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Tofield 4-H holds third annual ground beef bingo
The Tofield Community Hall was filled with excited community members last Friday night, Mar. 21, as people gathered for ground beef bingo, hosted by the Tofield 4-H Beef and Multi Club. The event drew a large crowd eager for their chance to bring home 10 pounds of ground beef.
“The hall is typically full of supporters from the community. It has become a recognized community event,” said Kari Cameron, poultry leader and club registrar of the 4-H Club. The idea for ground beef bingo started three years ago when two 4-H supporters were chatting after turkey bingo, another annual 4-H event held in November. They noted that not everyone cooks a turkey, but nearly everyoneuses ground beef. Their idea took off, and today, the event continues to thrive thanks to community support and sponsors like Tofield Packers and Danny Hooper Edibles, who supplied the beef.
Friday’s event saw families and friends eagerly marking their bingo
cards, enjoying refreshments from the concession stand, and taking part in additional raffles for prizes such as gift baskets, gift cards, and more. Tension filled the room during tie-breaking moments, with competitors engaging in one-number showdowns to determine who would be the final winner.
The event also marked the first time Tofield 4-H club president took on the role of running the bingo. The games moved quickly, with the first number, N43, being called at 7:30pm and the first winner being announced just a few minutes later.
Beyond the fun and friendly competition, ground beef bingo serves as an important fundraiser for the Tofield 4-H Club, with proceeds going towards learning events, activities, and supplies for members. Those looking to support the club beyond bingo night are encouraged to attend the upcoming 4-H Show and Sale on April 28 at the Tofield Arena.
“Support the members by coming out to watch the show, buy lunch, sponsor an event, purchase a market animal, or donate to our club,” suggested Cameron.
Participation in 4-H has been shown to have a wide range of benefits. In 2002, the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development showed that youth who participate in the program are twice as likely to take on leadership roles and three times more likely to engage in community service compared to their peers.
Members gain practical experience through handsonprojects, learning how to set goals, plan events, and work collaboratively, all important skills that prepare them for future success in school, careers, and personal endeavors.
“4-H members are taught to be self-directed learners, excellent communicators, and to thrive in a team environment. This leads to them having self-confidence in their judgment, ability, and their power to facilitate change,” Cameron stated when asked about the many benefits.
Families interested in joining 4-H are encouraged to keep an eye on social media or future issues of the Tofield Mercury for details about the parents’ meeting held each September.
The Tofield 4-H Beef & Multi-Club provides project opportunities in
beef, chicken, and sheep for youth aged 9 to 21. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings and engage in a variety of individual and community-based projects emphasizing the leadership and community skills 4H members are known for. Through their involvement, members also have the chance to showcase their work at local events such as the 4-H Show and Sale.
Cassandra Lundbek Staff Reporter
The Tofield Community Hall was filled with excited community members last Friday night, Mar. 21, as people gathered for ground beef bingo, hosted by the Tofield 4-H Beef and Multi Club. The event drew a large crowd eager for their chance to bring home 10 pounds of ground beef.
Tofield 4-H members gathered on stage to receive thanks for their contributions to the event. CASSANDRA LUNDBEK PHOTOS
Writ is dropped for federal election on Monday, April 28
Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a federal election for Monday, April 28. He made the announcement on Sunday, just nine days after being sworn in as Prime Minister.
He also visited Governor General Mary Simon on Sunday, asking her to dissolve Parliament he said, adding, “And she has agreed, we are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump’s unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty.
“Our response must be to build a strong economy and a more secure Canada.”
The election’s total campaign will be just 36 days, the shortest allowed under Canadian
law. Candidates have until Monday, April 7, to complete the nomination process.
A complete list of candidates running the Battle River-Crowfoot electoral district will not be available until Wednesday, April 9. At present, at time of writing, there are no candidates registered in the constituency.
The Prime Minister has announced his intention to run in the Ottawa riding of Nepean.
In Canada, the voting system is often called “first past the post.” That simply means that the candidate who gets the most votes in a riding wins.
Candidates who receive the most votes in their riding become the Member of Parliament, representing that riding
in the House of Commons.
The political party who has the most MPs generally forms the government. The leader of that party also becomes Prime Minister.
Unlike the US system, Canadians cannot vote directly for the Prime Minister.
In a federal election they only cast one vote: for the candidate in their constituency.
Each constituency across the country is roughly the same size, or has the same population, and electoral boundaries are often adjusted in between elections, for fairness as populations change.
The Battle River-Crowfoot electoral boundaries were modified slightly in 2022-23.
For the 2025 election, Battle River-Crowfoot,
which encompasses the entirety of Flagstaff County and Beaver County, has a total population of 110,212, and covers 52,589 square km.
The riding has over 50 individual municipalities, not including counties and municipal districts, and includes the City of Camrose and Town of Wainwright.
In the last federal election, the constituency had 58,660 people vote, with 71.3 per cent of those votes going to the Conservative encumbant, Damien Kurek.
Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
Northern Lights Library System (NLLS) executive director James MacDonald attended the Village of Ryley’s most recent council meeting held Tuesday, Mar. 18, to provide 2024 statistics on the McPherson Municipal Library. Though the meeting was not called to order as quorum was not met, MacDonald gave his presentation, having travelled to speak with council.
“What I try to do is, when I get out to visit you guys, is focus a little bit on the numbers. You had 191 active library cards in 2024 and that's pretty good for a population of 483. That 191 does not include county residents who are using the library, that's just you. There's also, generally, families behind some of those cards, so this is pretty solid in terms of the num-
ber of people using the library, which is great,” MacDonald said.
The library circulated 721 ebooks and eaudio books, and borrowed 2,095 physical books in 2024.
“The reality is, your levy payment to be a member of NLLS is $2,642 and you actually get more than that back because of Beaver County's book allotment and their rural services grant. For every dollar you're investing, you're getting at least $115 in value back, and that is just in the circulation of books and ebooks, that doesn’t include the internet connection, technical support, the summer and winter reading programs, and more,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald said that if Ryley residents had instead purchased all the books they got from the library in 2024, they would have spent over $110,000.
“If your residents had
decided, we don't need a library, we'll just pay for this stuff, they would have spent $117,788 in books. Except they wouldn't have done that, they just would not have had them. That's $100,000 worth of books to 483 people. That's a
Continued on Page 12
Local 4-Hers compete in regional communications event
Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
The 4-H Beaver District, consisting of the Holden Beef Club, Beaver County Multi Club, and Tofield Beef and Multi Club, hosted the North East Regional Communications event at the Holden Rural Academy on Saturday, March 22. Forty-nine 4-H members coming from as far as Fort McMurray to Edgerton gathered to compete for the top spots, with the first and second place winners at the senior level advancing to Provincials.
Local members who participated in the competition included Serrie Spruyt, Azlynn Ames, and Adele Greenwald from the Tofield Beef and Multi Club, and Elizabeth Ludwig and George Mackenzie from the Beaver County Multi Club.
At the junior level in presentations, first place went to Makai Rajotte from the Greenshields 4H Club, second place to Ollie Schoch from the Iron River Wranglers 4-H Club, and third place to Kash Kopecky of the Bellis 4-H Beef Club. For junior members who shared speeches, first place went to Landon Rajotte of the Greenshields 4-H Club, second place to Emelia Kemsley of the St. Paul 4H Multi Club, and third place to Matthew Mears of the Vegreville 4-H Multi Club.
At the intermediate level, first place in presentations went to sibling duo Eugene Lord and Charlotte Lord of the Bonnyville 4-H Beef Club, Owen Newman of the Vermillion 4-H Sheep Club won second, and Karly Weleschuk and Casey Yakubow of the
Vegreville 4-H Beef Club received third place. The first-place winner in intermediate speeches was Mattea Gabrielson of the Three Cities 4-H Multi Club, second place went to Amy Ferron of the Wainwright 4-H Multi Club, and Luke Brundige of the Beaver River 4-H Club placed third.
