The first-ever Pancreatic Cancer Day in Grande Prairie has been marked officially on November 16th after Mayor Jackie Clayton read out a proclamation declaring the day as part of a recent council meeting.
Local awareness advocate Tamara Gasior received a certificate from Mayor Clayton to validate her long-time advocacy surrounding Canada’s third deadliest cancer.
According to Gasior, the first signs of pancreatic cancer can feel ordinary and include abdominal pain, mid-back pain, new-onset diabetes, and yellow eyes or skin. Gasior adds that there is currently no standard test to detect the disease, which is why it is crucial to stay aware of any symptoms.
In recognition of the day, city residents are encouraged to wear purple, illuminate their homes with purple lights, and talk with friends and family about testing and screening.
The sundial has been lit up with purple lights since November 12th and will continue until the 18th.
Day one of Grande Prairie city council’s budget deliberations kicked off with six key items identified and more than $1 million in requested funding.
As a result, administration has proposed a 6.09 percent property tax increase for residents in order to continue providing services and meet the status quo for several departments. According to Operational Services, 52 per cent of the city’s revenue stream comes from taxation, compared to similarly-sized cities Airdrie at 30 per cent, and 34 per cent in Red Deer.
Among the funding requests, the Grande Prairie Police Service made a $554,000 request for an eight-person public security unit, Sport Tourism made a $144,000 request to support a new full-time department worker, Investment Attraction made a $125,000 request for marketing costs to bring businesses to the city, $100,000 was requested for asphalt maintenance, and the Grande Prairie Public Library made an operating budget referral of three or 10 per cent.
Council heard numerous mitigation strategies totalling more than $1.26 million in potential savings for the city, with options including reduced service levels at a savings of $137,000, reduced contracted services for $915,000, and reduced hours of operations for some facilities for $205,000.
Council is scheduled to continue deliberations on November 16th, and potentially again on November 17th pending approval of the 2024 Operating Budget and the 2024 Capital Budget.
Police have reached out to the public for help investigating a recent attack on a youth. Grande Prairie RCMP says it was first called about the incident in the Pinnacle Grove area around 11:30 p.m. on November 8th.
The initial investigation has found that a youth was attacked by several people. Mounties have not commented on their condition.
Anyone who may have seen something in the Pinnacle Grove area or on Pinnacle Drive between 112 Street and Pinnacle Street on November 8th between 9:30 and 10 p.m. is asked to come forward. The same goes for anyone with doorbell or dashcam footage during that time that could help in the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Grande Prairie RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
Talk over on a potential covered recreation structure being built adjacent to the Smith Activity and Reception Centre will continue, after council asked the municipality to come back to the table with options and costs.
Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the decision to direct administration to bring back a cost estimate, three options for the proposed facility, including options for a lower structure in time for 2025 Budget deliberations is a prudent one, as it continues the conversation around the need for recreation options in the municipality.
She says it has remained a priority of council to share and spread recreational amenities across the city.
“We want all neighbourhoods to have close proximity and access to recreational amenities, [and] that always hasn’t been an option,” she says.
“Recently we added a bike skills park in the northeast, we also added the activity reception centre in the southeast.”
Clayton says they are focusing their efforts on an outdoor covered structure which would be valuable for year round recreation, for things like skating in the winter, and basketball in the summer. She adds the next steps should help better narrow down their final choice.
“It’s been something that has been discussed at length for some time now. The land is accessible, there is established parking, the access to the activity reception centre would give patrons access to washrooms, as well as warm up facilities in the winter.”
“Administration’s recommendation was for proximity to the activity reception centre, however now the report will come back with some different options on what that could look like with some cost variables.
“I [did] a prayer representing and honouring our leader Louis Riel,” she says. “He’s our role model, and been mine since I was a child; without him I wouldn’t even have a name today.”
Two people are facing charges in connection to a break and enter at a business in Peace River.
Police say they were called to the scene of a break and enter in progress around 11 p.m. November 13th at a business near 90 Street, and when they arrived, found the two accused inside the building. The pair were arrested without incident.
A 35-year-old man and 24-year-old woman are both facing charges of break and enter as a result of the charges. Both will reappear in provincial court next month.
On November 16th, Grande Prairie RCMP located Anna Letnes safe and unharmed.
Police have reached out to the public for helping finding a missing girl. 14-year-old Anna Letnes was last heard from early Tuesday.
Anna is described as 5’7″ and 100 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a sweater and pyjamas.
Grande Prairie RCMP says there is concern for her wellbeing and asks anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact the detachment or Crime Stoppers.
Northwestern Polytechnic’s Board of Governors has officially appointed a new President and CEO.
