GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS

Council heard from Peace Regional Women’s Shelter representatives requesting emergency funding to assist the Peace Regional Women’s Shelter in covering unexpected costs from a wide-spread black mold issue found in the second level of the facility.

Screen Test is improving access to cancer screening for thousands of women in Alberta communities where mammography is not readily available.

Nipissing MPP Fedeli announces funding as Ontario celebrates Franco-Ontarian Day

"Incidents like these only serve to put unnecessary strain on our first responders while threatening the safety of our communities"

Beyond the Rockies, Alberta is made for adventurers. From south to north, Postmedia community reporters put to use their local expertise to give travellers the inside lane on small-town Alberta

Beaverlodge RCMP wants to warn the public of an ongoing paving scam. If it has happened to you or a your business, please report it so the police.

If you set yourself up to watch Season-2 of Lost Car Rescue on History Channel tonight, you’ll likely see some familiar places and faces as the team searches for more automotive treasures in Canada. Matt Sager, a familiar face, is well-known to many in Grande Prairie. For 10 years he moved earth in and around […]

Meetings Rescheduled – Council approved rescheduling the following meetings: The September Committee of the Whole Meeting will now take place on Sept.19. The December Committee of the Whole Meeting will now take place on Dec. 12. Council Interim Budget Meetings will now take place on Dec. 13, 14 and 15. County Annual Road Tour – […]

Construction zones on Highways 40 and 666 require reduced speeds and traffic flow detours to ensure the safety of crews and anyone in a vehicle. “Traffic heading south out to Grovedale will still be able to exit off the Wapiti Bridge ramp from Highway 40, but vehicles returning to Grande Prairie from Grovedale will have […]

Municipal Census and Electoral Boundary Review – Council directed Administration to proceed with issuing a Request for Proposal for the Municipal Census and Electoral Boundary Review. During the 2023 Interim Budget deliberations, administration recommended that Council proceed with a municipal census to ensure current and accurate data for the review and development of the divisional […]

Peace River residents can appreciate local art as they dine at the Board ‘n’ Barrel.  The restaurant’s Artist in Residence program currently features artwork by Paul Lavoie, known for his northern lights photography and scenery of the peace region.  A few other local artists are candidates for the next Artist in Residence, says Kelly Whalen, […]

Some doctors across Alberta believe pharmacy clinics lead to disconnected healthcare.  Alberta Medical Association (AMA) president Fredrykka Rinaldi recently addressed comments about the idea of independent pharmacies weakening comprehensive healthcare.  Rinaldi says the main problem is that many Albertans don’t have a family doctor, and this forces patients to seek out other forms of care. […]

Fire Service Agreement with the Town of Sexsmith revised – Council approved the revised Fire Service Agreement with the Town of Sexsmith, as amended, to better reflect current practices. The County of Grande Prairie and Town of Sexsmith entered into a five-year Fire Services Agreement to include the Town’s fire service in the County’s regional […]

Greenview Council Approves Firearms Restriction Bylaw in Hamlet of Grande Cache In February of 2021, Council directed Administration to draft a bylaw prohibiting the use of firearms and bows within the Hamlet of Grande Cache (Ward 9). After map updates and amendments, Council approved Bylaw 21-870, and Greenview is awaiting approval by the Minister of […]

  The Peace Country News is evolving to be digital only, effective the week of Feb. 27. After this week there we be only six more print editions as we move with our readers into the digital future of news.   In the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing an innovative new approach to serving […]

The Peace Country News is evolving to be digital only, effective the week of Feb. 27. After this week there we be only six more print editions as we move with our readers into the digital future of news.   In the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing an innovative new approach to serving the […]

Labs are the latest addition to Alberta’s privatisation of health services.  Medical laboratory testing outside of hospitals is slowly transitioning to private facilities, such as DynaLIFEDX, with more than 25 locations in the province. Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) President Mike Parker goes over what this means to the public and to healthcare workers.  […]

Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Strategy Update – The Committee received the final summary of the 2022 BR+E Triage Project from Deloitte LLP who completed the annual program for the County from 2018 to 2022. The project provided a picture of local business health through year-over-year survey and interview data and has aided the County’s […]

