South Peace News - March 2, 2022

Planstocut farmer'suse offertilizers opposed

Familiescelebrate FamilyDayFeb.21at Falher. -Page3

NEWS

Realtorsoptimisticfor astrongmarketin 2022.

-Page5

NEWS

Smithwomanpublishesanewhistory bookontheregion.

-Page15

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

BigLakesCountyis backingfarmersconcernedaboutthefederal government’splantoreducetheuseofsynthetic fertilizertocutgreenhousegasemissions.

Atitsregularmeeting Feb.23,councilapproved arecommendationto sendaletterofsupport foragriculturalproducerstoEnvironmentand ClimateChangeMinister StephenGuilbeault.

Intheletter,the Countypromotesbest managementpractices aroundsyntheticfertilizer,ratherthanreduce theuseofthefertilizer.

“Industryandproducerstakeholderinput isessentialpriortoimplementingapolicythat otherwisemayhavedevastatingimpactsonthe agriculturalindustry,our economyandourcountry,”ReeveRobert Nygaardwritesintheletter.

“Syntheticfertilizers areessentialforcrop

ChrisClegg SouthPeaceNews

Coldweatherfailsto putabigfreezeon fishermen.

-Page18

INDEX

CommunityCalendar·2

ChurchDirectory···4

Editorial ········6

Letters ········7

Inspiration ······8

Horoscopes ······9

ThePage ·······9

History ········10

HPGunShowReturns14

Sports ········17

Classifieds ······20

CoffeeBreak ·····21

HPESchoolNews··22

Agrantcovering100 percentofthecosttoinstallanelectricvehicle chargingstationinHigh Prairiewasdeniedby councilatitsFeb.22 meeting.

CAORodRisling broughtforththematter sayingitwouldbe“prudent”forcounciltoproceedwiththegrantapplication;however,only MayorBrianPanasiuk andCouncillorJames Waiklewereinfavour.

CouncillorsDonna Deynaka,JohnDunn, SachaMartens,Judy Stenhouse,andTherese Yacyshynvotedtoreceivethematterforin-

productionandinconjunctionwithothertechnologicaladvances,have allowedCanadianfarmerstosteadilyincrease cropyieldsoverthepast 60years.”

Toreducegreenhouse gasemissions,Prime MinisterJustinTrudeau andhisLiberalgovernmentinitiatedstepsin 2021toloweremissions fromsyntheticfertilizers usedbyfarmers.

Trudeausetavoluntaryemissionsreduction targetof30percentof the2020levelsby2030.

“Weaskthatyoucarefullyconsiderhowthis emissiongoalistobe measured and achieved,”theletter says.

“Consultationwith producergroups,fertilizermanufacturersand otherindustrystakeholderswouldmakethe statedemissionreductionsmucheasierto achieve.”

Producersareconcernedtheywillsufferin Cont.onpage16

“It’sagrant.AsaTownit’snotcostingus,” saidCouncillorJamesWaikleadded.

“We’llbeaheadofthecurve.”

formation.

Rislingresearchedthe ElectricVehicleChargingProgramgrantfrom theMunicipalClimate ChangeActionCentre andbroughtittocouncil.

“...theTownwillat somepointlikelyberequiredtomakeaninvestmentinthistechnology,” hewrotetocouncil.

“Withthegrant,acquiringthistechnology nowhaslimitedfinancial impacts.Basedondiscussionswiththeinstaller,thereisverylittle maintenancethatisre-

quiredtooperate.”

Rislingaddedfees chargedtothecustomer wouldbeleftuptocounciltodecidetheprofit fromtheservice,which wouldnotprovide“significant”revenue.

Councillorsweredivided.Stenhousewasthe firsttospeaknoting therewerealreadytwo electricchargingstationsintown.

“Who’spayingforthe electricity?Howdoes thiswork?”sheasked.

Rislingrepliedthefee chargedwouldbe100re-

imbursable.

Stenhouseaddedshe wenttoadealershipand spokeonthematter.She notedhybridvehicles weresellinglocally,not purelyelectricvehicles.

“Thedealerships aren’tsellingthem.”

Stenhouseaddedthat thegrant,albeitnotdirectlyusingTownfunds, wasstilltaxpayer’s money.

“Ican’tsupportthat. It’sagrant...awasteof money.”

“Iagreetotallywith Stenhouse,”saidDunn.

Waikledisagreed.

“Thewayofthefuture istheelectricvehicle,” hesaid,addingtheglobal planistophaseout gas-poweredvehicles within15years.

“2035,it’snotthat[far away].That’showclose itis.

“It’sagrant.AsaTown it’snotcostingus,” Waikleadded.“We’llbe aheadofthecurve.”

Healsoexpressedconcernifcouncildeniedthe proposaltheywouldbe seenasnotbeing progressive.

“Ithinkthatpassing uponagrantlikethis,it’s foolish,”Waiklesaid,addinghewouldnotlike

YoungandoldalikeenjoyedsleddingduringFamilyDayatTriangle16km westofHighPrairieFeb.20.Above,LykaLaudencia,front,andShenna Lin,shareasledandslidedownahill.Pleaseseemorephotosonpage2.

Dynamicduo!

Councilpullsplugonchargingstation

It's'snow'muchfun!

Thecoldtemperaturesdidnotstopthe youngandthe “not-so-young’from enjoyingsledding duringFamilyDay

Feb.20atTriangle16 kmwestofHighPrairie.Above,Amelia Kemp,9,slidesdown thehillonatube.In therightphoto,Hyna Zierenjoysherslide. Gameswerealsoheld insidethehallwith hotdogs,cookiesand refreshmentsserved.

Loanwillhelp businesses enhancestores

RichardFroese

SouthPeaceNews

BusinessesintheBigLakesCountyregionwill soonhaveaccesstoaloanprogramtoenhancetheir businesspremises.

AtitsregularmeetingFeb.23,councilheardabout theprogramfromCommunityFutures–LesserSlave Lakeregion.

ExecutivedirectorJoshFriesenbrieflyexplained thebusinessbeautificationloanprogramtocouncil.

“Itwillhelpbusinessesimprovetheirstorefronts andinteriors,”Friesensays.

“Itwillbemoreattractivetocustomers.”

Hesaysloanswouldbeavailablefrom$1,000to $20,000forbusinessestoimprovetheirsigns,windows,awnings,lightingandaddarchitecturalfeatures,justtonameafewideas.

“Wewantbusinessestogrowandbebeautiful,” Friesensays.

Loanswillbeforathree-yearterm,hesays. CommunityFuturesisalsoinvitingmunicipalities topartnerintheprogram.

“Wearelookingtomunicipalitiestopaytheinterest,”Friesensays.

Acompletepackageofinformationanddetails abouttheprogramwouldbesenttotheforcouncilto consider,henotes.

CommunityCalendar

Editor'snote:CommunityCalendarlistingsarefree. AGMsandchurchservicesnotincludedunlessalso advertised.Call[780]523-4484withyouritemor e-mailsouthpeacenews@hotmail.com.Allevents subjecttochange.

Wednesday,March2

12:30-5:30p.m.–MarigoldFarmers’MarketinHPat4724-53 Ave.,tobookatablecall[780]523-4588.

Thursday,March3

VillageofDonnellybyelection[1councillortobeelected]

Friday,March4

1:30p.m.–CribbageatHPGoldenAgeSeniorsCentre. 7:30p.m.–AAmeetingatHPChurchoftheNazarene.

Saturday,March5

Nolistings!

Sunday,March6

Attendthechurchofyourchoice.

1:30p.m.–CribbageatHPGoldenAgeSeniorsCentre.

Monday,March7

7p.m.–TownofFalhermeetsincouncilchambers. 7:30p.m.–AAmeetingatHPChurchoftheNazarene.

Tuesday,March8

9:30a.m.-NorthernSunriseCountymeetsatadminbuilding. 6:30p.m.-TownofHPcouncilmeetinginchambers.

Wednesday,March9

10a.m.-BigLakesCountymeetsatadminbuilding. 10a.m.–M.D.ofSmokyRivermeetsinchambers.

Thursday,March10

7p.m.-PrairieEchoCommunityLeagueSpecialMeetingatthe PEHall.

Friday,March11

1:30p.m.–CribbageatHPGoldenAgeSeniorsCentre.

Saturday,March12

Nolistings!

Sunday,March13

1:30p.m.–CribbageatHPGoldenAgeSeniorsCentre. 6:30p.m.–EDSRCmeetsatEnildaMudBowl.

Monday,March14

5p.m.-TownofPeaceRivermeetsattownoffice. 6:30p.m.–TownofMcLennanmeetsincouncilchambers. 7p.m.–VillageofGirouxvillemeetsatvillageoffice. 7:30p.m.–AAmeetingatHPChurchoftheNazarene.

Tuesday,March15

Nolistings!

Wednesday,March16

10a.m.–HPSDmeetsatHPLearningCentre. 12:30-5:30p.m.–MarigoldFarmers’MarketinHPat4724-53 Ave.,tobookatablecall[780]523-4588.

Thursday,March17

St.Patrick’sDay!Weargreenorgetpinched!

Friday,March18

1:30p.m.–CribbageatHPGoldenAgeSeniorsCentre.

Saturday,March19

Nolistings!

Sunday,March20

1:30p.m.–CribbageatHPGoldenAgeSeniorsCentre.

Effortstohaveallvotesrecordedfails

ChrisClegg SouthPeaceNews

EffortsbyaTownof HighPrairiecouncillorto havebettertransparency andaccountabilitywere shunnedbycouncilatits Feb.22meeting.

CouncillorJames Waikleproposedhaving allvotesrecordedduring meetingsandincludedin minutes,butitnottake longfourmostofcouncil todisagree.

“Completetransparency,”saidWaiklein speakingtohisproposal.

“Ithinkpeopleshould knowhowwe’revoting

Loon Lake election

March14

PearlLorentzen

ForSouthPeaceNews

LoonRiverFirstNationresidentswillbegoingtothepollsMarch14 toelectanewchiefand council.

Pollsareopenfrom9 a.m.to7p.m.intheClarenceJaycoxSchoolgym inLoonLake.Theelectionisforfourcouncillors andachief.

Threecandidatesare runningforchief:AndrewNoskey[Cheewee], Sara-LeeMargaret Noskey,andincumbent IvanSawan.

Thereare16candidatesrunningcouncilincluding:incumbent AngelineAuger,Robert StanAuger,Pamela Lamouche,Dolores Beauregard[Letendre], incumbentCodyLetendre,FloydLetendre, KevinLetendre,incumbentShayneLetendre, WillardLetendreSr., HeatherMcTaggart, ClydeNoskey,Darren Noskey,PatsyNoskey, BernadetteSharpe, MelvaWhite,andSandy Whitehead.

LoonRiverhas668 members,accordingto itsprofileontheLands AdvisoryBoardwebsite. Notallmembersliveon thereserve.Asofthe 2021Census,487people livedonLoonRiverFirst Nation,whichislocated about170kmnorthof SlaveLake.

Thenoticeofelection saysbandmemberswho are18oroldercanvote, providedthattheyare “notdisqualifiedfrom votingatbandelections orbyelections.”

LoonRiver’slastelectionwasAug.3,2019.

Toomuchworkforadministration,saysmajorityofcouncil

andthey[council]should beaccountable.”

Waikle’smotionwas defeatedwiththeonly supportcomingfrom CouncillorDonna Deynaka.

MayorBrianPanasiuk, andcouncillorsJohn Dunn,SachaMartens, JudyStenhouseand ThereseYacyshynopposed.

“So,let’sdebateit,” saidStenhouse.“I’mnot forthis.Idon’tseethe pointbehindit.Atthe end,weallcometogether asacouncil.

“Ourmeetingsarerecorded,”sheadded.

And,sheconcluded, meetingsareopenfor anyonetoattend.

Dunnagreed,saying residentscouldwatch thevideo,whichisposted ontheTown’swebsite, andthatrecordingvotes inminuteswouldonlyduplicateaservicealready provided.

“Inmymind,thatisrecording,”headded.

MartenssaidsheunderstoodWaikle’sintent, butdisagreed.

“Iamthinkingofthe

recordings.Iamthinking ofadministration’stime.”

Yacyshynagreed.

“I,too,lookatitthe sameway.Thereisarecording.”

Sheaddeditwasextra workforadministration and,“Idon’tknowifit’s necessary.”

Deynakasidedwith Waikle.

“It’sonemorewayto betransparent.I’mnot immunetohavingthe votesrecorded,”she said.

Panasiukdidnotlike theextratimeitwould

takeadministration.

“Everytimeyouhave tolistthemallout,”he said.

“Idon’tknowiftheextrapaperworkisworth it.”

Currentpracticefor recordedvotesistheinclusionofachartwith namescheckedoffinfavourandagainst.Noone proposedchangingthe formatfromalistofwho votedinfavouror against,toasimple“carriedunanimously”statement,whichdifferslittle from“carried”exceptfor

theadditionofoneword. Votescouldalsoberecordedinsentencestatementsinsteadofcharts. Waikleadmitteddefeat.

“Youthoroughly thrashedme,”hesaid. “Wehavetobeheldaccountableforwhatwedo andsay,”hepersisted. “Areyoutryingtoavoid confrontationfromconstituents?”askedStenhouse.

“Ijustbelieveintransparency,”repliedWaikle. Inanironictwistof fate,Waikledidnotask forarecordedvoteonhis motion.

Proposed development deniedbyBigLakes

erties.

FamilyDayfunatFalher

FreeskatingandpickleballwerepartofthefunattheannualFamilyDay celebrationinFalheronFeb.21.ChildrenandadultsenjoyedanafternoonattheFalherRegionalRecreationComplexskatinginthearena andplayingpickleballinthenewfieldhouseinthecurlingrink.Theevent washostedbytheTownofFalher.

[Leftphoto]-Oakley Zawacki,9,ofFalher,

Arequesttoconverta formercollegecampusin Faustintoresidential propertyhasbeenrejectedbyBigLakes Countycouncil.

Atitsregularmeeting Feb.23,councilapproved amotionbyReeveRobertNygaardtodenyfirst readingofthebylaw.

Councilreceivedan applicationfromowners MichaelCraftandKarli Nielsentoredistrictthe propertyonThirdAve. SWtohamletresidential fromparksandinstitutional,saysPatOlansky, directorofplanningand development.

Thelotisthesiteofthe formerNorthernLakes Collegecampusthathas beenclosedforseveral yearsandsoldtothecurrentownersin2019.

However,Nygaard, whorepresentsFauston council,immediately madeamotiontoturn downfirstreadingasdiscussionbegan.

“Ifthischanges,Faust willhavenoinstitutional land,”Nygaardsaid.

HenotedtheCounty ownsneighbouringprop-

“Atleastit’saplace wheresomethinginstitutionalcouldstart,”said Nygaard,whonotesthe buildingwasconstructed inthemid-1960s.

“Allservicesandutilitiesareinplaceforinstitutionaluse.”

Aplantoconvertthe buildingintoarehabilitationortreatmentcentre wasbeingdiscussed manyyearsago,Nygaard added.

