Public works departments thanked for holiday snow removal

Chris Davis - At the January 10 MD council meeting councillor Reeve Brian Hammond inquired about snow removal efforts over the holiday season. Quentin Stevick and Director of Operations Leo Reedyk acknowledged the efforts of the MD's public works department, who worked right through the holidays with the exception of Christmas day to deal with the snowfall event that occurred during that time period. Town Mayor Don Anderberg said "We actually had people working Christmas day, and Boxing day. During the Christmas/New Years break we had a skeleton crew, a partial staff on, and they were out every day. Generally overall, it was pretty good." Mayor Anderberg said the Town received phone calls and there were some concerns recorded through the Town's iWorks program. "As I said in my Christmas and New Year's message, we rely on our people and we have good people who are willing to go out and do the job that has to be done, when it has to be done. Thank you very much to our staff."

Recent Pincher Voice videos to Jan.14, 2017

Below are the most recent Pincher Creek Voice videos, including videos for stories that have been published and stories that are still in progress.

Boomers not in church

Joyce Sasse - Why are the Boomers staying away from church? What do they mean when they call themselves “spiritual but not religious (SBNR)”? These are some of the questions Sheila MacGregor addresses in her excellent article “Bring Back the Baby Boomers” (United Church Observer Dec / 16). Many of her observations come from her participation in the “Boomerstock” conference she attended in Nashville this fall. The participants’ concern was to address “how churches can engage boomers”.

Nice shot Anna Bruder

Check out Halton's A Girls Hawk Anna Bruder's fantastic buzzer-beating long-bomb basket at the conclusion of her team's game against the Cobras at this weekend's A and B Girls Basketball Tournament at Matthew Halton High School.  Full story to come.

Daycare needs assessment summary report discussed at Town council

Toni Lucas - At their January 9 meeting council for the Town of Pincher Creek accepted as presented a report by consulting company Motivention which was received at council's December 7, 2016 Committee of the Whole meeting.  According to Town documents, "The driving force behind the study was the capacity and age of the Town Hall and Children's World Day Care facility i.e. no room to expand and renovations needed to bring the day care rooms, washrooms, kitchen and other facilities to an improved standard... However, after reflection, it was determined that the scope of the study should be expanded to include an overall needs assessment for child care services in the community so that any facility which is built/renovated, would in fact meet community needs both now and into the future."

Pincher Creek Jersey Day and Winter Walk to return Feb. 1

Town councillor Wayne Elliott

Toni Lucas - At the January 9. 2017 meeting of Pincher Creek's Town Council Wayne Elliott asked council to acknowledge February 1, 2017 as Jersey Day and Winter Walk Day in Pincher Creek.  Councillor Elliott said he appreciates seeing the community spirit that has been displayed in the last couple of years during the annual Kraft Hockeyville contest/promotional event. Top prize is a chance to host a pre-season NHL game and $100,000 in arena upgrades.  Elliott's motion was passed unanimously.

Poor highway conditions near Pincher Creek

High Chinook winds are creating hazardous driving conditions in the Pincher Creek area this evening, including blowing snow, drifting snow in some places, and low visibility on main highways and rural roads.  Drive with caution.

Infill and re-sloping of Lees Creek in Cardston to be subject of Environmental Appeals Board hearing

Government of Alberta - The Environmental Appeals Board will conduct a hearing on February 15, 2017, commencing at 8:30 a.m. in Calgary, location to be determined.  The Board will hear submissions with respect to an appeal filed in relation to Alberta Environment and Parks’ decision to issue Administrative Penalty No. WA-16/02-AP-SSR-16/04 in the amount of $5,000 to Gordon Atkins and Creekworks Ltd. for allegedly conducting unauthorized activities without an Approval, being the infilling and re-sloping of Lees Creek at NW-4-3-25-W4M in Cardston.

PCES responding to fire at the MD dumpsters

Pincher fire responding to dumpster fire at the MD dumpsters

— Emergency Services (@DeputyChiefPCES) January 12, 2017

Stier: NDP needs to ensure long-term funding in place for municipalities

Wildrose Party: With Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding set to expire in 2017, the NDP government needs to firmly commit to stable, long-term funding for municipalities, Wildrose Shadow Municipal Affairs Minister Pat Stier said on January 10.