At the senior level, third place in presentations went to Leah Rieland of the Hidden Creek 4-H Club, second to Mercedes Trefanako of
the St. Paul 4-H Multi Club, and first to Shelby Dutertre of the Lakeland Long Riders Light Horse 4-H Club. In speeches, third place went to Ryan Trefiak of the Edgerton 4H Multi Club, second place was awarded to Camille Kassian of the Innisfree-Minburn 4-H Beef Club, and first place went to Avery Corbiere of the Vermilion 4-H Sheep Club.
The 4-H motto is ‘Learn To Do By Doing,’ and members are required to
participate in at least one communications event every year in order to build confidence and practice effectively conveying their thoughts and opinions to others. Each club competes against their own members in their age categories, and the first and second place winners advance to districts. First place winners at districts compete at regionals, and senior members who win first and second place at regionals advance to
KARI JANZEN PHOTOS
Forty-nine 4-H members coming from as far as Fort McMurray to Edgerton gathered at the Holden Rural Academy on Saturday, Mar. 22, for the North East Regional Communications event hosted by the Beaver District.
Tofield 4-H Beef and Multi Club president Serrie Spruyt was one of the local members who competed at Regionals, seen here giving her speech, entitled El Refugio.
Spring East Central Machinery Consignment Auction
Sale Starts on April 4th - Machinery Closes April 8th, Livestock Closes April 9th, Misc Closes April 7th, 2025
Hwy #16 & Rge Rd 185 - Online Auction - Lamont Sales Yard: (780) 208-2508
Location: Hwy #16 & Rge Rd 185 (1 Mile East of Hwy 834) - South Side of the Road
Claystone Waste awards grant to Bags of Love
Kelsey Witham Staff Reporter
Bags of Love is the most recent recipient of the $1,000 Claystone Waste Community Grant. Bags of Love is an organization based out of Ryley that serves all of East Central Alberta, working with communities and local Child & Family Services offices to provide handmade bags filled with age and gender-appropriate goods.
The bags are provided to children who are suddenly removed from their homes due to safety reasons and unable to take any belongings with them. The bags are designed to help ease the transition and provide the child with necessities along with comfort items.
A handmade quilt, toys, stuffed animals, and personal hygiene items are included.
“The application from Bags of Love stood out due to the significant impact of such a modest request,” said Claystone Waste’s Communication and Public Relations Advisor Jackie Sargent.
“The grant allowed the organization to purchase quilt batting in bulk, which is less expensive, and therefore provides them the ability to make even more quilts.
“Bags of Love supports organizations locally and across the region, but they also provide an avenue for local residents to be creative and support the group's efforts,” she said.
All of the positions and
work done at Bags of Love is run 100 per cent by volunteers. In 2024, the group sent out 1,032 quilts for children entering the foster care system.
Coordinator of Bags of Love, Jewel Lien said, “We are always welcoming donations; there is a list posted on our website of the items we are most in need of. Cash donations are always truly appreciated.”
The Claystone Waste Community Grant Program was first launched in 2014. It provides funds to local organizations that impact the community. The grant has two intakes a year and accepts applications from not-forprofit groups that provide services, programs, events, or support the region.
Bags of Love is the most recent recipient of the $1,000 Claystone Waste Community Grant. Pictured, communication and public relations advisor Jackie Sargent, right, visited with Bags of Love Coordinator Jewel Lien, left, to go through the Bags of Love building and assess how the Claystone Community Grant will be put to use.
So we’re into a Federal election.
Just three months ago this seemed like a slam dunk for Pierre Poilievre and his Conservatives.
Trudeau was swirling around the bottom of the toilet bowl, his party wanted him gone, Canadians wanted him gone … in effect his prospects were slim and nil.
Surprisingly, he wisedup or someone high up in the party told him to get the heck out of dodge and he resigned.
Enter Mark Carney. He who won’t tell us where his investments are, as required by law.
He took a trip to Europe to speak on behalf of Canada without having a government to support him, or the complete recognition of Parliament to be the Prime Minister.
Most unorthodox.
He came out to meet Danielle Smith last Thursday and was read the riot act on how Alberta has been treated by the last 10 years of Liberals and what he should do to correct it.
He had a date with Edmonton mayor Amarjeet
In this election Ontario voters could determine fate of Canada JOHN’S RANT OPINION
Sohi to encourage him to run as a Liberal, a job he had and lost in the last election.
Sohi faces losing the mayorship of Edmonton so he won’t commit to it, and now wants to run as a federal Liberal?
That tells me he’s in it for Amarjeet Sohi, not for any of the people he is supposed to represent.
In fact on Sunday he abandoned the Mayor’s chair to seek the Liberal seat in Edmonton Southeast.
But at least Randy Boissonnault decided to call it a day.
The pundits and main street prognosticators are stating this could be the most important election in our country’s history.
Since Carney was crowned the new Liberal top dog, polls across the board have shown the Liberals to have risen to be in a once thought impossible dead heat with the Conservatives.
That’s unfortunate.
We know the west will vote for Conservatives and B.C. may split between Liberals and Conservatives with a greenie
thrown in. The least they could do for Canada would be to throw Jagmeet Singh out of office.
His scurrilous support for Trudeau for the past couple of years has been nothing short of disgusting and his party’s drop in polls reflects this.
The Atlantic provinces could split the vote, but the election will once again be decided in the golden horseshoe, the industrial residential complex that rings the Toronto region of Ontario.
Ontario conservative Premier Doug Ford just won a decisive victory in his provincial election.
He promptly invited Liberal bobblehead Chrystia Freeland to his inauguration. Later he had lunch with Carney.
He has been toting himself as Captain Canada since he went to Washington a few times.
He vowed to turn off electrical sales to some northern states, but when Trump barked at him he backed right down.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith who has
met Trump on a couple of occasions gets ridiculed for this, yet she got a carve out when it came to the imposition of tariffs.
Oil and gas was capped at ten per cent while other commodities were dinged 25 per cent.
She is the real, dyed in the wool Captain Canada.
When she met with Carney it wasn’t a photo opp, it was a time to stand up for Alberta which she did.
She supports Poilievre.
But does Doug Ford and his provincial machine in Ontario support?
Ford has remained noncommittal. It’s Ontario where those polls are worrying.
The province represents 122 seats in the House of Commons. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have 59 combined.
Poilievre will need to get Ford on board to achieve the goal of a majority government.
He can do this by promising to open up the ring of fire for an all season road and funding to further develop this criti-
cal minerals hotbed in Northern Ontario.
His move to ban media from his plane may come back to bite him however and I would like to see him walk this back. Although, it might allow more regional media coverage.
Questions at the writ drop on Sunday were from Radio Canada (CBC), CBC, Toronto Star, and National Post. There were no regional media representatives to ask questions pertaining to their specific areas of the country … a failing due to the partisan uncaring ownership of Canada’s media.
But this will be the election, I believe, that represents a turning point in Canada’s history.
If the fine folks in Ontario return the same old worn out Liberals because they have a new leader alone, who claims to be different, then I believe a separatist movement will grow very seriously in Western Canada.
Carney called on Canadians to vote in favour of a change, and redeem the
“lost Liberal decade.”
Yet he doesn’t seem to know or care it was the same Liberals he is fronting who created the mess we’re in.
Carney, true blue Albertan that he is, announced he will run in Nepean, an Ottawa riding held by MP Chandra Arya, first elected in 2015. He was kicked out of the Federal Liberal leadership race for reasons unclear.
On Friday, he was kicked out of his riding for reasons unclear. He’ll probably get a senate seat.
But Carney will run in this Ottawa constituency. So much for the local Alberta boy.
Yup, Karma, karma, karma, karma, Carney Chameleon. He’ll be who he wants, when he wants to hustle a few votes. But he doesn’t represent Canada! And the West can’t continually be the bankroll for the east without receiving any benefits or recognition.
JOHN MATHER
Anderson Publisher Lisa Kuflay Manager John Mather Reporter Jana Semeniuk Reporter
Kate Priestley Office Assistant Michelle Anderson Payroll Administrator Crystal Moren Production Kari Janzen Reporter
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Tofield RCMP received 58 calls for service from March 3 to March 16.