ThebuildingisstillbeingusedandtheCounty collectspropertytaxes.

“Theownershaveindicatedtheyareproposing torenovatethebuilding intoasingle-family dwelling,”Olanskytold council.

Asingledetached dwellingisneitherapermittednordiscretionary useintheparksandinstitutionaldistrict.

Nygaardsuggested counciltourthesiteto determinethefutureof theoldcampus.

Consideringtheageof thestructure,Joussard CouncillorRichard Mifflinsaysthebuilding probablyhasasbestos, whichwouldbecostlyto remove.

Jago'ssuccessor intheworks

ChrisClegg SouthPeaceNews

EffortstostationanotherpolicedogandhandlerinHighPrairiecontinue.

HighPrairieRCMP

S/Sgt.BryceTarzwell toldHighPrairietown councilthenewsatits

Feb.22meeting.

“Myunderstandingis wewillbegettinganotherdoghandlerinthe area,”saidTarzwell. Tarzwellcouldprovide notimeline,however.

Thepreviousdog, Jago,waskilledwhileon high-riskdutyJune17, 2021.Afterwards,itshandlerwastransferredout oftheregion.

Childrenlovehotdogs.BennettLambie,2,ofFalher,eatsahotdogatFamilyDayinFalherwithhisfather,DerekLamibie,left,andmotherDelanie Stenhouse.

hitstheballduringa pickleballgameinthe fieldhouse.

AmotherandheryoungchildrenenjoyedskatinginFalheronFamilyDay, Feb.21.Left-rightareChloePollard,8,motherAlyssaPollard,EastonPollard,4,andAsherPollard,6.

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

BigLakesjoins HPSDlobbyformore mentalhealthservices

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

MoreservicestocombatmentalhealthforstudentsintheHighPrairie regionhasbecomeapriorityforBigLakeCounty council.

Atitsregularmeeting Feb.23,councilapproved aletterofsupportfor HighPrairieSchoolDivisiontolobbythegovernmentformorelocalservices.

Councilagreedto writeletterstoEducationMinisterAdriana LaGrangeandHealth MinisterJasonCopping afterdiscussingmental healthissueswiththe HPSDboardoftrustees onFeb.8.

BigLakesurgesthe ministerstoimplementa proposalbyHPSDpresentedlastyeartoprovidepromptandtimely servicewithlocalprofessionalsandAlberta HealthServices[AHS].

“Thiscollaborativeapproachwillexpediteand enhancethestudent’s treatment,”Nygaard writesintheletter.

“Thenatureofthepro-

posalallowsthehealth teamsalreadyestablishedinschoolstomonitorandcommunicateto AHSonthestudent’s progresswhilekeeping parentsasinformed partners.”

BigLakesalsowrites intheletterthatstudents whoneedsupportintiers 4and5arenotabletobe supportedbyHPSDbecauseofthecomplexnatureofthoserequired services.

HPSDproposesthat, withfullparentalpermissionandsupport,achild inneedcanbereferredto psychiatricservicesdirectlyfromtheschooldivisionpsychologist.

Nygaardsaysthedivisioncanhelpfacilitate appointmentsbyeither providingtechnologyor Internetlinksfromthe schoolorhelptransport thechildtoanAHSfacilitytomeetwithapsychiatristorTelehealthservices.

Whentheinitialappointmenthastaken place,theHPSDpsychologistwillremainincontactwiththepsychiatric servicestocommunicate

progress,setbacksand goalsachieved.

“Thiswouldbeofbenefittothepsychiatricserviceprovidersaswellas monitoringthestudent’s progresstoadjustmedication,programsand outcomes,”Nygaard says.

Currently,astudent whoneedshelpoutside theschooldivision’sservicemustgetareferral fromageneralpractitioner.

“Thedoctorcanthen choosetomakeareferral and,ifdone,thestudent canwaitsixtonine monthstoseepsychiatry,”Nygaardsays.

“Manytimes,these childrendonothavethe familysupporttoget themtothereferralsand lessabilitytogetthemto seeaspecialist.”

Withoutproperand timelytreatment,thepotentialforincreasedrisk toastudentandthose aroundthemincreases.

Inextremecases,the student’sbehaviourescalatestoapointwhere thechildismandated intocustody,theletter states.

“Manytimes,thesechildrendonothave thefamilysupporttogetthemtothereferrals andlessabilitytogetthemtoseeaspecialist,” writesBigLakesCountyReeveRobertNygaard.

BLCaddssetbacksforaccessorybuildings

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

BigLakesCountyisplanningtoaddsetbackdistancesforaccessorybuildingsinitsland-usebylaw [LUB].

AtitsregularmeetingFeb.23,councildirectedadministrationtodraftabylawtoaddthenewsetbacks. Changeswouldapplytocommunalrecreation [CMR],hamletmixeduse[HM],hamletresidential [HR],hamletresidentialestate[HRE]andurbanreserve[UR]districts.

“Itenablespropertyownersinthosedistrictstolocateanaccessorybuildingclosertothesideandrear

propertylines,”saysPatOlansky,directorofplanning anddevelopment.

Thebylawproposestoaddminimumexteriorside yardandrearsideyardsetbacks[adjacenttocounty roads,internalsubdivisionroadandundeveloped roadallowance]at4.57mforHM,HR,HREandUR districts.

FortheCMRdistrict,theminimumexteriorand rearsideyardsetbackisproposedtochangeto4.57m [15feet]from40m[134feet].

FortheCMRdistrict,councilproposestosetthe minimumrearyardsetback[notadjacenttoaroador roadallowance]to1.5m[4.9feet]from4.5m[15feet].

Forthefivedistricts,theminimumsideyardmini-

mum[notadjacenttoaroadorroadallowance]isreducedto1.5m[4.9feet]from2m[6.6ft].

FortheHM,HR,HREandURdistricts,theminimumrearyardsetback[notadjacenttoaroadorroad allowance]isproposedtochangeto1.5m[4.9feet] from7.5m[24.6feet].

CouncildecidedtoreviewthesetbacksintheLUB afterreceivingarequestfromLouiseMifflinatits meetingDec.8toamenditsrearandsideyardsetbacksfrompropertylinesforaccessorybuildingsin theCMRdistrict.

Thedraftbylawwillbepresentedtocouncilforfirst readingatanupcomingmeeting.

Apublichearingwillalsobescheduled.

HPrealtorspredict'optimistic'market

Salesofrealestateand propertysurgedupward intheHighPrairieregiondespitetheeconomicstrugglesduring theCOVID-19pandemic.

Severalrealtorswho servetheHighPrairie regionremainoptimistic themarketwillcontinue toshowmorepositive signsin2022.

MistyGaudetofGrassrootsRealtyinHighPrairiesaysthemarketwill befavourablefor first-timehomeownersin 2022.

“Itispredictedthatinterestrateswillincrease intheearlypartofthe yeartospurmore first-timehomeownersto purchaseandlockin theirmortgages,”associatebrokerGaudetsays.

In2021,thelocalmarketsawanincreaseof lakepropertiessold,she says.

“Withthepandemic andinabilitytotravel, familieschosetospend theirmoneyonrecreationalproperties,”she says.

“Themarketiscurrentlyrebuilding,preparingforourspringmarket inwhichIamoptimistic.”

Shesaysthemarketin 2021struggledinsome points.

“Thechallengesthat

wefacedinthehousing marketin2021don’tappeartobechanging,” Gaudetsays.

Lowinterestrates caused“afloodof first-timehomeowners”, increasingrentsandlow availabilityoflocalrentals.

RoyalLePagePVRRealtybroker-ownerDebbieNelsonisalsooptimisticaboutthemarket in2022.

“The2021marketwas animprovementfrom the2020market,mostnotablyintherecreational andcountryresidential markets,”Nelsonsays.

“WithCOVID-19sendingusasecondwave, thereseemedtobea drawtonorthernAlberta foritswideopenspaces andrecreation.”

Acreagesaleswere briskinthe$200,000$375,000range,butnotin thehigherrange,she says.

“Therebecamea shortageinacreageinventoryasthemajorityof buyerswereleaningtowardsthe$200,000 -$300,000rangewithan averagehomeandwere unabletofindwhatthey wanted.”

Interestincommercial andrentalinvestment propertiesinHighPrairieisgrowing,shesays.

“Rentalrequestswere stillhighfor2021andde-

mandforrentalsisstill stronginearly2022,” Nelsonsays.

“Wehavearealshortageofmodernrental unitsinHighPrairieand tenantsarrivingfrom biggercentresaredisappointedinthislackof producthere.”

Mostpeoplerelocating toHighPrairiewanta short-termrentaldependingonjobprobation periodspriortopurchasingahome,shesays.

Iftheybringafamily, theyarenotfindingrentalstomeettheirneeds.

Shenotesanumberof investorshavetheireyes ontheregion.

“Therearesomepositiveprojectsplannedfor northernAlbertawhich seemstobecausinga stirintheareaandanattractiontoliveorinvest inthenorth,”Nelson says.

“Recreationand peacefulnessofasmaller communitythatHigh Prairieoffersisstilla drawingforce,although lackofamenitiesisstill anissue...”

Century21Sunnyside Realtybroker-owner GordOlsonalsoprojects anotherstrongyearfor realestateintheregion.

“Early2022hasbeen busierthannormal,possibly due tothecrazy warmweathercausing somespringfever,”

Olsonsays.

“Despitethat,it’slookingtobeanotherstrong year.”

Withthecurrentinventorylimited,hesuggests nowisagoodtimeforany potentialsellerstoput theirpropertyforsale.

Hesays2021wasa solidyearforrealestate.

“Itwasprobablya fairlybalancedmarket, notasolidbuyers’orsellers’market,”Olsonsays.

“Itstillshowsthedemographicsoftheareais mainlyinterestedin cost-effectivehousing alongwithalimitedinventoryofhomesinthe higherpricerange.”

Hesaysatotalof31 homesinHighPrairie weresoldin2021byvariousrealtors.

Itincluded11eachin therangefrom $100,000-$199,999and $200,000-$299,999.

Fivehousessoldinthe $300,000-$399,999and foursoldintherangeof $400,000-$499,999.

Adozenacreagessold inacreagesruralareas aroundHighPrairie.

Fiveacreagessoldin therangefrom $200,000-$299,999,three soldintherangefrom $300,000-$399,999,two soldintherangefrom $100,000-$199,999andone eachsoldinthe $400,000-$499,999and $500,000-$599,999range.

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

ACentury21SunnysideRealtysignbringing awarenesstoapropertyforsaleinHighPrairie.

AGrassrootsRealtyGroupsignbringingawarenesstoapropertyforsaleinHighPrairie.

Over toyou, Mr.Waikle!

WhenHighPrairietowncouncilvotedatitsFeb. 22meetingtoturndownrecordingallitsvotesinthe minutesforalltosee,itwasaslapinfacetocompleteaccountabilityandtransparency.

Toobadthefivemembersofcouncilcouldn’tsee throughthemyriadofpatheticexcusestheywere making.

VotingtorecordallvoteswerecouncillorsJames WaikleandDonnaDeynaka.OpposedwereMayor BrianPanasiuk,andcouncillorsJohnDunn,Sacha Martens,JudyStenhouseandThereseYacyshyn.

Asimplequestionneedstobeasked:whywould anymemberofcouncilnotwantasopenandtransparentgovernmentaspossible?

Let’sexaminethereasonscited.

Toomuchworkforadministration.Really?Thisis notadvancedmathematics.Besides,whocares?Administrationispaidtoworkforcouncil.Whatcouncil wants,councilgets.Ifcouncilhonestlywantedrecordedvotes,itwouldhavehappened.Period!No excuseregardinghowharditwouldbeforadministration.

Thelameexcuseofalltheextrapaperitwould takemakesonelaugh.Insteadofrecordingavoteas “carried”write“carriedunanimously”.Nobigdeal. Itthevoteissplit,writethenamesofthosevotingin favourandvotingagainst.Nochartneeded.Council triedtomakesomethingsimplesounddifficult.Itis not.

“Theycanjustlookatthevideo?”

So,itiswayeasierforcounciltoaskaresidentto watchtwo,three,fourhoursofvideoratherthanrecordingvotesinminuteswhereonecanfinditina fewmoments.Soundslikecouncilthinksitisbetter toinconveniencethetaxpayerthanitsadministrationwithalittleextrawork.Howhorribleisthat?

Councilneedstoberemindedofthehierarchyof democracy.Administrationworksforcouncil,while councilworksforthepeople,andadministrationand councilworkforthepeople.Nottheotherway around.Anywaythatanyissuecanbemadeeasier forthepeoplesuchasaccessingvotesisagood thing.

Or,asWaiklesays,“Completetransparency.I thinkpeopleshouldknowhowwe’revotingandthey [council]shouldbeaccountable.”

Knowinghismotionwasgoingtobedefeated, Waiklealsosaid,“Youthoroughlythrashedme.”

Itisironic,however,thatWaiklestillholdsthe hammer.Bylaw,thereisnothingstoppinghimfrom askingforarecordedvoteoneverymotion.IfWaikle trulybelievesinhiscause,hewillaskforrecorded votesoneverymotionatfuturemeetingsandthe restofcouncil’sopinionbedamned.Itistheoneof veryfewinstanceswheretheMunicipalGovernmentActwilloverrideanypolicyordesirecouncil wants.

WillWaiklesticktohisguns?Ifhetrulybelieves, deepinhisheart,inrecordingallvotes,hewillact accordingly.

Overtoyou,Mr.Waikle!

Theballisclearlyinyourcourt!

-ChrisClegg

Commentaryby PearlLorentzen

InSlaveLakeprovincialcourt Feb.23,amanwassentencedfor kickingandstompinghisfriend’s headduringadrunkenargument. Theattackhappenedawhileago, butthevictimisstillre-learning howtodosomethings.Thereare othershewillnevergetback.

“Thefunctionofthebrainisabsolutelycriticaltotheongoing andcontinuingabilitytogrowand developallthroughlife,”said JudgeD.R.Shynkar,duringthe sentencing.

Thisgotmethinkingaboutour brains,boththephysicalstructureandthefunction.

Brainsarebothdelicateandresilient.Afamousexampleisthe railwayworkerinthe1800swho survivedhavingametalpolefly throughhisbrain.Manyaccounts saidthathispersonalitychanged, whichisnotsurprising.

Onaterrifyingnote,foralong timepeopleworkingwithmental patientsthoughtstabbingtheir brainwithastickwasagoodidea. Lobotomizingisnotgivenquite thehorrorcreditIthinkitdeserves,especiallysinceitwasso popularwithpeoplewhoclaimed [andpossiblylegitimately thought]theywerehelpingpeople.

Thebrainhasvariousparts.

TheNorthernBrainInjuryAssociationsays,“Alsoknownasthe cerebralcortex,thecerebrumis thelargestpartofthehuman brain,anditisassociatedwith higherbrainfunctionsuchas thoughtandaction.Nervecells makeupthegraysurface,which isalittlethickerthanour thumb…itisdividedintofoursections,calledlobes.Theyare;the frontallobe,theparietallobe,the occipitallobeandthetemporal lobe.”

soryinformation,saysWeill’s website.

