WHITECOURT NEWS

Provincial $4.2M Active Communities Initiative improving 12 facilities across Alberta

Alberta Fish and Wildlife has received reports of cougar sightings in the Sak-Da-Wah subdivision, east of Whitecourt. “Residents are advised to use caution when in the area or in nearby forested areas,” Woodlands County stated. “If you see a cougar, report it to Alberta Fish & Wildlife at 1-800-642-3800.”  For more information, visit alberta.ca/cougars.

Facing an array of charges, Clayton Jordan Brown appeared before the Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt by CCTV while in custody in Edmonton. Numerous charges were resolved by pleas and sentencing was held during the court’s sitting on Dec. 10. “We will be entering a number of guilty pleas,” counsel Richard Forbes told the […]

‘Disclosure is in progress’ in second-degree murder case

Continuing a staple Christmas tradition for the region, the Town of Whitecourt hosted A Night at the North Pole on the evening of Dec. 7. During the event, the area around the Forest Interpretive Centre was transformed into a recreation of the North Pole. The historic buildings of the John and Audrey Dahl Heritage Park […]

Suspect Mathew Jackson scheduled to go to Whitecourt Court of Justice on Dec. 10

Whitecourt resident Kaylin Cody Hunter, 18, is due in the Alberta Court of Justice in Evansburg on Dec. 9 following his arrest on Thursday. On Dec. 5, Evansburg RCMP received a call that there was a man in a stolen vehicle. “The male was caught attempting to steal another vehicle by the owner, who was […]

The cameras will record interactions between Mounties and civilians, in a bid to increase transparency

A case of three suspects who were arrested following a reported break-in at a Windfall Road oilfield plant on April 11 went to the Whitecourt Court of Justice on Wednesday. Crown counsel Phil Lefeuvre told the court there was no “reasonable likelihood” of conviction, and he asked for the charges to be withdrawn. Kyle Ferchuck-Schmutz, […]

The seriousness of the allegations is ‘grave,’ judge says

The Whitecourt Legion was bustling with activity on Saturday as families, the Grinch and a gingerbread man celebrated a “Christmas is for Kids” event. The Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce organized the festivities, marking the first time Christmas is for Kids has been held in approximately five years. “The idea is to keep people […]

A blast in the early morning hours of Monday, Dec. 2 resulted in damage to surrounding homes and vehicles, according to Swan Hills RCMP. The explosion occurred at an unoccupied house on Pan Am Street in the Town of Swan Hills, approximately 80 kilometres north of Whitecourt and 208 km northwest of Edmonton. “At this […]

Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings early Friday morning for Woodlands County near Whitecourt and Blue Ridge and the Municipal District of Greenview near Fox Creek. The snowfall is expected to continue until Monday, bringing total amounts of 20 and 30 centimetres, according to Environment Canada on Nov. 29. “Total snowfall amounts could reach as high […]

Whitecourt gets a verdict from Communities in Bloom

Canadians have until Dec. 20 to weigh in on naming the space robot

‘What we have here is a great quantity of property crimes’

STARS air ambulance had 11 missions in Woodlands County so far this year

A high-profile case concerning accusations of child abuse said to have occurred in Whitecourt and Edson between 2005 and 2011 is seeing a long delay. The case of Sandy Beach woman Sherina Maria Handsor was scheduled to go to the Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt on Nov. 20 for a plea. However, no plea […]

November is Family Violence Prevention Month and this should be a meaningful one for Whitecourt, as its Family Violence Initiative (FVI) was recognized on the provincial level. Whitecourt FVI is this year’s recipient of the Minister’s Award for Municipal and Public Library Excellence, for Enhancing Community Safety. “The award exemplifies the importance of the family […]

The driver appeared at the Whitecourt Court of Justice

Flood risks have been a concern in the area

Children, parents and area residents lined the streets of downtown Whitecourt on the night of Saturday, Nov. 16. In a major tradition signaling the Christmas season in Whitecourt has arrived, the Santa Claus Parade came to town. The Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce organized the annual event, while the Town of Whitecourt approved street […]

While the community has strengths, there are limited opportunities for doctors and nurses to practise their specialties, council hears

Moving into quarterfinals to determine who goes onto the semifinals in provincials, the Whitecourt Cats hosted the Ponoka Broncs at Graham Acres on Monday, Nov. 11. The Broncs won 44–4, wrapping up the Cats’ season, according to the Whitecourt football club. The game was held in the afternoon, following Remembrance Day services held in the […]

New Whitecourt RCMP sergeant welcomed

The Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt received guilty pleas in two separate theft cases during its sitting on Tuesday. One case regarded Christopher Michael Blackburn, who was sentenced to 30 days in jail for theft worth under $5,000 after taking copper wire from a CN site in Whitecourt. Blackburn appeared in-person in court. “The […]

The fieldhouse at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre was packed Monday morning for Remembrance Day services. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 44 planned the event, with Marlene Pinchbeck reading the address, written by Mayerthorpe cadet Luke Johnson. “As we gather today to honour the sacrifices made by our soldiers, I think it’s important to […]

This Monday is Remembrance Day, and the Whitecourt Legion is planning observances at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre. “We have very good support from the citizens of Whitecourt and area,” Ian McDermid, poppy fund co-chairperson, told the Whitecourt Star. According to the Whitecourt Legion, attendees will begin filling the Millar Centre fieldhouse at 10:15 […]

