Wildrose: Castle parks issues only going to get worse unless NDP agrees to consult

Wildrose Party press release - The NDP government will need to respond to the increasing number of Albertans upset by the lack of consultation happening around amended restrictions to activities in the Castle Region, the Wildrose Official Opposition said today. A town hall meeting Tuesday organized by the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad and the Hillcrest Fish and Game Association saw more than 800 guests show up and voice their concerns about the new restrictions to previously permitted uses in the Castle Region. Some of these changes include banning licensed highway vehicles from off-road use and restricting off-highway vehicles like quads and snowmobiles to designated trail use only, before they're completely banned in the next three to five years.

One man in custody after shots fired and standoff in Pincher Creek

C. Davis photos

Chris Davis / Toni Lucas - At approximately 4:20 am today Pincher Creek RCMP attended an emergency call in the town of Pincher Creek, following a report of shots fired.  The incident occurred at a home across the street from the Matthew Halton High School parking lot, at the southwest corner of Davidson Avenue and Mountain Street. Crowsnest Pass RCMP, Piikani RCMP, the Calgary RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), and an RCMP helicopter later joined the response effort.

2016 Canadian Census population and dwelling data released

Statistics Canada today released the population and dwelling data from the 2016 census. 

Some highlights:

• Canada population in 2016: 35,151,728 - an increase of 5% from 2011, for an average of 3.9 people per square kilometre. 15,412,443 private Canadian dwellings.
• Alberta population in 2016: 4,067,175 - an increase of 11.6% from 2011, for an average of 6.4 people per square kilometre. 1,654,129 private Alberta dwellings
• Beaver Mines had a population of 82 people in 2016, up by 2 people. 59 private dwellings in Beaver Mines, 26 of them occupied by usual residents.
• Crowsnest Pass had a population of 5,589 in 2016, up 0.4% from 5565 in 2011.  3,225 private dwellings in CNP, 2,567 occupied by usual residents.
• Fort Macleod had a population of 2,967 in 2016, down 4.8% from 3,117 in 2011. 1426 private dwellings in Fort Macleod, 1226 of them occupied by usual residents.
• Lundbreck had a population of 236 in 2015, down 3.3% from 244 in 2011. 141 private dwellings in Lundbreck, 113 of them occupied by usual residents.
• Municipal District of Pincher Creek had a population of 2,965 in 2016, down 6.1% from 3,158 in 2011. 1649 private dwellings in the MD, 1,119 of them occupied by usual residents.
• Piikani Nation had a population of 1,544 in 2016, up 26.9% from 1,217 in 2011. 438 dwellings in Piikani Nation.
• Town of Pincher Creek had a population of 3,642 in 2016 , down 1.2% from 3,685 in 2011. 1,589 private dwellings in the Town, 1,490 of them occupied by usual (permanent) residents.
• Twin Butte's population remained unchanged at 10, in 6 private dwellings, 5 of them occupied by usual residents.
• Village of Cowley had a population of 209 in 2016, down 11.4% from 236 in 2011. 113 private dwellings in Cowley with 100 of them occupied by usual residents.
• Village of Glenwood had a population of 316 in 2016, up 10.1% from 287 in 2011. 119 private dwellings in Glenwood, 107 of them occupied by usual residents.
• Village of Hill Spring had a population of 162 in 2016, down 12.9% from 186 in 2011. 92 private dwellings in Hill Spring, 74 of them occupied by usual residents.
• Waterton Park had a population of 105 people in 2016, up 19.3% from 88 in 2011. 168 private dwelling in Waterton Park, 39 of them occupied by usual residents.

Click here for the full census package.

Major winter storm hits Pincher Creek area

Snowfall aftermath in Cowley Feb. 7

Headlines:

• Pincher Creek Emergency Services responds to two collisions
• Weather event snowfall totals to February 6
• Section of Highway 3 closed for a day, travellers stranded in Crowsnest Pass
• A boon for Castle Mountain ski resort
• Snow removal ongoing

A winter snowfall event of epic proportions hit southern Alberta Saturday afternoon, February 4. Avalanche conditions were reported for some areas of Castle Mountain and avalanche conditions at Waterton Lakes National Park were reported to be extreme in alpine and treeline areas, and high below the treeline. Waterton reported snowfalls of 112cm-120cm. Pincher Creek Emergency Services responded to two collisions on Highway 3. Temperatures were in the mid to low -20s C during the weather event. Maintenance crews have several days of cleanup to accomplish. According to The Weather Network, the temperature in Pincher Creek at this time (Tuesday evening) is reported at -30 C, but temperatures are expected to continually rise over the next several days. Mainly sunny conditions projected for the next seven days, with the exception of Thursday, February 9, which is forecast to include snow and rain showers and a high of +4 C.