Eight complaints were related to traffic offences, two complaints included vehicle collisions with an animal, and three vehicle related collisions.
Three complaints related to moving traffic concerns where three violation tickets were issued and two warnings given.
Twenty-one calls were related to wellbeing checks, suspicious persons complaints, mentalv health calls or assistance to the general public in some way.
On March 4, a complainant called to advise there is a vehicle in the ditch in Beaver County near Rge Rd 205 and Twp Rd 510. Members attended and confirmed the vehicle was stolen out of Edmonton. No witnesses or suspects at this time.
On March 6 a break and enter into a shop occurred near Rge Rd 192 and Twp Rd 515. Damage to the padlock was found but nothing appeared to be missing. No suspects or witnesses at this time.
On March 6 a stock trailer was taken from a business on 46 Avenue in Tofield. Video footage showed a white GMC or Chevy truck leaving with
RCMP Report
the trailer. No suspects at the time. The trailer has since been located. If you have any information regarding this incident, please call your local RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
On March 13, police received a complaint from 43 Street and 54 Avenue in Tofield where a garage door was opened and several items missing including an air
compressor and gas generator. Area was not suitable for fingerprinting. Video surveillance was being obtained. No suspects or witnesses at this time.
There have been several complaints about a male selling jewelry from his vehicle. This is not illegal, but the jewelry sold is more than likely not true gold. Police advise
the public about buying items from persons not associated to a business and to check on the Business Bureau for any suspicious companies.
To report emergencies or serious crimes in progress call 911. To report incidents that require Tofield RCMP to investigate or assist, call the 24hour complaint line 780-662-3352.
Wheat:
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- Most widely grown CWRS variety in Western Canada for 5 years
CWRS - AAC Wheatland VB
-Wheat Midge tolerant
- Very good lodging resistance
CWSWS - AC Andrew - Great silage option
-In demand by milling and ethanol industries
Yellow Peas:
CDC Canary - Improved standability
-Early maturity
-Higher Yielding
Faba Beans:
CDC 219-16 - Zero Tannin
- Seed is smaller than Snowbird, larger than CDC Snowdrop
6-Row Feed Barley:
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2-Row Malt Barley:
CDC Copeland - Strong demand by malting companies
Alberta Fire Services receive financial support from Province
Kelsey Witham Staff Reporter
On Monday, Feb. 24
Premier Danielle Smith announced extra funding for municipal fire services and the Alberta Fire Chief Association (AFCA). $85,000 will be allocated to the AFCA and the funds will be used for municipalities to develop response plans and determine training needs.
Beaver County falls under Alberta Fire Chief Association Region 4 and is expected to benefit from the funding. The grant builds on the 2024 grant of $200,000 to strengthen provincial fire reporting.
“The government support provided here today to our municipalities will play a crucial role in enhancing the skills and training of Alberta firefighters, ultimately leading to safer communities and continuously enhancing emergency response,” AFCA
President Chief Randy Schroeder said.
In addition, The Fire
Make sure they know you want your vehicle brought to
You can choose where your vehicle is taken for repair unless:
• Your vehicle is impounded
• You’re unable to express your wishes or
• You don’t have written emergency instructions
•
4908 - 52 Ave.
Services Training Program (FSTP) Grant is providing an extra $500,000 to successful applicant organizations.
Beaver Emergency Services Commission (BESC) submitted its grant application in September of 2024 and are currently waiting for 2025 grant approval.
“In previous years, grants were typically approved to a maximum of $10,000, which was determined on a case-bycase basis. BESC has applied for FSTP grants every year apart from the COVID-19 times when training was either on hold or not recommended,” Fire and Emergency Management Administrator Kayla Miller stated.
“The increase in funding will allow more departments to have their applications approved, which is great for the fire services throughout Alberta as apparatus, training, and equipment costs
continue to increase year over year. The need for comprehensive and ongoing training is more vital than ever. This increase in funding will help to provide the resources required to train our firefighters in the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to respond to emergencies swiftly and efficiently, which ultimately saves lives and property.
“BESC’s strategic focus is on providing its firefighters with standardized professional training to ensure they are well equipped to respond to the wide variety of incidents that occur in the Beaver region and to provide support to our mutual aid partners in neighbouring jurisdictions. This training plan provides an opportunity for members from the stations within the region to cross-train and grow relationships,” Miller said.
When BESC gains ap-
Battle River School Division Tender for Grass Mowing
Battle River School Division is accepting tenders to perform grass mowing services at any one or all of the following locations: C.W. Sears as well as Tofield School as one contract located in Tofield, AB, Round Hill School, Ryley School, Strome School and Viking School, in their respective communities. Please note that some of these contracts may also include Bus Barns.
Grass mowing is required for the 2025 season. Bidders are responsible to examine the site(s) before submitting a tender(s) to satisfy themselves as to the nature and location of the work to be performed. The Contractor is responsible for all permits, licenses, insurance and other fees to carry out the services specified.
Sealed tenders fully executed, dated and marked “BRSD Grass Mowing (specific location/s)” will be received by:
Battle River School Division 4724-41 st Street, Camrose, AB T4V 0Z6
Closing date: Thursday, April 10th at 2:00 PM
RFP documents available upon request.
For inquiries contact Jennifer Hauck at: 780-672-6131 ext. 5258 or jhauck@brsd.ab.ca
The lowest, or any, proposal will not necessarily be accepted.
proval for the grant, they intend to use the funds to provide fire personnel with the fundamentals to deliver professional fire protection and rescue services following industry best practices, as well as train firefighters to ensure the safe operation of pumpers, HAZMAT (Hazardous and Toxic Materials) awareness and operations training.
“We are committed to public safety and improving how we support our brave and dedicated fire services,” Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver said.
https://tofieldminorball.com/
Camrose County Agricultural Communications Committee 2025 Scholarship Scholarship Amount $1,000
Eligibility Requirements:
• Students must be in Grade 10, 11, or 12,
• Must be a resident of Camrose County,
• Previous Camrose County scholarship award winners are ineligible,
• Essay should be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length OR video presentation should be 3 to 4 minutes in length.
Selected Topics
Please select from ONE of the following:
1. What is the greatest opportunity and/or challenge facing your community that is relevant to your generation? How does this affect your plans for the future?
2. How will the U.S./Canada tariffs affect our local community, our Province, and Canada? Ex. Short and long-term impacts on the economy, impacts on your family’s livelihood.
Please reference people interviewed or research material used for your essay or video presentation. (No Power Point presentations will be accepted this year).
Submit entries to: Camrose County Essay Contest 4238 – 37th Street Camrose, AB T4V 5B2 OR by email to: asb@county.camrose.ab.ca
Please include the following as part of your submission:
Full Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, High School being attended and Legal Land Description or Hamlet Address.
Deadline: April 25, 2025 @ 4:30pm
For further information contact: Corey Stuber (780) 672-4765
The winner will be photographed for press releases and the essay or video presentation will be posted on the Camrose County website.
Tofield
Holden Rural Academy holds registration night
Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
Holden Rural Academy (HRA), the local public charter school teaching grades 7 to 12, opened their doors for an evening registration night on Wednesday, March 19, to provide information, answer questions, and lead tours for new students and interested families.
Current students lead the tours, taking groups to each room, which included complimentary baked goods at the foods lab and samples of freeze-dried treats in the Ag room. About 15 families attended.
“It was hard to count. It
was steady through to after 6 p.m., but never crowded. The last tour was just after 6:30 p.m. My best guess is 12 to 15 families,” HRA superintendent Wes Oginski said.
The school will have 16 graduates this year, up from nine last year, and from three in their first year of operation in 20222023. Enrollment has doubled since the first year, with 123 students walking the halls now, compared to 58 in the school’s first year. There were 92 students enrolled at HRA in 2023-2024.
