Celebrate Christmas with Vertical Church

(ad)

It's almost time for Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching, and the hustle and bustle at the height of our days leading up to this holiday. There is no better time to slow down then now for a evening of Christmas in Pincher at Vertical Church On Dec 23 @ 7pm.
We would like to invite you and your family, friends and neighbours to come and enjoy time together while having a fresh Starbucks coffee, and enjoying some Christmas music by local artists and the Christmas story narrated through the eyes of Joseph, Mary's husband.

Fentanyl seized from two Lethbridge homes

\

ALERT - ALERT has seized nearly 300 fentanyl pills as the result of search warrants being executed at two north Lethbridge homes.  ALERT Lethbridge’s organized crime and gang team conducted the searches on December 14, 2016 with the assistance of Lethbridge Police Service and RCMP. Homes were searched on St. Francis Road North and Stafford Road North.

Saputo announces senior management change

From Saputo press release - On December 16 Saputo Inc. (TSX: SAP) announced that the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Secretary Mr. Louis-Philippe Carrière has advised that he will retire effective August 1, 2017, after 30 years with the Company. At that date Mr. Maxime Therrien will be appointed Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.

Supports are available over the holidays

Government of Alberta - A variety of provincial government phone lines will offer support to Albertans over the holidays.

From December 24, 2016 through January 2, 2017, programs and resources that affect the health, safety and security of Albertans will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Non-urgent government operations will be closed during this time. Regular service will resume January 3, 2017.

Important phone numbers

Hwy 2 traffic north of Claresholm resumed, road conditions remain hazardous

RCMP Alberta photo

UPDATE: The obstruction on Hwy 2 north of Claresholm has been removed. Traffic flow has resumed, however, road conditions remain hazardous.

Pincher Creek area photographer Josiah Launstein - more than you expect

I see myself as a messenger speaking up for those not usually heard. Through my lens I don't see animals, I see friends. My neighbours share their homes with me but because of us they're disappearing... and if they go, so do we. - Josiah Launstein

Josiah Launstein and his father John of Launstein Imagery traveled to Thailand for 13 days of intensive Nikon film production in July and August of this year for a film project on Josiah and his wildlife and conservation photography. The Youtube video above has had almost 900,00 views in the days since it was published on December 6.  Josiah is an 11 year old wildlife photographer. The Launstein family lives west of the Oldman River Dam, north of Pincher Creek.

Pincher Creek RCMP summary for Dec. 13-19, 2016

Pincher Creek RCMP  - The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Pincher Creek RCMP Detachment received for the period of December 13-19, 2016. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

Total calls for service – 44
Uttering Threats - 3
Mischief (vandalism) - 1
Theft under $5000 - 3
Impaired Driving - 2
Drugs - 1
Driving complaints (general) - 5
MV Collisions - 16
Liquor offences - 1
Suspicious occurrences (general) - 2
Assistance to General Public (general) - 2
Assistance to other agencies - 1
False Alarms - 1
911 calls (invalid) - 1
Prisoners held – 2

Alberta tax credits to launch in 2017

The Investing in a Diversified Alberta Economy Act (Bill 30) received royal assent on December 9, establishing two tax credits that the Government of Alberta says will propel diversification and job creation provincewide.

Midget Huskies finish 2016 on a high note

Huskies #21 Spencer Dorge scoring against Rockyford

Updated with photos from game against Brooks Bandits

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek's Midget Huskies finished their 2016 CAHL schedule with two wins on home ice at the Memorial Community Centre Arena, the first a 2-1 victory over the previously undefeated (in the 2016/17 regular season) Duchess Storm on Friday, December 16, the second a 4-5 victory over Rockyford's new Midget team on Saturday.  Duchess defeated Rockyford by a wide margin earlier in the month and defeated Bow Island/Foremost 5-2 on Saturday.

Consultation sets direction for repatriation

Government of Alberta - Ongoing discussions with Indigenous leaders across Alberta have prompted a new direction for repatriation of sacred ceremonial objects held in government collections, to better address the unique cultural needs of First Nations and Métis communities.

The season of knowing Him

"Good Shepherd" (edit) by Good Shepherd by Bernhard Plockhorst (Wikimedia commons)

Shellie Byers - Tis the season of signs and wonders and miracles and anticipation of the unexpected. When it feels as though heaven could come down and touch the earth and give us a glance into our eternal future. Where prayers are more heartfelt and spoken more freely. When we love our neighbors more closely as ourselves and a genuine nature of good cheer puts a skip in our step. The festivities are plentiful and we are filled with warm memories and surrounded by those we love. It is the season to experience wonderment, is it not?

While heaven and nature sing

Charlie Russel

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings - Conservationist Charlie Russell, who lived in the midst of grizzly bear heaven in the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) for eight summers, told a touching story about a nine-month-old cub whose mate was killed by a predator male.

Solutions and substitutions

Reena Nerbas

Dear Reena,
How can I remove sticker glue left on new jeans? Jean

Hi Jean,
The easiest solution is to scrub the residue with an old toothbrush and rubbing alcohol.

Moose licking warning issued for two Kananaskis parking lots

Alberta Parks - Please be aware of a moose warning in the Chester Lake and Burstall Pass parking lots and the trails near the lots.