“Theangulargyrusallowsusto associateaperceivedwordwith differentimages,sensationsand ideas.”

Weneedourbrainstofunction. Whilemostofus-hopefully-will notexperienceatraumaticbrain injury,there’salsothepossibility ofothertypesofbraindamage throughdiseasesorstrokes.

Despitethis,weoftentakeour brainsforgranted.Mostofuswill neverseethephysicalstructure ofourbrains,butwecanexercise it.

Oneofthehigherfunctionsof thebrainisspeaking,writing,and understandinglanguage.

Scientistshaveidentifiedvariousplacesinthebrainwhichare criticaltospeechandlanguage, saystheWeillInstitutefor Neuroscienceswebsite.TheseincludetheBoca’sarea,Wernicke’s area,andangulargyrus.

Theangulargyrusiscloseto thesectionsofthebrainwhich processvisual,auditory,andsen-

AquickGooglesearchofbrain exercisesshowsvariousoptions. Onethemeistheimportanceof workingyourbodyaswellasyour brain,asoverallhealthimpacts ourbrains.Othersuggestionsinclude:learnnewskills,doacrossword,playsportsorchess,meditate,practicevisualization,drawa mapfrommemory,domath,learn anewlanguage,orexpandyour vocabularyinthelanguage[or languages]youalreadyknow.

Iwaspleasedtoseecrocheting ononeofthelists.I’msureknittingworksjustaswell,butitis somemysterywhichmybrain cannotcomprehend.Learningto knitwouldbelikelearninganew language,whichmightbeagood thing.

Don’ttakeyourbrainforgranted

'Despitethis,weoften takeourbrainsfor granted.Mostofuswill neverseethephysical structureofourbrains, butwecanexerciseit.

'

Carefulwhatyousupport

Re:ThePage,“Truckers,wesupportyou”

So,ThePageisinsupportoftheso-called “TruckerConvoy”.In supportof:

*daysofblockades costingtheCanadian economyhundredsof millionsofdollars; *daysofinsistent,

continuous,unnecessary hornblowing,loudmusicandall-nightparty activitywithnoregard forresidents;

*forcedclosureof businessesresultingin lossofemploymentfor many;

*thedisrespectingof aCanadianWarMemorialandstatueofatrue

Canadianhero; *thedisplayofoffensiveflagsandsymbols; *etc.,etc.,etc.

Yup,soundslikeareal goodbunchweshould allthrowoursupportbehind!

IwonderhowsupportiveThePagewouldbeif thiswastakingplacein ourcommunities?The

Pagewouldbebetter servedtoexpresssupport for the90percent oftruckersdoingtheir jobsandthemajorityof Canadiansdoingallthey cantokeepthemselves, lovedonesandtheirfellowCanadianshealthy.

COVIDpandemicmerelyascam

Youwillfindverylittle differencefrombefore andafterCOVID.

Intheearlydayspeoplehadtoregisterfora COVIDtest.Somepeople registeredforthetest, thenwhentheysayhow longthelineupwasdecidedtoskipit.Thenthe nextdaygotnotifiedthat theytestedpositivefor COVID.

Prettygoodfornottak-

ingthetest,eh! Myniece’shusband’s unclewasinthehospital, recovered,wenthome andwasshovelingsnow offhissidewalk.Hedown andhithisheadonthe iceanddied.Alberta HealthServiceswanted toblamethatonCOVID butbackeddownwhen threatenedwithalawsuit.

Thesamethinghap-

penedwhenalittleboy diedofcancer,thefamily hadtofighttostophis deathbeingblamedon COVID.

Howmanymorecases likethisarethere?That justgoestoshowyou howhonestourgovernmentis.

JustabouteverypersonItalktoagreeswith methatCOVIDisthebiggestjokeofthecentury.

Ifyoucheckthedeath rateofeverycountryin theworld,youwillfind outthatthereisverylittledifferencebeforeand afterCOVID.Thatsuggeststhattheworld’s governmentsarejust pushingpeoplearound.

Whenaregovernmentsgoingtostop?

DonaldBissell, Enilda,AB.

'Public'skatingshouldbefree

WhenIwascampaigning[October2021municipalelection],Iemphasizedtheimportanceof youthsports.

Thecurrentmayor andcouncilwerehesitanttoopenthesecond icesurface[GordonBuchananRecreationCentre]thisyear.Eventually,theydecidedtoput itin,butonlyafterIdid avideoonthelarge numberofparentswho hadexpressedtome howunhappytheywere withnopublicskating.

Thencouncildecided tocharge$5aperson peruse.Neverbefore hasanyonehadtopay forpublicskatingor shinnyhockey.Thatis whyitiscalled‘public’ skating.

Councilimplemented achargeduringa COVIDyearwhenpeoplehavelessmoneyfor extracurricularactivitiesduetothelong-lastingeffectsofCOVIDand shuttingdownorlimitingmanyplacesofemployment.

Councildidnotmake iteasytopayforthisactivity.Onewouldthink youwouldpayatthe arena,thesameplace youwouldbeskating. Butno!Youneedtopay attheswimmingpool acrosstown.Notonlyis thisinconvenient,itisa longdistanceforpreteenstowalkthereand back.

Can’tyoutrustyour arenastafftohandle money?Ifnot,withto-

day’stechnology,why aren’tyoulookingat cashpointmachinesor otheroptions?

ButIgobackagainto whyhasthemayorand councildecidedto chargeforpublicskating?Youcouldn’tgive ouryouthasleddinghill butyoucantrytomake upbudgetshortfalls$5a timeonthebacksofour children.

GordonBuchananand CliffCalvertwerepillars ofourcommunity.They wereinstrumentalin gettingthesecondice surfaceupandrunning. Theywantingskating andhockeytobeaccessibletoeveryone.The currentmayorandcouncildonotrecognizethe importanceofphysical

activitytothemental healthofouryouth.And yettheywillalltellus howimportantyouthactivitiesareinourtown Skatingisagood,inexpensivewaytoallowour youthtoget much-neededexercise andspendtimewith friends.Thisfeelimits kidsfromparticipating.

Andtheinconvenience ofhavingtopayatthe swimmingpoolisridiculous.

Mayorandcouncil shouldpaymoreattentiontotheneedsofthe community.Beinga mayorandcouncillor meansmorethanjust goingtomeetings.

BarrySharkawi, HighPrairie,AB.

Protestersmustassumerisk

Youguysreallyhaveto lightenupontheCBC! Oneoftheirreporters calledclearingoftheprotestors‘conquering’ Parliamenthill.Theanchorlookedalittledumbfoundedbutsaidnothing.

Tous,thefactabunch ofcitydwellerscangetto theirgrocerystoreis nothing.Forseniorsand handicappedwhocan’t gettherebecausethe roadisblocked,itisabig

deal.Nottomentionthe rabblerousingtheydid likesettingafireinthe apartmentbuilding.

IfIwasafarmerandI foundanintersection blocked,Imightgohome attheendofthedayand fireoffaletterofsupport. Butthreeweekslater...?

IfIhadtogomilesout ofmywaytogettotown eachday,andit’scosting metimeandmoney,I wouldsoonlosepatience.

If[protesters]weremakingamesswiththeir delinquentbathroom habitsandspookingmy cattlewiththeirnoise,I woulddemandsomethingbedone.Godhelp youifIfindyouhazing mylivestock.Theauthoritieswon’tbecalled.

Thebehaviourofthese toolsisunforgiveable. Therewasaclearshot overtheshoulderofa womanholdingatoddler.

Followingisalistofthemostreadstorieson southpeacenews.comoverthelast14days,effective Thursday,February24,2022.

1.'Wewantourcountryback' [postedThursday,Feb.17]

2.Obituary:AliceWaikle [postedTuesday,Feb.15]

3.Bellrosetrialpostponed-again! [postedFriday,Feb.11]

4.AHS,HPMedicalClinicstatetheircases [postedSunday,Feb.13]

5.Doctorrefusedhospitalprivileges [postedThursday,Feb.10]

6.PeaceRiverchamber handsout2022DavisAwards [postedThursday,Feb.10]

7.Newdoctornow practisinginHighPrairie [postedSunday,Feb.13]

8.Letter-lossoffirefightersfeared [postedThursday,Feb.10]

9.Courtdocket:Assaultconviction on'low'end,judgedeems [postedFriday,Feb.11]

10.Flowers[andalotmore] atRuby'sFreshDecor [postedFriday,Feb.11]

Besuretochecksouthpeacenews.comforregular updateson SouthPeaceNews’ two-timeCanadian CommunityNewspapersAssociationaward-winning website!Morestories,morephotos,morereading, moreentertainment!

TotheM.D.ofSmokyRiverfornotbanning wildboars.Ifitisdoneproperly,thereisnoreasonafarmercannotraisetheanimals.People shouldnotliveinconstantfearofwhatmight happen.

Shewasatthefrontof thelinefacingthe horses.Sheshouldlose custodyofthatkid.Itis onethingtothrowherselfunderthehoovesof thoseanimals,itisanothertoputachildthere.

Therewasareport aboutawomanahorse steppedonwhohada walker.Ifithappened, sheshouldn’thavebeen

Cont.onpage8

PleasereadSPNWebsitecommentsonpage8!

Totheresidentswhowroteletterstotheeditor thisweek!Fourofthem!Someagreewithus, somedisagree.Asalways,lettersarewelcome!

Letterstotheeditorpolicy

SouthPeaceNews welcomesreaderstowritelettersto theeditor.Amaximumof300wordsispreferredbutnot necessary.Lettersmustcarryafirstnameortwoinitials withsurnameandincludeanaddressanddaytimetelephonenumber.Alllettersaresubjecttoediting.Please sendlettersto SouthPeaceNews, Box1000,HighPrairie, Alta.,T0G1E0,orfaxto(780)523-3039;orpleaseE-mail tosouthpeacenews@hotmail.com.

JeanSheldon, Kinuso,AB.

SPNWebsitecomments

‘Wewantourcountryback’

StephenDownesposted:“Justforthetherecord,TysonBillingswasarrestedandfaces multiplechargesrelatedtotheoccupationof downtownOttawaandthenon-peacefulharassmentofthecitizenslivingtherewhichbasically forcedtheshutdownofallbusinessesinthecity centreforthreeweeks.Forsomeonewholoves freedomsomuchheshowedlittleregardforthe freedomsofanyoneelse.We,inOttawa,lookforwardtothedayhecanbeputonaplaneand sentbacktoallofyouinHighPrairie.I’vebeen toHighPrairiemanytimesandusedtolivein PeacecountryandknowthatBillingsisnotrepresentativeofthefriendlyandpeacefulcitizens ofyourtown.”

Admin2015posted:“Accordingtosomenews reports,about30,000peopleinandaroundthe protestsiteinOttawawerehorriblyinconveniencedbytheprotests.Whenyouliveinafree country,itdoesn’ttakemuchtoupsetsomepeoplepersonally.‘Oh,mygosh!Callthepolice! Thereareonlytwocheckoutlinesopenatmyfavouritestore,andtherearethreepeopleinfront ofme.’Meanwhile,outintheplacesthatput foodonthetableandheatourhomes...”

M.McNabbposted:“Wedonotwanthimback. PleasekeephiminOntario.Heobviouslyis misdirectedandmisinformed.”

Denposted:“WhydidTysongoallthewayto Ottawa?95percentofallCOVIDmandatesare implementedbyprovinces.Makesnosense.”

Haleyposted:“Tysonismydad.Thewhole reasonwastoshutthingsdownsotheywould listen.Itwasjustlikewhentheyshuteverything downforCOVID.Showingthegovernmentthat whattheyaredoingiswrongandifthisishow theylistenthat’swhatwehavetodo.”

BettyC.posted:“Holdyourheadhigh,Haley. Yourfatherislookeduptobyverymany God-lovingCanadiansandAmericanpatriots. Heisdoingexactlywhateveryoneshouldbedoing.Youaretrulyblessedtohavehim.Thank youforbeingawonderfuldaughter.GodBless yourfamilyandCanada.”

Kristyposted:“Yourdadisatruehero!He hasinspiredsomanyandIcan’tthankhim enough.”

Protesters

Cont.frompage7

atthefrontofthe time.Shecameforthe demonstration;shecan wearherwarwounds.

ACBCreporter[SusanOrmiston]wasin theUnitedStatescoveringademonstration [Minneapolis,May30, 2020]whenshetooka rubberbullettothe butt.Sheandhercrew seemedratherproud.

Thesetoolswanta civilwar.Somecall them“accelerators”.

Yes,wehaveissuesat alllevelsof governmentbutgoing allseparatist/racist won’tsolveanyof them.Theseguysare BSartistswhospew crapalloverandwhen youcheckitoutand finditiswrong,they aregone.Stillliars,but gone.

Ifyoucan’ttalkabout

‘Whoareyouworkingfor?’

“Whateveryoudo, workatitwithallyour heartasworkingforthe Lord,notformen...itis theLordChristthatyou areserving.”

[Colossians3:23,24]

Therearetwotypesof peopleinoursociety–thosewhoworkfor themselvesandthose whoworkfortheLord. Regardlessofthejobor theaction,theinner motivationofthe individualwillrevealthe heartofthesourceofthe effort.

Whoareyouworking for?Areyouworkingfor theTown,theCounty, theProvince,thefederal government,Alberta HealthServices,private industry,orafamily business?Thetitleof theemployerreallydoes notmatter,thewayyou fulfillyourresponsibilitiesdoes.

Ourmediaisfilled withstoriesoftencondemningthedecisions madebyourpoliticians atalllevels.The problemisnotthedecisionsbuthowtheycome aboutmakingthosedecisions.Isthesourceof theefforttoglorify themselvesorarethe decisionsactually prayedoveranddecisionsmadetoglorify God?

Isthereasoning behindthedecisionto makeyourpoliticalparty happyandkeepyour seatinpowerorisitto honourGodbylistening toHim?

Inspiration

Pastor BrianGilroy, HighPrairie Churchofthe Nazarene.

ever,aChristianis calledtoadifferentstandardandadifferent response.

politicsthatweforget thereasonthatGod gaveustheopportunity toserveinthiscapacity?

Doweplayfavourites toplaythegamewellor doweremindtheoath allhealthcareprofessionalstaketotreateveryoneequally?

Whenwefeeltheneed toprotestaboutaninjustice,doweprotestina waythatglorifiesGodor dowejustjoininthe crowdandsupportthe effortsofhumaneffort?

Afaithlivedoutpubliclyineveryaspectof one’slifebringsgloryto God.Yetafaiththatis onlylivedoutpublicly duringSundayservices orchurch-relatedevents bringsgloryonlytothe individualforGoddesires24/7/365.

Ineverythingyoudo, working[whateverjobit maybe];socializing [whereverthatmaybe andwhomeveryouare

with];protesting[on Facebook,inpersonor othersourcesofmedia], isGodreallygettingthe glory?