Principal Brent Anderson said one of the questions he frequently discusses with families
interested in the school is how the high school students can complete their necessary coursework while only being in the building during the mornings. HRA also operates on a four-day school week.
“People ask how we can make it work, that we can get everybody to get the full credits that they need for graduation by only being in the school half the day. We work on exhausting their work experience credits first, then we work on trying to get kids in to the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), and then sometimes we have independent study courses where they do modular work or
extra coursework,” he said.
“Place-based education gives us a different advantage. Kids who maybe are looking for a different avenue for after high school, who are not going to college or university, and maybe want
to start getting work experience early. We can help them find their passion of what they want to do and find a career.
“Also, by doing placebased education in the local community, we can teach kids that they don't necessarily have to move
to the city to find a profession, that they can find a profession in the local community. Maybe they need to go away for school or go away to train for a job, but they bring those skills back to the local area, trying to keep
Continued on Page 15
OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY (NODENTIST) 10 AM - 2
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significant quality of life thing,” he said.
In 2024 MacDonald said NLLS created a new website which allows indigenous groups the ability to register for a library card online.
“We created a website called Go Library and it's aimed at indigenous communities, reserves, and settlements. If I'm on Alexander First Nation, for example, where's my library? You can choose your location, and then it'll say, Hey, these are the four closest libraries to you, and which would you like to register for. They can quickly register online and get immediate access to the library,” he said.
MacDonald said they then took that same technology and put it on all the system library’s web-
site, so anyone can register for a library card online.
“If it's a Saturday or Sunday and you need a book for that book report, you don't have to wait to get in to see Kim (Murphy) to sign up for a library card and get access. Some people don't want to come into the library, or they're out in the county, or they're even in town but it's not open at the time,” he said.
“All in all, I think Northern Lights is doing really quite well. As far as the levy goes, we continue to try to keep that modest and predictable in terms of its increase. Over the last three years, we've done one and a half per cent a year and we are projecting to continue with that going forward. That is below inflation, we know, we're trying to shore things up and be as efficient as we can, to make it predictable and modest, because we know everybody's budgets are
tight,” he said.
The WiFi at the library in Ryley got an increase in bandwidth, from 5 megabytes per second (MB/s) to 20 last year.
“We did get you a new access point, but we need to move that to the front of the building. You probably notice this, people probably park out in front of the library all the time, to jump on the WiFi. If we can move that access point to the front, we'll get a stronger and better signal. We did also increase your bandwidth. We quadrupled it, well, really, the Province pays for it, we twisted their arm, but we need to continue to fight for better bandwidth for you as well,” MacDonald said.
Chief Administrative Officer Glen HamiltonBrown asked to clarify whether each user has access to 20 MB/s, or if it is shared, and if just one user is logged on, whether they have the whole 20 MB/s.
“Yes, it is a shared 20, but just one would have it all,” MacDonald said. “And, you have to have quite a few people on there to be really parsing it down. Regardless, it should be better than it currently is, so we're still working on it. For a lot of people, 20 MB/s is plenty, but it could be better,” he said.
In the third quarter
MacDonald said NLLS will introduce TRACPAC+, a new interface with better searching that will include Hoopla records in the catalogue list.
MacDonald said his only concern with launching TRACPAC+ is that other library systems have reported that their item requests increased by up to 40 per cent, but
he said that would be a good challenge to face.
“Other systems I've talked to that have implemented it, they've seen a 20 to 40 per cent increase in holds. We already deliver 800,000 items a year, and so a 20 to 40 per cent increase, I'm like, how are we going to handle that, but it's a problem we're happy to try to figure out,” he said.
Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB
Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB
Phone
The Beaver County Chronicle
County urged to consult on illegal drainage issue
Patricia Harcourt
With the arrival of spring, a common issue has again arrived in Beaver County.
Melting snow creates running water that can go places not considered desirable by landowners.
Sometimes this can lead to the illegal drainage of water to make the problem go away.
Last year, the county dealt with over 20 such incidents.
This year, the county’s Agricultural Fieldman Jonathan Culbert is urging the county council reeve to write a letter to the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas to set up a meeting so the issue of illegal drainage can be discussed.
The Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) recommended the problem be brought before the regular council meeting for March 26. In his report for that meeting, Culbert provided the reason for this meeting with the Minister to take place:
“Beaver County has experienced ongoing illegal drainage issues for over 20 years,” he stated,”resulting in substantial cost and environmental drainage.”
He added that, “The practice of unauthorized drainage, which includes altering wetlands, water bodies and streams, without approval under the Water Act, has significant implication for the county and landowners.”
Culbert also stated in his report, “In the last 10 years, Beaver County has spent over $270,000 in mitigation efforts in addressing illegal drainage, including investigation and public awareness.”
Also, the county has to make
infrastructure repairs and replace culverts due to this illegal behaviour on the county landscape.
The county works through the Surface Drainage Bylaw and Overland Drainage Policy to mitigate the damage and prevent further damage. However, Culbert states that, “despite the county’s best efforts…there is growing frustration with the inconsistency of enforcement from AEPA (Alberta Environmental Protection Agency) on agricultural lands.
“Many cases of illegal drainage remain unaddressed.”
He also said that “proactive enforcement actions from AEPA have been sporadic.”
The result is that the county has difficulty sending out a consistent message regarding the need for landowners to comply with the Water Act.
He said that a meeting with the Minister responsible and the AEPA
by county council “to work collaboratively and efficiently to mitigate illegal drainage in the county.”
Culbert provided a draft letter council could consider adopting to send to the Minister responsible Rebecca Schultz.
The letter referred to the “persistent problem” of illegal drainage occurring in the county for the last 20 years.
The practice of illegal drainage of water is resulting in “significant environmental and financial implications for our landowners and municipalities.”
The draft letter goes on to state: “While we understand that enforcement of the Water Act is a complex and challenging task, the impact of illegal drainage on our infrastructure and environment cannot be overlooked. Over the past few years we have incurred over $270,000 in mitigation costs related to illegal drainage, includ-
ing investigation and public awareness efforts, infrastructure repairs and culvert replacements.”’Other problems caused by drainage were also listed in the draft letter, including the loss of soil moisture, the destruction of wildlife habitation, and neighbouring lands being flooded.
Also the draft letter said the effects of illegal drainage “contribute to the degradation of valuable ecosystems and reduce the county’s agricultural productivity.”
An example of two miles of ditching and soil relocation to upstream sloughs and ponds was provided, with resulting negative consequences. This occurred in the fall of last year causing concerns the water from three impacted quarter sections would flood the adjacent provincial highway, county roads and neighbouring properties.
Council will consider the letter at this March 26 meeting.
Kinsella Ryley, Tofield, Viking
At the RMA Convention in Edmonton last week, ministers met with local officials. Shown here from left to right are Beaver County Councillor Dale Pederson, Camrose Constituency MLA Jackie Lovely, Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen,, and Beaver County Deputy Reeve Eugene Hrabec. PHOTO COURTESY MLA LOVELY
CELEBRATE OUR OUTSTANDING FARM FAMILIES!
Annually, Beaver County recognizes and promotes an outstanding farm family who best exemplifies the value of the family farm, showing leadership in the agricultural industry and being active in the Community Submit your nominations by September 30 help us celebrate the heart and soul of our agricultural community!
Annually,BeaverCountyrecognizesandpromotesanoutstanding farmfamilywhobestexemplifiesthevalueofthefamilyfarm, showingleadershipintheagriculturalindustryandbeingactivein theCommunity.Submityournominationsby September30 and helpuscelebratetheheartandsoulofouragriculturalcommunity!
April2
IMPORTANT DATES
IMPORTANTDATES
Formoreinfovisitourwebsiteat www.beaver.ab.caandnavigateto: Services>AgriculturalServices>FarmFamilyAward
For more info visit our website at www beaver ab ca and navigate to: Services > Agricultural Services > Farm Family Award
9:30AM-4:30PM-Governance&PrioritiesCommitteeMeeting April16
9:30AM-4:30PM-RegularCouncilMeeting
SPRING DUST CONTROL PROGRAM
SPRINGDUSTCONTROLPROGRAM
Residents looking to reduce dust on county roads near their property can now apply for spring dust control The deadline to submit your application is April 15!