Interim President and CEO Dr. Vanessa Sheane is set to take on the role in a full-time permanent capacity. Dr. Sheanne has been involved with NWP for over a decade, serving as a Dean, faculty association president, and a faculty member in the Department of Nursing Education.
Board Chair Shawna Miller says Dr. Sheane’s “deep roots” in the region contribute to her confidence in Dr. Sheane’s leadership.
“She [Dr. Sheane] has a profound appreciation of the important linkages between post-secondary and our communities, industries, economy, and overall competitiveness.”
Sheane has experienced NWP through numerous lenses including as a student athlete, playing for the Wolves Women’s Basketball team, and completing two years of a University Transfer in Science before earning a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Victoria.
The CEO says she plans on continuing to grow the polytech and addressing workforce shortages through educational opportunities in in-demand programs.
The Centre for Young Parents Project Thrift Shop is celebrating its 1st anniversary.
Originally developed as a social enterprise for young parents, the Centre for Young Parents serves as a support network for parents under-20.
Thrift Shop Supervisor Cheryl Park says the store helps offset the costs of running the centre while providing affordable options for clothes and children’s products. She adds that the first year has been a success, and the community response has been “fantastic.”
“At times we’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of donations that we receive from people.”
Park says the model is appealing to Grande Prairie residents due to the community-oriented nature of the store.
“I think another thing that appeals to people is that our dollars stay local. Over time we’ve developed a very solid consumer base.”
Moving forward, Park says the store plans to continue using the momentum from last year; however, the store and centre continue to ask for volunteers and donations.
“We rely on volunteers, there is only two paid staff, myself and the assistant supervisor here at the store, the rest of all of this legwork is done by volunteers.”
Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the CYP’s website for further information on how to get involved.
Grande Prairie Storm forward Tomis Marinkovic was named the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s 3rd Star of the Month for October.
In his first month with the Grande Prairie club, Marinkovic played ten games, putting up 21 points, including ten goals, and earning the Star of the Game four times.
He was also named the AJHL player of the week in his second weekend of play with the local team, from October 9th to 15th. During that time, he scored a hat trick on October 20th against the Canmore Eagles and again on October 24th versus the Whitecourt Wolverines, including the game-winning goal in both victories.
Along with the above recognition, the 19-year-old was also named Alberta Junior Hockey League Player of the Month.
People in Grande Prairie can officially ring in the start to the holiday season with the annual Christmas Tree Light-Up at H.A. Rice Plaza at Bonnetts Energy Centre on November 26th.
The family-friendly event kicks off at 4 p.m. and includes a variety of things for all ages, including hot chocolate and candy canes during the outdoor portion of the day, before the fun moves inside and families will get the chance to meet Santa.
“City Council is excited to team up with our partner, the DownTown Association, to bring our community the magic of the season at the Christmas Tree Light-Up event,” says Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton.
“We invite residents to gather as a community and enjoy holiday activities, hot chocolate, candy canes and carolers while embracing the warmth, joy and togetherness of this event.”
The Battle of the Badges hockey game will also take place November 26th, with the Grande Prairie Fire Department taking on the Grande Prairie RCMP for not only bragging rights, but with all proceeds from the game going to Sunrise House Youth Emergency Shelter.
National Addictions Awareness Week will be observed in Grande Prairie from November 19th to the 25th.
According to the City, the week aims to increase public understanding surrounding addictions and substance use and encourage conversation among residents to discuss harms related to alcohol and drugs. To mark the week, residents are invited to attend the “Opioids Don’t Discriminate” interactive exhibit at Tereasa Sargent Hall.
Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the experience will give residents the opportunity to change their perspective on the opioid crisis on a local level.
“It’s an experience that can change perceptions and support a deeper understanding of the indiscriminate nature of opioids,” she says.
The event features three real-life stories from different community members who have been affected by opioids, alongside local statistics on opioid use, to provide attendees with factual evidence of the crisis in Grande Prairie.
The City adds that the exhibit will humanize the statistics and reinforce the “urgent need” for community-wide support and understanding.
The event is free to attend and is scheduled for the evenings of November 21st to the 24th.
Organizers say the 2023 Dignity Drive is one for the history books. The five week drive, which ran throughout the month of October, saw residents across the region drop off new or unused underwear and socks, with the items going to the street-engaged population, as well as others who may benefit.
Community Dignity Drive committee, and Swan City Rotary Club member Heather Jones says even with their lofty expectations and goals, they were blown away with the final results.
“It was by far the most successful drive we’ve ever had, and I know we set a goal of 90 boxes, and that came in before late donations, so I would even put that even above 100 boxes at this point,” she says.
“They’re still coming in, I’m getting phone calls to go pick up things.”
Jones says the five non-profit groups who receive the donations, including the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre and Sunrise House, were equally shocked and appreciative of the gifts from the community. Jones says the Grande Prairie spirit of giving never ceases to amaze her.
