Windy Hollow Players production of 'Farce of Habit' well received

Toni Lucas - The Windy Hollow Players (WHP) performed the play 'Farce of Habit' at the Cowley Community Hall on Friday, June 1, and Saturday, June 2.  A sneak peek performance was also presented to area seniors on May 28.  Director Susan Ames Vogelaar was delighted with the numbers, including returning thespians and new additions to the cast. Each year the WHP put on at least one public performance. This play held elements of murder, romance, and intrigue as the couple who owns the "Reel 'Em Inn" hotel find they are dealing with guests from all walks of life: Nuns and a priest, a radio celebrity, a crazed stalker fan of the celebrity, and a gentleman who wants to find what he has been missing in his steady but humdrum work-a-day life.

Al Roth appointed Director of Emergency Management

Chris Davis - During their March 27 meeting council for the MD of Pincher Creek approved a recommendation by the Pincher Creek Regional Emergency Advisory Committee Meeting that Town Director of Operations Al Roth be appointed as Director of Emergency Management.  Roland Milligan and Cindy Cornish were appointed as Deputy Directors of the Emergency Management. Council.  The Town of Pincher Creek also approved the appointment of Roth to the position during their April 9 regular meeting.

Letter: Transmission line concerns

Margaret Moen - The following is a letter I have written to the Minister of Energy, Minister of the Environment and Jason Kenney regarding the latest project proposal for Chapel Rock to Pincher Creek Transmission line that would be of interest to your readers. I would ask that your readers please contact the Minister of Environment, Minister of Energy and the Leader of The United Conservative Party to provide their positions on these issues.

I am writing this letter to notify you that ALTALINK, together with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), is for the third time attempting to needlessly construct a 240kV transmission line close to my home in southwest Alberta. Since there is a provincial election coming next year, I request your timely assistance / opinion on each of the concerns listed.

Highway 3 reopened, travel alert in effect for Pincher Creek area

Highway 3 at Cowley

Update: According to Pincher Creek Emergency Services, "Highway 3 west of Pincher Creek to Lundbreck now open. Use caution blowing and drifting snow and icy sections on area roads is still an issue."

Alberta Emergency Alert from Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9, 9:04 pm Feb. 13, 2018: Blowing snow is creating hazardous driving conditions on area highways. Road surface are ice covered in some areas. Visibility may be significantly reduced. Local authorities recommending non essential travel be postponed till road conditions improve.

Livingstone School Spaghetti Night brings in dough for grad class

Livingstone School 2018 graduands from left to right: Logan Desjardins, Meghan Tkachuk, Kelsey Norman, Cam Brush, Reid Mosby, Quinlan Connelly-Engel, Cole Schweb, Elisha Lowry, Levi Sekella, Justyn Connelly-Engel, Tom Phillips, Abigail Gibbons

Toni Lucas - Livingstone School held their annual Spaghetti Night graduation fundraiser in the Cowley Hall on Friday evening, November 24. The school's twelve graduands served dinner to over 200 people. This is the main fundraiser for the Livingstone School graduation class and pays for photos, decorations, hall rental, and other expenditures. The Spaghetti Night event featured draws, a silent auction including gift baskets, Christmas themed decorations, and other items. The evening came to a sweet conclusion with Bob Westrop auctioning off a variety of desserts prepared by the graduating class or their families. Pies, cakes, cupcakes, trifles and themes made it so no matter what your tastes there was something to tempt you.  Several desserts were auctioned for more than $200 each, with one 2018-themed rainbow cake shown by Kelsey Norman going for an astounding $1,000.

Break and Enters and ATV thefts in Pincher Creek and near Cowley

Pincher Creek RCMP - Between October 27 and October 31, 2017 a compound on Allison street in Pincher Creek was broken into, several persons entered by cutting through the fence at the rear of the property. It is believed the suspects arrived to the location on a side by side ATV.

Once inside they cut locks on numerous containers, stealing two Can Am Outlander ATV’s, as well as tools, numerous chainsaws, and other equipment.

