Lethbridge crack cocaine seizure valued at $50,000

ALERT - Six people were arrested following a significant cocaine seizure in Lethbridge. ALERT seized more than $50,000 worth of crack cocaine as result of an investigation tied to a previous bust.

Pincher Creek Curling Club asks MD for support

Chris Davis -

Pincher Creek Curling Club fundraising coordinator Debbie Reed and representative Diana Reed appeared as a delegation before the MD of Pincher Creek council at their November 8, 2016 meeting to appeal for funding support from the MD for a new curling facility. Diane Reed also appeared as a delegation before the MD council on November 22, with Debbie Reed in attendance.
According to the November 8 delegation, the need for a new curling facility has been an issue since at least 2008. "The present building is old and needs replacement."

Provided documents included an September 11, 2013 independent engineering inspection report that found several serious flaws with the curling club's current Main Street structure. Since then several solutions have been presented and discussed by delegations to both councils. In a letter to council outlining their purpose for requesting to appear at the November 8 meeting Debbie Reed said "Our delegation will expect your reasons and rationale as to why we seem to be hitting a brick wall as far as financial support from the MD councils, both present and past."

"What rationale is council basing their decision on in this matter? I have been a part of a steering committee with the Town and other representatives regarding this matter. After four meetings, I asked why the MD was not involved and found out that a councillor was appointed to sit in on the meetings but hasn't been. Not only that, I found out it was my representative councillor. You are supposed to represent the people and in not attending the meetings, I don't feel council can make an informed decision because you do not have all the facts and rationales discussed to come to the decision for a new building. I am here to present you facts and answer questions you may have as you did not have anyone at those meetings."

According to the delegation, the need for a new curling facility and an appeal for financial help to achieve that "has been presented to this council since at least 2012. Why has there been no money in the budget over the last 4.5 years for this project?"


"The town has been approached over the same period of time and they are supportive to pay for half of the building," the delegation told council on November 8.

"We are a self sufficient club and do not ask council for money to run day to day operations."

According to the club's documents, over 500 people a month used the rink last season, 55% of those curlers were MD residents, and "1.5% of the population of Pincher Creek town and MD are members of' our curling rink," which the delegation contrasted with "0.3 % of the population of Lethbridge city and county" who are members of their curling rink.

In a March 2015 letter to MD council Debbie Reed said "As a club, we have raised $30,000 towards a new building. In 2012 we proposed a plan for a new facility to MD of Pincher Creek council and Pincher Creek Town Council at an estimated cost of $3,000,000. Our club applied for grants that were denied because we did not have a land location nor did we have financial backing. The Town of Pincher Creek has recently budgeted for $1.25 million for a new curling rink. We are again in the process of applying for grants such as CFEP, CIP, along with grants from private foundations. Our goal as a club is to raise $500,000 for the new building with hopes that the MD of Pincher Creek No 9. will match the Town of Pincher Creek's amount of 1.25 million."

According to their presentation, the club has a sustaining membership of all ages and "We have all nights of the week filled and the rink is used almost every weekday with school programs and curling leagues and bonspiels."

"We have a very strong junior program with 20 juniors last year. We had 3 in 2012."

"Curriculum from Alberta Education lists curling as a "lifelong" physical activity. Why would our council not support this?"

The package presented included copies of previous letters from the curling rink and copies of two extensive studies, one based on the impact a curling rink has on a rural community and the second a comparison of curling rinks across Canada. "This way when we are making comparisons, we are comparing 'apples to apples'." Engineering reports dating back to 2009 were also included.

In her own written submission to council Diana Reed said council "should be financially contributing to the new curling rink and matching the Town Of Pincher Creek's contribution to date." In person on November 22 she said "You have sadly neglected the health of the community itself."

