WETASKIWIN NEWS

Clean-up of the remains of the former Visitor Information Centre is set to start soon.  During Monday’s regular City of Wetaskiwin council meeting, Council approved a development permit for the demolition of the building after it caught fire and was destroyed last November.  Because the property was designated as Direct Control, the application needed to […]

A decision to not hand in the signatures collected during a recall petition against Wetaskiwin Mayor Tyler Gandam is a deviation from provincial legislation. On Feb. 8, Debby Hunker initiated a process to recall Gandam. She had until April 12 at 4:30 p.m. to submit a petition with 5,062 signatures for him to be recalled. […]

Wetaskiwin City Council supports Alberta Municipalities’ (ABmunis) position in speaking out against proposed changes to the Municipal Government Act which include the introduction of political parties at the municipal level.   Council unanimously approved the support of this position during its regular Monday, April 8, meeting.   “Most issues faced by Council are practical challenges that are […]

The bleachers and viewing area at the Co-op Competition Pool at the Manluk Centre were packed as the Wetaskiwin Water Lilies artistic swim club demonstrated their talent, ability and athleticism recently.  The Water Lilies have been swimming together for the past three years, but this was their first public performance.  “As a kid, I had […]

Having identified low productivity and innovation as Canada’s “Achilles heel” when it comes to economic growth in its 2022 federal budget, the Trudeau government did almost everything possible to undermine both in its 2024 budget released last week.  Two years ago in her budget speech, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland warned that Canada is a laggard […]

The City of Wetaskiwin is teaming up with Community Futures to help young entrepreneurs this summer during Lemonade Day Saturday, June 15.  Lemonade Day is a free, fun, experiential learning program that teaches kids how to start, own and operate their very own business — a lemonade stand.   To date, 16 kids have registered for […]

Since the end of February, MLAs across Alberta have been engaged with the duties of presenting, considering, debating, and voting on proposed legislation for Albertans.  You may have heard about Bill 18, the Provincial Priorities Act.  This bill is about preventing federal overreach into areas of provincial jurisdiction. Very basically, this legislation would require provincial […]

Why is it so hard for people to accept someone wanting to do something to improve their community?  Last week was National Volunteer Week and organizations across the region took some time to thank the people who step up to freely give their time and talents in support of organizations and events they feel passionate […]

Saturday night saw the latest members to be inducted into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame honoured at the Best Western Wayside Inn.  This year, Danny Gusdal, Rob Hartnell, Harold Parfett and the 1968 Wetaskiwin Bantam Fastball were honoured during the 16th Induction Ceremony that now has 450 inductees memorialized on the walls […]

High winds, dry conditions and a number of fires already have area fire departments working to minimize fire conditions.  Last week, Millet’s Fire Dept. Responded to three fires involving grass and structures.  Millet Deputy Fire Chief Trevor Palmer said crews were called out Wednesday to a property north of Lansdowne Park.  “It came in as […]

Tyler Gandam will remain as Wetaskiwin’s mayor after the City of Wetaskiwin did not receive a completed recall petition against him Friday.  Gandam said he wasn’t surprised, calling it a “waste of time” and the Recall Petition process has been weaponized for political purposes.  “I really hope the Provincial Government looks at this and either […]

A Millet resident wants to see the Town of Millet encourage home owners to install solar panels by offering a financial incentive.  Dave Horner, who built a solar heated home in Washington State in the late 1970s, and now works with Kuby Renewable Energy — solar power contractors based out of Edmonton — was at […]

The Wetaskiwin Health Foundation’s 2024 Olympic-themed Ladies Night Out saw 150 women gather at the Wetaskiwin Co-op Place Rec. Hall for an evening of fun and games to support the Foundation’s Give to Life – Emergency Care campaign. Teams representing 15 different nations competed in 10 ‘minute-to-win-it’ style events, all eagerly vying for the gold […]

There’s an adage about justice delayed being justice denied.  Canada should rewrite that: Justice denied is justice denied.  Once again, a trial has collapsed because of the chronic failure of the federal government to appoint judges in a timely fashion.  The latest case is that of an uncle accused of taking sexual photographs of his […]

To the Residents of Wetaskiwin,   My name is Amanda and I have lived in Wetaskiwin for more than a decade. When I first arrived in Wetaskiwin, I was a newcomer who knew little about the city or its offerings. It has become evident to me that it is easy to criticize without fully understanding what […]

Wetaskiwin’s Mayor believes new Provincial legislation will make it harder for municipalities to access federal dollars.  Last Wednesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled Bill 18 — the Provincial Priorities Act, 2024. Smith said the move will ensure federal funding is aligned with provincial priorities, listing net zero housing, net zero electricity, and safe supply as […]

