February 16, 2022
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Vegreville Town Council Mild Temperatures Create Challenges for Pedestrians Amends Capital Work Projects and Motorists Pooling along 48 Avenue and 51 Street. (Michelle Pinon/Photos)
Michelle Pinon News Advertiser While mild temperatures are welcomed by many people they also create a host of other challenges on roadways and sidewalks this past week. A build-up of ice has resulted in hundreds of plugged sewer mains and pooling water on top of roads and sidewalks making it difficult, and in some cases
hazardous for pedestrians and motorists alike. Melting snow has made the streets slushy in most parts of Vegreville with sizeable pools of water in business and residential areas. The Vegreville News Advertiser reached out to the Town of Vegreville for comment but did not receive a response prior to deadline.
Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Vegreville town council made the decision to amend its 2022 and 2023 capital projects during its Jan. 24 meeting. The move was to switch the force main sewer replacement project, originally slated for 2023 to 2022. Infrastructure, Planning & Development Director Dale Lefebvre told council that, “Due to the increase in repairs required on the 43-year-old line, it has been determined that this project needs to be completed as soon as possible.” Mayor Tim MacPhee said, “The forced main sewer line is so crucial to the operations for our town.” The force main sewer line broke several weeks ago, and MacPhee said something had to be done. “Council had to make a decision based on the inspection report done last year, and the history of the line to prioritize this project moving the 52nd St. project back a year.” The force main replacement from the main sanitary lift station to the lagoons including the stainless-steel outlet is estimated to cost $2.85 million. Lefebvre said the town applied to the Alberta Municipal Water and Wastewater Partnership grant for the force main replacement and lagoon upgrade project in November of 2021. On January 10, the town received confirmation that the project qualifies for this funding and will be notified once the project has been approved for funding. In the response letter from Alberta
Transportation, it stated that based on the 2019 population of 5,708, the town would be eligible to receive 42.52 percent of funding of all eligible costs or $1,211,820. The project will be funded as follows: • $16,472 Town Contribution from reserves • $888,249 from MSI Capital Grant from Province of Alberta • $732,889 from Canada CommunityBuilding Fund from Province of Alberta • $1,212,390 from Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership Interim Corporate Services Director Meghan Saskiw pointed out that these funds have been set aside and are in the approval process currently. “We are also planning on completing a borrowing bylaw for approximately $1.3 million to ensure funds will be available if needed should the grant funding fall through. This is a last resort funding and is being done to ensure sufficient cash flow for the Town, we do not plan to draw funds unless absolutely necessary. The decision to move the forced main replacement to 2022 from 2023 is due to the urgency of the repair. It must be done this year as Council does not want to take any further risks with breaks and the possibility for a major failure.” The timeline for the completion of this project is expected to be within the 2022 construction season. The overlay, valve and concrete works project located on two sections of 52 Street has been pushed back until 2023.
Two Vehicle Accident at Highway 16 and Secondary Highway 631
Emergency crews were on scene of an accident shortly after 9 am on Feb. 14 at the intersection of Highway 16 and Secondary Highway 631. (Michelle Pinon/Photos)
Arthur Beaudette News Advertiser Emergency crews responded to a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Hwy 16 and Hwy 631 in the west bound lane on Feb. 14. According to Vegreville RCMP, One vehicle was travelling westbound on 16 and the other was turning north onto 631. The vehicle travelling north collided with vehicle westbound. It was determined that the vehicle proceeding north was at fault and the driver was charged with failing to stop at the stop sign. Minor injuries were reported.
Multiple Search Warrants lead to Arrest of Lamont County Residents Eastern Alberta RCMP Submitted Lamont County, Alta. – On Jan. 26, 2022 Vegreville RCMP completed multiple search warrants on a property in Lamont County. Vegreville RCMP seized and recovered a stolen flat deck trailer, a stolen firearm, ammunition, and a quantity of suspected cocaine. Garrett Lee Sugg (29) and Cherokee Dawn McKay (28), both from Lamont County, are charged with: • possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking • possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 (x2) • possession of a restricted firearm / ammo without a license (x2) • possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose (x2)
• unauthorized possession of a firearm (x2) • unsafe storage of a firearm (x2) Both Sugg and McKay were released on conditions. They are scheduled to appear in Vegreville Provincial Court on Apr. 4, 2022. Vegreville RCMP continues to combat property theft and the trade of illegal controlled substances as part of our ongoing commitment to reduce the impact of these groups on our communities. As this matter is before the courts no additional information can be released. If you have information about this incident, please call the Vegreville RCMP at 780-6312750 or call your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
