Brocket multipurpose centre

Artist rendering of multipurpose centre planned for Brocket

Marketwired

ATCO Sustainable Communities (ATCO) announced today that it has signed a contract with the Piikani Nation to construct a 36,000 sq. ft. multipurpose centre in Brocket, Alberta.

Vista Village residents plant flowers with Group Group Youth

Melanie Walker

Residents at Vista Village enjoyed an evening of planting flowers with their friends from Group Group Youth on Wednesday, May 27th . Purchase of the plants/planters were made possible from a $1000.00 grant the Group Group Youth obtained from The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta. Other activities the youth plan on doing during the summer are scrapbooking, table games. and helping to maintain the plants by watering and weeding.

Hats off to Halton grads from Councillor Lorne Jackson

2015 Matthew Halton High School graduands

T. Lucas photo

Town of Pincher Creek Councillor Lorne Jackson made the following address at the May 23 ceremony celebrating the 2015 graduands of Matthew Halton High School. Jackson is also A graduate of MHHS.

To all honoured guests, parents and families of the grads, as well as teachers, and students; I am very pleased to bring greetings to you today. Also to the graduands themselves, I bring special congratulatory wishes from the town of Pincher Creek. Having the distinction of being the parent of one of our Halton grads myself this year, I feel great pride and more than a little sadness as I stand here. Of course any parent will tell you that the pride need not be explained. My sadness however stems from the fact that since Joey is the youngest of our kids to complete high school, I'm now left with the sole responsibility of simply becoming old.

Stripe rust receding in some areas

Alberta Agriculture, and Forestry

On May 20, 2015, seven fields in the counties of Warner, Forty Mile and Cardston were surveyed for stripe rust. Both winter wheat fields surveyed in the county of Warner had trace incidence of stripe rust (less than one leaf per square metre). Neither of the fields in Forty Mile County had any signs of stripe rust and the remaining three fields in Cardston also had no signs of rust.

Parents warned to be aware of new sextortion tactic

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, through its Cybertip.ca program, wants to inform the public about a new tactic being used by those extorting youth online for money and/or sexual images/videos. Cybertip.ca has received numerous reports over the last year relating to sextortion, which involves offenders secretly recording teenagers exposing themselves on live streaming video, recording the acts and then using the recording to threaten distribution unless the teen pays money.

Hawks Sr. Girls Rugby team defeats Cardston in first playoff game of the season

Hawks vs Cougars

J. Jackson photos

Joey Jackson

It was a do or die situation for the Halton Hawks Sr. Girls Rugby team as they could have faced elimination in their first playoff game of the season. The Hawks faced off against the Cardston Cougars on Monday May 25th, ultimately winning a difficult battle 5-0.

The people in your neighbourhood - Lundbreck firefighter Aaron Layton

Firefighter Aaron Layton

"I kind of always wanted to be a fir fighter, and decided one day I would ask about it, and here I am," said Aaron Layton, who has been a volunteer firefighter at Lundbreck Station for over 3 years. "I like helping people in the community. On the worst possible times of their lives I can help them out. Even though they don't know who I am, or may never see me again, at least I was there to help them.

Layton works at First Student as a school bus driver.

Five time District High School Rodeo champ Cooper Zur

Cooper Zur

Chris Davis

Young Bull Rider Cooper Zur recently won his 5th consecutive District High School Rodeo championship.  Zur is in his graduating year, and intends to move up to adult rodeo.  He's also working on his career.  "I'm going to be an electrician. I'm apprenticing right now, Cox Electric in the Pass." He was seriously injured last year when a bull landed when he shouldn't, which sidelined his career for awhile, but he appears to be fully recovered now. He says his family is okay with him being back on the bulls.

Montreal man re-creates a scene from the Old West

16 hooves across Canada with Pierre Cloutier

Howard Snyder

Pierre Cloutier rolled into Cardston on Monday. And we do mean rolled, driving a team of four Belgian horses pulling a tandem rig of two covered wagons. Mr. Cloutier, 41, left Montreal on the 6th of November for a cross-Canada trip to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Averaging about 25 km. per day, Cloutier and his horses are nearing the toughest test of their journey, the range after range of mountains in B.C. They will be following the Southern Trans-provincial Highway through Fernie and Creston on their way to the promised land of B.C.’s fabled Okanagon.

