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Kicking off The Community 100 Years of Lougheed Fair
Press 115 Years of Telling YOUR Story
Volume 116 Issue 12
www.thecommunitypress.com
Sketch released after attempted child abduction P6
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 s
Hardisty Emergency Room re-opens after three years of closure
Hardisty Health Centre’s Emergency Department has reopened after being closure for over three years. AHS reports that the ED will operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for right now, and a plan to increase staffing to allow it to return to 24-hour services is in place.
Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced on Monday, Sept. 18, that the Hardisty Emergency Department will be reopening after more than three years of temporary closure. “With the arrival of newly recruited staff, and more arriving in the coming weeks, resources are in place to support reopening the emergency department.” Emergency Department services resumed in Hardisty Monday at 7 a.m. and will operate Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. AHS says expanded hours are to be added over time as staffing allows. Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely says, “I’m glad to see that after three years of engagement and efforts, Alberta Health Services has been successful in attracting the necessary talent to reopen the Hardisty emergency department. “I’m hopeful we can continue to attract healthcare workers to the community to ensure the hospital remains fully functioning and serving the community to its full potential for years to come.” Originally closed in April 2020 as part of pandemic capacity planning, AHS says that closure of the ED and utilizing Hardisty’s four acute care spaces to care for continuing care patients helped create acute care capacity in higher-acuity sites, while also helping protect vulnerable seniors from
COVID-19 exposure. AHS says, “Since that time, recruiting appropriate numbers of nursing staff - including registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses – needed to support all site services has been a challenge. Available RN staffing was dedicated to long-term care to avoid having to relocate residents while recruitment continued to support the ED returning to service.” Chief Zone Officer for AHS Central Zone Janice Stewart says, “AHS has remained committed to reopening the emergency department from the beginning, and we are very grateful for the patience of our care teams, the community and our partners while we worked to make this happen. “Our teams have worked diligently to recruit several new staff to support the Hardisty Health Centre whom the community is helping to welcome with open arms. “We appreciate the dedication of our staff in Hardisty, as well as the patience and understanding of them and the community, as we worked towards reopening the emergency department.” AHS says in along with new staff members already in place, internationally educated nurses will also be working with the site’s care team in the coming weeks. “Additionally, AHS leadership is working with area physicians and rural locum physicians to establish a physician pool that will help provide weekend
coverage as part of the plan to restore full ED services.” Hardisty physician Dr. Isidore Ivare says, “It is thrilling news for the community. It has been a long wait but I’m grateful the emergency department is reopening. “I commend the community leaders and other stakeholders in Hardisty for their tireless efforts at advocating for our reopening, and our local AHS leadership for following through on their promise to reopen our ED.” Hardisty Mayor Wayne Jackson says, “The hospital is a pillar in our community and, on behalf of Council, I want to express my gratitude for the hard work and effort that went into getting the emergency department reopened. “Having access to emergency care right here in the community is important for not only those of us who call Hardisty home but for our industry neighbours who operate in the area. “We have great healthcare professionals here and I look forward to the emergency department hours expanding as soon as possible.” AHS says it will continue to recruit using a number of different strategies, including working with community committees like the Flagstaff Community Health Services Working Group to attract and keep staff in Hardisty and the Rural Health Professionals Action Plan (RhPAP) along with other stakeholders.
Page 10 - The Community Press, Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Forestburg ATB donates 210 lbs to Food Bank Leslie Cholowsky Editor ATB Financial recently
made a big donation of food to the Flagstaff Food Bank, raised through a community
barbeque in Forestburg along with funds left from the closure of the Daysland ATB branch.
Lynne Jenkinson, Executive Director of FFCS, who are contracted to manage the food bank, says the donation is very welcome, especially as it fits into the food bank’s need for youth lunch and snack foodstuffs. Jenkinson says that August set another food
bank record, with a total of 74 hampers given out, and September is on track with 26 given out in the first two weeks of the month. “We think it’s only going to get busier as we head into winter heating bills,” she says. The Food Bank will start its Reverse Advent
Calendar promotion in October this year, where one item is donated per day to be added up then delivered at the end of the month. Jenkinson says that useage of the food bank is very even throughout the county, with hampers going to every part of the Flagstaff region.
Timed Online Acreage Auction, Ardrossan Area. Location will be posted on Global & Live Auction World on Saturday Night, Sept 23rd. Preview 1-day Sunday Sept 24th, 1-6 pm. Bidding Closes Monday Sept 25th. Brief Listing • Selling approx. 14- Saddles, 1- side saddle • 75- Halters & bridles • 40- Horse Blankets • Approx. 50Gates & Panels • 53’ Tandem Van • Cutter, Sleigh, Very Old Miniature Wagon • JD Riding Mower • Buggy Wheels & horse related items • 6- Sulky’s • water tanks, pails, feeders, barrels • 1976 Corvette • 15’ D. tillage • Tools • Antiques & Households • Selling in Large Lots.
