The Community
Press Telling Your Story
Volume 115, Issue 4
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
$1 Including GST
Pope Francis makes historic visit to Alberta Pope Francis I made an historic visit to Alberta on July 24 in what he called a ʻpenitential pilgrimage.ʼ Thousands gathered as Francis visited Maskwacis on Monday where he again asked for forgiveness and expressed his sorrow for the Catholic Churchʼs role in Canadaʼs long-abolished residential school system. “Today I am here, in this land that, along with its ancient memories, preserves the scars of still open wounds. I am here because the first step of my penitential pilgrimage among you is that of again asking forgiveness, of telling you once more that I am deeply sorry. Sorry for the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the indigenous peoples. I am sorry. I ask forgiveness, in particular, for the ways in which many members of the Church and of religious communities co-operated, not least through their indifference, in projects of cultural destruction and forced assimilation promoted by the governments of that time, which culminated in the system of residential schools.” The Pope will continue his travels throughout Canada until departing on Friday, July 29.
RCMP dealing with multiple fraud complaints Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Killam RCMP Detachment members have had a busy month, handling 111 calls for service in July to the 20th, just slightly down from 2021’s count of 130. RCMP received a complaint of a Peterbilt semi-tractor stolen from Forestburg. The unit was later discovered abandoned in Lougheed. Police also dealt with theft of two ATV units from Forestburg. In Killam, theft of gas was reported when gas was siphoned from a vehicle left at a business overnight. RCMP continue to receive multiple calls from the public about suspicious vehicles and person, and encourage those types of reports continue. Members responded to 11 reportable motor vehicle collisions, with one fatality. Many of the other collisions involved wildlife. Police have received multiple animal calls in July so far, with complaints of cows on the highway, cows on the side of the road, and cows on the wrong side of the fence. RCMP responded to five false alarms, and three false 911 calls. One of these was made by a piece of equipment, where a malfunction caused the equipment to call 911. Various break and enters occurred across the region. Police were called to an auction business in Daysland where the lock was cut. A number of break ins occurred in Forestburg, at a
auto repair business, and at the Fas Gas convenience store, where on July 16, thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes were taken. RCMP are actively investigating this file. A laptop was also reported stolen from the Forestburg Community Hall. Members responded to three complaints of Assault, and laid charges against an individual in one of the complaints. Members report an individual who was stopped in their vehicle, and who attempted to flee. RCMP did not pursue for public safety, but identified the driver and later charged that individual with criminal Flight from Police charges. RCMP received three fraud complaints. In one of those complaints, an individual reported that they had received a text from their telephone provider that said they had a credit on their bill, asking the individual to provide banking information to get a refund. The information was provided, but the victim then reported the incident to their bank. There was an attempt made a few days later to withdraw a substantial amount from the victim’s bank account. In a second complaint, the victim said they had received a call from the Governor General advising that the individual owed money. In this instance, the victim provided personal information, their Social Insurance Number, and $1,000 in gift cards. A third fraud complaint was related to a fraudulent stock purchase offer made through Facebook Messenger.
RCMP encourage anyone who receives an unexpected call about taxes owed, or any service ‘overpayment,’ or any service asking for personal or banking information to discuss the call with another person or in the latter case talk directly to their bank before providing any personal information or payment. Members were asked to perform wellbeing checks on four individuals; all were found safe and sound. RCMP handing out six warnings for speeding, and three tickets for no insurance. A report from the public regarding a suspected impaired driver led to Killam RCMP members arresting an individual in Viking for Impaired Driving. Cst. Nick Daigle would like to remind the public on when to call 9-1-1. “If something is in progress, if there’s a crime being committed or if it’s an emergency that requires policy presence, we urge you to call 9-11. Our 9-1-1 Operators are specially trained to assist you and to gather information about the incident.” Daigle says it’s fine to call the detachment administration line if a crime has already occurred, or you’re reporting an incident that happened previously.
as Monday, August 1 is HERITAGE DAY The Community Press will be closed that day.