Emergency Services Commission passes interim budget

Raw video from Jan. 11, 2017 PCESC meeting

Chris Davis with notes from Toni Lucas - The Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission (PCESC) met on January 11 at the Town council chamber for what turned out to be a two hour meeting about their 2017 operations budget**. In attendance were Town of Pincher Creek Mayor Don Anderberg (Chair), MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 (MD) Reeve Brian Hammond, Town councillor Doug Thornton, MD Deputy Reeve Terry Yagos, MD Finance Janene Felker, Town CAO Laurie Wilgosh, Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) Chief Dave Cox, and PCES Administrator Lori Schill*. After much discussion and a number of disagreements the commission passed an interim budget.

Town of Pincher Creek council discusses pet waste in public spaces

Toni Lucas - Council for the Town of Pincher Creek met on the evening of Monday, January 9, 2017. One of their topics for discussion was the disposition of a December 12, 2016 delegation by Pincher Creek Veterinary Clinic Veterinarian Kari Grandoni. As reported here last month, she spoke on behalf of the Pincher Creek Recreation Advisory Committee about the dangers of pet waste in public spaces. After considerable discussion council accepted Grandoni's presentation as information.

Cowley Fire responds to chicken coop blaze

Jim Cisar photos

Toni Lucas - At 5:22 am on Tuesday, January 10 the Village of Cowley Fire Department responded to a chicken coop fire in the village.  The fire was reported to 911 by a passerby.  The fire was in a small 4' by 4' chicken coop.  Fire Chief Jim Cisar, Deputy Fire Chief James MacKinnon, and John MacKinnon* responded, and had the fire under control within 15 minutes of arrival.

Pincher Creek Emergency Services was also dispatched, but were asked to stand down as the fire was under control and there were no human injuries.  There was no other damage to any other property,  The coop is still standing but is not currently structurally sound.  Cisar said the probable cause of the fire was a heat lamp within the small space, fueled by a combination of dust, hay, grain, and other combustibles.

* corrected for accuracy

Carbon tax, shmarbon tax

Phil Burpee, letter to the Editor - There’s a lot of bleating recently about the monstrous, society-fracturing evils of the dreaded Carbon Tax. This is choice, because pretty much all the sheep making the noise are the same folks who just experienced the ousting of a rotten and cynical political philosophy under the banner of the syphilitic old PCs, an administration in a long and ugly decline since the time of the last great progressive Premier of Alberta, the Honourable Peter Lougheed, much of whose political philosophy was gleaned from his long friendship with Grant Notley, the father of our current Premier. Now, I will be the first to agree that there was a time when the PCs actually did seek to advance the betterment of the people of Alberta, but you’d have to go back to the early days of the tenure of the estimable Don Getty to find it – and even Big Don couldn’t manage to successfully quarterback a team which was quickly prostrating itself before the rising oligopoly of Big Oil and its mangy running-dogs.

Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan announces retirement from RCMP

Alberta RCMP - Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP, has announced her retirement after serving the citizens of Canada for 35 years. D/Commr. Ryan has held the position for the last three years and her last day as Commanding Officer will be March 3, 2017.

Linn Valley home invasion suspects sought by RCMP

RCMP Alberta - On January 9, 2017 at approximately 8:00 am, Blackfalds RCMP responded to a home invasion at a rural property in Linn Valley. Three suspects entered a residence carrying long barrelled guns, once inside the victims were held at gun point and the suspects went through the home. The suspects fled the residence after taking cash and personal items belonging to the victims.

Winter driving conditions persist for much of Alberta

Winter driving conditions persist across much of #Alberta. Drive to the conditions & give snowplows #RoomToWork. (1:53pm) #ABRoads pic.twitter.com/U6FYDlCKSP

— 511 Alberta (@511Alberta) January 9, 2017

Hwy 3 at Cowley Jan. 9, 2017, 4:23 pm (511 Alberta image)

Click here for current Highway 3 conditions at Cowley.

