The Ferintosh Community Club is getting ready to welcome spring with its annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Park on March 28 at 11 a m With Easter just around the corner, little ones across the community are getting their bunny ears ready and their baskets prepared for a morning of searching for colourful eggs and sweet surprises The Egg Hunt promises a fun-filled day, with plenty of surprises hidden throughout the park, each holding a small treat for eager young hunters Families are encouraged to bring a chair, stay awhile and enjoy visiting with neighbours and friends A lunch will also be available for purchase after the hunt, giving everyone a chance to relax and spend a little quality time together to celebrate Easter
Photo by Adan Shaikh
Above: Community Club members and friends gathered at the Ferintosh Hi-U Centre. From left, back row, president of the Ferintosh Community Club Janelle Bond; community members William Bosman, Carter Bosman, April Dunkley and Onyxia Gagnon. In the front, middle, Kingslee Lewis.
Involve kids in April Fools’ Day
Metro News
Ratepayers’ annual meeting
By Nadine Leming
At the March 10 regular council meeting, Councillor Carlene Wetthuhn made the motion to direct Camrose County Council administration to set the date and advertise that the 2026 annual meeting of the ratepayers of
Camrose County to be held on April 15 beginning at 7 p.m.
The motion was carried and will be an opportunity for ratepayers to be caught up to date on new policy, bylaws, as well as provincial acts and regulations. The annual meet -
ing will include the audited financial statement alongside the publication of the annual report. More information will be posted on the county website as it becomes available at www.county. camrose.ab.ca
Fun is a common component of many holidays, but perhaps no holiday is more exclusively devoted to merriment than April Fools’ Day. Fun might be the lone demand of April Fools’ Day, when people of all ages can engage in some lighthearted pranks and share a few laughs with loved ones.
Prank a parent. Pranks are tailor-made for the young and young at heart, and kids might be particularly engaged if they’re enlisted to pull a fast one on mom or dad. Make April Fools’ Day auto-correct day. Get kids in on the prank by enlisting them to help setting a ridiculous auto-correct on a parent’s or siblings phone.
Prank the kids, too. Kids can not only be prank perpetrators, but also the recipients of tomfoolery.
is published for Controlled Distribution By CAMROSE BOOSTER LTD. Blain Fowler Publisher
Circulation 11,639 copies
Providing coverage to the communities of Camrose (RRs and Boxes only), Ohaton, Edberg, Meeting Creek, Donalda, Bawlf, Kelsey, Rosalind, Daysland, Heisler, Strome, Forestburg, Galahad, Castor (farms), Killam, Sedgewick, Lougheed, Coronation/Brownfield, Alliance, Hardisty Amisk, Hughenden, Czar, Metiskow, Cadogan, Provost (farms), Armena, Hay Lakes, New Sarepta, Round Hill, Kingman, Tofield, Ryley, Holden, Bruce, Viking, Kinsella, Irma, Wainwright (farms and lock boxes), New Norway Ferintosh, Bashaw Bittern Lake, Gwynne, Stettler (farms).
Camrose Count y Agricultural Ser vices and Flagsta County are pleased to welcome special guest speaker Toso Bozic, CE
April 9, 5:3 0 to 8:30 p.m. , Bawl f Communit y Hall
Join us as Toso shares his extensive knowledge about E VERY THING T REES:
• How and Where to Plant • Tree Care and Maintenance
• Pest and Diseases • Pruning Basic s RSVP by April 2 to 780 -672-4765 or asb@county.camrose .ab.ca Food will be provided
Prior to cereal grains being accepted into the Seed Cleaning Plant for cleaning, a cer tified test result showing Fusarium Graminearium level of 1% or lower must be available. Drop your sample at the plant, and we can send it away for you
Camrose County Agricultural Communications Committee
2026 Scholarship
SCHOL AR SHIP AMOUNT $1000
Eligibility Requirements:
■ Students must be in Grade 10, 11, or 12,
■ Must be a resident of Camrose County
■ Previous Camrose Count y scholarship award winners are ineligible , ■ Essay should be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length OR video presentation should be 3 to 4 minutes in length.
Selected Topics :
Please select from ONE of the following:
1. With less people growing up on a farm, agriculture can be seen as a di icult industr y to enter. What are all the di erent ways to be involved and employed in agriculture in addition to running a farm operation?