Affected areas:
Chester Lake Day Use
Burstall Pass Day Use

ATM stolen from motel in Blackfalds

RCMP Alberta - Blackfalds RCMP are investigating the theft of an ATM. On December 16, 2016 at approximately 10:30 PM two masked suspects drove up to main door of the Howard Johnson Motel located on the east side of Gasoline Alley, Red Deer. The suspects were driving an older sandy coloured Ford quad cab with a sanding hopper attached. The suspects stole an ATM from the main lobby and departed the scene heading north towards Red Deer.

Christmas in the Village fun despite frigid weather

Santa at KBPV

Toni Lucas - Christmas in the Village took place at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village Saturday, December 10.  Even though the weather was below -20 degrees celsius over 100 people came to make Christmas decorations, play games explore the many decorated trees on site.  Near a roaring bonfire with roasting chestnuts was an outdoor decorated tree with Jolly Old St. NIcholas in his sleigh ready to visit with all the kids    The new cafe is not fully finished, but gave people a warm and festively decorated place to sit and sip hot chocolate and enjoy the festive setup on the historical grounds.

Livingstone Spaghetti Night and dessert auction brings in some sweet dough

Livingstone Graduands 2017 with desserts to auction: Erin Cnossen, Brady Douglas, K's Thomson, Katie McClung, Jon Erickson, Nikki Smyke, Skylar Bueckert, Ty Anctcil, Tessa Penner

Toni Lucas - Livingstone School held their annual Spaghetti Night graduation fundraiser in the Cowley Hall on Friday, December 9.  The nine graduands served dinner to close to 150 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 hosted draws, a silent auction and Bob Westrop auctioned off a variety of desserts with several going for more than $200 per dessert, and with one special Kit Kat cake going for an astounding $525.

2016 Pincher Creek Christmas Decorating Challenge winners

Champion – 361 Canyon Drive - Garry and Ruth Cleland

The winners of the 2016 Pincher Creek Christmas Decorating Challenge have been announced.  The event was judged on Wednesday, December 7.  It was open to both residences and businesses for the first time since the competition began as the Winter Lights Competition in 2010.  Hosted by the Town of Pincher Creek and Communities in Bloom, this gave everyone the chance to shine with imaginative and colorful light displays throughout the entire town.

Peewee Chinooks host tournament

2016/17 Peewee Chinooks

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek's Peewee Chinooks hosted a tournament last weekend at the MCC Arena.  After three days of hard-played games Rimbey's Renegades earned first place, the Chinooks earned second place, and Strathmore's Storm earned third place.  Also participating were Calgary's Blackfoot and Medicine Hat's Oilers.

CNP Fire/Rescue report for Nov. 2016

Municipality of Crowsnest Pass - The Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue Department responded to a total of 14 Emergency calls for the month of November.

4 Alarm Bells
3 Motor Vehicle Collisions
1 Gas Leak
2 Public Service Calls
1 Back-Country Rescue
2 EMS Assists

Quadruple handgun seizure at Coutts in November

Canada Border Services Agency = The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share a sample of November highlights from its border crossings in southern Alberta:

On November 29 at the Coutts border crossing, officers seized four undeclared handguns – including two with prohibited status – while examining a pickup truck and flatbed trailer. The CBSA has since charged Craig Andrew Chalmers, 46, of Alaska on six counts, including smuggling under the Customs Act. He was released on a recognizance and is scheduled to make his first appearance in Lethbridge Provincial Court on January 18, 2017.

Cash and cars Seized from Lethbridge fentanyl dealer

ALERT - A suspected Lethbridge fentanyl dealer is out two vehicles and more than $10,000 cash following an ALERT bust that unfolded in Lethbridge and Coalhurst. ALERT seized 271 fentanyl pills and a loaded handgun.  ALERT Lethbridge’s organized crime and gang team concluded the investigation on December 1, 2016 with help from Lethbridge Police Service and RCMP Coaldale. The investigation targeted a suspected fentanyl dealer operating in the two neighbouring communities.

Barnwell man arrested on multitude of charges

RCMP Alberta – On December 9, 2016 Taber/Vauxhall RCMP conducted a search of a residence and seized property obtained by crime, a prohibited weapon and a large quantity of cocaine and methamphetamines of substantial value.

Alberta and Lethbridge partner to help Cavendish Farms stay in southern Alberta

MLA Lethbridge-East Maria Fitzpatrick; MLA Lethbridge-West (and Environment Minister) Shannon Phillips; President, Cavendish Farms, Robert Irving: Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier; Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman

Government of Albera - A partnership between the Province of Alberta and City of Lethbridge to upgrade municipal infrastructure will help kick-start the single largest private investment in the city’s history.  The partnership will support jobs and economic growth by servicing a major expansion of the Sherring Industrial Park. The expansion will pave the way for Cavendish Farms to expand its business in Lethbridge by investing at least $350 million for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art frozen potato processing facility.

Chinook Basketball - Dragons host Kainai

Chris Davis -  St. Michael's Dragons senior boys and girls teams hosted their Kainai counterparts for an evening of basketball on Monday, December 5.  The Dragons Boys defeated Kainai 65-46, with both teams consistent throughout.  Kainai's Girls defeated the Dragons 47-34.  The Dragons rallied near the end of the game, narrowing a much bigger gap than was reflected the final score.