RCMP Alberta - At approximately 9:40 am July 14, Claresholm RCMP and Fort Macleod RCMP responded to a single vehicle collision on Highway 2 near Township Road 120. A white courier van travelling northbound on Highway 2 entered the centre median and rolled several times.
The passenger of the van, a 25-year-old man from Calgary was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene as a result of his injuries. The driver, a 21-year-old female from Calgary was also ejected from the vehicle and was taken by ambulance to area hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries.
Claresholm RCMP, with the assistance of an RCMP collision analyst are continuing to investigate to determine the cause and any factors in the collision.
RCMP Alberta – RCMP from Claresholm have charged a 52 year old female with eight offences after a traffic stop near Nanton, AB.
On May 29, Claresholm RCMP were called about a truck driving erratically northbound on Highway 2. The Nanton RCMP were called to assist and stopped the vehicle near Nanton. The vehicle had a stolen license plate attached. The female driver was arrested and a search of the vehicle revealed drugs believed to be Methamphetamine.
RCMP Alberta – Following a pursuit last night that started in High River and spanned four different detachment areas, the RCMP safely terminated the pursuit in Granum and arrested two adults and one youth.
ALERT - ALERT is urging caution after a significant amount of what is believed to be a powerful opioid was seized in a bust in southern Alberta. One person was arrested.
On February 7, 2018, ALERT’s Lethbridge organized crime and gang team arrested Samantha Hattersley, 27, of Lethbridge outside a business in Claresholm. During the arrest, investigators seized a total of 114.5 grams of powder that they suspect could contain carfentanil, a drug that is 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
RCMP Alberta - On November 15, 2017 the RCMP in Claresholm entered into an investigation where five victims in their middle to late teens alleged numerous sexual assault incidents occurring over a period of 11 months. As a result of this investigation, a Claresholm male has been charged with 6 counts of Sexual Assault, 5 counts of Sexual Interference and 8 counts of Sexual Exploitation. The name of the accused will not be released in order to protect the identity of the victims involved. The Accused is scheduled to appear in the Provincial Court of Alberta in Fort Macleod on December 6, 2017.
Chris Davis - Livingstone-Macleod MLA Pat Stier (UC) spoke in the Alberta legislature twice this week against the serving of reheated frozen meals at supportive living facilities, including specifically one such facility in Claresholm.
Livingstone Range School Division - Following the conclusion of municipal elections across the province, Livingstone Range School Division (LRSD) is pleased to announce the results of votes for the LRSD Board of Trustees.
In Ward 1, encompassing Nanton, Stavely, Claresholm and Granum, the positions were sustained by incumbents John McKee and Brad Toone.
Ward 2, representing Cowley, Lundbreck and the Crowsnest Pass, saw incumbent Clara Yagos retain her position and new candidate Greg Long filling the spot formerly held by Kristy Stevens.
In Ward 3, representing Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek, incumbent Lori Hodges retained her position, joined by new candidate Lacey Poytress and Jim Burdett, a former LRSD trustee returning to the office. Former Ward 3 trustees Martha Ratcliffe and Shannon Scherger opted not to vie for their positions in this election.
511.alberta.ca - Highway 22 from Highway 533 to Highway 3 (south of Chain Lakes and northwest of Lundbreck) is closed due to a wildfire in the area. Expect reduced visibility due to smoke. Drive with caution.
Alberta Emergency Alert update issued Wednesday October 25, 4:56 pm - There is a mandatory evacuation order for residents on all of Chimney Rock Road and south to Highway 520 on the west side of Highway 22. This is an evacuation alert for residents north of Chimney Rock Road to Highway 533 on the west side of Highway 22. Residents evacuating please call the Municipal District of Ranchland No. 66 office at 403-646-3131.