Short game, sweet victory for Halton Hawks over Vulcan Hawks

• 2015 Tier 2 High School Baseball Championships in Pincher Creek and Hillcrest May 29/30 (schedule below)

Chris Davis

Pincher Creek's Halton Hawks played their last regular season game yesterday evening, May 26 at Sproule Field in Pincher Creek against Vulcan's County Central Hawks. The game was a make-up game for one that was postponed due to rain, and yesterday's game came perilously close to suffering the same fate. The game was supposed to run seven innings, but it ran long and it was decided to cap it at five inning, ending just after 8:00 pm. It turned out to be a high scoring five innings, with Pincher ultimately it 11-8 after strong first and fifth innings.

Fort Macleod Royals edge Cranbrook Bandits twice in exhibition double header

C. Davis and T. Lucas photos and video

Chris Davis with Toni Lucas and Carrah Walter

American Legion Baseball (ALB) came to Pincher Creek last weekend with the Fort Macleod Royals hosting a Skills and Drills Baseball Camp on Saturday afternoon May 23 (click here for that story) and then hosting an exhibition double header at Pincher Creek's Sproule Field against Cranbrook's Bandits on Sunday afternoon and evening May 24.  The Royals maintained their reputation as the Lethbridge League ALB team to beat by winning both games by 1 point.

The people in your neighbourhood - Beaver Mines firefighter Hawkin Everts

Firefighter Hawkin (Hawk) Everts

"It's a good way to stay in shape, and you learn all kinds of new stuff," says Hawkin (Hawk) Everts who has been a member of Beaver Mines Fire Station for approximately 11 years. "The training is amazing, it's all free training for us. It's a new way to give back to the community. It's lot's of fun, and great people, and a real adrenaline rush." Everts said that if someone is interested in joining the volunteer fire department to contact the station (or call 403-627-5333). Everts owns Grumpy's Greenhouse in Beaver Mines and also works as a landscaper.

U16 Soccer - Crowsnest Pass defeats Pincher Creek

2015 Pincher Creek U16 Soccer team

Chris Davis

Pincher Creek's U16 soccer team hosted their Crowsnest Pass counterparts at the Matthew Halton field on Thursday evening, May 21.  A seemingly older and more experienced Crowsnest team won the game by a wide margin.  Liam VanEe performed admirably as keeper for Pincher, in net for the first time this season and under fire constantly throughout the game.

2015 Fort Macleod Royals Skills and Drills Baseball Camp in Pincher Creek

C. Davis photos/video

Chris Davis

Juan Teran Park in Pincher Creek was full of developing baseball talent on a sunny Saturday May 23 afternoon as the Fort Macleod Royals hosted their annual Skills and Drills Baseball Camp in partnership with Pincher Creek Minor Baseball.  Royals Head Coach Brad Kropinak had lots of help from his team as they passed on their knowledge to Chinook West athletes ranging in age from 9 to 12.  Participants came from Vauxhall, Fernie, Elkwood, Sparwood, Cardston County, Pincher Creek, and Fort Macleod.  "That's awesome," enthused area super-organizer Carrah Pinder-Walter as she surveyed a ballpark filled with energized kids.  The turnout was much larger than expected, in the ballpark of 43 kids, forcing a change of venue from Lion's Park to Juan Teran Park.

Pincher Creek RCMP summary for the week of May 18-25, 2015

Pincher Creek RCMP

The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Pincher Creek RCMP Detachment received for the period of May 18-25, 2015. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

• Total calls for service - 44
• Sexual assault - 1
• Uttering Threats - 1
• Mischief (vandalism) - 1
• Theft under $5000 - 2
• Impaired Driving - 3
• Disturbing the Peace - 3
• Driving complaints (general) - 5
• MV Collisions - 2
• Liquor offences – 4 
• Suspicious occurrences (general) - 3
• False Alarms - 1
• Animal calls - 1
• Municipal Bylaws (barking dogs / noise / OHV) - 2
• Prisoners held – 6

MP John Barlow announces funding for the Crowsnest Historical Society

Department of Canadian Heritage

The Government of Canada has provided the Crowsnest Historical Society with $4,176 in funding through the Museums Assistance Program.