The Town of Pincher Creek and the MD of Pincher Creek are currently holding their annual joint funding discussions, but Diana Reed (an MD citizen) said she believed that "No longer do we have a working recreation agreement with the town." She questioned the MD's current $100 per capita contribution to recreation joint funding, saying the Town contributes over $300 per capita and "this doesn't seem fair to me." During the question period that followed her presentation to council Reed questioned MD council's willingness to work with the Town, saying " This petty argument between the Town and MD has to stop." She said the MD is not keeping in touch with the cultural and recreational needs of the population. "If the Town is addressing it, why are we not?" She also called Pincher Creek a "sick community" that needed to increase its appeal if it is to get more people to move here to help revitalize it. "Do we want to be like Barrons and Carmangay?" She warned that if a centralized recreation facility is built in Fort Macleod "this community will die".

"It is your responsibility to be proactive, not reactive, in responding to the needs of the community. Why are you dragging your feet? This is part of your job, just as much as roads."

After the presentation of November 8 councillor Fred Schoening said he would commit $1,000 of his own money to support the new curling facility provided the club could demonstrate its viability by achieving 1000 signatures on a fundraising petition. At the November 22 meeting Diane Reed said she thought that was a loaded proposition. "What does it mean, are there 1000 taxpayers in MD ?" At that meeting councillor Quentin Stevick said he agreed with councillor Schoening's idea and offered to be donation number 999 with his own $1000 donation if councillor Schoening is number 1000 with his $1000. "We are prepared to help you on your fundraising event." Councillor Terry Yagos told Diane Reed that there is an MD fund of approximately $6000 available for capital projects, and "anytime the town asks for it they can have it," which CAO Wendy Kay clarified was in addition the MD's $100 per capita contribution. Reeve Brian Hammond said all members of the MD council is concerned about well being of community but has to sometimes make hard decisions. "We have a wide range of responsibilities and we have limited assets."

Reeve Hammond said the MD was having a meeting with their community partners (the Town) this week, and council decided to postpone further discussion until after that meeting.

Related stories:

Pincher Creek Curling Club brings new building proposal back to Town Council (2012)

Fatal MVC east of Lethbridge on Highway 3

RCMP Alberta - On November 28, 2016 at about 5:30 p.m. Coaldale RCMP along with the Lethbridge and Coaldale Fire Departments/EMS attended to a collision on Highway 3 at Range Road 212. The collision involved a silver Ford Focus on Range Road 212 crossing southbound across Highway 3. A white pickup truck travelling westbound on Highway 3 struck the Ford Focus broad side causing the car to continue south and enter the south ditch on the eastbound lanes of the highway.

The Feather and Bullet

Irvin Provost (as read during Matthew Halton High School's 2016 Remembrance ceremony)

I swore allegiance to the queen to fight
Letting my hair fall in pieces to the ground
Bearing the queen’s will and might
I let my culture fade into the fight.

Pincher Creek RCMP summary for Nov.14-21, 2016

Pincher Creek RCMP - The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Pincher Creek Detachment received for the period of November 14-21, 2016. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

• Total calls for service – 47
• Assaults - 1
• Domestic assault - 1
• Mischief (vandalism) - 5
• Theft of motor vehicle - 1
• Theft under $5000 – 2
• Driving complaints (general) - 4
• MV Collisions - 13
• Liquor offences - 1
• Suspicious occurrences (general) - 1
• Assistance to other agencies - 2
• 911 calls (invalid) - 4
• Animal calls - 1
• Prisoners held – 3

43 overcapacity magazines seized at Del Bonita border crossing in October

Alberta Canada Border Services Agency - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share a sample of October highlights from its border crossings in Alberta. In addition to making the Prairie Region’s largest cocaine seizure (92.74 kg) on record on Thanksgiving Day, officers intercepted impaired drivers, undeclared firearms and other contraband:

Sturling Stake Bonspiel held at Pincher Creek Curling Club

Sturling Stakes Bonspiel competitors
Submitted photo

Toni Lucas - On Friday, November 19 the Pincher Creek Curling Club hosted 8 teams to a Sturling Stake Bonspiel.  The 16 participants took brooms to the ice.  Sturling is a style of curling that only requires 2 person teams and brings together stick, slide and wheelchair curlers on a level playing field.  This style of curling is opening the sport to anyone of any age or gender or physical ability. The rocks can be handled with a curling stick from a standing or sitting position (i.e. wheelchairs), or the usual slide delivery can be used, enabling everyone to participate competitively.  The Curling Club is excited to offer this relatively new twist to their beloved sport to the community.  The top two teams of the bonspiel were Team Reed with Rocky Reed and Mackenzie Reed, and Team Reed again with curlers Bob Reed and Debbie Reed.