Livingstone - Macleod MLA Pat Stier and Wildrose Leader Brian Jean
Chris Davis - Wildrose leader Brian Jean spoke to a small crowd of 20 or so people in Pincher Creek on July 5, at the conclusion of a tour through Livingstone-Macleod to promote conservative unity and to boost his brand as potential leader of the United Conservative Party of Alberta. He took a few swipes at Alberta's NDP government along the way. Other stops earlier in the day included Nanton, Claresholm, and Fort Macleod.
MLA Pat Stier introduces Brian Jean
Introduced by Livingstone-Macleod MLA Pat Stier, Jean got straight to it with an audience mostly composed of die-hard Wildrose believers. Alberta's the best place in the world," he said before discussing briefly his Fort McMurray background, adding "Truly our best days are in front of us."
"I believe we can take this province back," he said.
"It's not just about the next election," said Jean, adding that he thought the Wildrose could win the next election "but it can't just be about the next election."
Jean said oil, natural gas, tourism, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, geothermal and hydro project opportunities are just a few of Alberta's opportunities.
"Wildrose right now is the beating heart of the conservative movement in Alberta."
"How do we make sure one leader, one executive and one group of members controls the PC brand, the Wildrose brand, and the Conservative brand in Alberta?"
"We need a Premier and a government that will come in here, and manage our resources properly."
"It means making practical, common sense decisions, in the best interest of the people you serve."
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean
Jean explained the different foundations underpinning the Progressive Conservative and Wildrose parties. The Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta is an Unincorporated Association and "Their board of directors controls everything they do." The Wildrose Party was incorporated under the Societies Act. "It means that the members are in charge, and it takes 75% of our membership to change anything. To change any major constitutional decision, such as unity." The Wildrose needs 75% of the membership to vote and to agree on unity to proceed with it as a political party. "The PC party doesn't need to do that." Jean said the PC party will have their first referendum ever, and their goal is 50% plus 1 vote to decide on unity. He explained that if unity goes through, the plan at this time is for the newly formed party is to be ruled under the Societies Act so the individual membership has more control than in the PC's model.
Jean said he was opposed to the debt that has accumulated in the name of the province of Alberta.
"That debt means we can not fund our schools, can not fund our health care, and frankly wont be able to pay for infrastructure like roads and bridges."
"We don't need to change our education system to every new fad that teachers want to implement. We frankly need to do the opposite. We need to get back to basics in math, and writing. Making sure our kids have the education that makes them competitive with the world."
"I watched for four months as my son died in the heath care system here. And I will tell you that what I learned from that, is our system's not working."
He said Alberta ranks 28th out of 30 for health outcomes according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) statistics, "...and we are the second most expensive." He added Saskatchewan and BC have less drastic wait times. "It's not health care spending, it's health care management."
Jean said he was a proponent of fiscal conservatism, personal freedoms, religious liberty, democracy, "...and a belief and confidence that Alberta is the best place in the world, not just to work, but to play, to live, and to raise a family."
He was very critical of the equalization program across Canada. including the unemployment insurance program. "At least we should be treated fairly, and that's what I want to see." Day care subsidies and secondary schooling costs not being dealt with equivocally nation-wide was another concern. "That's why I promise that in one year of being elected as premier, I will have a referendum that forces Ottawa to re-negotiate equalization."
Health care, education, and citizen safety are also cited as concerns for Jean. "That's why I am here today. Because I watched my son die, and I don't want that to happen to any of you. It truly is a situation where it could, and you shouldn't let it happen to you."
"It's not just equalization we have to re-negotiate, there is no question we have to do that. We also have to look for opportunities for Alberta to be treated the same as other provinces."
Speaking of a recent trip to New York and Washington, Jean said many of the potential investors and investment firms with a worldwide impact are very leery of the current NDP government in Alberta. "They looked at me and said, 'Change your government.' They knew our Premier by name, and called them socialists."
Jean is not a fan of Canadian Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "Personally, I believe that there's nobody more unqualified for that job than him in Ottawa, right now."