Dolphin Swim Club thanks you for supporting our bottle drive

(advertisement)

From the Pincher Creek Dolphin Swim Club:

THANK YOU to the communities of Pincher Creek, Glenwood, and Beaver Mines for your awesome support of last week's bottle drive! The money we raise goes toward pool rental and coaching. We're looking forward to a great season, thanks to our wonderful community!

Engine 71 - Beaver Mines Fire Brigade's new bush buggy

Toni Lucas

There's a valuable new tool for fire response and rescue efforts in the Beaver Mines area thanks to the efforts of local firefighters. "The Beaver Mines Brigade raised the funds to buy Engine 71" explained Beaver Mines Fire Chief Allen Tapay.  "We got the idea when we had a lighting strike on a fir tree way up on a hill." He said crews had to pack in water, and chainsaws, and other equipment and supplies for about a 1/4 mile. It was that day they decided that an all terrain or  utility task vehicle would be useful piece of equipment for the hall.  "We got this unit for fire, and for rescuing people in the bush and hard to get at places. This is what got the ball rolling."

President's Choice Moroccan-Style Hummus recalled

Canadian Food Inspection Agency, May 25, 2015

Loblaw Companies Limited is recalling President's Choice brand Moroccan-Style Hummus from the marketplace because it may contain the toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described at this link.

Distribution: National

Province-wide fire ban in effect

Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Forestry

Effective May 25 at noon, the province is applying a full fire ban to Alberta’s forests.

The full fire ban prohibits all open fires, including campfires in campgrounds or backcountry and random camping areas. This includes charcoal briquettes. Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating are allowed. All fire permits are suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.

Pincher Creek hosts 2015 West District Senior Track and Field meet

Lots of ribbons for Pincher Creek's Rebecca Lowry

Toni Lucas

The 2015 West District Senior Track and Field meet was hosted at the St. Michael's School field in Pincher Creek on Wednesday, May 20. Close to 80 students from 6 schools competed. A calm sunny day with a light breeze made it an almost ideal day for athletes and their supporters.

Photos: T. Lucas and Teri-Lynn Pushka-Richards

AlbertaSW hosts meeting featuring author Doug Griffiths

Doug Griffiths
T. Lucas photos

• Fall release date planned for new book '13 ways to kill your corporate culture' 

Toni Lucas

Close to 80 people from 16 communities came to Pincher Creek to attend a meeting hosted by Alberta Southwest (ABSW) at the Heritage Inn on Wednesday May 13.  The group included council members, administration member, chamber of commerce representatives, and economic development committee members from each community as well as other partners.  ABSW Executive Director Bev Thornton said "This is the wrap up on a project that Alberta Southwest has completed based on the book  'Thirteen Ways to Kill Your Community'  "

Don't be that guy

www.savcalgary.ca

Pincher Creek Emergency Services hosts barbeque and extraction demonstration

Toni Lucas

On Wednesday evening May 23 Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) celebrated EMS week by inviting the public to a free barbeque and mock traffic accident extraction demonstration.  The event was staged at the parking lot adjacent to the Pincher Creek Fire Hall.  PCES includes Ambulance, Pincher Creek Fire Hall, Beaver Mines Fire Hall, and Lundbreck Fire Hall. 

Firefighters vent on Main Street

^ Lundbreck Station first responders - Duncan Gano, Aaron Layton, Kerry Smyke, Sandra Gano, Captain Anne Molnar, Kristy Stevens. Not pictured: Dawn Heerschap.

^ Beaver Mines Station first responders - #9 Captain Allen Tapay, #57 Greg Hession, #64 Kevin Kelly, # 44 Tom Judd, #56 Hawkin Everts, not pictured: Marg Cox, Steve Oczkowski

Toni Lucas

On Wednesday evening May 20 first responders from the Beaver Mines and Lundbreck fire stations came to Pincher Creek for a joint practice session with a rare opportunity - a building that is going to be demolished on Main Street Pincher Creek.  They focused on venting.  Venting a structure properly can help contain and direct a fire.  If venting is done improperly it can speed the destruction of a property.