After leaving through the rear fence the quads were driven a considerable distance away from town. It is also believed the same persons broke into numerous containers in Pincher Station, and attempted to steal two motor bikes. The bikes were recovered in a field where the suspects had left them before departing on the ATV’s.

None of the missing ATV’s have been recovered.

RCMP are also seeking any information relating to a break and enter to numerous trailers at the Cowley Boat Club, located north of Cowley Alberta.

Between November 1st to 5th , 2017, unknown persons cut the fence and entered the Cowley Boat Club grounds by using ATVs. Over 20 holiday trailers were then entered and numerous items taken including tools, TV’s, clothing and other items. Extensive damage occurred when the suspects used axes and pry bars to gain entry to the trailers.

If you have any information regarding these crimes, please contact your local police, or Pincher Creek RCMP, 403 627 6010.

If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by internet at www.tipsubmit.com. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), you may be eligible for a cash reward.

New board of trustees for Livingstone Range School Division

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.

Livingstone Range School Division 2017 election results

Unofficial results for Livingstone Range School Division No. 68 trustees:                                       

Ward 1 (Nanton, Stavely, Claresholm, Granum)

McKee, John (incumbent): 1320 - Elected 

Toone, Brad (incumbent): 1098 - Elected 

Vanderfluit, Jacqui: 803

Swanson, Jaye: 573

Ward 2 (CNP, Lundbreck, Cowley)

Long, Gregory Alan: 841 - Elected

Yagos, Clara (incumbent): 702 - Elected

Stevens, Kristy (incumbent: 520

Ward 3 (Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek)

Hodges, Lori (incumbent): 1087 - Elected 

Poytress, Lacey Lynn: 1009 - Elected 

Burdett, (Jim) James W.: 867 - Elected 

Stano, Terri: 628

Source

Candidates announced for area elections

Updated October 6, 2017

Election Day is October 16, 2017 for the MD and Town of Pincher Creek.  Advance polling for both municipalities will be held on October 11, 2017.

Agricultural fire northwest of Cowley

Updated

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) was called to the scene of a fire on agricultural land northwest of Cowley near Range Road 2-0A/Township Road 8-0 this afternoon at approximately 2:30 pm.

Letter to the editor: Beaver Mines water/wastewater project concerns revisited

Cornell Van Ryk - There was a time when the water and wastewater project was of interest only to the residents of Beaver Mines and those individuals that will be impacted by the lagoon proposed for the confluence of Mill Creek and the Castle River. That time is over. ALL M.D. ratepayers are about to be impacted and should pay attention.

Landfill's biomass incinerator application concerns some area residents

East of the Crowsnest Pass/Pincher Creek Landfill

Chris Davis - Cowley area landowners Duane and Lynne DeCock are concerned about plans by the Crowsnest Pass/Pincher Creek Landfill (CNPC) to operate a biomass incinerator, composed of two 5-tonne chambers. The landfill is approximately 2.5 miles northeast of the DeCock property, according to a letter they sent to Alberta Environment and Parks Regulatory Approvals Center on July 11, 2017.

According to  CNPCL stats, the landfill currently receives annual biomass averages of 200 - 250 tonnes of wildlife carcasses and 700 tonnes from pig and chicken farms. It currently isn't approved to handle beef carcasses, but (with the addition of a biomass incinerator to its operations) projects an average 200 to 250 tonnes per month for 3 months during calving season, and regular cattle mortality averaging another 600 tonnes per year.  CNCP recently issued a public notice stating they have applied  to Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) "for an amendment to an existing approval to construct operate and reclaim the proposed incinerator".  AEP dictates the public consultation requirements.  Costs associated for the project will come from landfill operations, according to CNCP  A final price tag estimate isn't anticipated before next year sometime.

Pincher Creek and Cowley Canada Day 150 celebrations

Toni Lucas - Canada Day 150 celebrations occurred throughout the nation Saturday, July 1, 2017. There were three major venues for celebrations in and around Pincher Creek: Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village hosted their annual Canada Day festivities, Village of Cowley held a day long event, and the Town of Pincher Creek hosted a fun area at the Agricultural Grounds, and topped the night off with fireworks.