How to Apply:
Scan the QR code to access the application form, or visit www beaver ab ca and navigate to: Services > County Roads > Dust Control
Submit your completed form by email to infrastructure@beaver ab ca, mail it in, or drop it off in person at our office Act now to secure dust control for the upcoming season!
Residentslookingtoreducedustoncountyroadsneartheir propertycannowapplyforspringdustcontrol.Thedeadlineto submityourapplicationis April15! HowtoApply: ScantheQRcodetoaccesstheapplication form,orvisit www.beaver.ab.caandnavigateto: Services>CountyRoads>DustControl. Submityourcompletedformbyemailto infrastructure@beaver.ab.ca,mailitin,or dropitoffinpersonatouroffice. Actnowtosecuredustcontrolfortheupcomingseason!
MAKEYOURVOICEHEARD-REGISTERTOVOTE!
Did you know that registering to vote in advance makes election day easier and faster? By signing up ahead of time, you ensure your name is on the list and avoid last-minute hassles Participating
Didyouknowthatregisteringtovoteinadvancemakeselectionday easierandfaster?Bysigningupaheadoftime,youensureyournameis onthelistandavoidlast-minutehassles.Participatinginelections isavitalwaytohaveyoursayinthedecisionsthatshape ourcommunity.
Don’t
Visit
Don’twait—checkyourregistration statusandsignuptoday! Visitwww.voterlink.ab.caorscanthe QRcodetogetstarted.
WHATS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
WHATSHAPPENINGINOURCOMMUNITY
Book Club
Location: Ross Creek Community Hall, 531041 Rge Rd 191
Rural book club that meets the first Tuesday of each month Meetings run from 7PM - 8PM, all ages welcome!
BookClub Location:RossCreekCommunityHall,531041RgeRd191 RuralbookclubthatmeetsthefirstTuesdayofeachmonth.Meetings runfrom7PM-8PM,allageswelcome!
Tofield AA - Thursdays, 8 - 9 PM
Basement of Bardo Lutheran Church, 4737 57 Ave, Tofield
Viking AA - Wednesdays, 8 PM, Zoom option also available Golden Valley Lutheran Church, 5327 56 Ave, Viking https://area78aa org/meetings/147-3
TofieldAA -Thursdays,8-9PM BasementofBardoLutheranChurch,473757Ave,Tofield. VikingAA -Wednesdays,8PM,Zoomoptionalsoavailable. GoldenValleyLutheranChurch,532756Ave,Viking. https://area78aa.org/meetings/147-3
Submit your event/s meetings and/or gatherings to the events calendar on the website! Just head to the website, under the Explore menu click on County Region Events Calendar We have partnered with Go East to share local events on our website!
Submityourevent/s,meetingsand/orgatheringstotheeventscalendaronthe website!Justheadtothewebsite,undertheExploremenuclickonCountyRegion EventsCalendar.WehavepartneredwithGoEasttosharelocaleventsonourwebsite!
FAMILYVIOLENCECRISISSUPPORT
Familyviolenceisanabuseofpowerinafamilyorothertrustingrelationship wherepeoplerelyoneachother.Itincludesdomesticviolence,intimate partnershipviolenceandchildabuse.HelpisavailabletoAlbertansfleeing abuse.Someoneisalwaysavailabletolistenandhelp,24hoursaday,7daysa week.
FamilyViolenceInformationLine(tollfree)
CallorText: 310-1818*
*Standardtextmessageratesmayapply Call 911 ifsomeoneisinimmediatedanger. Familyviolenceisacrime. ScantheQRcodeformoreinformationandhelpresources.
DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
DEVELOPMENTPERMITS
ThefollowingDevelopmentApplicationshavebeenAPPROVED(except whereotherwisenoted)bytheDevelopmentAuthorityundertheprovisions ofLandUseBylawNo.98-801,subjecttotherightofappealtotherelevant appealbody-SubdivisionandDevelopmentAppealBoard(SDAB)orLand andPropertyRightsTribunal(LPRT).
The following Development Applications have been APPROVED (except where otherwise noted) by the Development Authority under the provisions of Land Use Bylaw No 98-801 subject to the right of appeal to the relevant appeal body - Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) or Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) APRIL 16, 2025
APPEAL DEADLINE Appeal Body Application No
APRIL16,2025 SDAB 020020-24-D0002
Alison Pickard (Marigold Meadows)
AlisonPickard(MarigoldMeadows)
Alison Pickard & Jeff Draper Lot 3B, Plan 802 0006 in SW 12-50-20-W4
Permitted (Variance) Use: Seasonal Home Garden Market (Home Occupation Type I) including existing 200ft2 Greenhouse with 5 9 m Variance from Minimum East Side Yard Setback, 100ft2 Chicken Coop with 5 9 m Variance to East Side Yard Setback, and 200ft Chicken Coop (Accessory Buildings)
AlisonPickard&JeffDraper Lot3B,Plan8020006inSW12-50-20-W4 Permitted(Variance)Use:SeasonalHomeGardenMarket (HomeOccupationTypeI)includingexisting200ft2 Greenhousewith5.9mVariancefromMinimumEastSide YardSetback,100ft2ChickenCoopwith5.9mVarianceto EastSideYardSetback,and200ftChickenCoop(Accessory Buildings).
Anypersonwishingtoappealanapplicationmaydosoby servingwrittennoticeontheprescribedform(stating reasonsfortheappeal)totherelevantappealbody.For informationonhowtoappealcanbefoundourourwebsite under Services>Planning&Development>Appealing PlanningDecisions
Furtherinformationregardingtheabovedecisionsmaybe obtainedfromtheCountyOffice,Ryley,Alberta.
THANKYOUFORSUPPORTING RURALHEALTHCARELEARNING!
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING RURAL HEALTHCARE LEARNING!
