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ALERT targets Hells Angels RED DEER MAN SWEPT UP IN SERIES OF RAIDS BY BRENDA KOSSOWAN ADVOCATE STAFF
PROJECT AL-WHEELS
A man from Red Deer is among 10 people, allegedly linked with the Hells Angels, who were arrested during a series of raids in mid to late May. The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team alleges seizing more than $1 million in stolen property including vehicles, rifles, shotguns and a handgun from sites in Red Deer, Edmonton, Grande Prairie,
Alberta Beach, Gunn, Onoway, Morinville, Legal, Ryley, Sherwood Park and Langley, B.C. In a statement released on Wednesday, ALERT communications manager Mike Tucker said police conducted 13 simultaneous raids on May 12, followed up with additional searches on May 19 and May 25. Altogether, police allege seizing 17 travel trailers,
three pick-up trucks, six ATVs, one snowmobile, two dirt bikes, 18 rifles, two shotguns and one handgun. The raids and arrests were the result of Project Al-Wheels, an ALERT investigation into activities of the Edmonton chapter of the Hells Angels motorcycle club that started with a tip from a member of the public, said Tucker.
Please see HELLS ANGELS on Page A2
BLUE SKIES AWARD
County couple recognized for steps to improve air quality BY CRYSTAL RHYNO ADVOCATE STAFF
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Terry Krause and his wife, Liz Simpson, sample honey berries from their garden south west of Red Deer on Wednesday afternoon. The couple have just been awarded a Parkland Airshed Management Zone Blue Skies award in recognition of their efforts to reduce their environmental footprint on their acreage in Red Deer County.
Nine years ago Terry Klause and Liz Simpson set out on a journey to reduce their environmental footprint. After examining their values, they moved to an acreage Red Deer County. The plan was to build a house, plant a garden and do some landscaping, which would align their desired lifestyle and values. “My philosophy is start where you are in life and think about what you can do,” said Klause. “Do not take on too much. You can quickly overwhelm yourself. Look for people that can give you some advice from experience.” Klause was recognized for his efforts with Parkland Airshed Management Zone’s Outstanding Role Model Award, one of the inaugural Blue Skies Awards on Wednesday. The awards recognize individuals, businesses and organizations taking steps to improve air quality in Central Alberta. The original plan was to build a straw bale house but it was the height of the boom and finding tradesmen was challenging, said Klause. Instead they went the conventional house building route. Please see AWARD on Page A2
School systems hoping changes will boost graduation rates BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF As Central Alberta students graduate this month, school jurisdictions continue to look at how to improve the rate of students who finish Grade 12. The number of 2016 graduates is not yet available, but in June 2015 the rate of students who graduated three years after entering Grade 10 ranged from 69.5 per cent at Red Deer Public Schools to 84.5 per cent at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. The provincial graduation average was 76.5 per cent. Red Deer Public had a drop in its graduation rate from 74.0 per cent in 2014, while its three-year average was 73.5 per cent. Superintendent Stu Henry said there had been an
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upward trend for about four years in a row and the district was encouraged about where results would head in the future. Several years ago public schools on Red Deer’s north side were reconfigured as kindergarten to Grade 8 to build connections and stability. “We’re hearing rave reviews from parents and staff about that model so we do think long term that will really pay off for our high school completion,” Henry said. Attendance tracking and supports are also in place starting in elementary school. Another program links high school students with an assigned staff member to help them with any issues they may encounter. And students who don’t complete Grade 12 in three years are contacted by staff to help them earn their final credits. Red Deer Catholic had a slight decline in its grad-
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Please see GRADUATION on Page A2
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uation rate from 88.1 per cent in 2014. Its three-year average was 88.2. “Compared to the province, we’re well above the provincial average. We’re quite proud of the success story and quite proud of contributing to the overall provincial success,” said superintendent Paul Mason. To help students earn their diploma, Catholic high school staff are assigned to work with students to make sure they have enough and the right credits to graduate. “It is a team effort, not only with the Grade 12 teachers, but throughout a students’ education career,” Mason said.
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