Great turnout for Napi gaming tournament

Toni Lucas

The Napi Friendship Centre in Pincher Creek was dark on Friday May 22, and filled with the sounds of shooting and yelling with the occasional bright flash starkly illuminating a sea of faces.  Approximately 25 people were there to participate in the the "Call of Duty Black Ops II' Tournament, the first video gaming event that Napi has hosted. Youth Outreach Workers Hope Grier-Stewart and Leland English viewed it as a triumph.   At any given time there were 8 kids playing as the rest cheered them on,  critiqued the action, and visited with each other.

Confounded by construction

Tammy Yard

I am very frustrated by the construction that is happening on James Avenue, and the process of notification to the surrounding neighbors.

Police Advisory Committee moves forward

Press release

On April 27th, Council for the Town of Pincher Creek formally approved the Terms of Reference for the new Police Advisory Committee and passed a second motion appointing Committee Members. These approvals formalize the process for receiving input from the community and the partnership between the community, the RCMP and local government.

Crestview Lodge residents visit Coaldale's Birds of Prey Sanctuary

Crestview Lodge residents and Colin Weir

Charmaine Tienkamp

Here are some pictures of some of our Crestview Lodge residents enjoying their trip to the Birds of Prey Sanctuary in Coaldale. It was a bit cold out but we did enjoy a personal tour from the staff and specially with Colin Weir, who explained in detail about each of the birds. It was a fascinating and exciting day.

Sparwood edges Pincher in U18 Soccer

Joey Jackson

Pincher Creek's U18 soccer team was on the road again for their first matchup against Sparwood. Pincher found themselves down by 2 at the half, battled back to tie the game late in the second half , but after an excellent crossing play by the Sparwood strikers Pincher was handed their first loss of the season, Sparwood winning by a score of 3-2. 

The FP Walshe Flyers outlast Matthew Halton Hawks in high-scoring 21-11 affair,

2015 Halton Hawks
C. Davis file photo

The bats were busy at Fort Macleod on Thursday, and when the dust cleared the FP Walshe Flyers had a 21-11 win over the Matthew Halton Hawks in five innings.

Minors Dust Devils host victorious Crowsnest Pass

Keegan Bakura pitching for Crowsnest

Brody Walter pitching for Pincher

Chris Davis

It was a perfect-weather day for baseball yesterday evening when Pincher Creek's Minors Dust Devils hosted Crowsnest Pass at Lions Ball Park.  Crowsnest Pass earned an 11-5 win in a game that saw many young athletes from both teams stretch and demonstrate their newfound skills on the diamond.

Thank you Pincher Creek

Marg and Dan Roller (Doug Waterson's family)

To all those in Pincher Creek we want to express our appreciation for your kind gifts and prayers, even though we are so far away in Castlegar.  May the Lord bless you all!  We are doing well. Thanks again.

Related story: Castlegar couple loses home in blaze

Local teen Miranda Van Loon earns Silver at 2015 Skills Canada Alberta competition

Miranda Van Loon

Chris Davis

Matthew Halton High School grade 10 student Miranda Van Loon recently won a Silver Medal in the Job Skills Demonstration category at the 2015 Skills Canada Alberta Provincials held at the Edmonton Expo Centre on May 13 and 14.   According to Van Loon, approximately 700 competitors participated, and 43 trades were represented at the competition. "The Job Skills had 10, Welding had 21.  I was up against 9."

Scouts Canada returns to Pincher Creek

Tom Spackman of Scouts Canada

Toni Lucas

Scouts Canada, a non-denominational co-ed organization, is returning to Pincher Creek after a 15 year hiatus.

Pincher Creek Scouts Canada Area Support Manager Tom Spackman addressed Pincher Creek's Town Council during their regular meeting on Monday evening May 11.  He was requesting free-of-charge meeting space for Scouts Canada at the Central Gymnasium, which is located next to council's chambers, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings starting September 1 for Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts.

Hawks steal victory from Cobras

2015 Pincher Creek High School Hawks

Chris Davis

Pincher Creek's Hawks High School baseball team rebounded from a 1-8 deficit to ultimately defeat Willow Creek's Cobras 11-9 at Sproule Field on Tuesday evening, May 19.  The winning run came for the Hawks when Matthew Duncan stole home, and successfully stolen bases in the latter half of the game played a big part in the Hawks' victory.