Jesussaid,“ButItell you:loveyourenemies andprayforthosewho persecuteyouthatyou maybesonsofyour Fatherinheaven.”[Matthew5:44,45]

Theworldwould adopttheadagethat precedesthisresponse fromJesus: “Youhaveheardit said,‘Loveyour neighbour’andhate yourenemy.”[Matthew 5:43]

Theworldwouldhave youdowhatisprofitable foryourselfasopposed towhatbringsgloryto God.

Itiseasiertocurse thosewhopersecuteyou orthreatenyourfreedoms:thisistheway thattheworldanswers whenfrustrated.How-

Ifwe,asChristians, intendtotakethewords ofJesusseriouslytobe “saltandlight”inthis worldthenwemusthear thevoiceofGodabove alltheothervoicesand allowouractionstoreflectGod’sresponse therebygivingGodthe glorypublicly.Ifwedo not,thenasitsaysinI Corinthians13:1-3,we areclangingcymbaland nothingwedomeans anythingtoGod.Instead ofbringingglorytoGod, weloseourcredibilityin thecommunitythatour salvationisreal.

EachlifeGodmadeis preciousandneedsto knowandunderstand thelengthstowhichGod reallywenttorestore therelationshipthatour sinhasbroken.Letthe truthbetold,thatweare savedbygracethrough faithandnotourown workslestanyman shouldboast.[Ephesians2:8,9]

Iseverythingyoudo trulymotivatedbyadesiretobringglorytoGod orareyoulivingfor yourselfandwhatyou cangetoutoflife?

actualrealissues,hold yourtongue. Withalltheguns theyfounddownsouth weknowthesepeople aredyingforafight.

Don’tbesurprisedif someonetakesabullet. Thesepeopleareeven sayingtheelection wasn’tlegitimateand theywantedthegovernmenttoresignand bereplacedbya committee.Mostof themmighthave wantedthepandemic restrictionslifted.. .theyaremerelygullibleandbeingledby peoplewithamuch moreseriousagenda.

Theprotestors seemedtothinkthere wasnothingthegovernmentcoulddoand inthatmatterthey needtostopandthink beforedraggingtheir kidsintothedanger zone.

Whenweworkfora companylikeAlberta HealthServices,Allied HealthorCovenant HealthAuthority,dowe getsocaughtupinthe monetaryrewardsofthe positionortheinternal

EvaSartorius, HighPrairie.

ItisnowMarch2!

Thetimeofyearwhen husbandsjustmightbe gettingoutofthedoghouseafternotbuying thewifeadecentpresent forValentine’sDay!

“Wehavegrownintoa mouthy,mobilephone wielding,vulgar,uncivil societywithnopersonal responsibilityandtheattitudeof“it’stheother person’sfault,youowe me’.Asocietywherechildrengrowupwithno boundariesorknowledge orconcernforcivilsocietyandpersonalresponsibility,”saysSheriffDavidClarke.

ThePageagrees!But enoughabouttheCanadianParliamentandAlbertaLegislature!

NosoonerthanRussia invadedUkraine,itwas announcedCanadian foodpriceswouldrise.

Gee,whatasurprise! Didn’tknowCanadaimportedthatmany perogies!

Actually.ThePage believesmostperogies aremadeinCanada. *********

SpeakingofRussia,we mustremember,asCanadians,Russiadidat leastonegoodthingfor Canada.Remember 1972?

Itwasprobablythelast timethiscountrywas unitedforasinglecause!

*********

DidyouknowthatFeb. 22wasbothapalindrome andambigram?

Tryit:22022022!

Wenotefromoursister newspaperinSlave Lake,aneditorialbyJoe McWilliams.

Feb.9,theM.D.ofOpportunityendeditsZoom meetings.Nowyouhave toattendinpersontofind outwhat’shappening.No moresittingonyourbutt athomeinfrontofthe computertoseewhat’s goingon!

“Hardlyanybodyelse everdid[attendmeetings],ordoes,orprobablyeverwill,”writes McWilliams.“They’ve gotbetterthingstodo whenalltheyneededwas tositdownatthehome computerandclickona link,fewdid.”

Henotedalthoughit waseasiertoattend and/orlistentomeetings, veryfewdid.

ThePagelogsinto bi-weeklyNorthernSunriseCountymeetings. Typically,thereare aroundfivepeoplelistening.Manytimes,The PageisallaloneinTown ofHighPrairiechambers.Itleaveshimwon-

deringifheforgotto showerthatday!

McWilliamswrites TownofSlaveLake meetingscanbewatched onYouTube.HighPrairie meetingsarerecorded andpostedonthe website.

OtherthanOpportunity,it’sgoodtoseethe otherlocalgovernments mentionedhavenot makeapeepaboutscrappingtheironlinemeetings.ThePagesays, “Goodforthem!”

AsforOpportunity,just howmanyviewersdid theyneedtomakeit worthwhile?Agood question,wouldn’tyou say?

McWilliamsalso writes,...it’smorelike thelessexposurethe better.”

Inotherwords,councillorsdonotwantpeople toknowwhatthey’redoing.Sad,verysad!

*********

Onsocialmedialast week,aresidentposteda concernregardingthe deadmoosewestofHigh Prairie.

ThePagehasnoticed itspresenceforweeks butthereisstillwasFeb. 23inallitsglory.It’sa goodthingitisn’tsummer.Rememberthat song, DeadSkunkinthe MiddleoftheRoad?

Anyway,whyhasn’tAl-

bertaTransportationor thecontractordisposed ofthisanimal?Notexactlytheprettiestthing toseewhenentering HighPrairie.

Let’shopealittlepublicityonsocialmediaand this page helpsgetsome action.

*********

AsHighPrairie’s “FreedomGeorge”sits inanOttawajailatthe timeofthiswriting,we rememberthevoteinOttawatoenacttheEmergenciesAct.

ThePagenotesthe NDPwenttobedwiththe Liberalsonthematter. Whatasurprise!Theygo togetherlikepeanutbutterandjam,hotdogsand ketchup,liverandonions.Gosh,ThePageis gettinghungry!

Weknowthereisabig differencebetweenfederalandprovincialpolitics,butit’sanotherhurdleLesserSlaveLake NDPhopefulDanielle Lariveewillhavetoovercome.She’sdoneitbefore,however.

Wouldyouwanttobe tiedinanywaytoPrime MinisterJustinTrudeau, whoisaspopularinAlbertaasaskunkatapicnicorswarmofmosquitoesatanudistcolony?

*********

Haveagreatweek, everyone!

Weekly Horoscope

Aries–March21–April20:Anexcitingrelationshipmaysoondevelopafteryousocializewith friends.Ifyoualreadyaeinvolvedromantically, someoneyoumeetcouldbeanimportantally.

Taurus–April21–May21:Unexpected changesarethenameofthegamethisweek.This couldmeananythingfromlearninganewskillto havingtotrainanewcoworker.

Gemini–May22–June21:There’spotentialto meetsomeoneinterestingonatripyouwillbetakingshortly.Strikeupconversationswiththose aroundyou,asyouneverknowwhatwillhappen.

Cancer–June22–July22:Donotbediscouragedwhensomethingseemslikeaninsurmountabletask.Youjusthavetofindtherighthelpand thenyouwillquicklymasterthejob.

Leo–July23–Aug.23:Anunexpectedphone callortextfromsomeoneinyourpastcouldcome yourwaysoon.Whateverthenews,donotletit scareyou.Youwilldofine.

Virgo–Aug.24–Sept.22:Asignificantsumof moneycouldbecomingyourwayshortly.Itmaybe abonusorsomesortofrepayment.Bepleasedat thewindfallandutilizeitwisely.

Libra–Sept.23–Oct.23:Anexcitinggroupactivityinvolvinganumberofyourfriendsisonthe horizon.Youmaybewonderingwhethertogo.Do notpassuptheopportunity.

Scorpio–Oct.24–Nov.22:Excitingprospects andfortunateeventsseemtobeinyourorbit.Enjoythisbitofgoodluckthatgarnersmuchofyour attentionandcouldhavefurtherbenefits.

Sagittarius–Nov.23–Dec.21:Areyoufeeling adventurouslately?Nowmaybeagoodtimeto enteraraceortrysomethingdaring,likeskydiving.Letyourinstinctsguideyourdecision.

Capricorn–Dec.22–Jan.20:Yourmindisattunedtolearningnewlessons.Iftimepermits,enrolinsomecollegecoursesorexploretradeschool offerings.Thiswillenableyoutoexpandyourmind.

Aquarius–Jan.21–Feb.18:Thisisagood weektotravelortomakethearrangementsforit. Thejourneypromisestobeanexcitingtimethat youwillrememberforawhile.

Pisces–Feb.19–March20;Bizarredreams mayinvadeyourcomfortlevels.Donottrytoanalyzetheirmeaningtoomuch,butbeawareofsymbolism.

Celebrity BirthdayCalendar

DateCelebrityClaimtoFame Year

March2Dr.SeussAmericanchildren’sauthor1904

March2AlWaxmanKingofKensingtonactor1935

March2PorkyPigLooneyTunescharacter1935

March2KarenCarpenterCarpentersvocalist1950

March3A.GrahamBellTelephoneinventor 1847

March3JeanHarlow1930sexgoddess 1911

March3JamesDoohanStarTrekactor 1920

March3ChristianOliverSavedbytheBellactor1972

March4BenWaterhouseSmallpoxvaccinepioneer1754

March4GarrettMorganTrafficsignalinventor1877

March4BobJohnsonCalgaryFlamescoach1931

March4EmilioEstefanMiamiSoundMachinerocker1950

March5WilliamOughtredSlideruleinventor 1574

March5MomofukuAndoInstantnoodlesinventor1907

March5RedStoreyHallofFamehockeyref1918

March5AndyGibbBeeGeessinger 1958

March6MichelangeloSistineChapelpainter1475

March6LouCostelloAbbottandCostelloteam1906

March6RobReinerAllintheFamilyactor1947

March6TomArnoldFormerhubby,RosanneBarr1959

March6ShaquilleO'NealLosAngelesLaker 1972

March7RobRoy Scottishfolkhero 1671

March7WhitcombJudsonAmericaninventor[zipper]1846

March7IvanLendlCzechtennisplayer1960

March7JoeCarterTorontoBlueJay 1960

March8KarlvonGraefeCreatedplasticsurgery1787

March8AlanHale,Jr.Gilligan’sIsland[Skipper]1921

March8RalphBaerCreated1videogameconsole1922

March8MikeAllsupThreeDogNightguitarist1947

March2,1963: TheHighPrairie Progress reports Mr.andMrs.AlvinPeevertakeoveroperationofthe EnildaPostOfficefromtheretiringMrs.H.Berg.

March2,1968: TheHighPrairieRCMPdetachmentholdsitsgrandopeninginthenew$130,000 building.

March2,1969: TheAthabascaPCsholdsanominationconventioninHighPrairiewithover40attending.Grouard’sJohnWillieriselectedpresident andEdHussaintreasurer.MPPaulYewchukattendedtoaddressthemeeting.

March2,1973: HighPrairieischosenasoneof twositesinAlbertaforavetclinic,tobebuiltwith provincialandfederalmoney.

March2,1980: Anestimated$200,000indamages resultsinafireatBigwaySuperette.

March2,1982: IkeLawrenceannouncesdailyair servicetoEdmontonfromHighPrairiependingfederalgovernmentapproval.

March2,1987: SouthPeaceNews publishesthe firsteditionof TheEnterprise,alow-costadvertisingvehicle.

March2,1990: AthabascaMPJackShieldstells SlaveLakestudentstheproposedGSTisnotpopularbutnecessary.

March2,1992: Bill’sAutoGlassmovesintoanew locationatPeyreChrysler.

March2,1994: I.D.No.125changesitsnameto theI.D.ofBigLakes.

March2,2005: J.B.WoodExtendedCareUnit holdsaCenturionCelebrationforresidentsOswald Peatite,BessieRoffeyandAntonStraub.

March2,2005: SouthPeaceNews reportsthat counterfeit$10billsarefoundatseveralHighPrairiestores.

March2,2008: BessieRoffeycelebratesher111th birthdayatJ.B.WoodExtendedCareUnitamong manyfriendsandfamily.

March2,2009: KevinLalibertebeginsworkas theHPSD’sfirstcommunicationsofficer.

March2,2012: LesserSlaveLakeMLAPearl CalahasensaystheproposedNLCcampushadtobe scrappedtoensurethehospitalmovedforward.She saysthe“tradeoff”hadtooccurtogettherestof thehospitaldesigninplace.

March2,2016: SouthPeaceNews reportsthat HighPrairieBethelBaptistChurchwillhaveanew pastor,KeithWilliams,inMay.

March2,2016: TheHighPrairieandAreaChamberofCommercehiresRodneyGainerasitsexecutivedirector.

Tendersforthetimber fortheerectionofthe newbridgeatthispoint wereletonFridaymorningtoJas.Norris,who wasthelowestbutone ofthenumbertotender onthiswork.

Mr.McQuarrie,superintendentbridgesforthe provincialgovernment, arrivedhereonSunday lastalongwith10,000 poundsoftheironanda piledriverandimmediatelyhadthetenders posted.

Thenewbridgewillbe about2,400feetlongand 10feetwidewithaswing of110feetinthecentre fortheaccommodation oftheboatsplyingbetweenthispointand SotoLanding,andwill costapproximately $22,400.Itwillbethelongestbridgeinthenorth beingnearlyahalfmile inlengthanditsbenefits tothetownanddistrict areinestimable.

Anotheradditionto thebridgewillbethe buildingofthreeorfour offshootswhereinteams loadedwithhayorother bigloadswillbeableto

TheMarch20,1974 SouthPeaceNews featuredararefreakofnature.Maurice Duchesneau,then10yearsold,holdsa hugebanana.Actually,itisasiamesebanana,whichistwobananascoveredin oneskin.Toobadthemonkeysnevergot aholdofthatone!

pass. Workwillcommence immediatelyonthedeliveryofthefirstpiles whichwillbeinaweek orsoandrushedtocompletion.Twenty-fiveto30 menwillbeemployed constantlyandwitha fairbreakinluckthe newbridgeshouldbe readyfortrafficbymiddletoAprilatthelatest.

Steelrailson waytoGrouard

Thefollowingtelegramwasreceivedfrom GeorgeMorin: Fiftyteamsoffreight forGrouardatSawridge tonightandmorethan 150loadswerepassed betweenhereand Athabascainthreedays travel.Theengineerof theDiamondP.steamer

Artifact-of-the-Week

TheHighPrairieandDistrictMuseumhasinits collectionastocksyringeandcase,donated byTommyHarding.Toseethisandalotmore, orforallotherinquiriesduringtheCOVID-19 pandemic,pleasecallthemuseumat[780] 523-2601.

isonhiswaytoPeace RiverCrossing,giving himsufficienttimeto havesameinreadiness fortheseason’sbigrush.

Steelboundfor Grouardwaspassedat MooseRiver.Theoutfit consistsofonestandard boxcarandaloadof steelrails,beingpropelledbyfouryokeof oxen.Theoutfitisduein Grouardonthefifth.