The Viking and Tofield Healthcare Attraction and Committees were honoured to recently host a weekend Retention
welcoming post-secondary students to our communities to promote rural living and rural healthcare This event was an opportunity to not only connect with potential future local members of our healthcare provider community, but to also support the viability of rural healthcare moving forward This project would not have been possible without the engagement and participation of many members of our community First and foremost, thank you to the post-secondary students who attended this event We so appreciated your enthusiasm and engagement, and wish you all the best in your continued studies It was a privilege to share our communities with you, and we hope you left this event with a new-found awareness of the value of rural communities Thank you to RhPAP for bringing this event to the Beaver County area and for your support in planning and implementation Thank you as well to participating post-secondaries for connecting us with attendees This event would not have been possible without the significant support of many of our community organizations To all groups and members who participated through donating funds, dedicating time, or allocating resources, please know that your volunteerism is the backbone of our communities, and we are so grateful for you Thank you to the many individual community members who volunteered their time to welcome students and participate in activities throughout the weekend in numerous ways The warm, inclusive communities that define rural living are knitted together through your kindness and hospitality We are privileged to be well-served by healthcare professionals in our communities, and we appreciate that many of these individuals took time out of their very busy schedules to demonstrate their skills and promote rural living to these learners Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge and experiences Thank you as well to the businesses and municipalities who contributed to this event Whether through planning support, generous donations, sharing knowledge, or engaging with students, your involvement was invaluable Your efforts helped create a meaningful and enriching experience, and we deeply appreciate your support To everyone who played a role in this event, thank you for being part of this important initiative Your contributions help bridge the gap between urban healthcare training and rural practice Together, we are fostering a new generation of healthcare providers who understand and appreciate the needs of rural communities Your support in welcoming healthcare learners to our rural community made a lasting impact not only on their education but also on the future of rural healthcare
welcomingpost-secondarystudentstoourcommunitiesto promoterurallivingandruralhealthcare.Thiseventwasan opportunitytonotonlyconnectwithpotentialfuturelocal membersofourhealthcareprovidercommunity,buttoalso supporttheviabilityofruralhealthcaremovingforward.This projectwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheengagement andparticipationofmanymembersofourcommunity. Firstandforemost,thankyoutothepost-secondarystudents whoattendedthisevent.Wesoappreciatedyourenthusiasm andengagement,andwishyouallthebestinyourcontinued studies.Itwasaprivilegetoshareourcommunitieswithyou,and wehopeyouleftthiseventwithanew-foundawarenessofthe valueofruralcommunities.ThankyoutoRhPAPforbringingthis eventtotheBeaverCountyareaandforyoursupportin planningandimplementation.Thankyouaswelltoparticipating post-secondariesforconnectinguswithattendees.Thisevent wouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthesignificantsupportof manyofourcommunityorganizations.Toallgroupsand memberswhoparticipatedthroughdonatingfunds,dedicating time,orallocatingresources,pleaseknowthatyourvolunteerism isthebackboneofourcommunities,andwearesogratefulfor you.Thankyoutothemanyindividualcommunitymembers whovolunteeredtheirtimetowelcomestudentsandparticipate inactivitiesthroughouttheweekendinnumerousways.The warm,inclusivecommunitiesthatdefinerurallivingareknitted togetherthroughyourkindnessandhospitality.Weare privilegedtobewell-servedbyhealthcareprofessionalsinour communities,andweappreciatethatmanyoftheseindividuals tooktimeoutoftheirverybusyschedulestodemonstratetheir skillsandpromoterurallivingtotheselearners.Thankyoufor yourwillingnesstoshareyourknowledgeandexperiences. Thankyouaswelltothebusinessesandmunicipalitieswho contributedtothisevent.Whetherthroughplanningsupport, generousdonations,sharingknowledge,orengagingwith students,yourinvolvementwasinvaluable.Youreffortshelped createameaningfulandenrichingexperience,andwedeeply appreciateyoursupport.Toeveryonewhoplayedaroleinthis event,thankyouforbeingpartofthisimportantinitiative.Your contributionshelpbridgethegapbetweenurbanhealthcare trainingandruralpractice.Together,wearefosteringanew generationofhealthcareproviderswhounderstandand appreciatetheneedsofruralcommunities.Yoursupportin welcominghealthcarelearnerstoourruralcommunitymadea lastingimpact—notonlyontheireducationbutalsoonthe futureofruralhealthcare.
GARDENINGREMINDER:STARTYOURSEEDSINDOORS!
Thinking about planting a garden this year? Now is the perfect time to start seeds indoors for flowers and vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs! Starting seeds indoors helps give your plants a strong head start before they’re ready to be transplanted outdoors Happy planting!
Thinkingaboutplantingagardenthisyear?Nowistheperfecttimeto startseedsindoorsforflowersandvegetablesliketomatoes,peppers, andherbs!Startingseedsindoorshelpsgiveyourplantsastronghead startbeforethey’rereadytobetransplantedoutdoors.Happyplanting!
RFQ2025-14INFR 2025 HERBICIDE SUPPLY
Closes: April 16 @ 10 a m Local time
GARDENING REMINDER: START YOUR SEEDS INDOORS! S a in he loop!
Mailinglist
Website
InformationonCountyprogramsandservicescan befoundonourwebsite,alongwiththelatestnews.
Beaver County is currently accepting submissions for the
Please find complete information for all requests on our website > Business > RFPs, Tenders, Leases & Sales
Pleasefindcompleteinformationforall requestsonourwebsite>Business> RFPs,Tenders,Leases&Sales BeaverCountyiscurrentlyacceptingsubmissionsforthe following: RFQ2025-14INFR2025HERBICIDESUPPLY Closes:April16@10a.m.Localtime
We’re looking for some motivated team membe to join our team! What’s your superpower?!
JOIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE – CONSTRUCTION TEAM FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON!
Weareseekingmotivatedandskilledindividualsforavarietyof positionstosupportourconstructionprojects.Ifyouarelookingfor anopportunitytoworkinadynamicteamenvironmentand contributetoCountydevelopment,wewanttohearfromyou!
We are seeking motivated and skilled individuals for a variety of positions to support our construction projects If you are looking for an opportunity to work in a dynamic team environment and contribute to County development, we want to hear from you!
Seasonal(6-8months)PositionsAvailable: Class1Driver-EquipmentOperatorIII
Seasonal (6-8 months) Positions Available: Class 1 Driver - Equipment Operator III
Valid Class 1 Licence with a good driving record
Road maintenance and equipment servicing experience
Ability to work independently and as part of a team Gravel hauling/spreading experience (asset)
Knowledge of Beaver County (asset) Class 3 Driver - Equipment Operator II
Qualifications: ValidClass1Licencewithagooddrivingrecord Roadmaintenanceandequipmentservicingexperience Abilitytoworkindependentlyandaspartofateam Gravelhauling/spreadingexperience(asset) KnowledgeofBeaverCounty(asset) Class3Driver-EquipmentOperatorII
Valid Class 3 Licence with a good driving record
Willingness to train on light & heavy equipment
Ability to work in all weather conditions
Capable of lifting 50+ lbs
Team player with a strong work ethic
Equipment Operator II (multiple positions)
Qualifications: ValidClass3Licencewithagooddrivingrecord Willingnesstotrainonlight&heavyequipment Abilitytoworkinallweatherconditions Capableoflifting50+lbs Teamplayerwithastrongworkethic EquipmentOperatorII(multiplepositions)
Valid Class 5 Licence with a good driving record
Ability to work in all weather conditions
Capable of lifting 50+ lbs
Team player with a strong work ethic
Willingness to train on light & heavy equipment
Serviceman - Equipment Operator II
Qualifications: ValidClass5Licencewithagooddrivingrecord Willingnesstotrainonlight&heavyequipment Abilitytoworkinallweatherconditions Capableoflifting50+lbs Teamplayerwithastrongworkethic Serviceman-EquipmentOperatorII
Valid Class 5 Licence with a good driving record
Construction or mechanics/trades experience an asset
Ability to work in all weather conditions
Capable of lifting 50+ lbs
Qualifications: ValidClass5Licencewithagooddrivingrecord Constructionormechanics/tradesexperienceanasset Abilitytoworkinallweatherconditions Capableoflifting50+lbs Teamplayerwithastrongworkethic
Team player with a strong work ethic
Interested applicants are requested to submit their resumes to: Human Resources, Beaver County, Box
Interestedapplicantsarerequestedtosubmittheirresumesto: HumanResources,BeaverCounty,Box140,Ryley,ABT0B4A0 Orbye-mailto:careers@beaver.ab.ca
Or by e-mail to: careers@beaver ab ca
WE’RE ALSO LOOKING FOR... Economic Development Coordinator - One Year Term This role will drive business growth, tourism, and economic initiatives to shape the County’s future A great opportunity to make a lasting impact!
Formoreinfovisitourwebsite.The Careerspagecanbefoundunderthe Governmentmenu.OrscantheQRcode!
For more info visit our website. The Careers page can be found under the Government menu. Or scan the QR code!
Getnews,meetinghighlights,theroadconstruction schedule,theChronicle,andmore-directtoyourinbox!
Alberta ERs closed for combined 34,000 hours in 2024
Brett McKay Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
When her 18-month-old son’s symptoms worsened, caused by an RSV infection that had progressed to pneumonia, Tracee Moneta rushed him to the emergency department in Elk Point, only to learn there was no doctor available on site.
Moneta said this wasn’t the first time an unexpected service disruption at the Elk Point Healthcare Centre had forced her family to make the 50 km trip to Bonnyville to get medical attention, but it was “the most traumatic for us.”
With his breathing laboured, and the boy slipping “in and out of consciousness,” Moneta said she put him in his older sister’s forward facing car seat so she could monitor him and try to keep him awake until they arrived at the hospital.
“I probably drove about 140 [km/h] to Bonnyville because he was passing out in the back seat,” she said. “And when we got there, he was immediately put on oxygen and got xrayed and everything like that.”