Snow removal in Pincher Creek

Town of Pincher Creek - Snow removal on Main Street is actively happening, we are asking residents to use an alternative route if possible. Snow removal crews are currently working from 2 a.m. through to 8 p.m.  Snow removal is taking place in accordance to bylaw #302-93 and crews are currently working on priorities 1; All hills and emergency routes, 2; Portions of Main Street and 3; School zones. Due to the extremely large amount of snow received the removal process is taking longer than average. The operations department is anticipating removal in residential areas will take place in approximately 72 hours.  Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass area schools were closed Monday and Tuesday.

Livingstone Science Fair 2017

Toni Lucas - Livingstone School held their annual School Science Fair on Monday, January 30 for students in grades 1 - 9. Participation was voluntary and the students chose their own projects based on their interests. Many chose to work alone, however their were some groups of two or more student who collaborated to do a presentation. There was a wide range of displays and demonstrations, and many of the students stayed with their booths to explain what their findings were. Among the many guests, Livingstone Range School Division Trustee Clara Yagos was in attendance.

Pincher Creek Curling Club continues to look for insurance and funding

Toni Lucas - The Pincher Creek Curling Club is facing the possibility of an early shut down of their spring 2017 season due to insurance issues.  Approximately fifty club members met for an emergency meeting on Wednesday, February 1, to discuss all possible avenues, including selling the building to the Town of Pincher Creek.  A vote of the membership at the meeting authorized the executive to sell the building to the Town if necessary to get insurance coverage.  Only two members voted against the motion.

Pincher Creek area schools to remain closed on Tuesday, snow removal in downtown core to begin

Pincher Creek area schools will remain closed on Tuesday, February 7, including Livingstone, Canyon, St. Michael's, and Matthew Halton. Snow removal in the downtown core is expected to start in the morning.  The Town asks commuters to use alternate routes to allow crews room to work.

Reading and learning with our children

Kari Hagen, Alberta Health Services - The first few years of a baby’s life are very important for brain development. There are many things we as parents and caregivers can do to help stimulate the baby’s brain. For a newborn baby we can read stories or sing songs. We can hold the baby close to our face so they can see how we move our mouth and lips when we talk to them. When we do this, baby may attempt to copy our movements with his/her lips and mouth. We can also comfort our baby by cuddling and showing affection.

Pincher Creek RCMP summary for Jan. 30 - Feb. 5, 2017

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

Total calls for service - 32

Assaults - 1

Break and Enter (residential) - 1

Mischief (vandalism) - 2

Theft of motor vehicle - 3

Theft under $5000 - 1

Driving complaints (general) - 9
MV Collisions - 3
Assistance to General Public (general) - 1

911 calls (invalid) - 3

Prisoners held – 1

Albertans Encouraged to take part in constituency review by Feb. 8

Government of Alberta - It’s the last chance for Albertans to provide written or online submissions to the Electoral Boundaries Commission prior to the production of its interim report. Those who would like to have input into redrawing the constituency map are encouraged to submit to www.ABebc.ca by Wednesday, February 8.

RCMP South Major Crime Unit charges man with manslaughter

RCMP Alberta - In cooperation with the Blood Tribe Police Service, the RCMP have arrested and charged 42-year-old Jimmy Bad Man with manslaughter in the death of Sara-Jean Big Sorrel Horseof the Blood First Nation.

Snow day for Pincher Creek area schools

Due to heavy snowfall and poor driving conditions, school will be closed Monday February 6th #pinchercreek #lrsd68 #snowday

— Canyon School (@LRSDCanyonSchl) February 6, 2017

Due to inclement weather there is no school for St. Michael's School in #pinchercreek tomorrow - Feb 6, 2017.

— Holy Spirit Schools (@HolySpiritCSD) February 6, 2017

Just found out that school is cancelled for tomorrow. Enjoy your snow day :)

— Matthew Halton High (@MHHSlrsd) February 6, 2017

No school for Monday February 6 due to weather. Be safe everyone

— Livingstone School (@LivSab_LRSD68) February 6, 2017

Ask permission first

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings - I knew she was proud of her self-reliance, but I was more than happy to cut my neighbour’s lawn (while she wasn’t home) and shovel her walk (first thing in the morning).  But I could hardly believe her anger one morning. After a particularly heavy snow-fall, I was shoveling my way in from the street when the door burst open and she started shouted something about “Leave that alone! Who do you think you are anyway?”