2. Develop a new school curriculum around agriculture education for elementar y to high school students. What would this look like in your community school ?
Please reference people interviewed or research material used for your essay or video presentation. (No Power Point presentations will be accepted this year).
Submit entries to: Camrose County Essay Contest 4238-37 Street , Camrose, AB T4V 5B2 OR by email to: asb@county camrose .ab .ca
Please include the following as part of your submission:
Full Name , Mailing Address, Phone Number, High School being attended and Legal Land Description or Hamlet Address
Deadline : April 24, 2026 @ 4:30 p.m.
For further information contact: Corey Stuber 780-672-4765
The winner w ill be photographed for press release s, and the essay or video presentation will be posted on the Camrose C ounty website.
By Adan Shaikh
Sweet receives 4-H Premier’s Award
Isabella Sweet was named the 2026 Premier’s Award recipient during the 2025 Fall Senior Symposium Banquet. The award recognizes outstanding leadership, service and commitment to the 4-H program.
Sweet, who studies at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus in Camrose, said the recognition felt like the perfect way to close out her years in 4-H. “It is just a good recognition of my leadership, and the work and commitment I have put into my 4-H career. It was a great way to end it off.”
The Premier’s Award is the highest honour a 4-H Alberta member can receive. Originally donated by former Alberta premier E. C. Manning, it was first presented in 1964. The recipient is chosen from among current 4-H ambassadors and represents the organization at provincial and national events.
Sweet said it is uncommon for a first year ambassador to receive the award, which made the recognition even more meaningful for her. She applied not thinking she would be selected and was delightfully surprised when her name was announced.
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One of the highlights of her time in the program has been working with younger members.
“Being a 4-H youth leader has been a highlight for me. When we went to 4-H camps, I found that I really like working with youth,” she explained.
Sweet was also recognized with the Ted Youck Outstanding Achievement and Leadership in 4-H Alberta Award, donated by longtime supporter Ted Youck. The award was presented with his daughter Leta Youck in attendance and will accompany the Premier’s Award recipient for the next six years.
“Becoming an ambassador itself was a pretty big deal for me. West Central Region is very competitive and there’s lots and lots of 4-H members who want to be involved, so I was very happy that I was selected,” she shared.
“I joined 4-H a year later than most people do, all my friends were doing it. The first club I ever joined was a multi-club and I did the sheep project,” she shared, reflecting on her time in the program. “For the first few years, I had just the one lamb and then I moved up and ended up having like six sheep at a time. Then in my high school years, I joined a second club which was a beef club.”
Over time, she became increasingly involved in leadership within the organization. She joined her district council when she was an intermediate member and enjoyed the opportunity of representing her district at meetings. From there, Sweet made her way
to becoming regional vice-president and got involved in provincial meetings.
“Doing that, I really wanted to be an ambassador and all of that experience looked really good on the Premier’s Award application,” she commented.
Sweet grew up on a mixed farm west of Ponoka, with about 180 cows, some horses and chickens. Since she started her sheep project, the farm has also grown to include 10 sheep. She said joining the beef club later in her 4-H career pushed her outside of her comfort zone.
“Beef club was the most challenging for me. I was a lot older going into it. It was very different than my last club, so there was a learning curve there,” she said.
Now serving as both an ambassador and the Premier’s Award recipient, Sweet said the year ahead will come with extra responsibilities. “I have to do two provincial and two regional activities as ambassador and as Premier’s Award recipient I have to do the same, which means I have to do double the work this year because I am both.” Sweet has already judged at several events, including the Communications Event held in Kingman in February. She will also represent Alberta at 4-H Canada’s Citizenship Congress and meet with Alberta’s premier and the minister of agriculture, forestry and rural economic development. As Sweet embarks on a busy year ahead, she reflects on the invaluable skills and experiences gained throughout her 4-H journey.
Majestic Theatre is historical and relevant
By Nadine Leming
The Bashaw Majestic Theatre is an enduring landmark of a bygone era believed to be the last remaining theatre of its kind in western Canada. The theatre is considered a “Boomtown” style architecture popular in the late 19th century to early 20th century noted for its “false front” – a decorative facade built to make a small building appear larger.