Aroundthetown

...aspecialmeetingof theBoardofTradewas heldintheofficeofButleronMondayevening last.Aftersomediscussionacommitteewas appointedtodraftaresolutiontobeforwarded totheAttorneyGeneral withcopiestothePremier,fortheestablish-

mentofanewLandTitlesOfficeinGrouard.

...Mr.Auger,postofficeinspector,cameup thisweekfromEdmontontolookafterthe turningoverofthepostmastershipatthispoint, MissBellefeuillehaving resignedandMr.Gravell beingthenewpostmaster.

...aregularold-fashionedblizzardragedall dayMondayhere.

...LewWhitesellarrivedhereWednesday with20tonsoffreightfor V.Maurice.

...FatherGiroux, O.M.I,leftMontrealyesterdaywithacolonyof 100peopleforGrouard.

...Mr.Dubord,of AthabascaLanding,was avisitorthisweeklookingforasuitablesiteto erectageneralstore.

...Sgt.Adamsreturned fromamonth’stripto thecapitalwherehe purchasedtwoteamsof oxen,suppliesandmachineryforhisfarmin PrairieRiver.

...theproceedsofthe bandconcertamounted to$208.

Crimeintheregion:fightcontinues

Propertycrime up26%in HPregion

Propertycrimesincreasedin2021forHigh PrairieRCMPfrom2020whilecrimesagainst peopledropped.

S/Sgt.BryceTarzwellsaysoverallnumbers werestartingtoreturntothelevelsbeforethe COVID-19pandemicstartedinMarch2020.

Propertycrimewasup26percentwhilepersonscrimesweredown18percent.

“Theincreasein property-related crime,Ibelieve,is duetopeoplegettingbacktonormal andrestrictions loosening,”says Tarzwell,who startedastheHigh Prairiedetachment commanderDec.

13.

SouthPeaceNewsreporterRichardFroeseinterviewedseverallawenforcementofficialsregardingcrimetrendsintheNorthPeace,Smoky River,SouthPeaceandLesserSlaveLakeregions.Ataleemergesofongoingeffortstofight crimeswhichareincreasing.Theeffectofthe COVIDpandemiconcrimeisalsoexamined.

“Accuratereportingofall potentialcrimesallowsus tobetterunderstandwhere crimeistakingplaceinorder tobeintelligence-driveninour response,”saysPeaceRegional RCMPCpl.AlexPower.

Drug,propertyoffencesremainpriority

Overallcrimewas downslightlyin2021for PeaceRegionalRCMP butpropertycrimeand drugsremainpriorities.

Officersrespondedto 6,917callslastyear,a fourpercentdecrease from2020,Cpl.Alex Powersays.

“Peoplewerenot stayingathomeas muchastheydidin 2020.”

Despiteadecreaseinpersons crimes,HighPrairieRCMPremainsvigilant.

“Rightnowourmajorareaofconcernispersons-relatedcrimes,”Tarzwellsays.

Crimesincludeassault,sexualassault,uttering threats,theftsandextortion.

“Fraudcomplaintswereourbiggestincrease, up92percentfrom2020,”Tarzwellsays. Tofightcrime,policearecommittedtoboosting enforcement.

“Weareensuringourmembersareoutonthe roadsdoingproactivepatrols,”Tarzwellsays.

“Itisbettertobeproactivethanreactive.”

Overall,thecallvolumeforHighPrairieRCMP wasalmostidenticalin2021as2020.Policerespondedto5,257callsin2021,downslightlyfrom 5,292theyearbefore.

“Ournumbersaresimilartowhattheywere pre-pandemic,”Tarzwellsays.

Onamorepositivenote,hesaysseveraltypesof crimedroppedin2021from2020.

“Therewasa57percentdecreaseinsexualassaultsand39percentinassaults,”Tarzwellsays. Hebelievesthatofficersspendingmoretime outondutyisabigfactor.

“Ithinkpolicepresenceincommunities,aswell aseducation,isleadingtodecreases,”Tarzwell says.

“AnothercontributoristhattheHighPrairie RCMPishavingsomesuccessinkeepinghabitual offendersoutofourcommunities.”

Officersarealsogettingagriponthereducing thedrugtrade.

“Overall,weareseeingdecreasesinallaspects ofdrug-relatedcrimeintheHighPrairieareaand wehada45percentdecreaseindrug-related crimein2021fromtheyearbefore,”Tarzwellsays.

Policevaluetheroletheyplaytoserveandprotecttheirareasandopportunitiestobuildrelationships.

“AllmembersandstaffattheHighPrairie RCMParecommittedtothesafetyofallcitizens andcommunitiesthattheypolice,”Tarzwellsays.

“Ifyouhappentoseeamemberonthestreet, stopandsay,‘Hi!’”

Asalways,policeencouragethepublicetocall themwithtipsregardinganypotentialcrime;extrapairsofeyesarealwayseffective.

“Propertycrimefor bothruralandmunicipal [regions]continuestobe apriorityforPeaceRegionalRCMPandsawan overalldecreasein2021,” Powersays.

“Thiscanbedirectly attributedtothe proactivepatrolling,publiceducation,Rural CrimeWatchandlocal CitizensonPatrol [COP]groups.”

Partnershipswith NorthernSunriseRural CrimeWatchandlocal COPgroupshave strengthenedthecommunities’awarenessand increasedreportingof suspiciousactivityatthe onset,hesays.Itallows policetorespondbefore acrimetakesplaceand

OrganizationsliketheNorthernSunriseCountyRuralCrimeWatchAssociationhelppolicegreatlyindeterringandsolvingcrime.Above,theorganization receiveda2021AlbertaCommunityJusticeAwardforitsefforts.Left-rightare theorganization'srepresentativesonNorthernSunriseCountycoucncil,CorinnaWilliamsandDanBoisvert.

workstopreventpeople frombeingvictimized.

TheBusinessCheck Program,whereofficers proactivelypatrolbusinessesinthecommunity toensurethebuildings remainsecureduring non-businesshours,has increasedpolicevisibility anddeterredcrime,he

says.

Whenpropertiesare discoveredtobeinsecure,officersmakeevery efforttosecurethepropertyandnotifythepropertyrepresentative. Drugactivityalso keepspolicebusy.

PeaceRegionalRCMP continuestoaddressil-

licitdrugtraffickingrelatedtoorganizedcrime inthecommunity,undertakinginvestigationsand collaboratingwithregionalpartners,Power says. ThePeaceRegional RCMPgeneralinvestigationsectionhasundertakenjointinvestigations

withtheWesternAlberta CrimeReductionUnit andALERTtoincrease enforcement.

Policealsoworkwith AlbertaHealthServices andothercommunity partnerstoprovidesupporttothosewhosuffer fromaddictionandpromotehealthyrecoveryto reducethedemandforillicitdrugs.

Movinginto2022,the detachmenthasalsoimplementedtheColdStart Initiative.

“Theprogramfocuses onofficersconducting proactivepatrolsinthe communities,checking forvehiclesleftunattendedwhileidlingand educatingowner,ineffortstoreducevehicle theft,”Powersays.

PeaceRegionalRCMP isalsoparticipatingin theData2Actionprogramthatgathersanalyticaldateofcrime trendsandallowspolice toidentifyhighcrimes andfocuseffortsinspecificareatodeteroffenders.

PeaceRegionalRCMP

iscurrentlymeetingwith stakeholdersandconductingconsultationto sentannualpriorities.

“Theirprioritieswill identifyconcernsandallowpolicetoaddress emergingconcernsto thebestofourability,” Powersays.

Policevaluetipsand informationtohelpcombatcrime.

“Thepublicisencouragedtoreportallcrimes andsuspiciousactivityto thedetachment,”Power says.

“Accuratereportingof allpotentialcrimesallowsustobetterunderstandwherecrimeistakingplaceinordertobe intelligence-driveninour response.”

Anyonewhowantsto bemoreinvolvedwith PeaceRegionalRCMP isencouragedtoconsiderbecomingactive withtheregionalCrime Watchgrouporthepolicecommunityadvisory committee.PleasecontactPeaceRegional RCMPat[780]624-6677, ifinterested.

CrimeinSmokyRivertrendinginrightdirection

Helpfromcitizensisalwaysneeded

Thenewmanin chargeoftheMcLennan RCMPdetachmentasof Oct.1,2021isaskingcitizenstohelpstampout crimebybeingmoreinvolved.

Sgt.ScottRitchieattendedcouncil’sDec.13, 2021meetingtointroducehimselftocouncil andgivetheRCMPquarterlyreport.

Ritchieaskedresidentstocallincomplaintsandco-operate withpolice.Headdedthe messageisacontinual oneaspolicewantto workwiththepublicto detercrime.

Ritchiebrings14years ofRCMPexperience workinginnorthernAlbertaruralcommunities. HearrivesinMcLennan fromtheRedEarth CreekRCMPwherehe waspromotedtoSergeantinChargeinJune 2018afterpreviouslybeingacorporalWatch CommanderinHigh Levelforthreeyears.He hasalsoservedinVermilion.

Highpointswere brieflyaddressedby Ritchieinhisreportto council.Hecitedmost crimestatswere trendingintherightdi-

rection[lower]butnoted, asinmostcommunities, “halfadozenpeople causeawholebunchof headaches”.

Thegoodnewsisthere isaneightpercentdecreaseincriminaloffencesintheregionincludingpropertyand in-personcrimes.

Butthebadnewsisan increaseinmotorvehicle thefts.

SSpecifically,inregard tocrimeinthe McLennanitself,Ritchie said,“Reallynothingthat standsoutinareasof concern.”

MayorJasonDoris

Opioidactivityconcerning inLakeshoreregion

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

Illegaldrugswereon theincreasein2021and itworriesLakeshore RegionalPoliceService.

“Drugactivityinour areacontinuestoshow concerningincreasesin opioidsbeingsoldand usedwithinallareas,” saysDaleCox,chiefof policeforLakeshore.

“Wealsocontinueto seizequantitiesofother illegaldrugs.”

Asalways,thosetypes ofinvestigationsare veryresourceintensive andtimeconsuming,he says.

“Withthelimitedresourcesweandourpartnerpoliceagentsinthe areacurrentlyhave,we havehadtobecomeinnovativeinhowweaddresstheenforcement portionoftheproblem,” Coxsays.

2020astheCOVID-19 pandemiccontinued.

Lakeshoreresponded to1,590callsforservice in2021,upfrom1,493in 2020,anincreaseof6.5 percent.

Thelargestpercentageincreaseintypesof crimereportedwasin theareaofthefts.Theft wasup61.53percentas policerespondedto63 callsin2021,upfrom39 in2020.

“Theincreasein theftsmaybearesultof personsdecidingtotake thetimetoreportthefts sincetheywerespendingmoretimeathome duringtheCOVID-19 pandemic,”Coxsays.

“Inthepast,ifthe theftwereminorinnature,somepeopledid notbotherreportingit.”

Lakeshoreurgesresidentsandpropertyownerstotakestepstocurb theft.

suchasassaults,criminalharassmentandrobbery,droppedby6.34 percent.Policereported177callsin2021, comparedto189in2020.

“Again,someofthe decreaseinthenumber oftrafficinvestigations maybeattributedto COVIDasfewerpeople weredrivingonadaily basisandwerestaying home,”Coxsays.

peopleviolatingrelease conditionsand/orfailing toappearincourt.Policereportedcallsincreasedto215in2021 from137in2020.Theincreasemaybecaused bynumerouscourtdelaysinthepandemic, Coxsays.

Inthepast,charges resultinginreleaseconditionsandrequirementsforpeopletoappearincourtweredealt withbyasentenceand conditionswereremoved.

waspleasedwiththe stats.

“Itdoesseemverypositive,”hesaid. DorisaskedifCOVD washavinganeffecton crimebutRitchiereplied hedidn’tthinkso,other thananincreaseinmentalhealthanddomestic violence. Theonlyspecificconcerncouncilhadwas youthbreakingintthe nowclosedMcLennan Hotel.

“Ihavenoconcerns,” saidCouncillorSue Delaurier.

“Youguysdoawonderfuljob,”addedDoris.

Asaresult,Lakeshore isjoiningHighPrairie RCMPandSlaveLake RCMPtodevelopastrategicplantoaddressthe issue.

Lakeshore,through itscrime-prevention unit,isalsodeveloping preventionandcommunityeducationintheareasofillegaldrug-use preventionandaddictionservices.

“Wearealsopartneringwithlocaladdiction treatmentandcounsellingservicesinanattempttogettheseservicestothosemostat risk,”Coxsays.

HesaysLakeshore wasbusierin2021than

“Weareworkingwith communitiesthrough ourcrime-prevention unittoeducatecommunitymembershowto bestprotecttheirpropertyfromtheft,”Cox says.

“Ontheenforcement side,wearelookingto identifyandtargetextra patrolsinhigh-riskareasandhigh-riskoffenders.”

Onapositivenote,the biggestdropincrime wastrafficoffences.

Lakeshorereported167 trafficcallsin2021from 196in2020,adropof 14.79percent.

Investigationsof crimeagainstpersons

Healsosuspects COVIDandtherestrictionsmayhavealsocontributed to adeclinein othercrime.

“Thereductioninpersonscrimesmayalsobe aresultofpeoplestayinghomeandwithoutas muchinteractionbetweenpeople,thereis lesschanceofconflict arising,”Coxsays.

Atahigherrate, Lakeshorereporteda 56.93percentincrease incallsforCriminal Codeinvestigationswith themajoritybeingfor

“Withthecurrent courtdelays,therelease conditionsandrequirementstoattendcourt stayonlongerandresult inahigherlikelihoodof therebeingabreachof theconditionsandfailingtoappear,”Coxsays. Healsoannounced thatLakeshoreexpects tohiremoreofficersin thecomingyear.

“Weencouragelocal peopletoapply,”Cox says.

Lakeshorewasestablishedin2008bythe LesserSlaveLakeIndianRegionalCouncil andservesDriftpile FirstNation,Sucker CreekFirstNation, Kapawe’noFirstNation andSwanRiverFirst NationeastofHighPrairie,alongwithSawridge FirstNationinSlave Lake.

Anyonewantingmoreinformationabout Lakeshoreandhowtoapplymayget informationontheLakeshorewebsiteat: www.lakeshoreregionalpolice.com orsendanemailto: Lakeshoreatcareers@lsrps.ca.

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

HighPrairieRCMPS/Sgt. BryceTarzwellsays crimeisreturningto pre-COVIDlevels.

RichardFroese

DaleCoxischiefofpoliceforLakeshoreRegionalPoliceService.

Policeuseallthecrimefightingtoolsattheirdisposaltocatchcriminals.IntheLakeshoreregioninthe LesserSlaveLakeregion,illegaldrugactivity[especiallyopioids]isabigconcernbutstrategiesand partnershipsarebeingdevelopedtocombattheproblem.

Helpwhenneededisonlyaphonecallaway;however,policealsowelcomecallsfromcitizensto helpthemfightcrime.

GunshowreturnstoHighPrairie

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

ApopulargunshowreturnstoHighPrairiein Mayafterbeing cancelledbyCOVID-19 restrictionsin2020-21.