Video: 2017 Cowley Canada 150 Parade

Man injured by winch line in the Porcupine Hills

Toni Lucas - At approximately 8:00 pm on June 27 Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) including Pincher Rescue, Pincher Ambulance, and Beaver Mines Fire responded to an incident in the south end of the Porcupine Hills. A man got caught up in a winch line and was transported to Pincher Creek Health Centre with serious injuries, according to PCES Chief Dave Cox. Beaver Mines Fire was asked to assist due to other first response units being occupied by a concurrent fire in Cowley.

Fire at Endurotek in Cowley

Chris Davis (updated) - Cowley Fire and Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) including Lundbreck Fire and and ambulance responded to a fire at the Endurotek shop in Cowley on Tuesday June 27 at approximately 8:00 pm.  No one was in the building at the time and there were no injures, but the shop's office/reception area was significantly damaged. According to PCES Chief Dave Cox the fire appears to have started in the parts department area of the shop.  The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Cowley Fire remained on scene to help secure the building until just after 10:00 pm.

New windmills planned for Cowley Ridge

Cowley Ridge today

Chris Davis - At their regular meeting of May 23, 2017 council for the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 discussed a report from Planning and Development Director of Development and Community Services Roland Milligan regarding land use amendment bylaw 1275-17, which would allow for new wind power development on the decommissioned portion of the Cowley Ridge wind farm site. Cowley Ridge was Canada's first commercial wind site, and as Milligan pointed out, would be Canada's first re-powered commercial wind site. The site was decommissioned last year after 23 years of operation and 57 turbines were removes, having passed their 20-year design lifespan. TransAlta Corporation submitted an application to amend the land use bylaw. TransAlta wants repower the site with 5 to 7 larger turbines with a combined generation capacity up 20 MW. The total output for the site was 24.1 MW before it was decommissioned.

Cowley to celebrate Canada's 150th with parade, show and shine, live music, family activities

Chris Davis - The Village of Cowley will be celebrating Canada's 150th birthday on July 1 with a Classic Car Show and Shine, a parade down Railway Avenue, live music, and a number of other events and attractions. There will be a pancake breakfast put on by the Cowley Lions Club and a burger and hot dog barbeque, and cake. A Village Market will be held in the Cowley Hall, where there will also be a historical display. The event is to start at 8:00 am* and the parade is to start at 11:00 am. Other events include street dancing, bocci ball, horseshoes, archery, 3-legged races, sack races, face painting, a crib tournament, and more. The theme for the day is red and white.  Yours truly will be one of the musicians at the event.  Cowley's last major celebration of this sort was for the village's 100th birthday in 2006.

*change in start time

News briefs March 31, 2017

MHHS students preparing for European tour

MHHS students ready for trip to Europe, including Vimy Anne Frank House, and Auschwitz

36 Matthew Halton High School students will be travelling to Europe next Friday for a 14 day educational tour that will begin in Vimy, France with them taking part in the ceremonies for the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.  They will visit several other European sites related to Canada's contributions to both world wars, including the Anne Frank House (including the famous attic where the Frank family hid from the Nazis, and Krakow, Poland, and the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp.  Stay tuned for a more complete story.

Other stories below:

• Cowley Lions donate to KidSport
• Parks Canada seeks input on Waterton visitor centre design
• Red Deer RCMP investigate homicide
• Armed robbery in Grande Prairie (update)
• Cocaine bust near Wainwright
• Airdrie Rural RCMP investigate fraud
• Strathmore RCMP lay charges after firearms call
• Residential break and enter in Sherwood Park
• NEB panel to review Energy East and Eastern Mainline applications
• AUC to report on smaller-scal renewables and alternative power
• University of Lethbridge Destination Project on track

Similar, but not the same

Toni Lucas, Editorial - I know two women who are facing building their homes, starting with nothing. Nothing is a contraction of No and Thing. This is a big and vague word. One woman is a new bride to be, the other lost her home in a fire.