Greater capacity is needed, as some foster children are being moved out of their communities

Amid ongoing controversy over federal funding to the Sustainable Development Technologies Canada (SDTC) fund, Peace River–Westlock MP Arnold Viersen spoke in the House of Commons in late October. Viersen called for documents related to the SDTC fund to be turned over to the RCMP, joining other Conservative MPs in taking this position. “We need to […]

Getting an early start on grabbing gifts for loved ones, families flocked to the Westward Christmas Market this weekend. And, kids who came with their parents had their first opportunity of the year to meet the big guy, Santa Claus. The Whitecourt District Agricultural Society hosts the market annually at Westward Community Centre in Woodlands […]

The Whitecourt Wolverines once again faced off against the Devon Xtreme at JDA Place on the night of Saturday, Nov. 2.  Six hundred and thirty people gathered at the arena to see the Wolverines win, 5-1. There was no scoring during first period. During second period, the Wolverines made it onto the scoreboard for the […]

The pedestrian’s injuries weren’t life threatening

Whitecourt councillors saw a snapshot of the town’s finances for 2024 during their regular meeting on Monday. Judy Barney, town corporate services director, presented council with the quarterly financial report, covering the period up to Sept. 30. “I really appreciate the report and the highlights – it helps,” Mayor Tom Pickard said during the meeting. […]

Whitecourt Communities in Bloom (CiB) committee representatives Ann Blackwell and Kelly Sadoway presented town council with an update on the group’s achievements and challenges during Monday’s meeting. This was an important year for the group, as CiB judges inspected Whitecourt’s community appearance and environmental initiatives for 2024 provincials in August. “It’s not a big group, […]

A hearing was held to determine whether Drayton Valley resident Mervin Edward Desjarlais should be released from the Edmonton Remand Centre at the Court of Justice in Whitecourt on Oct. 22. Desjarlais is charged with possession of illegally-obtained property and a controlled substance and failing to comply with release conditions, according to the docket. “I […]

With playoffs going on, the Whitecourt Cats hosted the Valleyview Cougars at Graham Acres on Friday afternoon. The Cats emerged victorious in the Mighty Peace Football League game, 10–8. This secures the team a spot in the first round of provincials, according to the Whitecourt football club. The Cats last hosted the Cougars on Oct. […]

Trunk or Treat, hosted by the Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 from noon to 3 p.m. in downtown Whitecourt. To accommodate the event, the following roads in the downtown area will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26: 49th St. between 50th Ave. and […]

No other councillors nominated for the top spot

‘This is a phenomenal, dedicated group’

Theresa Sophie Savard, who was charged along with Jesse Gordon Rudichuk of shopbreaking with intent and possessing break-in instruments, went to the Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt on Tuesday. Savard entered a guilty plea to count one, shopbreaking. “The court accepts the guilty plea,” Judge Thomas W. Achtymichuk said. Crown counsel Kerri Malcolm told […]

On Saturday afternoon, the Whitecourt Cats had their fifth and final game before Peace league playoffs, hosting the High Prairie Renegades at Graham Acres. The Cats won 63–28 and will be going onto playoffs, according to the Whitecourt football club. The club said they are currently standing second in the Peace league. Under Coach Stephen […]

The Swan Hills Healthcare Centre continues to be plagued by temporary disruptions, causing overnight closures of the emergency department.  Alberta Health Services said the department will be closed overnight on Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19, after having also closed overnight on Thursday.  The disruptions are being caused by “a lack of nursing staff […]

In response to Whitecourt’s expansion and development, the town will have a new transportation master plan. During their regular meeting on Tuesday, town councillors awarded the work to develop a plan to ISL Engineering for $103,396. “It’s timely, to see the changes and patterns in Whitecourt,” town CAO Peter Smyl told council. The plan would […]

Annual dog licences abolished

Some of a series of charges against Shyanne Louise May Davies, 28, were resolved at the Alberta Court of Justice during its sitting in Whitecourt on Oct. 8. Davies pleaded guilty to mischief and breaching release conditions by breaking curfew and will receive a $500 fine and suspended sentence under a joint submission. “At this […]

It was game on at Graham Acres on Thursday afternoon as the Whitecourt Cats hosted the Valleyview Cougars. The Cats won the Mighty Peace Football League game 24–13, according to the Whitecourt football club. “The players are constantly improving with every game,” Coach Stephen Tapp told the Whitecourt Star. “They’re really starting to gel well […]

Whitecourt’s Wellspring Family Resource and Crisis Centre provides a vital service for women and children across the region, and Woodlands County is voicing its support. During its regular meeting on Wednesday, county council voted to send a letter of support as Wellspring is looking at expansion. “These things all take money to make happen, so our […]

The Whitecourt Wolverines hosted the Devon Xtreme at JDA Place on the evening of Oct. 9. The Wolverines emerged triumphant, 6-3.  Less than three minutes into first period, Kyle Tucker scored the first goal of the night for the Wolverines, assisted by Mason Russell and Tyler Rowland. The Wolverines had their second goal four minutes […]

As a result of a theft at Mark’s, a man was sentenced during the Alberta Court of Justice’s sitting on Whitecourt on Tuesday.   Timothy Preston Cardinal entered guilty pleas to theft worth under $5,000, failure to appear for prints and failure to appear in court.  Crown counsel Kerri Malcolm told the court that in […]