This less than grand theatre that was built in 1915 has been home to silent and sound movies alongside local theatre productions over the years. After several years as Bashaw’s first Catholic Church, the theatre recommenced its role as the community movie hub in the 1940s, known as The Dixie.
The restored facade has returned the building, preserving its historic character of the 1930s with the exception of the white paint which is how the theatre would have been in 1915.
The theatre changed hands several times over the existence of the building. It sold one last time in the mid-1980s where it remained unused for the most part before being claimed by the Town of Bashaw for back taxes.
It was slated to be demolished in 1997 before two local historians and Arts enthusiasts, Diane Carl and Mary Kinsella founded the Friends of the Majestic Theatre.
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After much work, they created a dedicated group of people who campaigned to have the building saved and successfully purchased the building for one dollar. Many
hours were spent researching the history of the theatre and raising funds to complete the initial phase of restoration.
Founded in 1998, the Friends of the Majestic Theatre Society became a registered non-profit organization continuing with the mission of preserving and restoring the local landmark. The Majestic was designated a registered historical resource by both the Alberta government as well as the Government of Canada’s Millennium Bureau of Canada Project.
Over the years, they have built a reputation of providing quality entertainment. This busy little theatre has a full lineup of tribute shows coming up, beginning with a salute to Shania Twain on March 24. Other shows include tributes to Whitney Houston, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart and more. Tickets for upcoming tribute shows are typically affordably priced, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and shows starting at 7 p.m.
Mary Kinsella said, “We usually sell all our tickets for these shows. We’re quite a small community here and people seem to enjoy attending. They’re all good patrons.”
The Majestic Theatre has also announced their dinner theatre show Murder on the Menu from May 21 to 24. This show is sure to delight as secrets are served, accusations fly and someone gets cut from the guest list … for good. Sharpen your instincts for this interactive evening to see if you can spot the murderer before dessert.
For more information or to purchase tickets to any upcoming show at the Majestic Theatre, email majesticfriends@gmail.com
Isabella Sweet is the 4-H Premier’s Award recipient. She has earned the award after nine years of dedication to the program.
The Majestic Theatre in Bashaw has a full lineup of tribute shows coming up. This historical site is bound to be bringing in a show for almost everyone. Check out the upcoming dinner theatre in May with great food and amazing entertainment.
Camrose RCMP update
By Nadine Leming
The Camrose RCMP have been focusing on rural patrols while engaging in community consultations.
Members have spent time providing various presentations to area schools providing information on how to defend against online risks, enhancing threat prevention to students.
RCMP have been spending more time with schools becoming well versed with their design plans in order to assist school administrations with a few lockdown drills.
In the upcoming weeks they will be participating in community consultations in the county regarding the Alberta RCMP’s new Community Priorities Plan (CPP).
This is a new initiative designed to address the specific needs of each community. CPP will focus on localized needs to reduce rural crime while increasing visibility and boosting community engagement.
The plan will align with provincial goals, fostering intelligence-led policing while strengthening partnerships. This new collaborative model will transition from a traditional reactive policing to an enhanced proactive crime reduction effort created in consultation with community partners.
WE WELCOME BACK DEVAN HERDER!
Devan Herder, well known in the construction industry, took a short break away from Home Hardware Building Centre last fall. We’re thrilled to announce he has rejoined our team bringing back f ifteen years of experience in designing, estimating and working with trades to deliver top-quality functional builds to our agricultural, commercial and residential clients spread widely through East Central Alberta. In his new capacity as LBM Sales Manager, he will lead our entire build and design team.
MEET YOUR PARTNERS IN BUILDING:
T.J. Congdon (Home / Agricultural / Commercial Sales)
T.J. is a Red Seal Carpenter by trade. Prior to joining our business in 2025, he was a key player in the construction industry and was actively involved in building a multitude of quality homes and well-designed farm structures. His hands-on experience will provide value to your next project from the planning stage through completion.
Tim Williams (Small Building Packa ge Specialist)
Raised in the rural New Norway area, Tim went directly into the construction industry following high school. He vividly recalls being part of a crew that meticulously built many shops, farm and ag buildings and handled renovation projects in the rural trade area. His career path took him into the world of f looring installation for a few years, working with the late Jim Donnelly. After 18 years in the oilf ield, he re-entered the construction f ield at Camrose Home Hardware, Tim will estimate any build project, offer design guidance and, if requested, help secure reliable trade partners.