The Elk Point Healthcare Centre was just one of at least 25 ERs in Alberta that temporarily shut its doors in 2024, all caused by physician or staff shortages and almost exclusively in rural Alberta.
This reporter’s analysis of service disruptions reported by Alberta Health Services found these 25 ERs were closed for more than 34,400 hours in 2024, equivalent to the province losing four ERs entirely.
This analysis doesn’t include hospitals operated by Covenant Health, which doesn’t publicly report service disruptions, or closures caused by natural disasters like the Jasper wildfires.
Service disruptions ranged from gaps in physician coverage in Ponoka lasting only a few hours to staff shortages that have kept Consort’s emergency departments offline since August 2022.
Nine ERs were closed for a month or longer.
Alberta Medical Association President Dr. Shelley Duggan said these statistics are “disappointing, and they show that Albertans are not getting served the best they can.”
“When you don't have rural [ERs] open, you're diverting people to other places. And it just puts more stress on the whole system,” Duggan said.
Duggan also said the data highlights one of the most complicated challenges in rural health care: attracting and retaining physicians.
“One of the biggest things that people forget is that you're not just recruiting a doctor to your community, you're recruiting a family. And it really does take the community to recruit a doctor and their family.”
Both Milk River and Hardisty have been suc-
cessful in their strategies to attract healthcare professionals and effectively end long-term service disruptions. In fall 2023, the Hardisty Health Centre finally secured needed staff and reopened its emergency department, which was originally shut down in April 2020. Early in 2024, Milk River welcomed a new family physician, who also helped keep the ER available all but 12 days last year.
Analysis shows that while the locations of hospitals reporting prolonged closures has changed, the total amount of disruptions has not dramatically reduced.
In 2023, physician and staff shortages caused 36,000 lost service hours in Alberta ERs, compared to 34,400 in 2024.
In both years, the five longest service disruptions accounted for over 70 per cent of the total lost ER hours.
Moneta said when her family moved to Elk Point, having a small town with a good hospital was a big part of the appeal.
“If something was wrong, we were only a short drive away. As a parent, that's super reassuring,” she said.
Over the last 10 years, service disruptions have become more frequent. In 2023, the Elk Point ER was closed a combined 21 days. Last year, it was closed for a combined total of 40 days.
Last August, Moneta’s family moved from Elk Point to be closer to Bonnyville. Regaining the sense of security that comes with having a hospital nearby was top of mind when they made the decision to relocate.
“We had to make four emergency trips to Bonnyville for our children,” Moneta said.
“Now we're only a 10-minute drive from Bonnyville. If anything was to go wrong, there's no more scary drive.”
Duggan said there are smaller but substantive changes the province could make to help doctors serve rural areas and keep both family practices and ERs open.
Alberta’s new primary-care compensation model (PCCM) is expected to be in place as of April 1. The model includes pay increases and other positive changes for doctors, but the changes tend to benefit urban family medicine and specialists more than rural, Duggan said.
“Our next priority with that is, how do we put in tweaks, so to speak, for the [doctors] out in rural so that they can get as big a benefit as those in the city.”
Many doctors split their time between their clinic and the hospital, and current compensation models don’t allow for these practices to be integrated.
Duggan gave the example of a rural doctor having a patient who suddenly goes into labour at 11am, forcing the doctor to cancel appointments with the 20 other patients they would have seen that afternoon in the clinic.
While a doctor can see his regular patients in the ER, the billing rate is different than if they
provide the same treatment in their own clinic.
“You don't want to be penalized for being in rural, obviously. It's something we wish to incent,” Duggan said.
“But it may actually be convenient that if you're covering the emergency department today in Boyle, that the easiest way for you to see your patients is to come to the hospital. Because you can't be in two places at once, so we've got to figure out, to really drill down to what the nuances of practicing in rural are and figure out how to remunerate those well.”
The Minister of Health’s office said in a statement it is working to address emergency department service disruptions by refocusing the health care system.
“We are also working to address physician shortages and health staffing challenges through various initiatives such as expanding opportunities for nurse practitioners, implementing a new family physician compensation model, and implementing a new compensation agreement for resident physicians,” the minister’s office said.
C.W. Sears celebrates St. Patrick’s Day
Ryley Library
Continued from Page 2
our local area vibrant,” he said.
Anderson said if some families were not able to attend their registration night, they are more than welcome to contact the school to
schedule a tour.
“We're accepting registrations and if they need any information, they can contact myself at the school at any time. Even though we’ve now had our student tour registration night, we always welcome families who would like to come check out the school.
Just phone ahead and
book a time, and I'll take them on a personal tour of the school. We can sit down and come up with a plan for their child, and ease any fears they might have of coming here, because this is different. You go to some other school for seven, eight years and all of a sudden you get uprooted
and maybe going where you don’t know anybody. The unknown can sometimes be hard,” he said
HELP WANTED
We are currently looking to hire person/persons for Auction Coordinators/Setup Personnel for online auction sales. Work to be conducted at our auction site 2 miles north of Camrose on Hwy 833. Must have knowledge of farm equipment and related items. Some lifting required.
Job duties include accurately list and lot items for online auctions. Preference given to experienced auction staff with setup experience.
Starting wage $25-$30/hour. Criminal record check required.
Position required for 2 weeks in April, June, August and October.
For more information contact Jody Lindstrand at 780-679-8101 or submit resume to jody19661@live.com
Students and staff at C.W. Sears Elementary School in Tofield wore green on Monday, March 17, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, and to make sure they didn't get pinched!
Phone: 780-288-7147
Email: admin@trinican.ca Website: Trinican.ca
CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Heisler Ag Society is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Recreation Grant. Application deadline is March 31, 2025. Applications can be sent to: The Heisler Ag Society, Box 152, Heisler, AB, T0B 2A0
Attention: Recreation Grant or emailed to heisleragsociety@gmail.com
COMING EVENTS
Viking and Area Gymkhana Club
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Friday, April 4, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Viking Rodeo Grounds Elections, fundraising, meets, etc will be discussed.
Flagstaff Historical Society Annual General Meeting AGM Thursday, March 27, 2025 7 pm At the Flagstaff County Offices
EDMONTON COIN SHOW & SALE
- April 12/13, 2025, 10 am - 4:30 pm, Sunday,10 am - 3:00 pm.. Lions Centre; 11113 - 113 Street, Edmonton. Free market evaluations. Dealers from across Canada * Auctions * Displays * WATCHES * Family friendly! www.edmontoncoinclub.com/shows.
COMING EVENTS
Please join us in celebrating the 100th Birthday of Verna Kroetsch Blumhagen
Saturday, March 29, 2025 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Lunch & Refreshments will be served
St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall, 3605 - 50th Street, Camrose, AB
St. Paul's United Church in Hardisty Annual Spaghetti Supper and Silent and Live Auction
Monday, April 7
Hardisty Town Hall Adults - $15 Children 6-12 - $10
Ages 5 & Under - FREE Supper Served 5 p.m.
Silent Auction Starts at 5p.m.
Live Auction Starts at 7 p.m. For more info call Fay Bronson 780888-3504 or Gail Kobitzsch 780-8882266. Auction items, with donor name attached, can be dropped off at Town Hall on April 7 @ the Town Hall after 10 a.m. to Ricci Matthews. Thank you for your continued support
The Viking Historical Society is accepting bids for re-roofing of the Hafso house at the Viking Museum Grounds. Materials could be either metal or asphalt. All local contractors are encouraged to submit bids to Box 106, Viking, AB T0B 4N0
COMING EVENTS
COMING EVENTS
Not ready to let go of your freedom (but needing support)? I can help with that. Enjoy your home. Light cleaning/meals. Emotional/mental companionship. Games/Cards. Phone Jackie (780) 385-1019
Please join us for a bridal shower for Maegen Kuilboer in celebration of her upcoming marriage to Tyler Bendfeld.
Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. Killam Seniors' Centre Registry available at Guardian Drugs (Killam) and Killam Home Hardware.