Stay alive through life

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings - You could be your worst enemy if the prospect of getting older is a fearful thought. We can live longer these days, but we need to ready ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually.

Look ahead well before retirement age. It is a time when you will step into a whole new phase of life. Make it an opportunity!

Local Metis Association receives $16,000 CIP grant

MLA Pat Stier, Rhonda Clemens, Roxanne Debroux, Gail McLenaghan, Frances Riviere, Ed Desjardins

Toni Lucas - The Metis Nation Local 1880 Association was recently awarded a $16,000 Government of Alberta Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Grant for their Circle of Balance Project. The cheque was presented by Livingstone Macleod MLA Pat Stier on Monday, November 14 at the Metis Association offices in the Provincial Building in Pincher Creek. "We are going to be using it as a mentoring program with our youth, and with our elders," said President Gail McLenaghan. The Association is hoping to expand awareness of the Metis culture, history and heritage, not only with those who have an ancestral link to this background, but also for people who have an interest in learning more about who the Metis are and how the culture was created and developed.

Theft of farm equipment in Glenwood

RCMP Alberta - In the early morning of September 23, 2016, a custom built Wheat Heart post pounder was stolen from the lot of United Irrigation in Glenwood, Alberta. The machine is valued at $10,500, is red in colour and has a custom built black steel frame to accommodate spools of fencing wire that would be unique to only this machine.

Anyone who has information about this crime is asked to contact the Cardston RCMP at (403)-653-4932. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1.800.222.8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers [www.crimestoppers.ab.ca] for instructions). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers.

Pincher Creek governance notes to Nov. 14, 2016

Headlines:

• MD of Pincher Creek appoints signing authorities
• MD of Pincher Creek auditors appointed
• Town's North Hill Area Structure Plan bylaw passes 
• Town Land Use Bylaw Amendment 1547-AB passes first reading
• Cemetery Bylaw 1538-06A passes first reading
• MD public hearing about solar energy land use Dec. 1
• Landfill pursues tire recycling grant
• Mayor and Councillor Litkowski to attend housing conference
• Refresher training for Town Councillor Wayne Elliott
• Pincher Planters hanging baskets program to continue
• Veterans’ Memorial Campground revenue up in 2016
• Lebel Mansion repairs and landscaping
• 2017 FCSS funding
• 4-H club allowed to use MD shop for winter projects
• Burmis Mountain Estates trial dumpster project cancelled
• Spring Point Colony road upgrade request approved
• Provincial government notes

Community Futures contemplates moving their office

Toni Lucas - Community Futures Alberta Southwest General Manager Tony Walker appeared before council for the Town of Pincher Creek at their November 14 meeting as a delegation, to update council about the not-for-for profit's activities and funding. Walker said the annual budget from Western Economic Diversification Canada funding for their operations was $300,000, and Community Futures has a loan portfolio of 3.7 million dollars. The Pincher Creek office is one of 270 offices in Canada.

ASIRT completes RCMP use of force investigation into Blackfalds area arrest

Govwernment of Alberta - On January 23, 2015, pursuant to s. 46.1 of the Police Act, the Director of Law Enforcement directed the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) to investigate the circumstances surrounding a broken rib and collapsed lung sustained by a 47-year-old man during an arrest on December 31, 2014.

