The Community
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Volume 112, Issue 49
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Fire Department resumes training
$1 Including GST
FIRST receives Provincial COVID grant funding Leslie Cholowsky Editor
CARY CASTAGNA PHOTO
Killam firefighters resumed training last week, working on vehicle extrication practice. See full story Pg 10.
Province announces Stage Two of Relaunch Plan to begin this Friday Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday, June 9, that the province will start Stage two of its Relaunch Plan this coming Friday, June 12, a week sooner than expected. “Albertans have demonstrated the care and common sense needed to move forward with our relaunch earlier than initially planned,” he said. “Our data tells us our active cases are low, hospitalizations are trending downward, and people are taking action to protect those most vulnerable and prevent the spread of the virus. We will continue to move forward together to overcome any tough times ahead, but responsible Albertans should be proud of the vigilance they have
shown to date.” Kenney said that in order to pass into Stage two, the province had three major targets to hit, those include hospitalization numbers, the number of ICU beds being occupied by COVID-19 patients, and a drop in the active number of cases. The Province reports a decrease of nearly 70 per cent in active cases since May 14, when Stage one began. Stage two will also include some activities initially planned for Stage three, a welcome announcement for Albertans. The Province will now make access available to a new interactive map that will allow Albertans to understand the level of risk in their local community, as well as any enhanced health measures that might be required in the future.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw warns that this in no way means that we’re out of the woods altogether. “More Albertans can now return to work and to the activities so many of us enjoy. However, I encourage you to do it safely. Think of the people in your life who may be at high risk from COVID-19 and protect all those around you as you would want your loved ones protected. “Stay home if you are sick. “ Stay two metres apart and wear a non-medical mask if you can’t. Consider downloading the ABTraceTogether app, and wash your hands often.” New limits for indoor gatherings, including wedding and funeral receptions and birthday parties is 50 people; with outdoor events and See RELAUNCH P23
Flagstaff Family and Community Services and FIRST Executive Director Lynne Jenkinson wasted no time when the province announced new funding available for social services support programs for COVID-19, sending in an application for funding this April to help Flagstaff residents through the pandemic. This week, she accepted grant proceeds of $50,000 for a new project proposed through that application, half of the original request of $100,000. The program will support the entire Flagstaff community through an initiative that will assist families and individuals struggling due to COVID-19 by providing a small amount in coupons from local businesses for essentials. “It’s my dream that every store in Flagstaff will accept these,” she says, and says she’s making those calls over the next few days. With the coupons, families and individuals, including seniors, will be able to purchase essential goods. The only restrictions are non-essentials, these include things like cigarettes, chips and pop, lottery tickets, and similar items. Jenkinson says that coupons will be given out with a limit of $100 per recipient per week, to start. She says for those reluctant to accept a coupon, she’s more than willing to use the coupon to purchase needed goods and deliver them. Part of the grant proposal included separate funding to pay for Care-A-Van drivers, and even for fuel for the See FIRST P14
Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely presents FIRST/FFCS Executive Director Lynne Jenkinson with grant funding of $50,000 through the province’s COVID-19 relief program.