Greenview Council Adopts Interim 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets Council deliberated the 2023 budgets over three days in November and approved the 2023 interim operating budget and 2023 capital budget at the December 13, 2022, regular Council meeting. Operating expenses of $154.4 million reflect an overall decrease of $9.4 million from the 2022 Operating budget. […]

County Council dug deep to adopt the tentative 2023 budget with no proposed increase to municipal tax rates.   “We know households and businesses are facing increased costs, just like our administration,” explained Reeve Bob Marshall. “This economic reality was top of mind for County Council as we adopted a preliminary budget that maintains services and infrastructure levels […]

Mustang Spray Park moving forward in Hythe – The Hythe & District Agricultural Society will establish the Mustang Spray Park in the Hamlet of Hythe where the outdoor pool was previously located. Council approved an agreement with the society to own and operate the park, once constructed. Council approved $100,000 in capital grant funding for […]

Domestic violence can be a hard subject to talk about for victims and survivors. A lack of education surrounding abuse can create an unwelcoming and uncomfortable environment for them.  Stepping Up: North Peace Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (NPSPDV) and Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter (PRRWS) give accounts of their experiences working with […]

As I write this, an area of downtown is marred by graffiti. I’m not talking about the childish drawings or various scrawls, or even the dark cries for help – I’m talking about the hate-fueled imagery sprawled across the pride flag at Community Village. It’s an area that should be a safe space for any […]

Eight Grande Prairie residents, several from Peace Country towns and villages will receive the Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medals at two special events hosted by Alberta Municipalities in Edmonton on Nov. 27, for the northern recipient presentations. Grande Prairie: Preben Bossen–Citizen Community Builder Jackie Clayton–Sitting Mayor Darren Foley–Citizen Community Builder Gordon Graydon–Past Presidents & Life […]

Recreation on Stormwater Ponds, Neighbourhood Ice Surfaces Policies Updated – Council approved edits to Policy K18 – Recreation on Storm Ponds as presented. The policy was edited to reflect Council’s decision on Oct. 25, to permit recreation on stormwater ponds in residential subdivisions. Council also approved minor changes to Policy K11 – Neighbourhood Ice Surfaces […]

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are adding Indigenous ribbon skirts to uniforms.  A big step towards inclusion of Indigenous culture in RCMP workspaces is underway. The Aboriginal Interagency Committee  and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 6 held a ceremony at Peace River’s Treaty 8 Monument to commemorate Aboriginal Veterans Day on Nov. 8 where some […]

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are adding Indigenous ribbon skirts to uniforms.  A big step towards the inclusion of Indigenous culture in RCMP workspaces is underway. The Aboriginal Interagency Committee and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 6 held a ceremony at Peace River’s Treaty 8 Monument to commemorate Aboriginal Veterans Day on Nov. 8 where […]

Ward 9 councillor, Tyler Olsen, was re-elected for a second term as the Municipal District of Greenview reeve during their Oct. 25 organizational meeting. Olsen then appointed Ward 8 councillor, Bill Smith as deputy reeve. Olsen’s background includes hands-on experience in the industrial and commercial trucking industry. A long-time resident of Grande Cache he’s spent […]

Committee of the Whole highlights Pilot project for improved network coverage – Representatives from Shared Tower, an organization that works to address network coverage and capacity in urban, suburban and rural markets, presented a proposal to the Committee to improve wireless telecommunications services in the County and wider region. The Committee recommended to Council that […]

Plebiscite results to amalgamate Alberta Barley Commission and the Alberta Wheat Commission, resulted in a resounding yes. While the Nov. 2 announcement contained preliminary, eligible producers voted in favour of the move. Results will be finalized following a 15-day period when results may be contested. Each plebiscite, 89 per cent of barley farmers and 88 […]

