JOHN MacNEIL/Independent editor
WHITE REALITY — After a few light dustings of snow in recent weeks, Stettler-andarea residents received a heavier dosage early Tuesday, as people began the winter routine of snow removal from their vehicles, driveways and walkways.
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October 24, 2012
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Contractor falls to his death at Battle River power plant RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
LIFE ON THE COLONY — At the Lone Pine Hutterite Colony, north of Botha, Joe Wipf hands out fresh carrots to university medical students on tour last Saturday. Stettler and area welcomed 56 medical students from University of Alberta as part of skills day. For more coverage of the students’ Stettler visit, see Page A3.
Tragedy struck ATCO Battle River power plant north of Halkirk last Thursday when a contract worker was killed on the job. “The young man did not work for ATCO, but was doing contract work for them at the time,” said Coronation RCMP Sgt. Colm Fitz-Gerald. Police and Alberta Occupational Health and Safety continue to investigate the death. The name of the deceased was still being withheld as of Tuesday, pending notification of the victim’s next of kin. The man was identified as a 23-year-old employee of AGAT Labs, an international company with a base in Calgary, said Lisa Glover, public relations officer for Alberta Occupational Health and Safety.
“A worker was performing stack testing when he fell down onto an elevator,” Glover said. “We’re not sure how far he fell. That will all be a part of the investigation.” Glover said an investigation could take up to two years to complete, as officials thoroughly review the incident. “The work he was doing is simply an environmental air-quality monitoring process to sample a gas stream,” Glover said. An official with AGAT declined immediate public comment out of respect for the family of the victim. The spokesman, however, said AGAT plans to release a public statement in the coming weeks. The Battle River tragedy was the fifth workplace fatality in as many days in Alberta, reported the provincial Occupational Health and Safety division.
Mama bear and her cub spotted at Rochon Sands LES STULBERG Independent reporter What is believed to have been a female black bear and her cub were spotted at Rochon Sands on Saturday. Bill McTaggart said he and his 12-year-old grandson, Tyler, heard a loud bang in the yard and when they looked outside, they caught sight of a mother bear and her cub by a garden shed.
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McTaggart said he had been bird hunting and had temporarily stored the entrails from cleaning the birds in the garden shed. It’s suspected that might have attracted the bear to the yard. Bear footprints were found in the yard and on the driveway. “I’ve never seen a bear here before, but there have been a couple of sightings at the (Rochon Sands) provincial campground,” McTaggart said.
Contributed photo by Mike Jackson
An apparent bear track was spotted outside a cabin at Rochon Sands last Saturday. Bill McTaggart and his grandson noticed what they believe was a female black bear and her cub near a shed.
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