Two vehicle collision on Highway 3 east of Coaldale

RCMP Alberta - On Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at approximately 8:15 PM members from the Coaldale RCMP Detachments along with the Coaldale and Lethbridge County Fire Departments/EMS responded to a complaint of a two vehicle collision on the westbound lanes of Highway 3 at Range Road 194 (Tempest Elevators). It appeared two trucks were both westbound on Highway 3 at the time of the collision. A black truck had just pulled on to the highway from the Tempest elevator and was accelerating to highway speeds. The second vehicle, a silver truck, struck into the rear of the black truck causing both to enter the north ditch. There was some indication both vehicles overturned and came to rest in upright positions.

Bullet penetrates house in MD of Pincher Creek, narrowly missing family

Spent bullet that came within feet of the Steed family
(submitted photo)

"It's a cautionary tale. It was random, maybe, for it to hit the house, but it was just a few feet from being a tragedy." - Dr. Greg Steed

Chris Davis - Just before 8:30 am on Saturday morning November 12 the Steed family was given a shock when a bullet pierced an exterior and interior wall of their home, luckily missing several family members, but causing them some alarm.

Randy Spencer retires from southwestern Alberta news beat after 45 years

Jessica Harrington and Randy Spencer

Toni Lucas - Mountain Radio News Director Randy Spencer is retiring,  giving up his chair to acting News Director and DJ Jessica Harrington. Spencer has been working in news for 45 years at two locations. He first started working at CJOC Lethbridge in television in 1971. Spencer moved to the Crowsnest Pass to work for the radio station in 1973.  It was owned by CJOC at the time.  He has been there ever since.

Blood Tribe Chief and Council election to be held Nov. 22

Shellie Byers and Chris Davis - The Blood Tribe is heading to the polls for a Chief and Council election. An advance poll is being held in Calgary today November 15 at the Carriage House Inn, and election day is Tuesday November 22.  Polling will take place at the Kainai Multi-Purpose Centre in Stand Off, and the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Centre in Lethbridge.  Five people are running for Chief and 115 candidates are competing for twelve councillor spots.

Alberta RCMP reminds the public about the danger of deteriorated dynamite

RCMP Alberta - There is a large, but unquantified, amount of degraded/deteriorated dynamite in Alberta as a result of historic rules that permitted easy access to dynamite for farmers and ranchers – a lot of which is currently decaying in barns and fields. Over time the dynamite ‘weeps’ or ‘sweats’ chemicals which crystalize and form on the outside of the dynamite and can then pool in the bottom of boxes or storage containers. This creates an extremely dangerous situation where if the materials are jarred even the slightest the chemical becomes unstable and can possibly lead to detonation.

Warning about mobile app Live.me issued by Canadian Centre for Child Protection

Cybertip.ca - The Canadian Centre for Child Protection wants to make parents aware of concerns about youth using a popular live streaming mobile app Live.me. The app allows its users to post live broadcasts and receive “tips” from other users for completing specific tasks during live broadcasts. These “tips” are in the form “gold coins” and can be exchanged for money. Users then have the ability to either delete the recording of the live broadcast or post it on their profile. The app also does not have any restrictions on the age an individual needs to be to create an account.

Understandably, this app has attracted youth who may not be equipped to understand the dangers of recording and sharing sexual videos or engaging in sexual activity while streaming live video feeds. They need to understand that anyone on the other end of the live feed can capture a still image or video of them engaged in that activity - all without their knowledge.

Feeding your baby solid foods

Jennifer Struble, Registered Dietitian, Alberta Health Services - Starting solids foods can be an exciting time for parents and their infant. Most babies are ready for solids around six months of age. Your baby should show signs of readiness before solids are introduced.

Pincher Creek Emergency Services called to prescribed burn

Toni Lucas - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) responded to a brush fire near Waterton Park on Thursday, November 10 at 1:45 pm.  The fire was a prescribed burn to create fire guards to prepare for next spring’s prescribed fires within the Bison Paddock area. The fire was under the control of Parks Canada Fire crew. Due to changes in the wind conditions and direction after the burn had started,  PCES was called in to help contain the fire. The fire did not exceed the prescribed burn area. There was no damage to property, livestock, or people.