The Wetaskiwin Curling Club wrapped up the 2023/24 season by honouring some outstanding curlers and volunteers Saturday.  Volunteer of the Year, an award recognizing someone from the club who is committed to helping the club in any capacity needed, went to Deanne Bye.  Best Sportsmanship of the Year, which recognizes the player who values fair […]

A Calgary man is facing multiple charges after he was found in possession of a stolen vehicle outside Wetaskiwin last week.  Just after 6 p.m. April 6, a Wetaskiwin RCMP members was patrolling the area near the Bear Hills truck stop on Hwy. 2 when he located a GMC one-ton truck that had been stolen […]

An Indigenous business that helps provide food security will be able to expand, thanks to a Provincial Government grant.  Last week, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin MLA Rick Wilson was in Montana First Nation to announce Alberta’s government is increasing the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund (ABIF) by $2.5 million for the second year in […]

 A local author’s first book is out of this world.  Self-published author and Wetaskiwin resident James R.D. Hilton is a sci-fi enthusiast, and a not-so-closeted Trekkie who writes the stories he always wanted to read  and is now eager to share his debut adventure with the universe.  His previous writing credits include several short stories […]

The Millet Agriplex will be rocking as a new music festival comes to town.  Decimate Metalfest is set to hit the stage June 7 and 8, featuring a range of music from rock to metal to punk.  Festival found Sloan Voxx said they’re excited to bring the family-friendly festival to Millet, with a plan to […]

The County of Wetaskiwin and Nova Scotia based Sustane Technologies Inc. proudly announce a collaborative venture which will increase sustainability and drive economic growth by transforming waste into valuable resources.  This partnership will adapt Sustane’s award-winning and proven technologies specifically for Alberta and will set a precedent as the first end to end circular waste […]

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Hopefully the weather in Wetaskiwin has gotten a little warmer compared to the previous months. The weather here in Ashoro has certainly been getting better by the day. Although the mornings and evenings are still relatively cool, the afternoons are warm and pleasant. At this time […]

Revealing testimony from the inquiry into foreign interference in this country’s elections has shown how our democratic process may have been compromised.  Questions were raised about how Liberal Party nominations are run, especially in safe Liberal ridings. There was testimony that, in 2019, international students from China, some as young as 14, were ordered onto […]

A Wetaskiwin archer took home the top prize at the NASP Provincials competition in Edmonton recently.  Clear Vista School’s Jenny Kohut came in first among Grade 7 girls, and finished seventh among almost 800 female archers in the Middle School Girls category, with a score of 284, helping Clear Vista to its fifth place finish […]

As of April 1, seniors will be getting a break on personal registry services.  Last week, the Alberta government announced Alberta seniors who are 65-years-old and older will receive a 25 per cent discount on personal registry services.  “Last year, we promised Alberta seniors we would reduce their costs at registry offices and on April […]

The City unveiled its new Community Safety and Well-being Strategy , which focuses on taking a proactive approach to risk management and mitigation  in addition to finding collaborative opportunities to address the root causes of crime.  The City would like to express its sincerest appreciation to all those who participated in developing the  strategy, either through […]

Millet Town Council voted in favour of improving safety at its civic offices last week,  During the March 27 regular Town Council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Schoening said following a violent incident at Edmonton City Hall earlier this year where an individual fired shots and thew a Molotov Cocktail inside the building Millet’s Administration […]

While signatures are being collected for a petition to recall Wetaskiwin Mayor Tyler Gandam, the City is considering its next steps if a petition is presented to the City.  At the March 25 regular Council meeting, Kevin Bamber, manager of Fleet and Facilities, presented a report on what will happen if a petition is presented […]

This summer, a local business is testing an idea designed to bring the community together and support non-profit organizations.  Stacey Eckenswiller, owner of Forgotten in Time Antique Mall on Main Street Wetaskiwin, moved to the city just over a year ago from Penticton, which boasts a bustling market that draws vendors and visitors from all […]

Local and area residents have increased access to care with the recruitment of a new family physician in the community.  Dr. Emadeddin Ben Khalifa is now practising at Wetaskiwin Tower Clinic. He invites new patients to call the clinic at 780-352-9700 to arrange a meet and greet. New patients will be required to complete and […]

Since taking over operation of Wetaskiwin’s handi-bus service, the Wetaskiwin Transportation Coalition has seen the service grow — but it hasn’t been without growing pains.  At the March 25 Wetaskiwin Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, Marilyn Connor, representing WCT, presented a report to Wetaskiwin City Council.  “Since June of 2023 our coalition has been actively working with the […]

Any young women considering playing tackle football still have a few days to register.  Wetaskiwin and District Amateur Football board member Kevin Lonsdale said the all-female tackle program has been growing since it was started five years ago. This year, the Warriors will be fielding U19 and U16 teams and, even though practices have started, […]