Tofield Golden Club
Perogies, Sausage and Sweets Thursday, April 3, 2025 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 5004 - 54 Ave, Tofield. $12 at the door Take-out and Gluten Free options available. All ages welcome!
Galahad Lions Club 50th Anniversary Celebration April 5, 2025 at the Galahad Agriplex Celebrating Fifty Years of Community Service Supper and Dance- $55.00 per person Happy Hour 5:30 Supper 6:30 Dance to follow-Music by Bandit Tickets available by calling either Ernie Gamroth 780 385-1543 bralpaca@syban.net Allen Dietz 403 742- 9610 dietzallen8@gmail.com
The Viking Historical Society Annual General Meeting, followed by a regular meeting, will be held Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at the Viking Legion. New members are welcome to attend!
In Loving Memory
James Leo Bullee
December 29, 1927March 25, 2024
A year has gone by since you left us to go home with Jesus. We love you and miss you. You were such a blessing in our lives. Always remembered by your family, Dolores, LeVern & Cindy, Charlene & Lance, Loretta & Elvis. You were so very loved by your grandchildren and the little ones FOR SALE
Great Pyrenees to good homes & good locations only. 2 year olds - 3 males, 3 females. 6 months old - 1 male. $750 each. Selling due to personal health reasons. Call Garth at 780.688.3514
BUILDINGS FOR SALE
INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1-866-9747678 www.integritybuilt.com.
CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS
SEED FOR SALE
BARLEY – *NEW-AB Standswell* Smooth AWN, High Yielding, Grain and Forage Great Lodging Resistance. 1st NITROGEN USE EFFICIENT CEREAL IN CANADA. Attracting Japanese Interest. OTHER BARLEY: Cerveza, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Sundre. WHEAT – Pintail, Forage or Grain. OATS – AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, CDC S01 Super Oat. PEAS – Very Early Yellow Peas, Forage Peas. ALSO AVAILABLE: Polish Canola & Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403-5562609.
FOR RENT
FARMLAND FOR RENT
West ½ of SW Qtr Sec-27-Twp-56Rge-21-W4. Strathcona County. South Bank of North Saskatchewan River. 72 Acres. 60 cultivated for grain/hay. Phone landline: 780-434-0388 11/12
HELP WANTED
The Viking Historical Society is looking for summer staff at the Viking Museum. Duties include yard maintenance, cleaning, directing tours, and cataloguing artifacts. Students and mature applications alike may apply with resume and cover letter to Box 106, Viking, AB T0B 4N0
HEALTH
HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-4535372.
SERVICES
Painting
Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749
SERVICES
CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss?
Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com.
PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.
Medical Taxi Service
Personal Taxi Service to Edmonton and Back -$175
•Office Hours Mon-Fri 9-5
•Absolutely NO Hidden Fees
•Escort to Reception/Waiting Room
•Pick up and Drop off at your door
•Top Notch Service!
•Includes up to 4 Hour Wait
•Locally Owned and Operated 587-987-7810 SERVICES
Drywall Taping/Ceiling Texturing
40 years experience on the job, from commercial buildings to new homes to home renovations. No job too small. Experienced Killam drywall taper/texturer here to help you with any job, big or small. Don't want to do it yourself? - Give me a call!
Flagstaff Taping & Texturing
Murray Cholowsky Call or text at 780-385-1251
Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-232-3097
Does your club have an event planned?
Advertise in the Classifieds
CLUES ACROSS
1. Yearly tonnage (abbr.)
4. British thermal unit
7. Afflict
8. Refrain from harming
10. Galls
12. Leg bone
13. Rhine distributary
14. Recipe measurement 16. Chap
17. Useful book 19. Mountain Time
20. Snakelike fishes
21. Places where people live
25. US, Latin America, Canada belong to 26. Periodical
27. A type of sense
29. A way to get posses-
CLUES DOWN
1. Island
2. Pittsburgh ballplayer
3. Chemical compound
4. Indicates density of data (abbr.)
5. Mesas
6. Wild, long-legged sheep
8. Engine additive
9. “CSI” actor George
11. Stony waste matter
14. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
15. Pores in a leaf’s epidermis
18. Digraph 19. Married woman
20. Peripheral
22. Northern Italy city 23. Klutz
sion of
30. Everyone has one
31. Body art
32. Mr. October
39. Abba __, Israeli politician
41. Head movement
42. Jeweled headdress
43. VCR button
44. A way to change color
45. Basketball move
46. Upright stone slab
48. Forest-dwelling monkey
49. Pulsate steadily
50. Negative
51. Sino-Soviet bloc (abbr.)
52. Unit of work
24. Type of tree
27. Witnessed
28. Popular breakfast food
29. __ Mahal
31. BoSox legend Williams
32. Professional drivers
33. Atom or molecule type
34. The Constitution State
35. Chest to store clothes (Scottish)
36. Type of solution
37. Speaker
38. Specifying
39. Formerly (archaic)
40. Wiseman and Krom are two
44. The bill in a restaurant 47. Tennis shot
Long time Tofield curling club ice technician retires
Tofield hosts floor curling tournament
Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
The Tofield Golden Club hosted a floor curling tournament on Thursday, Mach. 20, with 24 teams from the surrounding area including Villeneuve, Redwater, Edmonton, and Kinsella who travelled to participate.
“We host two tournaments per season, which runs from September to May,” Tofield Golden Club president Ralph Petersen said.
“Sometimes we add in an invitational tournament, but not this year. The Golden Club catered the lunch, so everyone paid $22 for lunch and curling. It is also a fundraiser for the Tofield of Dreams project,” he said.
Tofield had two teams participate in the tournament, but did not take the win.
KARI JANZEN PHOTO
Tofield Curling Club’s longtime ice technician, Doug Hardy, has officially retired. Friday, Mar. 21 marked his last day, as the curling season officially ended with the removal of the ice. Hardy started as an assistant in the 2000-2001 season, and has been at the rink ever since. “We do a little more than just ice maintenance. We look after the bar, we clean the upstairs, and straighten up after each session. But, I'll probably be an assistant next year,” Hardy said.
The Tofield Golden Club hosted a floor curling tournament on Thursday, March 20, with 24 teams from the surrounding area including Villeneuve, Redwater, Edmonton, and Kinsella who travelled to participate.
Tofield player gets a goal and 8 assists during NEAHL championship playoff games
Lunar eclipse occurs locally for first time since 2022
Vanessa Poitras Staff Reporter
Those who stayed up late on Thursday night, Mar. 13 or were up early Friday morning, may have caught a glimpse of a total lunar eclipse last week.
"A total lunar eclipse will flush the moon red Thursday night into Friday morning across the Western Hemisphere," CTV News reported on March 8.
The full eclipse occurred Friday, Mar. 14 from 2:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. There was no need for
special glasses or special equipment, viewers could look up into the sky, and if the sky is clear, they were able to see the blood moon.
"In my opinion, the view is best either with the unaided eye, binoculars, or a small spotting scope,” Warren Finlay, Black Nugget Lake Observatory Communications Director said.
“If using binoculars or a spotting scope, it's best to step outside, since looking through a window interferes with the optics and degrades the view. I personally don't
find a telescope does much for the view,” he said.
"Lunar eclipses happen when the moon, Earth and sun align just so. The Earth casts a shadow that can partially or totally blot out the moon. During a partial lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow appears to take a bite of the moon.
The full moon is covered during a total eclipse and blushes coppery red because of stray bits of sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere,” CTV News reported.
"Lunar and solar eclipses happen any-
where from four to seven times a year, according to NASA. A partial lunar eclipse graced skies in the Americas, Africa and Europe last September and the last total lunar eclipse was in 2022," the article said.
WARREN FINLAY PHOTO
Black Nugget Lake Observatory Communications Director Warren Finlay took this photo of the moon in a partial eclipse near Tofield in 2015. "During total eclipse, which was from 12:26 a.m. to 1:31a.m., the moon all over its face was much dimmer and redder than usual, which is kind of neat as well," Finlay said.