Pincher Creek RCMP assist in coordinating successful rescue of hiker

RCMP Alberta - Throughout last night and continuing through today, the Pincher Creek RCMP coordinated the rescue of a 35-year-old female hiker who tumbled approximately 45 meters from a scree slope. She was extracted early this afternoon, and transported via ground ambulance to a local hospital and then flown via air ambulance to a Calgary hospital.

Bantam Chinooks to face several familiar opponents this regular CAHL season

Bantam Chinooks vs Indus Hurricanes

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek's Bantam Chinooks have been placed in the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) tier 5 at the conclusion of this season's seeding round.  They will be facing some familiar competition for the regular season, including Crowsnest Pass, Bow Island/Foremost, Claresholm, and Nanton, as well as Rockyford.  In the tiering round the Chinooks won three games, lost two, and tied one.

MLA Stier on uniting the right, alternative power, and other Alberta issues (updated)

MLA Pat Stier (file photo)

* Updated with additional information from press release and video regarding concerns about wind and solar projects.

Chris Davis - In a November 4 interview Livingstone-Macleod MLA Pat Stier spoke extensively on a number of topics, including the potential uniting of conservatives in the next Alberta provincial election, which will take place on or before May 31, 2019. "We are already heading to a new election, we are already campaigning," he said. When asked if he thought the right would present a united front in that election he said "It's going to be a conservative election, and it's going to be a party of conservatives. I'm sure it will be."

2016 Remembrance Day services in Pincher Creek

Toni Lucas and Chris Davis - Remembrance Day Ceremonies were held in Pincher Creek last week, at local schools on November 9 and at Pincher Creek Community Hall and Twin Butte Community Hall on November 11. In addition to the ceremonies, on November 10 area citizens witnessed a flyover by a Royal Canadian Air Force C-17 Globemaster of the 429 (Bison) Squadron (which was adopted by the City of Lethbridge in 1944 while serving in England during the Second World War). It was flown by Department of National Defence pilot Steve Radvak. who grew up in Pincher Creek. 429 Squadron performed a flyover of the Lethbridge Cenotaph on November 11 as part of that city's Remembrance Day ceremonies. They travelled to southern Alberta from their base in Trenton Ontario for the event. According to Radvak they were also conducting a pilot training mission in the area.

When they came for me there was no one left to speak out

Pastor Martin Niemöller

Photo: J.D. Noske / Anefo - Nationaal Archief - Wikimedia Commons

When the Nazis came for the communists I did not speak out, as I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats I did not speak out; I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists I did not speak out, as I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews I did not speak out, as I was not a Jew.
When they came for me there was no one left to speak out.

Envisioning new directions

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings - Churches function within the world around them. But when the world around them changes, as it had changed so radically in the last 50 years, institutions change slowly. It’s like redirecting a giant tanker in a turbulent sea.

Abandon the task, or make drastic adjustments. Change is possible, but only when we call on all the human resource available to discern what’s needed.

Abide

Pastor Chris Ney - A word rarely used by us in this day in age and one that even when used I think we are not sure of the meaning. I have seen it used in different ways that really don’t do the meaning any justice, it is used a social term to get people to act or do something the way we see it to be. Churches have misused this term for years leading us to a fear based belief and one that is filled with us trying to earn our standing with God, or at least trying to out way the scale.

Midget Huskies placed in CAHL Tier 3 South Red after successful seeding round

Huskies' Spencer Dorge taking a shot during game against Fort Macleod

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek's Midget Huskies finished the Central Alberta Hockey League's 2016 tiering round atop the standings and have been placed in the CAHL's Tier 3 South Red.  Their tier also includes Medicine Hat, Lomond, Bow/Island/Foremost, Duchess, and Brooks.  The Huskies lost only one of their 8 tiering round games, that one being their first game against Nanton (an away game).  They defeated Bow Island/Foremost 4-1 on October 30.  They concluded the tiering round with a 4-3 home-ice win against Fort Macleod's Mavericks on November 4 and a 10-3 away win against Picture Butte on November 6.