Ja son Arjo on (Retail/Contrac tor Sales Specialist) knows the construction industry well. After an absence of several years, Jason has recently rejoined our build team. He brings ample experience both on the tools and from the estimating side of the industry. His career has spanned from multi-years of framing new builds to representing a leading company from Alberta in metal sales. Jason is our go-to expert for windows, doors and small build advice and sales. For everything from storage sheds to that garage you’ve always dreamed of, see Jason.
Bashaw RCMP lays weapons charges after Emergency Response Team deployment
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On February 22, Bashaw RCMP responded to a report of an assault at a residence where the victim was struck with a shot gun.
RCMP responded and set up containment of the residence. The Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team was deployed and after some negotiation the suspect surrendered and was arrested.
Bashaw RCMP drafted a search warrant and with help from the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Unit a search was conducted of the home where a shot gun and ammunition was seized.
As a result of the investigation, RCMP have charged 44-year-old Justin William Bonnell with assault by choking, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, assault, failing to comply with release conditions, weapons/ firearm offences (x5).
Bonnell was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody. His court date was set for March 13, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Stettler.
Metro News Photo
By Nadine Leming
Every year Camrose County is required to appoint fire guardians within County boundaries. Fire guardians have the authority to issue permits for open fires with the intention of disposing of debris based on site conditions and safety. They are also responsible to outline the conditions of the fire permits they issue.
Back in 2017, with the implementation of online fire permits, the Camrose County Fire Guardians are no longer required to issue a paper copy. On occasion, paper copies of fire permits may be
issued, they must be submitted to the Protective Services Department as soon as possible for entry into the county’s permit database. Fire Guardians are mandated under Section 4 of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act which states rural municipalities shall appoint the necessary complement of fire guardians to carry out the provisions of this Act. In their capacity as Reeve and Council as well as the Chief Administrative Officer are deemed as fire guardians in and for the County.
Camrose County Fire Guardians
In compliance with Section 4 of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act the following positions are also part of the fire guardians team: manager of agricultural services, assistant agricultural fieldman, manager of protective and emergency services, seed plant manager and district fire chiefs of the fire departments within the county.
For more information on how to obtain a fire permit for open fires, go to www.county.camrose. ab.ca/emergency-protectiveservices/fire-permits.
NG 64.7 HECTAR ES (160 ACRES) MORE OR LESS, EXCEPTING THER EOUT: A) 2. 83 HECTAR ES (7 ACRES) MORE OR LESS FOR RIGH T OF WAY OF TH E GR AN D TRUN K PACI FIC BR ANCH LI NES RAILWAY AS SHOW N ON RAILWAY PLAN 3978Z
EXCEPTING THER EOUT ALL MINES AN D MINERALS
PA RCEL 3: ALL TH AT PORT ION OF TH E NORT H EAST QUARTER OF SE CT ION TW EN TY THREE (23), TOWNSH IP FORTY THREE (43), RA NGE TW EN TY ON E (21), WEST OF TH E FOURTH MERI DI AN, WH ICH LI ES NORT H AN D EAST OF TH E NORT H EAST ER LY LIMI T OF RAILWAY PLAN 3978Z; CONTAINI NG 63.6 HECTAR ES (157.2 ACRES) MORE OR LESS EXCEPTING THER EOUT:
0. 392 HECTAR ES (0.97 ACRES) MORE OR LESS, AS SHOW N ON ROAD PLAN 1046T EXCEPTING THER EOUT ALL MINES AN D MINERALS
Tenders will be entertained for sale on ly for pa rcel 1. Tenders will be entertained for sale or lease for pa rcel 2 and pa rcel 3, with such lease commencing in 2026 The Vendor has received County approval to subdivide the northern 80 acres of Pa rcel 3. Tenders for Pa rcel 3 must be either for the lease of the sout hern 77 acres of Pa rcel 3, or for the pu rchase of the sout hern 77 acres of Pa rcel 3. The Vendor currently receives an an nual gas well su rface lease payment of approximately $410 0 for Pa rcel 2. The Vendor ma kes no representation as to whet her these payments will continue Tenders will be entertained for one or more pa rcels. Tenders will not be opened in public. Conditiona l tenders will not be accepted The highest or any tender will not necessar ily be accepted The owner reserves the right to reject any and all tenders. Tenders are to be subm itted in sealed envelopes ma rked “LENTZ TENDER”, to Andreassen Borth. Tenders for lease do not require a deposit. Tenders for sale shall include the tenderer’s GST number, wh ich pa rcel is being bid on, and shall be accompanied by a cheque made payable to “A nd reassen Borth” for 3% of tender pr ice and must be delivered before 12:0 0 noon on Ma rch, 27, 2026, to Andreassen Borth, Ba rr isters and Solicitors, #200, 4870 -51 St reet, Camrose, Alberta T4V 1S1, At tention: Ki rk Laird.