The19thannualHigh PrairieGunandOutdoor Showisbeingplannedfor May14-15.

“We’rehopingtohave abigshow,”saysDarrell Basarab,whochairsthe organizingcommitteeof theHighPrairieFishand GameAssociation.

“We’reveryhappyto havethegunshowback.”

Organizershopetoattractahighnumberof vendorsandlarge crowdsthathavepreviouslyattendedtheevent heldattheSportsPalace, GordonBuchananRecreationCentreandHigh PrairieCurlingRink.

“We’regettingoverwhelmingresponsefrom exhibitorsandpatrons,” Basarabsays.

“Everyoneiswanting togetoutandbackto normalinlife.

“Weexpectedbigger crowds.”

Withintwodaysafter thenewsoftheeventwas postedontheassociation’sFacebookpage aroundFeb.9,thean-

nouncementreceived about14,000views.

Formerlyheldin mid-April,thegunshow hasdrawnabout150exhibitorsfromalloverAlberta,BritishColumbia andSaskatchewanand crowdsof4,000-5,000.

Theshowfeaturesa varietyofrecreation, all-terrainvehicles,lawn andgardenproducts, andlocalbusinessesand organizations.

“We’removingto May,”Basarabsays.

“Mayisusuallynota busymonthforgun

showsandweknowno othereventishappening inthecommunitythat weekend.”

Herealizesfarmers maybeoutintheirfields seedingatthattime.

However,hetrusts theycansparesometime fortheshow.

Aftertheshowwas cancelledin2020,organizersplannedtomove theeventtoJune.

Organizerswillsoon starttocanvassforsponsorships,prizesforrafflesandasilentauction. Agunraffleisalsobe-

ingplanned.

Basarabsaystheevent hasbecomeoneofthe biggestgunshowsinthe province.

Stepswillalsobetaken tobecautiouswith crowdsandCOVID-19.

“Wewillbemonitoring theCOVID-19situation toensurethesafetyofall guests,exhibitorsand volunteers,”Basarab says.

Formoreinformation, phoneBasarabat[780] 507-0051oremailto hpfishandgame@hotmai l.com.

TheHighPrairieGunandOutdoorShowisscheduledtoreturnMay14-15after beingcancelledbyCOVID-19in2020and2021.GlamourandGearwasoneof theHighPrairiegundealersatthe2019show.Left-rightareShannonGreff,of Grimshaw,RobinSabo,ofHighPrairie,andstoreownerTracySherkawi.

BigLakes buyingnewhoist

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

BigLakesCountyisgettingawelcomelift.

AtitsregularmeetingFeb.23,councilapproved anadditional$45,000inthecapitalbudgetfora newfour-pointhoistforthepublicworksshop.

Fundswillbetakenfromthegeneraltransportationreserve,saidVicAbel,directorofpublic works.

“Ifitgetsapprovedtoday,wecanorderit,”he added.

“Theexistingfour-pointhoist,purchasedin 2011,isattheendofitsservicelifeandisnolongerabletobecertified.

“Itisthemosteconomicaloptionandno changestothemountinglocationwouldneedto bemadetoinstallthehoist.”

Thefour-pointhoistisrequiredtoservicevehiclesuptotwotons.

Historybuffpublishesbook aboutLesserSlaveLakeregion

Smith,ABentrepreneurandhistorybuff SheilaWillisisatitagain! Thistime,she’spublishedabook.

“Ievengotaskedfor myfirstsignedcopy, numbered,”saysWillis, whoisenjoyingbeingan author.

Hernewbook, Alberta HistoryLesserSlave LakeRegionNewsReviews:Volume1-1880to 1896, isherfirstpaperback,butsecondgoatbeinganauthor.Herother bookisaneBook.

“It’sgoingtobeaseries,”shesays.“There willbefourorfivevolumes.”

JoeMcWilliams

ForSouthPeaceNews

AKinusowomanrecentlylaunchedabusinessthataimstoprovideeducationalprogrammingincampgrounds,beginningin the2022season.

BraidiLockecallsit

‘WildBorealEnvironmentalEducators’and shewouldliketobring herprogramsto schools.

Butfirstthings,first. Lockesaysshe’salreadymadeprogress withSprucePointPark andafewothercampgroundstodoprogramsthisyear.She saysshegothercompanyregisteredinDecemberandnowshe

hasawebsiteupand running.Itiscalled wildboreal.ca.

Visitorstothe websitewillseeprogramsonaquaticorganisms,Albertabirds andcarnivores.Others areintheworks.Locks saystheideaistoarrangeparticipation throughtheparticipatingcampgrounds.Peoplewillpayafeeand thepresentationswill bemainlyoutdoors.

Eachprogramconsistsofthreeparts, Lockssays,including education,activities and“take-homestuff”.

“Therewasn’tanybodydoingwhatI wantedtodo,soIfiguredI’ddoitmyself,” shesays.

Overthelastyear,WillissearchedthePeel’s PrairieProvincesdatabasethroughtheUniversityofAlbertalibraryfor LesserSlaveLake.She thenwroteoutallofthe newspaperarticles. LyndseyCarmichael,the archivistattheRotary ClubofSlaveLakePublic Library,helpedWillisin variousways.

Atfirst,Willisplanned onthebookbeingfrom 1880-98.However,thearticlesfrom1897-98took upasmuchspaceasthe currentbook,sothere willbeVolume2.

“There’salotofstuffin thenewspapers.”

Shewasstruckby “howmuchactivitythere wasaroundthewhole lake,especiallyGrouard. Wehaveafascinating historybecausewewere

inthethickofthings.”

Atthetime,Lesser SlaveLakeorSlaveLake referredtoGrouard,on thewestsideofthelake. SlaveLakewascalled Sawridge.Thefurtrade wasbigbusinessand manypeopletraveled throughontheirwayto theYukongoldrush. Theytraveledbysteamship,Yorkboat,dogteam, oronhorse.

“It’swhenthemissionarieswerecomingup,” saysWillis.

TheIndianresidential schoolswereestab-

lished,andthebuild-up toTreaty8.

“Ithinkit’sfunto read,”saysWillis,butit alsoworksasareference book.

Inthemidstoftheinterview,Willisusedthe indextofindvariousinterestingstories.Forexample,ontwooccasions theHudsonBayCompanyblewuprocksthat weremakingithardfor theirsteamshiptonavigatethemouthofthe LesserSlaveRiver.

Anotherinteresting tidbitisthatacompany

fromMinnesotafoundoil ontheLesserSlave RiverinDecember1883. Theyhada320-acreparcelofland.

“Theywereboringfor oilandtherewasno treatyuntil1889,”says Willis.

Willishasalsoconnectedsomearticlesby theme.Shehasthreearticlesnexttoeachother. Theonetalksabouthow agroupofwhitetrappers camebacktofindtheir campburned.They blamedtheIndigenous population.

Inanotherarticle,the whiteresidentsblamed theIndigenouspopulationforstartingwildfires. Thethirdarticleis writtenbyanAnglican missionarywhosaidthat theIndigenouspeopleno longertrustedthewhite menbecausetheypoisonedtheirdogsand startedwildfires.

Thebookispublished byLibertyMultimedia outofFortVermillion. Willisapproachedtheeditor,MatthewMarcone, becausesheknewhehad publishedahistoryofthe FortVermillionarea.

Thebookisavailable onAmazonandwillsoon beforsaleatthe SawridgeTravelCentre. Askedhowsalesare going,Willissays“sofar itfluctuates,we’vehit numberfourinCanadian history.Wedon’thavethe eBookyet.”

Williswillhaveabook signingatChar’sRailwayCafeinSmithMarch 5startingat11:30a.m.

Thecoverofanewhistorybookpublishedby Smith,ABauthorSheilaWillis.

Kinusowoman launchesbusiness

Fertilizer

Cont.frompage1

theireffortstoproduceprosperouscrops.

Councilapprovedtherecommendationapprovedbytheagriculturaladvisorycommitteeat itsmeetingFeb.10.

“Weneedmunicipalitiestowritelettersofsupport,”saysHeartRiver–SaltPrairieCouncillor GarrettZahacy,afarmerinthePrairieEchoarea andamemberofthecommittee.

ThemotioncameaftertheCountyreceivedseverallettersfrommunicipalitiesalsoconcerned aboutthereductioninfertilizeruse.

Theletterstatesthatthefertilizerindustryalreadypromotestheuseofthe4Rnutrientstewardshipprotocolsintendedtoimprovenitrogenefficiency.

Protocolsfocusonusingthefertilizerattheright time,rightsource,rightrateandrightplace.

“Researchshowssignificantemissionsreductionscanbeachievedwhenutilizingthe4Rprotocolsascomparedtoconventionalfertilizationpractices.”

Reduceduseoffertilizerwouldalsolimitcrop productionandtheimpactoftheCanadianagricultureindustryaroundtheworld,theletternotes.

Chargingstation

Cont.frompage1

counciltobecaughtintheStoneAge.

“In15years...they’llbeelectric.Takeadvantage ofagrantthatisn’tcomingoutofourcoffers.”

Yacyshynalsohadconcerns.

“I’dbemoreopposedifthiswassomethingthat wasgoingtocostusmoney,”shesaid.

Stenhousepersistedafterhearingthecharging stationmaybeinstalledatthearena.

“So,weshouldhaveagasstationatthearena, too.”

Martenswasopposedafterlookingatthebigpictureafterquestioningthecostofownership.She saiditmademoresensetohavethestationinVancouverortheGTA[GreaterTorontoArea]where electricvehiclesweresold.Incoldweather,she added,electricvehicleswerenotpracticalin northernAlberta.

“You’dbehard-pressedtogotoKinuso,”she said,iftheweatherwas-30C.

“Maybethingswillchangein10-15years.We’ll havetodosomemajor[work]togetituptocodein 10years.”

Dunnagreed.

“Thereisagoodpossibilitywe’lllosemoney.”

AsforWaikle’sclaimdriverswillallbedriving electricvehiclesby2035,Dunndisagreedbecause betteroptionsarebeingdevelopedallthetimeand thefuturecan’tbepredicted.

DeynakaagreedwithMartens.Shesaidin -30-40Cweatherelectriccardriverswouldn’tgetto Enildabeforeneedingacharge.

“Idon’tseethepracticalityofit.Idon’tseethe needtoinvestinhavingoneatthispoint.”

Panasiukspokeinfavour.

“Ifwegetagrantthat’snotcostingus,why wouldn’twedoit?Thereisnotcosttous.Ifitdoesn’ttakeoff,wehaven’tlostanything.

“Forme,thisiseasy,”Panasiukadded.“When you’regettingsomethingforfree,whywouldn’tyou doit?Tome,weshoulddoit.”

Martensdisagreed.

“Idon’tthinkit’sfree.It’stheillusionoffree.”

Theonlydisadvantage,wroteRisling,isitwould beanotherpieceofequipmenttomonitor,clean andadminister.

GrizzliesconcernBigLakes

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

BigLakesCountyis urgingtheprovincial governmenttogetanaccuratecountofgrizzly bearsintheregion.

Atitsregularmeeting Feb.23,councilapproved aletterofsupportforthe M.DofGreenviewrequestingthegovernment conductagrizzlypopulationsurveyinthebear managementareasthat covertheSwanHillsarea [BMA7],whichincludes BigLakes,andthe GrandeCachearea [BMA2].

Greenviewcouncilrequestedtheletterbesent toEnvironmentand ParksMinisterJason NixonandAgriculture, ForestryandRuralDevelopmentMinisterNate Horner.

Councilapproveda recommendationpassed bytheagriculturaladvisorycommitteeatits meetingFeb.10,says BrettHawken,director ofcommunityandprotectiveservices.

“Withincreasedreportsofgrizzlybearsby residents,thedevelopmentofaprovincialgrizzlybearmanagement planneedstobeprioritizedtoaddressthe safetyofruralresidents andinformagricultural producersaboutwhat theycandotoprotect theirlivelihoodsandpotentiallyreducewildlife conflicts,”ReeveRobert Nygaardwritesintheletter.

“TheSwanHillspopulationsurveyconducted byFoothillsResearchInstitutein2018suggested thatanestimateof62

grizzlybearsinBMA7be usedformanagement purposesuntilastudy withhigherprecision couldbeperformed.”

Thecurrentgrizzly populationdensityin BMA7isestimatedat 12.6bearsper1,000 squarekm.

Greenviewisrequestinganupdatedpopulationsurveytodevelopa planastherangeofadult grizzlybearshasexpandedto1,800square km.

SurveyswerelastconductedintheSwanHills areain2018andthe GrandeCacheareain 2008.

Greenviewisasking foramoreprecisesurvey intheSwanHillsarea andupdatedfiguresin GrandeCache.

HighPrairieEast–BananaBeltCouncillorTy-

lerAirthagreesthefiguresintheSwanHills areaneedtobeupdated.

“Theirnumbersarea longwaysfromaccurate,”saysAirth,a farmerinBananaBelt.

TheletterfromBig Lakeswillalsonoteconcernsofgrizzlybearsin thesouthernpartofthe countyasAirthsuggested.

Henotedthatgrizzly bearsareaproblemin theBananaBeltarea, whileothercouncillors addedSunsetHouseand Kinuso.

BigLakeswillalso sendcopiesoftheletter toLesserSlaveLake MLAPatRehn,Central Peace–NotleyMLA ToddLoewenandAlbertaFinanceMinister TravisToews,whorepresentsGrandePrairie–Wapiti.

Payforfirefightersproposed

FirefightersinBig LakesCountymaygeta levelofpayasanincentivetorecruitandretain volunteers.

Atitsregularmeeting Feb.9,councilbrieflydiscussedwaystorecruit morevolunteersaspart ofthereviewofBig LakesCountyFireServicespresentedtocouncilApril28,2021.

Areviewandreportby SeaHawkServicelead evaluatorJamieCoutts suggestsaminimum15 membersbeontherosterforeachofthefivefire districtsinEnilda, Grouard,Joussard, FaustandKinuso.

Somecouncilmembersagreethatvolunteer firefightersbepaidfor theirservicealthoughno decisionsweremade.

“Ithinkthatcouldbe theonlywaytorecruit volunteers,”Gilwood North–TriangleCouncillorJimZabolotniuksays.

Payingthemindividuallyisanoptiontogetto 15members,headds.

Currently,onlyEnilda andKinusohavemore that15volunteer firefighters,thereport says. Eachfiredistrictis givenanannual honourariumof$5,000, saysBrettHawken,directorofcommunityand protectiveservices.

“That’showthey’re currentlycompensated,” Hawkensays.

Asalongtime firefighter,ReeveRobert Nygaardagreesthat morevolunteersare needed.

“Wewant[atleast]15 becausetheyarevolunteersandnotallofthem

showupatascene,”says Nygaard,afirefighterin Faustfor17years,the first15yearsasdeputy chief.

FireUnderwriters Canada,thatsetsinsurancegradingsfor85per centofCanada,lists15 firefightersasaminimumtorecognizea workingfireserviceat eachfirestation,Coutts saysinthereport.