Leonard Cohen recites “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae

Mustangs hold 2016 awards banquet

2016 Pincher Creek Mustangs

Christian Davis - Pincher Creek's Mustangs Football organization held their year-end awards banquet on Saturday evening November 5 at Matthew Halton High School.  After an amazing potluck dinner Mustangs President Faith Zachar opened the 2016 awards ceremony, celebrating the players' achievements during the organization's 21st season.  Zachar began by giving roses to and acknowledging the efforts of to key organizers and administrators  Kim Lissel, Melissa Saulnier, Janelle Jorgensen, Erin VanEe. Colleen Hann, Kelly Nelson, and Michelle Duncan.

Remembering Major John Rupert White

Major John Rupert White

CAF 2nd Battalion/Royal 22nd Regiment/UN

Europe, Camp Petawawa, CFB Gagetown, 

Soest Germany, Korea, Kashmir

Solid tiering round performances from Atom Chinooks

Atom Chinooks vs Cochrane Rockies

Christian Davis - Pincher Creek's Atom Chinooks concluded their CAHL tiering round last weekend with a 6 win/2 loss record, scoring 88 goals and giving up 44 goals.

Pedestrian fatality on Hwy 1 near Cochrane

RCMP Alberta -  Just after midnight this morning Cochrane RCMP received a report of a traffic fatality involving a pedestrian on Highway 1 near the intersection of Highway 22. RCMP attended and discovered a male adult had been struck by an eastbound vehicle. The male was pronounced deceased on scene by EMS. Highway 1 was shut down for approximately five hours while the Collision Investigation Team investigated. The investigation into the dynamics of the collision continues. The identity of the male is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Town and MD of Pincher Creek hold organizational meetings

Chris Davis - The Town of Pincher Creek and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 held their organizational meetings last month and early this month to determine the composition of their boards and committees. Since representatives from both councils and their citizenries appear on many of the same boards and committees, the following is a compilation of both organizational meetings. According to the Town's Administrative Manager Lisa Goss there are currently no citizen member committee vacancies at this time, "however the Application for Citizen Appointment to Boards and Committees is available on our website."

Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman welcomes "American refugees"

^ A tweet posted on Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman's account at 9:17 pm MST, as the U.S. election veered toward a Donald Trump win, says Lethbridge is "the first Canadian city to create an American refugee re-settlement program".  Note: the election had not been called at the time this article or the above tweet was originally posted.

Pincher Creek RCMP summary for Oct. 31 - Nov. 7, 2016

Pincher Creek RCMP - The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Pincher Creek Detachment received for the period of October 31 to November 7, 2016. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

Total calls for service – 47

Assaults - 3

Domestic assault - 2

Break and Enter (residential) - 2

Fraud / Forgery - 1

Mischief (vandalism) - 1

Theft of motor vehicle - 1

Theft under $5000 - 2

Impaired Driving - 2

Drugs - 1

Driving complaints (general) - 5

MV Collisions - 3

Liquor offences - 1

Suspicious occurrences (general) - 1

Assistance to other agencies -3

False Alarms - 2

911 calls (invalid) - 1

Prisoners held – 6

Lethbridge man faces charges related to vehicle thefts

RCMP Alberta - On November 2 RCMP Claresholm were advised by Picture Butte RCMP of a stolen vehicle that was heading towards Claresholm. They were advised that the vehicle was driving erratically and had gone into the ditch on one occasion.

Samsung Galaxy Note7 class action commences in Canada

Marketwired - McKenzie Lake Lawyers, LLP has filed a class action lawsuit with respect to Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones.  Galaxy Note7 phones were released in Canada in August 2016. Shortly thereafter, reports began to surface indicating the devices were overheating, catching fire, and exploding. On September 12, 2016, Health Canada issued an advisory noting that the Note7 has the potential to overheat and burn, posing a fire hazard, and therefore, a threat to public safety. On October 10, 2016, Samsung halted global sales of the Note7 and the next day announced that production of the Note7 was permanently terminated. Approximately 39,000 Note7 devices were sold or distributed in Canada.