The tender pr ice does not include GST; the successf ul tenderer must pay GST to the Vendor based on the entire pu rchase price or provide GST number and GST Indemnity on or before the closing date
On a completed sale, ta xes will be adjusted as of noon on the closing date The Vendor currently receives surface lease payments for Pa rcel 2. The Vendor ma kes no representation as to whet her such payments shall continue. Please contact the Vendor for more information about these su rface lease payments
On a completed sale, the ba la nce of the pu rchase price shall be paid to Andreassen Borth on or before April 17, 2026, with the exception of the sale of Pa rcel 3, wh ich shall be completed 4 weeks after regist ration of the subdivision of Pa rcel 3 by the Vendor Tenders are ir revocable and shall remain open until dealt with by the offices of Andreassen Borth. If a successf ul tenderer do es not complete the pu rchase after acceptance of that tender, thei r deposit shall be forfeited. Deposits received from unsuccessf ul tenderer s will be returned to them by mail
For further information about the la nd, please call Rodney Lentz at 1-780-988-9133. For questions regarding the tender process, call Ki rk Laird at Andreassen Borth 780- 672-3181
Dairy Challenge hosted in Camrose County
By Adan Shaikh
Students and industry professionals gathered in Camrose County earlier this month as the 2026 Western Regional Dairy Challenge made its first appearance in Canada.
Hosted by the University of Alberta from March 5 to 7, the event brought together 77 students from 15 schools to evaluate a working dairy operation.
Vermeer’s Dairy served as the host farm, giving students the chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world production, herd management and financial data.
Dairy Challenge aims to develop future leaders in the dairy industry through education, communication and networking. For nearly two decades, the program has connected students with producers and industry professionals through regional competitions across the United States and a national contest.
“Our experience visiting Camrose was nothing short of terrific. This marked the first time the Dairy Challenge was hosted in Canada. While the majority of our participating schools are based in the U.S., we have long-standing participants from the University of Alberta and the University of Guelph. Following an invitation from Anne Laarman, the Dairy Challenge coach at the University of Alberta, we spent the last two years coordinating how to bring this event across the border,” said Molly Kelley, executive director of Dairy Challenge.
“We were grateful to welcome several new volunteers from the University of Alberta and the surrounding Camrose community,” she added.
The three-day event began with team building and introductions, followed by mentor sessions and a review of farm data ahead of the on-farm visit. On the second day, teams toured Vermeer’s Dairy Farm, assessing
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they have a full glimpse into my operation. So that was a little bit nerve-wracking, and then a day of having 110 people walking around at 6:30 in the morning was a little nerve-wracking as well. But it was a good experience,” said Jake.
Students from across North America, including schools in Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho, Wisconsin and California, joined Canadian teams from the University of Alberta, University of Guelph and Lakeland College. Participants were randomly placed into intercollegiate teams, giving them the chance to collaborate with peers from different regions.
“It’s a great tourism opportunity or a great opportunity for facility rentals for our organization. So I am really proud of that. I am the chair of the economic development committee for Camrose County. So we brought a ton of tourism this weekend. I’m also on the Lakeland college animal science advisory committee. So it was great to see our college participate at the university level,” said Jake.
animal health, parlour management, transition pens and feed systems. They also interviewed the producers to gain insight into management practices and farm goals before spending the afternoon preparing presentations.