At the end of his speech Jean told the audience that Wildrose memberships had to be purchased by the end of day July 8 to vote in the unity vote on July 22. A leadership vote is expected October 28 if unity is approved by both parties.
A question and answer period followed, much of which is included in the accompanying video.
In an interview after the meet and greet that followed his speech, Jean said "Right now, I am focused on Unity. I am not focused on leadership. I am just trying to get the message out there to people."
"I believe in democracy, so it's going to be up to the local constituency associations to appoint their member to represent them as the candidate in the next election, and hopefully, as the MLA."
"I think it is very important to make sure that we always have democracy at the forefront. So members are always the deciders on policy, and any constitutional changes." He further explained, "I think the members of both parties, if they truly are conservatives, will come together and will support the single consolidated voice moving forward."
"These parties moving forward into one united voice obviously it removes some of the competitive element where people will vote, and split their vote, between two different parties."
"I think it's true that most Albertans have clearly indicated that they are unhappy with the Progressive Conservative Party." He said he sees this as a way of moving forward with a stronger united party incorporating Wildrose ideals. "Frankly I think 44 years of any government sort of runs long and I think that people finally had enough reasons not to vote for PC's last time."
Jean said unity was different from what occurred when former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith led a total of 9 Wildrose members across the floor to the PCs in December of 2014, leaving 5 behind still carrying the Wildrose torch. "Whereas last time, it was self serving politicians that crossed the floor and did things on their own, for themselves. This time, it's a little bit different."
He thinks this change in attitude is about listening to the people is a huge change from the floor crossing. "I do think they will accept it this time, and they will be very satisfied, and very happy."
"Buy a membership and get involved in policy. Because policy is decided by our membership."
Wildrose Party - On April 12 Wildrose Livingstone-Macleod MLA Pat Stier questioned the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on water co-operatives funding. The Leavings Water Co-op near Claresholm is out of a local supply of water and has met with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding their urgent need to supply over 550 people with reliable, clean water.
Government of Alberta - The Alberta government is helping communities in southwestern Alberta create jobs and diversify their local economies through the Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) program. Communities in southwestern Alberta will benefit from $225,000 in funding to support local economic development projects.
C. Davis - Kainai's Tatsikiisaapo'p Middle School B Girls Eagles won the South Western Junior High Athletic Association (SWJHAA) 2017 banner after defeating Matthew Halton's Hawks 55-41 in the SWJHAA Post Season Final on March 11. The tournament was held at Matthew Halton High School in Pincher Creek. The Hawks placed second, and St. Michael's Dragons placed third. Six teams competed in a total of seven games.
Chris Davis - Last Friday and Saturday the Matthew Halton Gym was the busy site of the 2017 Halton Hawks Junior Girls A and B invitational basketball tournament. 12 teams played in a total of four pools for preliminary games before contesting in A and B final games.
Chris Davis - Pincher Creek's Peewee Chinooks began their 2016/17 season with three Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) tiering round wins in a row against Crowsnest Pass, Claresholm, and Nanton, which was followed by a squeaker one goal loss to Fort Macleod that was decided in the final seconds of the game.
Chris Davis - Like Pincher Creek's other minor hockey teams the Bantam Chinooks are playing in the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) this season. The Chinooks are currently in CAHL tier 4, during this season's tiering round. The Chinooks struggled in their home and season opener on Friday evening, October 14 against Fort Macleod's Mustangs. The Mustangs won by a wide margin. They fared much better against Claresholm the next day, again at home.
Chris Davis - The 2016 Halton Hawks Junior A and B Girls Volleyball Showdown was held at the Matthew Halton High School gymnasium last Friday and Saturday, with a total of 7 "A" and 6 "B" teams participating. The A teams (grade 8/9) were divided into two pools for the initial games of the round robin format invitational tournament. The B teams (grade 7/8) competed in one pool.
At 10:30 pm May 12, Claresholm RCMP responded to a missing person report submitted by the family of an 85-year old rancher, who was last seen in Claresholm on May 11.
