The Community
Press Volume 113, Issue 32
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
$1 Including GST
Late Night cow check reveals spectacular northern lights over Flagstaff
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ‘PRESS Extreme cold forces bus cancellations and warnings from Environment Canada - Page 6 Killam RCMP report multiple warrants pursued - Page 3 The Future is Flagstaff - new initiative coming to community - Page 10 Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a blind date with a book - Page 14 Good news for selfemployed individuals told they had to repay CERB relief payments Page 7
SHILA BISHOP PHOTO With the extreme cold temperatures in the region over the weekend, producers are checking their herds often this calving season. It was one such check made by Shila Bishop of Killam late in the evening on Saturday, Feb. 6, where she came upon a vivid display of the northern lights over the Killam skyline. Aurora Watch, a service of the University of Alberta, issued a red alert from 11 p.m. Saturday until dawn Sunday. A red alert is issued when high geomagnetic activity is recorded, a good measure of a high probability of seeing northern lights.
Flagstaff County approves 2021 Budget - Page 8
AND MUCH MORE!
Province flips on out-of-school sports - too late for most Flagstaff arenas and hockey programs Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The Province made a last-minute amendment to its Step 1 restriction easements on Saturday, Feb. 6, just two days before coming into play, allowing indoor and outdoor minor sports activities outside of the school in addition to schoolbased activities. For participants 18-years-old or younger, children and youth are allowed to participate in limited group activities, including lessons, practices, and physical conditioning activities for indoor or outdoor sports activities, as well as school athletics. All games continue to
be prohibited. Saturday’s announcement says limited indoor and outdoor activities for school and minor sports are now allowed, with a 10-individual maximum including participants, coaches, and trainers. Physical distancing must be maintained at all times; three metres indoors, and two metres outdoors. Participants must be masked except during the training activity, coaches and trainers must be masked at all times. The Alberta Health Order also specifically includes dance as a physical activity. The rules posted on Alberta.ca appear somewhat contradictory, as it shows that
fitness and recreation centres, including pools, indoor rinks, and arenas, must remain closed. Alberta Health Assistant Director of Communications Tom McMillan clarifies that while rinks remain closed to the general public they can be used for the minor youth sports and physical activities online, as long as users follow restrictions put in place. In light of Saturday’s announcement, Hockey Alberta, who last Tuesday called for the end of the season, called Saturday’s announcement good news. In the Flagstaff Region, where Forestburg joined Hardisty, Sedgewick, and Killam in shutting down their ice plant, the news was met with mixed reactions.
Daysland Arena has decided to keep the ice in, and is now taking bookings for activities meeting the restrictions. While most were sad that the announcement came too late to save hockey for this season, facilities were hopeful that the arena surfaces could be soon used to support indoor sports. Many parents were relieved to be able to resume dance classes under the new order, and looked ahead to spring training camps for baseball and other activities. Adult group physical activities remain limited to outdoor facilities with groups of 10 people or fewer. Two-metre See RESTRICTIONS P9
Page 12 - The Community Press, Wednesday, February 10, 2021
The Community Press, Wednesday, February 10, 2021 - Page 13
February 2021 M Meetings
Council Meetings Flagstaff County Co ounciil M Meetings eetings aare re conducted the 2nd and a 4th Wednesday of each mon nth commencing at 9 a.m. u unless otherwise planned. p Council and Committ ommittee meeting agendas aare re aavvailable att the County’’ss websit ebsiite te at: flagstaffffff...ab.ca/c .ca/council/meeeeetings-and.ca/council/me tings-andminu utes tes
7800-384-4100 1-877-387-4100 Email: Stay Connected with Us: s
Tender for Sale of Graders
Flagstaff County invites tenders for the sale of the following used miscellaneous equipment: • G1616 – 2016 Cat 160M AWD Grader – Serial number: CAT160MJD9T01423. Comes with 17.5R25 Michelin Snow Plus tires, blade life accumulators, 16’ moldboard, hydraulic front lift group, 132” hydraulic front angle dozer. Current hours: 5,339. Estimated hours at time of sale: 5,450. • G416 – 2016 John Deere 872GP AWD Grader – Serial number: 1DW872GPCFD673260. Comes with 17.5R25 Michelin Snow Plus tires, blade lift accumulators, 16’ moldboard, hydraulic front lift group, 132” hydraulic front angle dozer. Current hours: 6,323. Estimated hours at time of sale: 6,500. This grader had a complete engine installed under warranty at 5,610 hours. • G316 – 2016 John Deere 872GP AWD Grader – Serial number: 1DW872GPJFD673264. Comes with 17.5R25 Michelin Snow Plus tires, blade lift accumulators, 16’ moldboard. Current hours: 6,100. Estimated hours at time of sale: 6,400. This grader had a complete engine installed under warranty at 6,100 hours. This equipment can be viewed on our website at www.flagstaff.ab.ca/opportunities/tenders or at the County Shop in Sedgewick and will be sold on an “as is basis.” Hours may vary slightly depending on time of sale. Download a tender form from our website at www.flagstaff.ab.ca/ opportunities/tenders or contact our Administration Office at 780384-4123 to receive a tender form.