The final day featured 20-minute presentations to a panel of judges, including dairy producers, veterinarians and industry consultants, outlining the farm’s strengths and areas for improvement.
For Jake Vermeer, owner of
Vermeer’s Dairy and board president of the Camrose Regional Exhibition and Agricultural Society, hosting the competition meant sharing his farm’s operations and financials with students.
“You submit all the information of your business basically and now there’s no secrets. But you’re doing it for the betterment of the students, who are under very strict orders that nothing is shared, nothing has been photographed and everything is destroyed afterwards, but
“There’s a lot of media portrayed tensions between Canada and the U.S., and so we had the opportunity to be face-to-face with 110 of our counterparts from the U.S., and they were blown away by our hospitality, how our dairy industry works, how up-to-date we are. A lot of Americans have this perceived notion that we don’t know how to dairy farm here, because of the cold climate,” shared Jake.
As the first Canadian host, Camrose County marked a milestone moment for the Dairy Challenge program, showcasing its farms and expertise. The event also provided a great opportunity for American students to experience how Canadian dairy operations run, providing them with a unique learning experience.
Rosebrier 4-H Beef Club’s season continues
The Rosebrier 4-H Beef Club has had an eventful few months. Since November’s community service at No Stone Left Alone, members volunteered in the kitchen at the Harvest Hoedown at Angus Ridge Hall. On November 2, the district Multi Species Judging was held at the Lakedell Ag Society with Rosebrier members participating. At our November meeting, we learned about nutrition from guest speaker Greg Bowie. Our charity raffle tickets are underway with ticket sales benefiting the Under Water Search Team.
The 4-H Day at Farm Fair was held November 8. The 4-H Regional Fun Day was held November 29 at the Boardwalk Entertain-
ment Centre in Red Deer, with members joining in the fun playing laser tag. In December, we assembled baskets to donate to the Camrose Women’s Shelter. We also put together short videos of our steers to share at our next club meeting.
At the January meeting, we hosted Jenalee Stewart for a Public Speaking Clinic. We kicked off February with a very successful public speaking event. Event Winners were: Senior 1st place – Grace Trautman, 2nd place –
Brock Lipka, Intermediate 1st place – Colton Szigli, 2nd place – Taecee Thompson, and Junior 1st place – Autumn Hanson, 2nd Place – Whitney Hagstrom. Thank you to our judges for volunteering their time. Our February club
meeting hosted Dr. Hudson of HD Veterinary Services who delivered an informative presentation for our members.
District Public Speaking took place February 28 at the Moose Hall in Wetaskiwin, and we had four members represent our club including: Colton Szigli (Intermediate), Jack Meyers (Intermediate), Whitney Hagstrom (Junior), and Brynn Lipka (Junior).
We are looking forward to our club tour and Mini Royal Show coming up in March and April.
Please plan to join us on our Achievement Day on May 11 at the Wetaskiwin Ag Grounds.
Team number 11 won first place in Panel C. From left, front row: Drake Bair (Fresno State) and Anthony Diniz (Cal Poly). From left, back row: Regina Frisle (University of WisconsinMadison), Estrella Farias (Texas A&M) and Alexis Jongsma (College of the Sequoias).
Daysland Hospital receives new ECG machine
Hospital Foundation.
By Adan Shaikh
Daysland Health Centre has a new electrocardiograph machine thanks to support from the Daysland Hospital Foundation.
The machine, used for electrocardiograms or ECGs, has a patient cable with 12 leads. These leads measure the heart’s electrical activity from multiple angles. Patients lie down while electrodes are attached to the arms, legs, chest, and sometimes the back. Each heartbeat creates electrical signals that the machine records. The procedure is quick and painless.
ECGs are often used before surgery or to investigate symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of
breath, irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease.
“The Foundation’s purpose is to raise funds to enable the hospital to maintain and enhance their services by upgrading equipment that is essential to providing excellent patient care,” said Laurie Melnyk, board member of Daysland Hospital Foundation. The Foundation is made up of board members from Daysland and surrounding communities, and raises funds to help the hospital maintain and upgrade equipment essential for patient care.