CAN/US $         Oct28/22 73.82     Oct21/22 72.84     Oct29/21 80.98     CATTLE PRICES (CANFAX) – $/CWT PRELIM LIVE ANIMAL TRADE – WEEK ENDING Oct14/2022 BANK RATE Oct25/22        3.50     Oct18/22 3.50     Oct26/21 0.50     WEEK END              Oct21/22             Oct14/22 Oct22/21 CATTLE                            FROM US    TO US      TO US    TO US ALBERTA RAILGRADE SALES SLTR     SLTR         FDR     HOGS CATTLE SLAUGHTER STR-LOW                   […]

The County of Grande Prairie, Sexsmith and Wembley received joint designation under the Rural Renewal Stream program to support local businesses lessen labour shortages. Linked to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), newcomers who accept full-time positions from eligible businesses will receive nomination for permanent residency. “Council is very pleased to endorse this innovative program,” says […]

Beginning Nov. 1, County of Grande Prairie residents will be limited to 1,000 kilograms of free household waste dumping per year, at the Clairmont Centre for Recycling and Waste Management. The Clairmont Centre Access Program (CCAP) includes  unlimited recycling that each household can dispose of at the centre. “The new Access Program encourages us all […]

Effective Sept. 22, County of Grande Prairie and City of Grande Prairie fire departments will respond to emergency events at the request of the other party. The mutual aid agreement outlines a framework to request response with the intent to safeguard lives and properties. “This collaborative relationship to improve emergency response along our shared boundaries […]

Sept. 26 Regular Meeting County of Grande Prairie   La Glace Community Water System Project – Council approved $659,000 of additional funding for the La Glace Community Water System Project, which works to ensure fully compliant, safe drinking water for the hamlet. Council also allocated a funding source for funds approved at the Aug. 22 […]

An investigation that began in September of 2021 culminated in Beaverlodge RCMP completing a successful bust and arrest of one. “After significant and continuous investigative efforts, a search warrant was obtained for a residence located on Horse Lake First Nations,” say RCMP. On Aug. 18, RCMP executed the warrant and seized related weapons, drugs, and […]

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, a party of 12 shows up for a picnic. It’s hot. It’s bright. The food is great. Bees are buzzing, flitting from flower to flower. Children are playing. Adults, lounging in chairs and shaded by trees, laughing, catching up. Dogs are looking for cool dark places to lay. It’s a […]

Pruning elm trees now could have a devastating impact throughout the province—by helping transmit Dutch Elm Disease (DED). Once cut or trimmed, the elm releases a scent which triggers a response to the tree to heal. The beetles are attracted to the scent as they look for damaged or decaying trees for breeding grounds. When […]

Birds aren’t the only creatures that sing in the spring. Frogs and toads will also be filling our ponds with their calls as soon as the ice has melted.   The first frogs to start calling are the little boreal chorus frogs. These 2-4 cm frogs may be small but their calls can be heard […]

With the lengthening days and warmer weather, many a gardener is dreaming of spring.  Lots of us grow vegetables and flowers but have you ever considered a butterfly garden.  By adding a few plants and thinking about sun and shelter, you can easily welcome these delightful creatures to your backyard.   The first factor to […]

March 11th, 2022

Groundhog Day has come and gone and any dreams of an early spring have gone with it.  In our part of the world groundhogs (or woodchucks) are still sound asleep and won’t likely surface until early May.   Woodchucks and their cousins the chipmunks and ground squirrels are truly amazing hibernators.  They spend up to […]

While chickadees are by far the most common birds visiting my feeder, every few years I also get large flocks of redpolls. This year they showed up just before Christmas and appear to have settled in for the winter. Redpolls are similar in size to chickadees but they have streaked breasts, a black chin and […]

The arrival of snow makes life more difficult for many northern creatures but not for the snowshoe hare.  These animals are so well adapted to winter conditions that they can actually be in trouble if the snow comes late. Snowshoe or varying hares are famous for the fact that they change from brown in summer […]

A magnificent, great white hunter has arrived in the Peace Country.  Every year snowy owls leave the arctic to spend the winter in the open country of south.   Snowy owls are easily recognized by their white feathers, yellow eyes and round heads. Males are usually pure white while the females and young birds are […]