Travel Advisory issued for the Lethbridge County Highway area

Please be advised the Lethbridge RCMP is issuing a Travel advisory for the Lethbridge Surrounding Area. 

Blowing Snow is creating zero visibility conditions and the highways are becoming icy and hazardous. Multiple collisions have already taken place this morning and Police are encouraging motorists on the Lethbridge area highways to not travel.

If you must travel, please drive to the conditions, ensure your headlights are on and increase your stopping distances. Bring warm winter gear in case of problems and increase your spacing between vehicles to ensure you have enough room to react should something unexpected happen.

Wind and blowing snow is expected to drop off by tomorrow.

Please see Environment Canada Weather at: http://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/ab-30_metric_e.html for further details.

Policing in Alberta to December 8, 2013

RCMP press releases

• Vegreville RCMP requesting public's assistance to locate missing woman
• RCMP Red Deer City requests public’s assistance in locating missing woman
• 14 year old Grande Prairie boy still missing
• Gas siphoned from Fort Macleod vehicles
• Fort Macleod RCMP investigate Break and Enter
• Fort Macleod RCMP investigate tires and rims theft
• Innisfail marihuana bust
• Lloydminster Armed Robbery suspect in custody
• Stabbing in Fort MacKay
• Olds area Fraud investigation results in charges
• Rayden Tilley given adult sentence for murder and other charges
• Attempted Armed Robbery at Bashaw Bottle Depot
• Police investigating suspicious death in Sexsmith
• Smoky Lake MVC results in fatality
• RCMP Spruce Grove/Stony Plain arrest drug trafficker
• Rocky Mountain House RCMP lay charges in pedestrian fatality MVC that revealed large quantity of marihuana
• Air 1 assists in apprehension of dangerous auto thief and accessory
• Vegreville RCMP make arrest following high speed pursuit on Highway #16
• Large sum of money forfeited from Edson illegal drug producer
• Head on collision near House River sends 4 to hospital
• Lloydminster RCMP seek assistance to identify liquor store robbers
• Olds Men charged with Break and Enter offences
• Break and Enter at Hinton Canadian Tire

Vegreville RCMP requesting public's assistance  to locate missing woman

Missing: Deanne MacNeil

Checkstop held at Burmis Scales

Checkstop at the Burmis Weigh Scales
Photo courtesy Cst. Sokoloski

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Over 160 check-stops were planned throughout the Province of Alberta on Saturday, December 7, one of the coldest days to date this year throughout the province.  This initiative involved all law enforcement across Alberta.

For the Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass areas a check-stop was held at the Burmis Weigh Scales on Highway 3.  This was a combined effort that on behalf of RCMP, Conservation Officers, and
Inspection Services.

"It's an awareness thing," said Constable Doug Sokoloski.  "This is a huge public relations initiative."  With Christmas approaching all law enforcement would like to remind the public that drinking and driving is illegal and it is being enforced.

The officers involved were checking for impaired drivers, checking lights, and making sure windshields were intact.  They checked for proper documentation including drivers licence, registration and insurance.  Conservation officers checked with hunters, and Inspection Services checked large vehicles to make sure that they were safe for the road.

"Throughout the holiday season we will be holding check-stops at various random locations," said Sokoloski.  The purpose is to deter people from driving impaired, make sure vehicles are roadworthy and ensure a safer holiday season for everyone.

Addendum: In addition to the entities mentioned above, 8 members of the Pincher Creek District Citizens on Patrol were also helping out at this checkstop.  They also provided  coffee, donuts, and muffins for the workers all day.

Piikani Fire responds to two motor vehicle accidents

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Piikani Volunteer Fire Department responded to two incidents yesterday evening December 6 at approximately 6:30 pm, according to Volunteer Fire Officer Keith Knowlton.  The first involved three cars and a truck at the bottom of Scott's Coulee, east of Brocket.  Pincher Creek Emergency Services assisted with the call and one patient was transported to Pincher Creek Hospital with undetermined injuries.  The second accident occurred in the Summerview area.  Knowlton was unsure of the details at this time because he was not on scene.

Knowlton said volunteers were out for three and a half hours in the bitter cold performing highway control and clean up.  "It was sheer ice out there, and so cold."

Emergency Services responds to unpermitted burn

Unpermitted brush fire near Oldman Dam causes concern for neighbours
Jenaya Launstein photo

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek Emergency Services responded to a call last night, December 6, that turned out to be someone burning brush piles without a permit north of the Oldman dam near the Walking Plow housing development.

Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox wants to remind people that a permit is required for fires 12 months of the year regardless of the weather conditions.

For information about obtaining a fire permit visit www.pincherfire.com/permits

Pincher Creek Emergency Services donates ambulance to Rotary's Los Amigos Project

Pincher Creek Rotary past President Douglas Thornton, present President Lynn Brasnett,
and Pincher Creek Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox with photo of donated ambulance
C. Davis photos

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) Chief Dave Cox presented Pincher Creek's Rotary Club with a significant donation to the Los Amigos Project at Rotary's regular meeting on December 5: a decomissioned ambulance which PCES sold to Rotary for a dollar.

The Los Amigos Project was spearheaded by Rotary Club of Lethbridge Sunrise and is an effort by southern Alberta Rotary Clubs to acquire six vehicles and other emergency services equipment to ship to Mazatlan early spring next year and distribute throughout the area there.

Piikani Fire Department learns to prepare for a helicopter landing

Adam Crowshoe directing pilot to take off
Photos courtesy of Paula Smith

Toni Lucas with extensive notes from Piikani Nation Communications Officer Paula Smith 

Piikani Nation Volunteer Fire Department  (PFD) Volunteers recently had the opportunity to participate in STARS Air Ambulance Landing Training.  The segment of training that they attended was called Preparing a Helicopter Landing Zone.

Emergency Services responds to single vehicle accident south of Pincher Creek

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek Emergency Services responded to a call west of the Waterton Shell plant at approximately 7:30 pm yesterday evening, December 4.

According to Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox four people were travelling in a truck that missed the bridge close to the Shell field office and came to rest near the creek.

Two ambulances and a rescue vehicle arrived on scene to find that two people had already left the vehicle.  The responders performed a  low angle rope rescue to extricate the remaining two people from the truck.

Some responders got  wet during the rescue process but were not significantly harmed.

The four people involved in the accident were assessed on scene and three were transported to hospital with minor injuries and symptoms of exposure to cold.

Pincher Creek man Taylor Elliott is missing

Update: Taylor Elliott found deceased (click here)

Policing in Alberta to December 3, 2013

• Canada-wide warrant issued for high-risk Lethbridge sex offender

• Highway 1 Re-Opened between Calgary and Strathmore
• Leduc Couple charged with Possession of Stolen Property
• Leduc RCMP respond to Multiple Vehicle Collisions due to icy road conditions
• December is Impaired Driving Awareness Month
• Vehicles stolen in Cochrane
• Rocky Mountain House Marihuana grow op busted
• Downtown shooting in Fort McMurray
• RCMP Calgary Major Crimes Unit arrest two individuals, one remains at large
• Furnaces stolen in Beaumont
• Culprit sought in Marwayne area highway hit and run
• RCMP Red Deer City investigate Armed Robbery
• 21 vehicle collision near Fort Saskatchewan
• High risk violent offender Dean Zimmerman turns himself in

Canada-wide warrant issued for high-risk Lethbridge sex offender

In the interest of public safety, the Lethbridge Regional Police Service is issuing the following public warning in regard to a high risk sex offender, who is currently wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching his release conditions.

Wanted: pedophile Vincent Palmer

Worker hospitalized after fall from power pole

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Tuesday December 3 Pincher Creek Emergency Services responded with a rescue vehicle and an ambulance to a call in the Summerview area  where a worker had fallen from a power pole at approximately 11:30 am.

The person fell roughly 35 feet.  They were transported to hospital with undetermined injuries.

Bellevue resident fined $2000 for killing black bear

On October 29th, 2013 , A resident of Bellevue, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, plead guilty in Provincial Court to Hunting Wildlife During a Closed Season.

Update: roads and weather conditions in southern Alberta

2:20 pm, December 2, 2013

Highway 2 from Wetaskiwin south to Calgary is in extremely poor condition. Travel not recommended.

Highway 1 from the Saskatchewan border to Calgary also in poor condition. Travel not recommended.

Highway 2 southbound between the Didsbury and Carstairs overpass is completely blocked due to a multi vehicle collision. RCMP is receiving varying reports of between 15 to 40 vehicles involved.

Highway 72, 15 kilometres east of Highway 2 currently blocked by another multi vehicle collision.

Through out the province, officers report that highways are icy, snow covered and have reduced visibility.