Timed Online REAL ESTATE AUCTION, Closing Oct 5th, 2pm. Selling for Darjon Investments. PH Darlene (780) 722-2928 Register to bid & view with Live Auction World
Forestburg ATB Branch Manager Brandi Pearce, along with Karla Borgel, recently delivered a whopping 210 pounds of food to the food bank, mostly in the form of juice boxes, puddings, and instant soup. FFCS Executive Director Lynne Jenkinson and Receptionist Sue Freadrich accepted the donation on behalf of the Food Bank. Above: Jenkinson, Freadrich, Pearce, and Borgel with the mountain of donations.
FORESTBURG FALL FARMER'S MARKET FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm FORESTBURG CURLING RINK 5401 50th ave ! " # $ % # & ' (% )) ) *
+ ' % ) ( , ' ) + - . - + ) !
. Condo, Address: # - st, Gibbons -Fully finished two-story unit, bedrooms, & / Bathrooms, Approx. sq ft, all appliances included. # . . Acres Hiway Commercial. Address: Ave, Bon Accord- partially Fenced, City Services Available, Signs Pylons in Place, Front Entrance's, Partial Gravel. Environmental Complete and Available # . . Acres. Address: RR , Sturgeon Country-Zoned Heavy Industrial, Taxes per year. # . MainStreet Public House. Address: Ave, Gibbons- Fully Operational Licensed Family Restaurant, VLT Area, Selling Complete with Newer sq. ft. building & all chattels. # . Kicks Building & Land, Redwater- Approx. , sq. ft., presently under -year Transferrable lease, at , per month triple net. The business has been in operation for over years. All above Properties areare Selling Owners Approval & Subject to Prior All above Properties SellingSubject Subject totoOwners Approval & Subject to Prior Sale. Sale. th for Wayne Antique Auction. Wayne && Caroline CarolineFibke FibkeininFort FortSaskatchewan Saskatchewan Antique Auction.Oct. Oct17 th
The Community Press, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - Page 11
September 2023 Meetings
Council Meetings Flagstaff County Co ouncil M Meetings eetings aare re conducted the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month commencing at 9 a.m. unless u otherwise planned. Council and Committ ommittee meeting agendas aare re aavvailable at the County’’ss websit ebsiite te at: flflaagstaafff ff. fff..a . b.ca/ .ca/council/mee .ca/ccouncil/meeetings-ande minuutes tes
780-384-4100 1-877-387-4100 Email: Stay Connected with Us:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed Noon - 1 p.m.)
Address: e
12435 TToownship w Road 4442 PP..O. Box 35 358 Sedgew e wi wic icck, AB T0B 4C00
KILLAM COMMUNITY HALL Doors Open at 5pm Dinner at 6pm Keynote to follow
Visit flagstaff.ab.ca to purchase your tickets!
Page 12 - The Community Press, Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Use caution near coyotes as they cause conflict in populated areas Leslie Cholowsky Editor With most of the urban centres in the Flagstaff Region lying adjacent to rich agricultural areas, coyotes can often encroach on the towns and villages. Alberta Fish and Wildlife say one of the reasons why coyotes come into urban centres is food. “Never unintentionally feed coyotes. Pet food, garbage, and fruit fallen from trees might be available. Reduce your chances of attracting coyotes by removing these items from your yard.” They also recommend cleaning up dropped bird seed, or suet, and fallen fruit, as these can attract mice and squirrels, which in turn attracts coyotes.
Motion activated lights can help scare off coyotes at night. Keep cats indoors, and don’t let dogs play outside unsupervised, experts advise. Keeping yards clean of pet feces is also recommended, as this can also attract coyotes. Alberta Parks and Wildlife says if you encounter a coyote, “Make the experience unpleasant for the animal. Make it feel unwelcome in your neighbourhood.” To do this, they say, “Respond to their presence aggressively by making yourself appear larger. Wave your arms overhead, or thrust long objects like a walking stick toward the coyote. Throw rocks or sticks at the animal. “Shout in a deep voice and maintain eye
contact.” If a coyote continues its approach, they advise to back away slowly, and not to turn away and run, which could encourage the animal to chase you. If you encounter an aggressive animal, phone the Report-A-Poacher number at 1800-642-3800 and report the details of your encounter. Children should be taught never to run from a coyote, but to yell at them and make themselves look bigger by waving their arms in the air. Coyotes should never be approached, nor fed. Cats and even small dogs can easily become prey for coyotes, and should be kept inside, especially at night. If you en-
counter a coyote while walking your dog, small dogs should be picked up, and larger dogs should be leashed and under your control. Back away slowly, and leave the area immediately. Coyote sightings are more common in summer and fall as young animals are exploring their surroundings. Coyotes are most active at night, usually spending the day sleeping or resting, but they can adapt their behaviours if they find reliable food sources. Municipalities are authorized to help with coyote concerns, so it’s a good idea to make them aware if you have any encounter with a coyote within town or village limits.
The Community Press, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - Page 13
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