Manyneighbouring municipalitiesaround BigLakescompensate theirfirefighters,he says.

“Ourrecommendation istolookatapart-time paysystemwhere firefightersarecompensatedfortheirtimeat practicesandcallouts,” Couttssaysinthereport.

“Firefightingstaff shouldbekeptataminimumof15firefightersat eachstationandare-

cruitmentandretention planmustbedeveloped, fundedandimplemented tokeepthosestaffinglevelsup.”

Inthereport,Coutts suggestscouncilconsidercompensatingvolunteerfirefightersfor theirtimeawayfrom familyandworkforcalls andtraining.

Babysittingcosts,fuel toattendpracticesand callouts,missedtime fromfamilyandthetime commitmentrequired forcurrenthealthand safetystandards,Alberta Transportationstandardsandallprocedural pressurestakesmore timethaneverbefore, thereportstates. Asthereportisfurther studiedbystaff,anyrecommendationswouldbe presentedtocouncil,fire chiefJasonCottingham says.

RichardFroese SouthPeaceNews

Streak ends at60!

SouthPeaceNews

TheHighPrairieRed Wingslosttheirfirst gameofseasonFeb.20 andsawtheirwinning streaksnappedat60 gamesovertwoseasons.

Homefanssawthe streakendastheFox CreekIceKingsbeatthe RedWings8-6inWestDivisionactioninthe GreaterMetroJuniorA HockeyLeague.

thatwascappedbya WestDivisionchampionship.

HeadcoachTrent MeyaardsaysFoxCreek deservedthewin.

“Igive110percent credittotheIceKingson thewin,congratulations,”Meyaardsays.

“Ifeltthelosswas neededbeforetheplayoffsandIhopeithumbles ourplayers.”

Hesaysthewinning streakisspecialforall thoseinvolved.

“Whatwehavedoneis historic,”Meyaardsays.

“Butallgoodthings eventuallycometoan endifyoudonottreateverysituationyoucome upagainstwithultimate respect.”

ItappearedtheRed Wingswereontheirway toextendthestreak whentheyled3-0just 3:11intotheafternoon game.

Inotheractionlast week,theRedWings beattheNorthernAlbertaTomahawks4-1in EnochonFeb.18.

Beforetheloss,the RedWingswon36 straightgamesinthe currentregularseason and24gameslastseason

“Butthenwefaced manychallengesandcircumstancesthroughout thegamethatweasa teamneedtofixifwe wanttowinachampionship,”Meyaardsays.

MikalChalifouxscored twogoalsfortheRed Wings,wholed4-3after thefirstperiodbut trailed6-4aftertwoperiods.

ReeceHopfner,Avery

McNabb,BraydanAuger andDaytonShantzalso scoredfortheRed Wings,whooutshotthe FoxKings54-51.

EthanBewertookthe lossingoal.

Overall,Meyaardsays itwastheworstgameall seasonemotionallyfor theRedWings.

“Egoreallysetit,” Meyaardsays.

KeatonAugerscored threegoalsinEnochfor theRedWings,wholed 2-1afterthefirstperiod and3-1aftertwoperiods.

Chalifouxaddedthe othergoalforHighPrairie.

KeygonOkemowwas hotintheHighPrairie netastheTomahawks outshottheRedWings 47-26.

“Keygonwasbyfarour bestplayerinthegame,” Meyaardsays.

“Itwasahugewin againstEnoch.”

Hesaysthegameseta goodtonefortheteamto preparefortheplayoffs.

“Downthestretchthe playoffs,weneedtoplay

Grade5/6CstudentsatHighPrairie ElementarySchoolarebusyinPhysicalEducationperfectingtheirarcheryskills.Recently,fourstudents hittheirfirstbull's-eyeandposedfor photostocelebratetheocasion! Pleaseseepage22formoreHPE Schoolnews.

atoughfastdetailed gamebutlimitourpenalties,”Meyaardsays.

“It’sbeenveryderailinglatelyasmanyminutesgetlimitedwhenwe arearekillingpenalties mostofthegame.”

HighPrairielostteam pointsleaderTheo Cunninghamtoinjury andtwootherplayersto suspensions,hesays.

TheRedWingsendthe regularseasonathome March4whentheyhost theGibbonsPioneers andtheEdsonEagleson

March5.

Lastweekend,High Prairiewasontheroad Feb.25inSlaveLakeand Feb.26inMackenzie.

Allseventeamsinthe WestDivisionqualifyfor theplayoffsastheopeningroundisscheduled forMarch8-11.

Match-upsfor best-of-threeserieswill seeNo.2vs.No.7,No.3 vs.No.6andNo.4vs.No. 5.

Semifinalsandthefinalwillbebest-of-seven series.

CynthiaYellowkneescoresherfirstbull’s-eyein archeryatHighPrairieElementarySchool.

MaxPaynescoreshisfirstbull’s-eyeinarchery. Hewasoneoffourstudentstodoso.

RichardFroese

HighPrairieRedWingplayerPaydinYoung,left,andFoxCreekIceKingplayerBradySernesbattleforthe puckinGreaterMetroJuniorAHockeyLeagueactionDec.18inHighPrairie.[FilePhoto]

“Igive 110percent credittothe [FoxCreek] IceKings onthewin, congratulations,” RedWings headcoach Trent Meyaard says.

Threegenerationsofafamilyhavefunicefishing.Kneeling,left-right,areDavidWhillans,ofJoussard,grandchildrenKaydenceCardinal,8,andReeve Cardinal,13,andson-in-lawAlvinCardinal,allofGrandePrairie.

ElizaMitchell,11,ofHighPrairie,left,enjoysicefishinginatentwithher mother,CindyMitchell.Thetentmadethecoldtemperaturesoutsidemuch morebearable.

Fishermenyoungandoldprovetobehardybunch

RichardFroese

SouthPeaceNews

Frozenfunforthe wholefamilywaspartof thefifthannualKidsCan CatchingIceFishingFun

DayonFeb.20in JoussardonLesser SlaveLake.

LesserSlaveWatershedCouncilandthe JoussardCommunityAssociatedco-hostedthe

eventheldin-personafterCOVID-19restrictionsmodifiedtheevent in2021.

“Theeventwasasuccess,”watershedco-ordinatorKateLovsinsays.

“Wehad52peoplewho chosetobravethecold temperaturesandjoin thefunontheice.”

Temperaturesreached ahighof–16Candroad conditionswerelessthan

ideal,shesays.

“Itwasgreattosee peopleofallagescome outtotryicefishing,” Lovsinsays. Afterapresentationby LSWCvice-chairTammy

KaletaattheJoussard CommunityHall,about 30peoplemadetheirway outontothelaketoenjoy somefishing.

Cont.onpage19

FursweredisplayedbyLesserSlaveForestEducationSociety.Left-right,are TyrelQuinney,17,ofSaddleLake,SiheraQuinney,15,andLovettaTallcree, 11,bothofJohnD’OrPrairie,andsocietyexecutivedirectorCoriKlassen.

LesserSlaveWatershedCouncilvice-chairTammyKaleta,right,showsalake whitefishasshedemonstrateshowtoproperlyhandleafish.Sitting,left-right, areMarikaOdegaard,8,andsisterBriarOdegaard,5,bothofEnilda.

THISDATE INSPORTS HISTORY

March2,1962:HighPrairieholdsitsthirdannualIceCarnival [figureskating]withthethemeArabianNights.

March2,1968:TheGrouardVocationalSchoolboy’sbasketball teamconcludesprovincialsatPincherCreekwitha1-2record. GrouardlosestoVermilion50-49,defeatsNewbrooke51-10,and losestoSylvanLake76-46.CoachRonFisherwinstheCoaches Award.PlayerRalphFreemanisnamedtotheSecondAll-StarTeam atthetournament.

March2,1969:TheHighPrairierinkskippedbyFrances SunderlandwinstheFalherLadiesBonspiel.Othersintherinkare leadLucilleZamorsky,secondGraceBurgarandthirdCeliaHarris.

March2,1969:RobertHeroux’srinkwinstheKinusoFarmer’s Bospiel.GerryLabbywinstheSecondEventandAntoineKirtiothe ThirdEvent.

March2,1980:VicShapka’srinkwinstheannualHighPrairie Men’sBonspiel,

March2,1980:StanCunninghamandPatLalondewingoldmedalsinboxingatthePeaceWinterGamesinGrandePrairie.

March2,1983:AtJoussard,22ladiesattendameetingtodiscuss thepossibilityofaerobicsbeingofferedinthecommunity.

March2,1985:TheE.W.PrattLadyChargersbasketballteam losestoSexsmith44-41endingtheirhopesofqualifyingfor provincials.

March2,1986:JasonKachnicscoresthegame-winnerinovertimetogivetheHighPrairieAtomsa5-4winandfirstplaceatatournamentinFoxCreek.

March2,1986:TheHighPrairiePeeweesblastFairview10-1and advancetoprovincialsinBeaumont.

March2,1986:HighPrairie’sJulieErikssonwinstwobronzemedalsinjudoattheAlbertaWinterGamesinEdson.

March2,1986:PaulTurcotte’sFalherrinkwinstheannualHigh PrairieMen’sBonspiel.

March2,1989:TheHighPrairieBantamsadvancetothezonefinalinprovincialplayafterlosingtoGrimshaw4-2.Theyhadwonthe firstgame8-3,however.

March2,1994:ThehometownHighPrairieMidgetsqualifyfor provincialsafterdefeatingFairview6-4.LonnieWillierscoresthe game-winnerwith2:48remaining.Theteamstied5-5inthefirst gameoftheseriesinFairviewthepreviousnightinthetwo-gametotalgoalseriesformat.

March2,2000:MikeWalkerstops27shotsastheHytheMustangshandtheLakelandEaglestheirfirst-evershutout4-0inthefirst gameoftheirNPHLsemi-finalseries.

March2,2002:TrentLizeescorestwiceastheHighPrairiePeeweeBclubdefeatsFairview5-3toadvancetoprovincialsin Westlock.

March2,2002:FairviewdefeatstheHighPrairieAtomBclub5-3 toeliminatethemfromAlbertaprovincialBplayoffs.AldenTallman scorestwiceinalosingeffort.

March2,2002:ValleyviewSt.Stephen’sboy’sandgirl’sbasketball teamssweepthejuniorhighbasketballtitlesatatournamentinHigh Prairie.Thegirl’steamdefeatsPrairieRiver31-28inthefinalwhile theboy’steamdefeatsSt.Andrew’s56-37inthefinal.

March2,2002:HighPrairieScorpiontaekwondoathleteswin53 medalsincluding12goldatatournamentinSlaveLake.

March2,2003:HighLevelsweepsadoubleheaderfromtheHigh PrairieBuchananLumberPeewees6-0and12-2towintheAllPeace MinorHockeyLeaguePeeweeBDivisionTierIItitle.

March2,2005:HighPrairieMayorJohnBrodricktellsSouth PeaceNewstheHighPrairieAquaticsCentreissixweeksbehind scheduleandslightlyoverbudget.

March2,2010:TheHighPrairieBantamBlackhawkswintheAll PeaceMinorHockeyLeague’sBantamTier4NorthbannerafterdefeatingSexsmithonhomeice.

March2,2016:SouthPeaceNewsfeaturesKierraGauchier, KateyZelmanandMasonDlugosz,wholeaveshortlyfortheArctic WinterGamesinIquluit,Nunavut.

March2,2017:Anew$106,725.10Olympiaiceresurfacerarrives attheSportsPalace.

March2,2019:TheHighPrairieSt.Andrew’sSaintsgirl’sbasketballteamwinsitsfirst2JZonebasketballtitleafterdefeatingthe FairviewHighCobras47-42inGrimshaw.

GREATERMETROHOCKEYLEAGUE-WESTDIVISION

Standings

TeamGPWLOLTGFGAHomeAwayPts

HighPrairieRedWings393810033010118-1-0-020-0-0-076

NorthernAlbertaTomahawks402884026114515-3-3-013-5-1-060 EdsonEagles3823114024215213-3-4-010-8-0-050 FoxCreekIceKings4018220020625311-9-0-06-13-0-036 SlaveLakeIcedogs4017220123128010-10-0-07-12-0-135 MackenzieMountaineers33922111552247-8-0-12-14-1-020 GibbonsPioneers4013900803501-18-0-00-21-0-02

Schedule/Scores

Sunday,Feb.13 SlaveLake2atHighPrairie5

Friday,Feb.18 HighPrairie4atN.Alberta1 Edson10atGibbons0

Mackenzie3atSlaveLake12

Saturday,Feb.19 Mackenzie0atEdson10 SlaveLake7atN.Alberta6[OT] Gibbons1atFoxCreek9

Sunday,Feb.20 FoxCreek8atHighPrairie6

Friday,Feb.25 Edson7atN.Alberta6 Gibbons7atFoxCreek10 HighPrairie10atSlaveLake5

Saturday,Feb.26 N.Alberta8atSlaveLake1 HighPrairie9atMackenzie0 Edson10atGibbons0

Sunday,Feb.27 FoxCreek8atMackenzie3

Friday,March4 SlaveLakeatMackenzie GibbonsatHighPrairie FoxCreekatEdson

Saturday,March5 MackenzieatFoxCreek EdsonatHighPrairie N.AlbertaatGibbons

Sunday,March6

N.AlbertaatSlaveLake

HighPrairieRedWingsScoringLeaders

Player GPGAPtsPPGSHGGWGPM

TheoCunningham3133467980329

KeatonAuger283144757365

BraydanAuger36363672134365

KadenDesjarlais3818446252227

DaytonShantz2316415720220

GabeBlais 37113748100114

HarlanNoskey2415304520348

AveryMcnabb39737441110

MikalChalifoux1025133830321

BennyYellowknee141720377242

PaydinYoung3719143332230

RiellyMackinaw377202710028

DylanBellerose1911152650212

LarryYellowknee48152330010

NolanNoskey361012220026

HarlanNoskiye278142211129

ReeceHopfner9119203002

JonasSmith20481210026

DillonCallihoo33391200068

L.B-Janvier12561100011

BrysonDallaire3256110006

GarrittNatewayes26471100011

BlakeAnderson34480022

TreyCunningham153470007

AlexanderHopfner22461002

IrwinMontgrand92460000

KeltonNoskiye101450000

LayneAuger 70550000

AndrewGauchier31230000

TyreeWalter171230004

ChaseMeneen30330007

KeygonOkemow321120000

J.Joseynounen1702200014

B.Brown-Willier50110002

KaidenAnaskon60110004

KaelLamouche801100014

RylanSchubert10000000

TreatBelcourt20000000

EthanBrewer210000000

BradleyRoncin240000000

NORTHWEST JUNIORHOCKEYLEAGUEPLAYOFFS

Quarter-Final-NorthPeacevsJDAKings

Game1–Mon.,Feb.14NorthPeace0atJDAKings8JDAleadsseries1-0

Game2–Wed.,Feb.16JDAKings4atNorthPeace1JDAleadsseries2-0

Game3-Fri.,Feb.18NorthPeace0atJDKings4JDAwinsseries3-0

Quarter-Final-FairviewvsDawsonCreek

Game1–Tue.,Feb.15Fairview3atDC4[OT]DCleadsseries1-0

Game2-Wed.,Feb.16DC2atFairview5Seriestied1-1

Game3-Fri.,Feb.18Fairview2atDC5DCleadsseries2-1

Game4-Sat.,Feb.19DCKodiaks3atFairview4Seriestied2-2

Game5-Tue.,Feb.22Fairview0atDC3DCwinsseries3-2

Semi-Final-JDAKingsvsSexsmith

Game1-Tue.,Feb.22JDAKings2atSexsmith4SEXleadssereis1-0

Game2-Fri.,Feb.25Sexsmith2atJDAKings11Seriestid1-1

Game3-Sat.,Feb.26JDAKings3atSexsmith1JDAleadsseries2-1

Game4-Mon.,Feb.28SexsmithatJDAKings

*Game5-Tue.,March1JDAKingsatSexsmith

*Game6-Thu.,March3SexsmithatJDAKings

*Game7-Sat.,March5JDAKingsatSexsmith [*]ifnecessary

Semi-Final–Fairview/DawsonCreekWinnervsFortSt.John

Game1–Thu.,Feb.24DC0

Ice Fishing

Cont.frompage18

Kaletagaveaninteractivetalkabouticesafety andproperfish-handling practices.