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed Noon - 1 p.m.)
Address: e
12435 TToownship w Road 4442 PP..O. Box 33558 Sedgew e wi wic icck, AB T0B 4C00
Please send bids in a sealed envelope marked “USED GRADERS TENDER” to Flagstaff County Administration Office, Box 358, 12435 Twp Rd 442, Sedgewick, AB.
Flagstaff County is now offering one-on-one business strategy sessions with business coach Amanda Wagner, to small businesses in the Flagstaff Region. After seeing some incredible changes in our Flagstaff Crafted businesses following their strategy sessions with Amanda, Flagstaff County sees great value in continuing to offer these sessions not only to Flagstaff Crafted makers, but also to small businesses in the Flagstaff Region as well. These sessions with Amanda will be focused on supporting small businesses to increase their growth and reach their goals. Together with business strategist Amanda Wagner, businesses will build their presence in the community (and beyond!). All of these things require focus, planning, and intentional work by participants.
As a business strategist, Amanda will provide support and resources for any challenges or opportunities, which may include some of the following topics: • Defining the type of experience businesses want to create for customers and retail partners. • Managing time and creating boundaries. • Helping with strategic direction and focusing operations. • Creating a value-driven business that serves your life. • Sharing your brand story as part of your sales strategy. • Branding, pricing, and strategic planning. Each 1 hour session is valued at $250 and available to you for only $40 + GST. Book your strategy session through Eventbrite today and watch your business grow! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/building-success-in-small-business-tickets-135908109815
Closing date for bidding on items is Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 at 11:00:00 a.m. MST. The highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. The tender opening will be streamed live on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021, starting at 11 a.m. Watch the website for a link. For further information, please contact: Kevin Kinzer, Shop Supervisor, at 780-390-0312.
Don’t Forget Valentine’s Day - this Sunday!
Page 14 - The Community Press, Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Killam Library hosting fifth ‘Blind Date with a Book’ event Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The Killam Public Library has held a unique Valentine’s Day themed event for the past four years called Blind Date with a Book. Library Manager Barb Cox says 2021 will be the fifth year for the event, with a few COVID-19 friendly tweaks. She says, “I got the idea from another library, and thought ‘Why not try that here?’ “I randomly pick out about 20 books, mostly adult fiction but have thrown the odd non-fiction into the mix. “In previous years, I have wrapped each book in brown paper and then written the first paragraph of the book on the front of it so that people would have just a very brief introduction to the book. “I try to put the GoodReads rating on the front as well.” In past years, patrons would pick their own, this year, they will be asked to choose a genre, be it mystery, romance, thriller, literary, science fiction, etc. “We will select and wrap a book for them, then make arrange-
ments for curbside delivery.” Each person who participates must fill out a rating slip included in each book taken out. The available answers are: “Yuck,” “Boring,” “Interesting,” or “Love at first sight.” They are also asked: Was it good chemistry? Possible answers are one of: “No chemistry,” “One night stand,” or “I’m in love!” Every participant is entered to win a prize basket. Cox says that’s usually with chocolate, a coffee cup or mug, and maybe a book. She tries to switch it up with different things each year. She says it’s something small to provide a little extra incentive to take part in the event. The promotion runs the month of February, and if someone wants to take part, they just need to get in touch with the library. “The idea is to get more people using the library and also to go outside the box and maybe read something that you would never pick off the shelf for yourself. “And it’s kind of fun, too!”
Happy Family Day! Damien C. Kurek, MP 1-800-665-4358 www.damienkurek.ca @dckurek
SUCCEEDING TOGETHER THROUGH...
A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION “THE FUTURE IS FLAGSTAFF” IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS (AGED 15+) TO COME TOGETHER VIRTUALLY AND SHARE THEIR GOALS, BUILD NEW CONNECTIONS, AND COLLECTIVELY CREATE A NEW STORY FOR THE FLAGSTAFF REGION.
Monday, February 15th Happy Family Day! JACKIE LOVELY, MLA Camrose Constituency Office #104 4870 - 51 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1S1 Phone: 780-672-0000 Email: Camrose@assembly.ab.ca