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Volume 116 Issue 28
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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 s
Historic deep freeze hits Flagstaff area Leslie Cholowsky Editor
With a polar vortex hanging over most of the Province, temperatures in the minus 40s hit three days in a row, from Saturday to Monday in most of the Flagstaff County region, but Killam had the dubious honour of hitting the top three coldest places, including marking third place on Monday, Jan. 15, with a morning temperature of 41C, and a wind chill factor of -53C. Sunday’s low was -47C (-52C windchill), and most of Saturday was in the -40s, also hitting a lot of -47C (-52). These temperatures are courtesy wxnow Monday’s wind chill was higher, despite the warmer temperature, due to a 5km/hr wind, gusting to 11 km according to Environment Canada. At one point during the frigid weekend of Jan. 13 to 15, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) put out an appeal to the Provincial government to use Alberta’s Emergency Alert System. AESO declared a Grid Alert on Saturday, Jan. 13 in response to restricted imports of electricity and very high demand. Albertans were asked to “immediately reduce their electricity use to essential needs only. Reducing peak electricity demand through province-wide conserva-
tion will minimize the high potential for rotating outages this evening.” Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf also issued a statement Saturday evening, noting that extreme weather occurring in Saskatchewan and BC impacted energy sharing, contributing to the grid alert. When the alert was issued, AESO was predicting a 100 - 200MW shortfall of electricity demand. Albertans responded almost immediately. After the alert was issued, AESO says it saw a “significant 100MW drop in electricity demand,” which it says amounted to a 200MW reduction within minutes, ending the Grid Alert by 8:40 p.m. “The province-wide response to the call for energy conservation was tremendous,” says Mike Law, President and CEO of the AESO. “On behalf of the AESO, I would like to extend my thanks to all Albertans who responded to the call for action, which ensured we didn’t have to progress to rotating outages, keeping our grid up and running for all Albertans.” AESO asked Albertans to continue to conserve energy, especially during peak demand period from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the cold snap. Albertans were asked to: •Turn off unnecessary lights and electri-
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We will advertise your participa our website. Your business, or p advertisements and on our Please help make a difference future of the Flagstaff Commun Organization, tax r
cal appliances •Minimize the use of space heaters •Delay use of major power appliances (dishwashers/dryers) •Delay charging electrical vehicles and plugging in block heaters •Cook with microwave instead of stove The weekend’s chilly weather caused dense areas of ice fog, particularly in urban areas, during the evenings. Temperatures are expected to moderate
over the coming week, with forecast highs rising to the high teens by mid-week, but with dangerous wind chill values still expected. Scattered flurries were expected Tuesday, Jan. 16, with more forecast for Saturday and Sunday, when the temperatures are finally expected to return to a -9 mark for daytime highs, with lows in the -13 range. Continued on Page 23
RCMP called to multiple vehicle thefts Local RCMP occurrences from Friday, Jan. 5 to Thursday, Jan. 11 Saturday, Jan. 6 An abandoned semi was reported at an oil lease site. Vehicle had been used to pull wire from an abandoned lease site. Member attended. Photos taken. Vehicle was towed. An abandoned transformer was reported found in a field. Member arranged pick up with ATCO. Unknown origin of the transformer. No witnesses or suspects. A flat deck truck was reported driving erratically on Hwy 13. Truck then pulled into the Stop Spot. Member attended. Vehicle had left. A report that a vehicle had driven into the garage door of a residence in Alliance. Damage was also done to a parked vehicle on the property. No witnesses or suspects. Members attended a suspicious vehicle reported in Daysland. Vehicle was gone on arrival. Cameras only catch ve-
hicle driving by. Monday, Jan. 8 An abandoned vehicle was reported on RR 101. Vehicle was a white truck in poor condition. Patrols made. Vehicle not located. No plate to determine if stolen. A vehicle was reported stolen in Hardisty. A 1996 blue Chrysler Intrepid had been stolen from a driveway. Car was running to thaw the frost on the window. Member attended. No witnesses or suspects. Tuesday, Jan. 9 A white Dodge diesel was reported in Forestburg with suspected stolen wire in the back. No plate number given. Approximately 1,300 liters of fuel were stolen from a tractor on Hwy 855. Nothing else stolen. Tracks looked as if from two different trucks and a flat deck. No witnesses or suspects. Wednesday, Jan. 10 Stolen bottles were reported from a residence in Forestburg. Tracks also showed an attempt to enter the garage.
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No witnesses or suspects. Stolen truck reported from a garage in Daysland. White 2000 GMC Sierra. No witnesses or suspects. An abandoned vehicle was reported on TWS 422. Vehicle was stolen. Vehicle was recovered and towed. A break and enter was reported from an abandoned oil lease site. Wire stolen off of the power pole and inside of the plant. A chunk of silver bumper was found on the site. Neighboring farmer had seen a silver mini van in the area. No witnesses or suspects. Thursday, Jan. 11 Killam Members assisted in the apprehension of a Subject with outstanding warrants in Forestburg. Subject was arrested and held for a JIR and released by Justice of the Peace. Also reported and attended to by Killam RCMP were: 1 - Assault 1 - Assistance to Canadian Police (nonRCMP) Agency 1 - Assistance to Canadian Provin-
cial/Territorial Dept/Agency 1 - Driving without Due Care or Attention 1 - False Alarm 1 - Items Lost/Found – except passports 1 – Sexual Assault 4 - Traffic Collisions 1 - Wellbeing Check The Flagstaff County Crime Map provides an up-to-date picture of common crimes perpetrated in the area over a two-week period, including Mischief to Property, Break and Enter, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Theft of Motor Vehicle, and Theft over $5,000. Flagstaff County hosts access to the site, which can be found at: flagstaff.ab.ca/county-services/ protective-service/
Report provided and prepared by Killam RCMP Detachment