FishinggearwasprovidedbyLSWCtoanyone whodidn’thavetheir own.

“Forthosewhowent outontheice,wehad pre-drilledholesready forpeopletouse,aswell asafewicefishingtents andshackstositinside andafiretostandaround andwarmup,”Lovsin says.

“Wewereluckythat thewindwasnotstrong andthatdespitethecold temperatures,everyone hadagoodtime.”

Insidethehall,Lesser SlaveForestEducation Societyprovidedadisplayofpeltsofmammals foundintheregionand explainedbyexecutive directorCoriKlassen.

Aftericefishing,the JCAhadtobogganingon MissionHillbeforethe dayfinishedwithfireworksovertheice. Theeventwasheldin conjunctionwithAlberta’sFreeFamilyFishingWeekendaspartof FamilyDay.

“Wehopetoseemore peopleoutfortheevent nextFebruary,”Lovsin says.

AbertaConservation Associationalsosponsoredtheevent.

Organizersalsothank BigLakesCountyFamily andCommunitySupport Servicesfordonating lunchandhotchocolate.

atFortSt.John3FSJleadsseries1-0

Game2–Fri.,Feb.25FortSt.John3atDC0

atFortSt.John

Game3–Sun.,Feb.27DC

Game4–Tue.,March1FortSt.JohnatDC

*Game5–Wed.,March2DC

atFortSt.John

*Game6–Fri.,March4FortSt.JohnatDC

*Game7–Sat.,March5DC atFortSt.John

[*]ifnecessary

FSJleadsseries2-0

PERSONALS

AL-ANON-issomeoneelse’s drinkingaffectingyourlife?Ifso, helpisavailable.Al-Anonmeets eachMonday,at7:30p.m.atthe NazareneChurch,HighPrairie. Phone(780)536-4626formore information.

ALCOHOLICSANONYMOUS MondaysandFridays,7:30p.m. ChurchoftheNazarene,onthe cornerof49St.and59Ave.High Prairie.Phone780-523-9284.

RENTAL

RENOVATEDAPARTMENT: Bachelor:$950/month+DD

1Bedroom:$1050/month+DD

2Bedroom:$1250/month+DD Includesheat,water,sewer, power,SHAWsatelliteTV,and WI-FI.Availableimmediately. HighPrairie403-714-6040

FORSALEORRENT:2BEDROOMMOBILEHOMEIN GIROUXVILLE,AB.ASKING

$27,900.00O.B.O.OR $600/MONTH/$600D.D. 780-837-4526

Housesandsuitesforrentin HighPrairie,nopets.Please TEXTonly780843-5621.

HOUSE,ApartmentandSuite rentalsinHighPrairie.Please callbetween8am-6pm.Phone (780)523-2739

FIREWOOD

Semiloadsoffirewoodandsplit firewoodforsale.Readytoburn, birch,pine,spruceandpoplar,

bythecordorbythesemiloads, Phone780-849-3963orcallor text780-849-1168oremail red_baron_firewood@hotmail.com.Birch $1800intheHighPrairieareafor truckload.

Auctions MEIERUNRESERVEDGUN& SPORTSMANAUCTION.Saturday,March5,10AM.Located 4740-57Street,Wetaskiwin. Consignnow.Phone 780-440-1860.Visit www.meierauction.comfor moredetails.

BuildingSupplies

GETYOURMESSAGESEEN ACROSSAlberta.TheBlanket ClassifiedsorValueAdsreach over600,000Albertareaders weekly.Twooptionsstartingat $269or$995togetyourmessageout!Businesschanges, hiring,itemsforsale,cancellations,tenders,etc.Peopleare increasinglystayinghomeand relyontheirlocalnewspapers forinformation.KEEPpeoplein theloopwithour90Weekly CommunityNewspapers.Call THISNEWSPAPERnowor emailclassifieds@awna.com fordetails.1-800-282-6903, 780-434-8746X225. www.awna.com.

FeedandSeed WEBUYDAMAGEDGRAINHeated,Mixed,Tough,Light, Bugs,SpringThrashed....Barley,Wheat,Oats,Peas,Flax, Canola."OnFarmPickup". WestcanFeed&Grain 1-877-250-5252.

ALBERTAFEEDGRAIN:BuyingOats,Barley,Wheat,Canola,Peas,Screenings,Mixed Grains.Dry,Wet,Heated,or SpringThresh.PromptPay-

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CERTIFIEDSEED.-WHEAT–AACGoodwin,AACPenhold, ACSadash,CDCGo,GoEarly, Pintail.OATS-ACJuniper,AC Morgan,ACMustang,Derby, CDCArborg,CDCSO1Super Oat,ORE3542M.BARLEY–Amisk,Busby,Cerveza,CDC Austenson,CDCMaverick, Sundre.VeryEarlyYellowPea, ForagePeas.PolishCanola, SpringTriticale. mastinseeds.com; 403-556-2609.

ForRent

BLANKETTHEPROVINCEwith aclassifiedad.Only$269(based on25wordsorless).Reachalmost90weeklynewspapers. CallNOWfordetails. 1-800-282-6903Ext225; www.awna.com.

LANDForSale

FARMLANDESTATESALEBY TENDER;Listedat$2,050,000. 857acresinMayfieldRM#406. TenderscloseMarch18,2022. GeraldMuller.C&CRealty, 306-570-7743,skfarmland.ca.

Health

GETUPTO$50,000fromthe

GovernmentofCanada.ALL Ages&MedicalConditionsQualify.Haveachildunder18instantlyreceivemoremoney.

CALLTHEBENEFITSPROGRAM1-800-211-3550orSend aTextMessagewithyourname andmailingaddressto

403-980-3605foryourFREE benefitspackage.

Health

HIP/KNEEREPLACEMENT. OthermedicalconditionscausingTROUBLEWALKINGor DRESSING?TheDisabilityTax Creditallowsfor$3,000yearly taxcreditand$30,000lumpsum refund.Takeadvantageofthis offer.ApplyNOW;quickestrefundNationwide:Experthelp. 1-844-453-5372.

Services

CRIMINALRECORD?Whysufferemployment/licensingloss?

Travel/businessopportunities? Beembarrassed?Think:CriminalPardon.USentrywaiver.Recordpurge.Filedestruction. Freeconsultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com.

GETBACKONTRACK!Bad credit?Bills?Unemployed?

NeedMoney?WeLend!Ifyou ownyourownhome-youqualify.PioneerAcceptanceCorp. MemberBBB.1-877-987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com.

Wanted

WANTED:Collectorpayingtop prcesforoldservicestation/ generalstoreadvertising/dealershipsigns.Electricandvisible gaspumps,globes,oilcans, clocks,Cokemachines.AnythingrelatedtoRedIndian, WhiteRose,NorthStar,Buffalo, B-A,Texaco,GoodYear,Ford, Dodge,etc.306-221-5908.

Find-a-Word

CPGMARESEKIM AIIDENCOBRKY NXOLIASSELAE

GSOWSCLGERHK OOHEONAIRELS

CBOTTLESUUUI

YJCRITGRSQAH

NameScramble

Howtoplay:Simplyunscramblethelettersbelow tounveiltheanswer.

Quotefalls1

Howtoplay:Thelettersineachverticalcolumngo intothesquaresdirectlybelowthem,butnotnecessarilyintheordertheyappear.Ablacksquareindicatestheendofaword.Whenyouhaveplacedall thelettersintheircorrectsquares,youwillbeable toreadaquotationacrossthediagramfromleftto right.Solutionisonpage22.

Quotefalls2

Howtoplay:Findallthewordslistedbelowinthe puzzleandcirclethem.Unscrambletheremaining letterstofindarelatedwordtothethemeandyou havesolvedthepuzzle!

Thisweek'stheme:FoundattheLiquorStore

Syl'la-cros'tic

Howtoplay:FillintheanswerstothecluesbyusingallthesyllablesintheSyllabox.Thenumberofsyllablestobeusedineachanswerisshowninparenthesis.Thenumberoflettersineachanswerisindicated bythedashes.Eachsyllablewillbeusedonce.Thenusethefirstletterofeachsolutiontospelloutasentenceandthepuzzleissolved.Solutionisonpage22.

FillintheBlanks

Howtoplay:Fillintheboxwithalettertocomplete awordspecifictothechosentheme.Readthelettersfromtoptobottomtofindaphraserelatingto thethemeandyouhavesolvedthepuzzle.

Thisweek'stheme:AllAboutRecyling

Quote-of-the-Week

“Yes,thereistragedyandunhappinessinthislife,but thereisalsohappinessandtriumphandjoy,andonbalance, Ithinklifeisajoyfulthing!”–KnowltonNash,TVanchor. Answersonnextpage!

Howtoplay:Theobjectiveofthegameistofillalltheblanksquaresinagamewiththecorrectnumbers. Therearethreesimpleinstructionstofollow.Ina9x9squareSudokugameeveryrowof9numbersmust includeallthedigits1through9inanyorder;everycolumnof9numbersmustincludeallthedigits1 through9inanyorder;andevery3x3 subsectionsquaremustincludealldigits1through9. Easy Hard

MarlyseMakuna HPEReporter

ThisisMarlysereportingtoyoufromHigh PrairieElementary School.

StudentsinGrade3M andGrade3LMare learningaboutbuilding andstructuresin Science.TheyarecurrentlyusingPopsicle stickstobuildbridges.

Grade3/4Sstudents areusingtheirunderstandingofmathematicaloperationstosolve algebraicquestions.

Studentsareparticipatinginavarietyofliteracystationssuchaswork work,awritingworkshop,technologyand books[including e-books]todeveloptheir readingandwriting skills.

Grade4studentsare usingLegokitstobuilda varietyofmachines.Currently,theyareworking onpulleys.

Grade3studentsare testingavarietyofmaterialsinordertounderstandtheirsuitability whilebuildingobjects. Currently,theyhavebuilt alookouttower.

InScience,Grade6M studentscreatedapresentationonGoogle

Slidesabouttheplanet theyresearched.The spintheyputontheir presentationwasthatof atravelagencywanting youtotraveltotheir planet.Thismadefora funandinterestingslide show!Whichplanet wouldyouliketovisit?

Grade5/6Chasbeen verybusy.FirstinPhys. Ed.,studentshavebeen workingontheirarchery skills.Studentsareworkingsohardthatfourof themhavegotten bull’s-eyes.Grade5Phas beengreatatchanging theirPhys.Ed.timeso Grade5/6Ccanhavean houratatime.Thanks, 5P!

Manystudentsareat thesandingpartoftheir soapstoneprojects.It makesforadifferentkind

ofmessbutitisworthit!

Mostofthestudents andstaffdressedupfor “2sday”.Manyhadontutusorties!Wewerea veryinterestinglooking bunch!NextcamePink ShirtDay.Manystudents andstaffdressedupin pinktoshowtheirsupportforbullyawareness.

Parent/Teacherinterviewsheetswillbesent homesoon.Pleasewatch fortheminyourchild’s agenda.Ifneedbe, pleasefillitoutandsend itbackrightaway.Lotsof interviewsarefirstcome,first-serveappointmentonly.

DianeBelleroseorganizedagreatvirtual meetingwithDenny BellerosefromDriftpile. Hesharedwonderfulinformationaboutdrums anddrumming.Allthe Grade5classesacross theschooldivisionwere invitedtojoininandlistentoBelleroseabout drums.Theamazingpart waswhenhesharedall theplaceshehasbeen thatalsocreateandplay drums.Drummingisa veryimportantpartof manycultures!

ThishasbeenMarlyse reportingtoyoufrom HPE!

Answers

Find-a-Word

Coors

FillintheBlanks

Thequotationanswer:Reduceyourwaste Wordsinorderfromtoptobottom:Garbage,reduce,landfill,dump,recover,paper,recycle,pollute, resources,organic,laws,trash,compost,litter,decay.

NameScramble

1.Wrench2.Socket3.Hammer4.Pliers5.Level6.Sandpaper

Quotefalls

Quotefalls1:Menarewhattheirmothersmadethem.-RalphEmerson Quotefalls2:Overthehillisbetterthanunderit.-Unknown

Syl'la'cros'tic

Thequotationanswer:Makethemostofyou 1.Macadamia2.Allowance3.Krona4.Edison5.Tangent6.Harold7.Engage8.Marmot9.Olive10. Sooner11.Tabasco12.Orchid13.Felicia14.Yucatan15.Obedience16.Ultimatum

DaxPetersworksonhissoapstonebywetsanding withthe240wet/drypape.

SloanChapmanworksonhersoapstone.Sheisat thefirstsandingstage.

Designknowsnolimit

Alongwithoriginality,HighPrairieE.W.PrattHighSchoolArtstudents exemplifytheirabilityforexactitude,concentrationanddetermination. Fromaccurateportrayalsoforganicperspectivetospontaneouspatterns, theyseemtojustmakeithappen.

Art20,Grade11studentJorjaBilykcreated morethanjustpatterninthiscomplexbutunifiedcolourfulfeltmarkerstudyalsoinvolving spontaneity.

“Wakeup,world,andopenyoureyessoyoucan viewthestrikingmixedmediastudyofpatterns!”createdbyArt30,Grade12student BethanyCunningham.

Art10,Grade11studentTarynBarnes-Roberts tacklescolourwheelpropertiesinapencil crayonfiguralstudy.

Art20,Grade12studentLukijanStrebchuksimplystatedaworldlyvisioninhisstudyofpattern usingmixedmedia.

CarefullyexamineArt20,Grade11student CherryMillo’spenandinkpatternstudyandyou willseeshehasincludeddisguisedfeatures.

Art20,Grade11studentEmmaZallumleavesus withoutadoubtthatshecanhandle1-point,organicperspectiveinherpencildrawing.