Supporting Lacombe Research and Development Centre
By Nadine Leming Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) formally announced the closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre recently. The 119-year-old centre is set to wind down operations over the 12 months beginning in early 2026. By closing down this historic operation, the impact will be felt by over 100 employees as well as
Joining our long-tenure d and patientfocussed hygienists Tricia and Jenn are Jody and Jennifer
After a rigorous search for the right hygienists to fit our o ice culture and our mandate of providing thorough dental education, treatment options and optimum dental ser vice , we landed on the se talented and caring professionals. Our hygiene team will work closely with Dr. Kenneth Cha and Dr. Ahmad Alqalaf in providing better smiles and improved dental health
Our hygiene appointments are o ered for one hour and 20 minute durations vs. the industr y norm of 60 minutes. Our fees correspond to the Alber ta Dental Fee Guide. We are pleased to direct bill insurance companies , arrange for pre-approvals on your plan and will patiently explain your coverage level.
If a dental check-up on the same day as your dental hygiene appointment is convenient for you, count on us!
Appointments are now accepted One of our sta will answer your call and work with you to begin your journe y to better dental health
research into livestock and crop sciences.
Lacombe County sent out a letter to various rural communities including Camrose County. The letter outlines the impact of the federal decision to close the Lacombe Research and Development Centre. The Lacombe County letter includes how the closure will impact not just the
immediate area, but the province as a whole.
In the letter, Lacombe County requests municipalities to send a letter to the federal government urging them to reverse this decision. The request also included reaching out to the federal minister of agriculture, to forward copies to local MLAs and MPs, and thanking municipalities for sup -
porting urgent matters faced by Alberta’s agriculture industry.
Councillor Marty Maxwell motioned that Camrose County send a letter under the Reeve’s signature to the federal government to reverse the decision to close the Lacombe Research and Development Centre. The motion was carried unanimously by council.
Submitted Nicole McLean, Medical Lab Assistant, demonstrates the new electrocardiograph machine at the Daysland Health Centre. Purchase made possible by the Daysland
Dr. Kennet h ChaD r. Ah mad Al qala f
Tricia Jenn
Jody
Jennife r
Hazardous waste round-up
By Nadine Leming
With the City of Camrose and Camrose County no longer holding an agreement for the Camrose landfill, the County will need a new contract to participate in the Hazardous Waste Round-up.
This program allows County residents an opportunity to participate in the City of Camrose’s round-up events to safely dispose of hazardous waste. Items that qualify for this program include anything with a hazard label as well as any electronics no longer in use.
The City of Camrose’s round-up events are the closest and safest way to dispose of hazardous and electronic materials for County residents at this time. The 2026 round-up will take place June 6 and 7, with another opportunity on October 2 and 3.
The cost of the agreement would be an additional $8,000 which was not included in the 2026 budget. With Council’s approval of the extra funding, administration will amend the final 2026 operational budget to include the additional costs for participation in the program.
The City of Camrose will draft the agreement upon receiving Camrose County Council’s decision. Councillor Doug Lyseng made the motion that Council authorize Administration to sign an amending agreement which extends the Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up Service Agreement with the City of Camrose for 2026, at a cost of $8,000 with funds to come from the 2026 Operating Budget. The motion was carried.
AT THE LEGISLATURE
White meat vs. dark
Metro News
Chicken is a wildly popular food source that contributes 90 per cent of the world’s poultry meat production. Chicken lovers may wonder if white meat really is, as some suggest, a healthier option than dark meat. That answer is somewhat elusive.
One cup of dark meat (3.4 grams) is higher in saturated fat than the same size portion of white meat (1.4 grams), and that’s arguably the reason behind the former’s reputation as a less healthy option than the latter.
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Some may note that the fat content in dark meat makes it juicier and therefore requires less seasoning than white meat.
Chicken seasoning tends to be high in sodium, which can offset some of the nutritional benefits of white meat compared to dark meat, particularly since the sodium content in each type of meat is roughly the same (133 milligrams for dark meat, 104 milligrams for white meat).
Individuals who have certain health conditions, such as diabetes and pancreatitis, should opt for white meat over dark meat because they have much to gain from eating a low-fat diet. Others can consult with their physicians to determine if their best option is white meat or dark meat.
Cultivating agricultural innovation
Metro News
The agricultural sector is evolving thanks to new technology necessitated by a growing global population and the pressures of climate change. Predictions are that the global population will be 9.7 billion by 2050.