Dare to stand out

Pastor Chris Ney - What does it look like today to fit in, does it look like being the same as everyone else, dressing like them, talking like them, acting like them? Why do we strive to be like everyone else while at the same time trying to be different? It makes sense doesn’t it, how we can walk day in and day out trying to just be and yet we all have this inner longing to be ourselves, I know for me I wasn’t sure that anyone would like the real me so I just kept it bottled up and played along with everyone.

Southbound QEII speed reduction at Highway 53

Government of Alberta - Damage to the QEII overpass of Highway 53 near Ponoka will result in immediate lowering of the speed limit on southbound lanes to 80 kilometres per hour.  The damage was caused when a large truck carrying a high load struck the overpass on Tuesday, Jan. 31. In addition to the speed reduction, the damage will also require closure of the southbound acceleration/deceleration lanes on the QEII on to and off of Highway 53, affecting traffic leaving or going to Ponoka.

There is no danger to the public, but Alberta Transportation urges drivers to slow down and obey all signs near the QEII and Highway 53 interchange.

Design of the necessary repairs is underway. They will be completed as soon as possible but restrictions will remain in place for an undetermined period of time.

Meanwhile, Highway 3 at Cowley, west of Pincher Creek, at this time:

New stop sign at Veterans/Bev McLachlin intersection

Town of Pincher Creek photo

A new stop sign has been installed at the corner of Veterans Street and Bev McLachlin Drive in Pincher Creek.  The intersection is adjacent to the hospital, is on one of the town's busier driving routes, and was previously a "yield" intersection.

Succession planning seminar held in Pincher Creek

Sun Life Financial Associate Don Strankman and KPMG Manager CPA Rebecca Sanford

Photo Toni Lucas

A farm succession planning seminar was hosted at the Lebel Mansion on Wednesday, February 1 with around 20 people in attendance.  The topic was transitioning your rural property to a different owner, whether that is your children, other family members, neighbours, or another person or entity of your choice.  "The most important thing is developing a plan for the future.  If you are looking for a way to pass on your farm to the future generation, or potentially you are a retiring farmer and you don't have any farming children who want to take over, what are the next steps for you?", explained Justine Peters from Stringam LLP.  The session covered a wide range of possible topics which can occur in real life: small family farms, incorporated properties, multiple business partners, multiple children with different interests, no children, to name a few of the various scenarios discussed.

Coaldale train vs car collision

RCMP Alberta - On Feb. 2, 2017 at around 2:45 p.m. the Coaldale RCMP along with Coaldale Fire/EMS responded to a train vs car collision on the rail crossing at highway 3 and 11th street in Coaldale.

Michael MacPherson pleads guilty to manslaughter of Tanner Sinclair

https://t.co/1oGlhf0yEh

— Pincher Creek Voice (@PincherVoice) February 3, 2017

Cochrane RCMP arrest 2 men on multiple charges, recover stolen Pincher Creek vehicle

Alberta  RCMP - RCMP in Cochrane have arrested Cole Mclean, the man earlier reported to be wanted in Vulcan, Okotoks and Turner Valley.  On Tuesday, January 31, Cochrane RCMP responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle at an oilfield lease site north of Cochrane. On arrival, they found Cole Mclean as well as 28-year-old Danielle Mckenna of Okotoks. The two were found to be in possession of a truck stolen from Pincher Creek as well as break-in instruments, controlled substances, stolen identification and other stolen property.

Pincher Creek Winter Walk and Jersey Day 2017

Pincher Creek Town Council

Chinook Lanes YBC 5-12

Hockey shorts to Feb. 1, 2017

^ Town Councillor Wayne Elliott in Ken Dryden's shadow at the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Today, February 1, is Jersey Day and Winter Walk Day in Pincher Creek

Cowboys win Napi Rec Tournament

2017 Cowboys (players only): Back row - Logan Little Mustache, Mike Price, Steve Yellow Horn, Rejean North Peigan, Shane Yellow Horn, Waylon Waterchief, Tyrus North Peigan, Jay Potts. Front row - Dallas Youngpine, Zac Big Swan, Beamer Tail Feathers, Brad Healy, Jon North Peigan 

Novice Chinooks still undefeated after barnburner tie with Strathmore

2016/17 Novice Chinooks

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek's Novice Chinooks have been having a remarkable season, and are currently in second place in their CAHL tier with a 10 win/3 tie record in the regular season.  The Chinooks were on home ice at the MCC Arena on Saturday January 28 when they hosted Strathmore's Storm, who are currently in third place in the same tier. The Chinooks came back from an 8-4 deficit at the end of the second period to tie the game 8-8.

Legacy learnings from the Annora Brown story

Joyce Sasse - The collective memory of people living in small communities is astounding. Sharing that memory with each other is where we need to start when re-calling Annora Brown’s Life and Legacy story.