Elk Valley wins 2017 Pincher Creek Midget tournament

First place: Elk Valley Wild

Second Place: Pincher Creek Huskies

Third place: Picture Butte Blades

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek's Midget Huskies hosted a non-league tournament at the Memorial Community Centre Arena.  Four teams participated in a total of eight games, including Elk Valley's Wild, Picture Butte's Blades, and High River's Foothills Flyers.  Elk Valley won all four of their games by convincing margins to win the tournament.  The Huskies earned second place despite being ultimately reduced to eight active players due to injuries sustained over the course of the weekend. The Blades earned third place by defeating the Flyers in a shootout.  Overall it was a dynamic tournament featuring well-matched teams.

Resignation of Bishop Frederick Henry, appointment of Bishop William McGrattan

Bishop Frederick B. Henry

Catholic Archdiocese of Calgary/Diocese of Petersborough - In accordance with canon 401 § ii of the Code of Canon Law, his Holiness Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Frederick B. Henry as Bishop of the Diocese of Calgary due to health concerns.  Most Rev. Luigi Bonazzi, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, announces that the Holy Father has named Bishop William Terrence McGrattan, currently the Bishop of the Diocese of Peterborough, as his successor.

Shots fired during serving of arrest warrant at Stoney Nakoda First Nation

Update: Mr. Deangelo Powderface has turned himself in to Cochrane RCMP. Police are no longer looking for anyone in regards to this crime. Thanks to all of you who assisted with this matter.

RCMP Alberta - RCMP were serving an arrest warrant yesterday on the Stoney Nakoda First Nations (Morley Alberta). While serving the warrant, shots were fired. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has taken the lead on the incident.

RCMP K-Division Major Crimes Unit was actively investigating the homicide of 27-year-old Lorenzo “Billy” Bearspaw who was first reported missing by his sister on Jan. 3, 2017. RCMP Special Tactical Operations (STO) as well as Police Dog Services (PDS) were engaged in search efforts as part of the missing persons investigation. On Jan 6, 2017 at 12:35 pm, PDS found the body of Lorenzo Bearsaw on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.

Remembering those affected by Bovine TB - a prayer of lament

Joyce Sasse - We come to you, O God, remembering people who are hurting because of issues around Bovine TB: our ranchers are hurting, their families are hurting, their communities are filled with anxiety and pain.

There is so much uncertainty. Where did the TB come from? How far has it spread? How did it get here? Why do so many animals have to be destroyed when most of them have not even tested positive?

Bear spray deployed at Okotoks house party, suspect sought by police

RCMP Alberta - On January 6, 2017 at approximately 9:17 pm Okotoks RCMP were dispatched to a house party in the Air Ranch area in the Town of Okotoks where bear spray was deployed. A group, including the suspect who deployed the bear spray, fled the area in two vehicles and are believed to be from the City of Calgary.

Notes from Pincher Creek's councils to end of 2016

Dominik Kellington taking notes

 ^ Council for the Town of Pincher Creek was in session on Monday evening, December 12, 2016. Canyon School Grade 6 student Dominik Kellington was in attendance to understand the workings of local government better as a subject of study for his Social Studies class.

Election year for Town and MD councils

Town apologizes for TIPP payments process errors

2017 Joint Council Funding recipients

Recreation centre parking lot expansion approved

Recreation Advisory Committee appointments

MD council approves 2017 budget

Curling Club update

Emergency Services Commission update

Free swimming in 2017

MD appointments to Humane Society Advisory Committee

MD launches improved website

Town of Pincher Creek council approves 2017/2018 budgets

C. Davis/T. Lucas - At their December 12, 2016 meeting, council for the Town of Pincher Creek approved the 2017 and 2018 operating budgets, as prepared and recommended by Director of Finance and Human Resources Wendy Catonio.

The Town's 2017 operating budget has been set at $13,245,479 in total, with $11,992,656 anticipated in revenues and $1,253,264 in amortization expenditure for an anticipated cash surplus of $441 for the year. A 2017 capital budget of $11,716,702 for projects and transfers was approved as presented.

Lacombe area towing advisory issued

RCMP Alberta - Central Alberta Integrated Traffic Services has put out a Tow Advisory on Highway 2 from Lacombe to Highway 42 due to the extreme slippery road conditions. Police said that it is dangerous at this time to be towing vehicle in this area.