Driving conditions hazardous in Cardston area

12:49 pm, December 2, 2013

Cardston RCMP is warning the general public that due to the high winds and blowing snow is making driving conditions very hazardous. Therefore the RCMP is requesting motorists if all possible to refrain from driving on all highways and secondary roads until further notice.

Policing in Alberta to December 2, 2013

RCMP press releases

• Pincher Creek RCMP media summary for the week of November 25 to December 2, 2013
• Grande Prairie RCMP ask for public's help to find missing man
• Snowfall/ Travel Advisory for the Lethbridge and surrounding areas
• Suspect sought after Indecent Act in Cochrane
• Grande Prairie RCMP weekend news summary
• Lloydminster cabbie robbed
• See also: Pincher Creek man missing

• Sting operation nets seven contactors

Pincher Creek RCMP Media Summary for the week of November 25 to December 2, 2013

Highway 3 in very poor condition, travel not advised

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

First posted at 12:15 pm, December 2, 2013
Updated at 3:00 pm December 2, 2013

Pincher Creek RCMP are reporting that Highway 3 has close to zero visibility at this time (noon).

Updated 3:00 pm: Highway 3 from Coleman to Sparwood has been reopened, according to reports from Mountain Radio's Krystina Krestschmer.

Although Highway 3 remains technically open at this time (noon) from Coleman to Fort Macleod, travel is not advised.

According to Environment Canada 15 to 30 centimetres of snow is expected to fall in most areas of southern Alberta by Tuesday morning,  gradually tapering off from the north during the day Tuesday.

Visit http://511.alberta.ca for highway conditions in Alberta and highway cameras.

Highway 3 near Cowley, 12:12 pm, December 2, 2013
511.alberta.ca highway camera

Policing in Alberta to November 28, 2013

RCMP press releases

• Grande Prairie RCMP seeking public's assistance to find missing 14 year old
• Explosion at Clean Harbours Business in Leduc Industrial Park results in two injuries
• Approximately 70 tires stolen from Castor business
• Multi-Agency Rocky Mountain House Checkstop
• Fatal September collision results in charges for Edmonton man
• Picture Butte RCMP investigating trailer theft
• Two Hills RCMP assist with female in medical distress

Grande Prairie RCMP seeking public's assistance to find missing 14 year old

Grande Prairie RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating 14 year old Braiden DESJARLAIS of Grande Prairie.

Missing: Braiden Desjarlais

Abandoned house burns in Piikani

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Piikani Fire Department responded to a 911 call on Tuesday, November 26, at 7:43 pm.  An abandoned house at 1919 15 Ave south of the railway tracks and east of highway 786 was on fire.

"We threw all our forces at the fire, to protect the surrounding areas.  We called in Pincher Creek to assist us," said Piikani Fire Chief Floyd Provost.

One of the goals was to keep the fire from spreading to surrounding buildings or becoming a grass fire.  Wind can be a large factor in how quickly a fire event can spread and Provost said it was a calm night for wind.  Piikani deployed 2 units and the brush buggy on site, and Pincher Creek  responded with one engine.

This is considered to be a suspicious fire and under is investigation by the RCMP.

Municipalities to receive quarterly reports of dangerous goods transported by rail

Rail cars near Cowley
C. Davis file photo

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) has been in contact with Pincher Creek Emergency Services to let them know that they will be receiving a report from CPR every 3 months regarding the kinds of loads that have passed through the area.

On November 20 Federal Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt issued Protective Direction No. 32, which   directs rail companies to share more information with municipalities.

Grain cars derail near Burmis

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Today November 25 at 5:32 am Crowsnest Pass RCMP detachment was contacted by Canadian Pacific Railway in regards to a train derailment that occurred approximately half a mile west of the Highway 507 rail crossing which is south and west of the Highway 3 Burmis scales.

According to Crowsnest Pass RCMP Constable J. Morrison there was nothing suspicious about the accident, which may have been caused by a mechanical failure. Two cars containing grain spilled with a total of three cars affected.

Traffic in the immediate vicinity was slightly affected from 5:30 am until 7:30 am, and crews will be cleaning up the area on November 25 and 26.

Pincher Creek Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox visited the scene at approximately 5:00 pm and reports that CPR police are currently managing traffic flow while a clean up crew is at work, and are allowing a limited train traffic flow at this time.

No hazardous materials were involved in the derailment.