The agricultural sector must figure out a way to meet the demands of that expanding population. These challenges are being offset by advancing technologies that are helping farmers increase productivity while also reducing their ecological impact.
Technological advancements are cultivating innovation within the agricultural sector, and these are some of the options farmers are exploring.
and nutrient levels in real time. These sensors allow for “variable rate application” of water and fertilizers, ensuring resources are directed only where they are needed.
ly. Optimized pathfinding helps to reduce soil compaction and more.
Fruit pickers can evaluate the ripeness of produce before picking it, minimizing waste.
ogy is a pillar of agricultural evolution. Gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 can develop crop varieties that are more resilient to saline soil conditions and drought.
The internet of things (IoT): IoT is a vast network of objects embedded with sensors, software and connectivity.
Farm operations can use low-cost, high-durability sensors deployed across fields to monitor soil moisture, temperature
Robotics and automation: Labor shortages have led to a growing reliance on robotics and autonomous machinery to handle farm work.
Modern tractors can be equipped with GPS and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) systems to operate autonomous-
Unmanned aerial vehicles or drones can offer multispectral imagery that enables farmers to identify crop stress before it is visible to people.
Biotechnology: Farming increasingly is being developed in the lab before crops even sprout in the fields. Biotechnol-
Research published in Nature Communications says that bio-engineered crops have the potential to increase yields by up to 20 percent, even in suboptimal environments. This cuts down the time required to create traits that help plants thrive.
Vertical farming: Vertical farming enables facilities to produce more food per square foot than traditional farming, according to the Association for Vertical Farming. When coupling this with Controlled Environment Agriculture, which employs hydroponic or aeroponic systems, facilities have greater control over conditions that can affect food sources. The utilization of different technologies across the agricultural sector is driving innovation and production.
Metro News Photo
Camrose County Residents are encouraged to participate in the 2026 Round-Up that will take place June 6 and 7, with another opportunity October 2 and 3.
Camrose County officials were in Edmonton for a visit to the Alberta Legislature on March 17 to discuss priorities with Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and economic corridors and MLA Jackie Lovely. From left, Deputy Reeve Carlene Wetthuhn; MLA Lovely; Reeve Cindy Trautman; and Minister Dreeshen.
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What consumers can do to support local farmers
Metro News
Farming has never been a vocation for individuals looking for easy work. Farmers typically work long hours, braving the elements regardless of how unpleasant the weather may be.
All that hard work ensures individuals who live in rural, urban and suburban communities have constant, readily available access to healthy foods. Such devotion merits support, and thankfully there are many things consumers can do to show their appreciation for local farmers.
Buy fresh foods at your local farmers’ market. Farmers markets’ are many foodies’ favourite places, but they aren’t exclusive to individuals with a passion for food. Everyone needs to eat, so why not eat foods grown locally, which are generally more fresh and appetizing than imported fruits and vegetables sold at chain grocery stores?
Even individuals who don’t typically eat fresh fruit and vegetables can find something delectable at a local farmers market, where anything from homemade tomato sauces to locally raised fresh beef and pork might be on sale.
Order directly from local farms. Some farmers have embraced the e-commerce revolution and begun selling the foods they grow to consumers via their own websites.
Research local farms and determine if it’s possible to buy directly from them. Farms may offer delivery or pick-up, and consumers can enjoy fresh foods even more knowing that they helped farmers earn higher profits by buying directly from them.
Check labels before buying in local grocery stores. Packaging labels will indicate where fruits and vegetables came from. When possible, choose items produced by local farmers.
This may include fruits, vegetables, meat, pork, or even desserts like pies. Locally produced foods often taste more fresh than items sent from overseas or distant farms, and consumers will feel better knowing they helped to support local farmers.
Spread the word. Get the word out after a satis-
fying experience with local farms and farmers.
Whether it’s buying food from farms or taking advantage of family days that let kids enjoy a day on the farm, sharing positive experiences via social media or word-ofmouth can be a great way to inspire your neighbours to support local farmers as well.
Consumers can do much to support hardworking local farmers. In addition to feeling good about supporting their rural neighbours, consumers also might feel good when they sit down and enjoy a meal featuring locally grown, fresh foods.