Soccer players, their parents and fans will be able to continue parking on the grass next to the Paul Pay Soccer field this season.  Earlier this year, when residents on Porter Ave. asked to be allowed to park behind their homes on property owned by the Town of Millet, Millet Council was asked if parking […]

After several months of community consultation and the announcement from the Province that a Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools has received approval for a new K-8 school to replace the existing Norwood Elementary in the city, school board trustees are moving the process forward.  During the March 20 WRPS board meeting, trustees thanked the staff, parents, […]

A plan to remove the modified school calendar from Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools in the upcoming school year caught many parents off guard, but WRPS’s Superintendent said the operational decision is all about improving opportunities for students and keeping schools opening as enrolment declines.  “We have an opportunity to address inconsistencies across the Division that […]

While members of Wetaskiwin City Council understand why a motion was put forward to suspend putting more money into the City’s Public Art Reserve, they did not support the motion Monday.  During discussions about the Art Reserve at the March 11 Council meeting, Coun. Dean Billingsley asked Council to consider suspending contributions to the public […]

A local man has been charged after the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit seized a quantity of drugs and cash. Kenneth Croxall, 54, was arrested after RCMP began an investigation on drug trafficking within the community in January. On March 21, Wetaskiwin CRU executed two search warrants resulting in the seizure of: 450 grams of methamphetamine, 56 […]

Wetaskiwin RCMP are asking for the public’s help in identifying three men suspected of stealing more than $5,000 worth of power tools from Canadian Tire earlier this month.  Police say that around 10 a.m. March 8, three male suspects were at the Canadian Tire in Wetaskiwin.  These three individuals managed to access the locked shelves […]

Since the Trudeau government insists 80% of Canadian households paying the federal carbon tax receive more in rebates than they pay in carbon taxes, here’s what independent, non-partisan Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux said when he examined the carbon tax last year.  “When both fiscal and economic impacts of the federal fuel charge are considered, […]

Almost a year after announcing a problematic intersection in Millet would be getting the town’s first traffic light, Millet Town Council awarded the tender to Park-Aid Asphalt and Maintenance at the March 13 regular Millet Town Council meeting. Last March, Council approved a plan to install at light at the Hwy. 2A- Hwy. 616 intersection […]

In response to the increasing prevalence and harmful impact of misinformation within the community, Wetaskiwin City Council directed Administration to adopt a robust approach to address the issue. To that end, Administration developed and will be sharing terms of engagement to govern the City’s official social media platforms. Comments that contain misinformation or are abusive […]

Sacred Heart Church in Wetaskiwin is working to feed thousands of people, at home, in other parts of Canada and around the world. Coordinator Theresa Doherty said she had participated in a project in Sherwood Park and thought, “why couldn’t we do that here.” The project will see the collection of monetary donations that will […]

Constituency Week is always the best!  Huge shoutout to all those constituents who took the time to schedule meetings with me March 4-8.  What a pleasure it was to catch up with you; to hear your thoughts on issues; to help find answers to your questions; to share in your excitement about upcoming projects; to […]

Remember at the start of the pandemic in early 2020 when politicians at all levels of government united to combat racism against Canadians of Chinese origin? Remember when then-federal Liberal health minister Patty Hajdu, then-Ontario Progressive Conservative health minister Christine Elliott and then-Toronto mayor John Tory met at a dim sum restaurant in Toronto’s Chinatown, […]

It was a little slushy out on the lake, but those who took in this year’s Pigeon Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Ice Golf Tournament donned their St. Patty’s finest and teed off Saturday afternoon for a round of ice golf. Christina Max

I have several questions for Wake Up Wetaskiwin: Why are you making (Wetaskiwin Mayor) Tyler (Gandam) your scapegoat? As you know, there are seven votes…one for each member of Council. Tyler has only one vote. However, you imply that he is to blame for every problem that Wetaskiwin may have. How will you “Change the […]

Re: Millet brings in lifetime licensing for dogs, Wetaskiwin Times March 6, 2024 Millet did not just introduce lifetime dog licensing. Licensing within the Town of Millet was $50 per year up until 2012 when it was changed to a lifetime license fee of $80. This has not been increased or changed since 2012. With […]

It was a day full of fun and memories as the Winfield Arena was officially renamed the Woody Johnson Arena last week. Featuring a Winfield Hockey Program alumni round-robin tournament and the official ceremonies, including a blanket ceremony, the renaming ceremony took place March 3 as a way for the County of Wetaskiwin and the […]

This year an outstanding group will be inducted into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame, including Builder Danny Gusdal. Gusdal taught and coached at Wetaskiwin Composite High School for 21 years.  He coached Wetaskiwin high school football and golf and community hockey. During his years of coaching his teams won three football league […]