Pincher Creek and District Historical Society receives Alberta Facility Enhancement grant

Deputy Reeve Terry Yagos, MLA Pat Stier, Colleen Casey-Cyr, Mayor Don Anderberg

Chris Davis - The Pincher Creek and District Historical Society (PCDHS) was recently awarded a $18,349 Government of Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Grant, which will allow the society to continue work on the 1905 CIBC/Turcott building at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village (KBPV).  According to KBPV administrator Laura Korbett "This includes finishing the building, adding heat to be able to have a volunteer workshop area in the basement. The building can then be used year round as a workshop space and meeting space along with having all the exhibits in there."  Livingstone Macleod MLA Pat Stier presented the cheque to PCDHS President Colleen Casey-Cyr on Friday November 4.  Also on hand for the ceremony were Town of Pincher Creek Mayor Don Anderberg and MD of Pincher Creek Deputy Reeve Terry Yagos.

Minor basement fire in Pincher Creek results in smoke damage

Pincher Creek Emergency Services were called to a house fire on Mitchell Street at 1:50 pm Tuesday, November 1. The fire started in some work related materials the homeowner had in the basement. The homeowner alerted 911 and the fire was quickly put out. No one was injured, and Deputy Fire Chief Pat Neumann reported there was only minor smoke damage to house.

Elective surgeries postponed at Chinook Regional Hospital

• Residue found on some surgical instruments; low risk to patients

Alberta Health Services - Alberta Health Services (AHS) is proactively postponing 25 elective surgeries at Chinook Regional Hospital scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 4, after identifying a residue on some surgical instruments.  Seven elective surgeries scheduled for Nov. 2 and 3 were also postponed for this reason. Urgent and emergency surgical procedures will continue as normal.

Blackfalds RCMP on scene of explosion

RCMP Alberta - Blackfalds RCMP are at the scene of a tanker trailer explosion that took the life of one man this afternoon in the Burnt Lake Industrial Park located north-west of Red Deer city limits.

NextEra to buy Pincher Creek area windfarm

Chris Davis - NextEra Energy Canada, LP has agreed to buy a 97 turbine 291 megawatt (3 megawatts per turbine) wind farm project from Heritage Wind Farm Development. The project is to be located in the Summerview area of the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9.  The project was originally approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) in 2011, and the approval was renewed in 2014. The deal is due to close around November 30 of this year, and is subject to regulatory approval.  Construction is anticipated to be completed by December 2017.

A tier topping start to the season for Midget Huskies

Midget Huskies vs Taber Oil Kings

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek's Midget Huskies are sharing the top of the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) tier 4, essentially tied with Cochrane and Fort Macleod, each at five wins and one loss as the end of the CAHL tiering round approaches.  The Huskies' sole loss was to Nanton, which was also their first game of the season.  Nanton currently has a record of 3 wins and 3 losses.  Since then the Huskies defeated Warner 6-1, defeated Taber 8-5, defeated Indus 9-2, defeated High Country 7-0, and defeated Bow Island/Foremost 4-1.  They have two more tiering round games this weekend, the first on home ice at the MCC on Friday evening November 4, starting at 7:45.  On Sunday November 6 they're scheduled for an away game against Picture Butte.

Tampered Halloween candy in Cochrane

RCMP Alberta - On October 31, 2016, the Cochrane RCMP received a complaint that sewing needles had been found in two large size chocolate bars.

Waterton Avenue traffic interruption starts November 1

According to an announcement by the Town of Pincher Creek work crews will be on site along MacLeod Street at Waterton Avenue starting November 1, for work that is anticipated to last two to three weeks. Road closures through out the area have been highlighted in yellow on the image below.