“I know when they came to get their donations, they were all just floored and didn’t realize they needed a bigger vehicle,” she laughs.
“I was born and raised in Grande Prairie, and the city never ceases to amaze me when they show up like this, but, I’m always surprised. If you put out a call, everybody in this city answers.”
The Festival of Trees is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation Major Gifts Officer Dawn Miller says each year is different with a variety of activities for kids and parents alike, and several crowd favourites will make a reappearance.
“This year there’s lots of those same favourites like Teddy Bear Hospital, Secret Shop, Candy Shop, all of those sorts of things, but our decorations are always different and we always have different features and entertainment.”
The Teddy Bear Hospital features stations that teach kids about different areas of the hospital to educate and alleviate fears surrounding the hospital should they ever need to visit.
On top of the festival of Trees Gala this weekend, this year features six other events: the Festival of Trees Sneak Peek and Chamber of Commerce Mixer on November 23rd, a seniors luncheon on the morning of the 24th, the Mistletoe Mixer later that evening, the Holiday Barn Burner on the 25th, and the beloved Teddy Bear Breakfast on the 26th.
The Mistletoe Mixer and the Teddy Bear Breakfast have both sold out and Miller says that is not a surprise.
“The Mistletoe Mixer always sells out; it’s definitely a favourite of everybody’s, and Teddy Bear Breakfast on the 26th, that’s always the first one that sells out.”
Miller adds that the event is important to the foundation as it is the only one it puts on itself, with funding going straight into the foundation to cover administration costs and sustainability efforts.
“A lot of the events that support us are put on by companies, they’re third-party events.”
According to Miller, the foundation usually looks to raise $500,000 from the event, but hopes to raise that number to $600,000 this year. The festivities are scheduled to run from November 23rd to 26th and tickets are available online only on the Festival of Trees website.
Grande Prairie residents of diverse faith bases are being invited to Grande Prairie city council’s Interfaith Breakfast on November 28th. According to the city, the event is intended to bring residents and faith leaders from across religious backgrounds.
Mayor Jackie Clayton says the breakfast serves as an opportunity to deepen the city’s connection with Grande Prairie’s faith communities.
“This event supports gathering and helps the City continue our work towards an inclusive and caring community,” she says.
According to Mayor Clayton, Grande Prairie represents around 67 different ethnicities with 14 per cent of the community representing visible minorities. She adds that seeing four different organizations represented will create an important and wholesome conversation.
“I’m looking forward to that understanding, and learning more about different faith-based organizations.”
Catholic Family Services, the Grande Prairie Hindu Association, the Khwahish Foundation, and Rising Above Ministries will all be in attendance to speak at the event and share how their faith moves them to serve their community. The event is scheduled from 7 to 9 a.m. at Teresa Sargent Hall and breakfast will be served at 7:30.
A magnitude 4 earthquake was reported near Grande Prairie at 3:07 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Earthquakes Canada says it was located 64 kilometres eastsoutheast of the city at a depth of 10 kilometres.
The location was at a latitude of 54.73 north and longitude of 118.14 west. Earthquakes Canada says there are so far no reports of damage, and none would be expected.
Hundreds gathered across Grande Prairie to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice at two Remembrance Day ceremonies Saturday morning.
Residents gathered at the cenotaph in Jubilee Park for the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit 389 ceremony and parade while Bonnetts Energy Centre saw civilians and veterans gathered for the Grande Prairie Legion #54’s ceremony.
Former Corporal James Cosgrove (Center) (Ethan Montague, mygpnow.com staff)
Local Afghanistan veteran and former Corporal James Cosgrove laid a wreath on behalf of Afghanistan veterans at the Legion’s ceremony. He says while the day can be somber, seeing the community supporting veterans gives hope to those who served.
“This is a very emotional day for a lot of veterans. Taking a look at all the people that were here, it was a really good service, and I’m thankful that there’s so much support in the community.”
“It’s very meaningful when the community does come out and support people on remembrance day to show that they’re grateful for what these guys have gone through,” he adds.
Cosgrove notes that he appreciates the number of young people and local cadet corps that helped out with the service, saying it’s important for younger generations to understand the sacrifice Canadian Armed Forces members make.
An Army Cadet passes Councillor Kevin O’Toole a wreath (Ethan Montague, mygpnow.com staff)
“Having that recognition of our past and what’s happened in the World Wars, the Korean War, Afghanistan, it gives them an understanding of what’s going on in the world and be thankful for what we have in Canada and living in a free country.”
Additionally, Cosgrove says Remembrance Day does not end for many veterans, as they are forced to think about their past every day, and he says it is important for civilians to recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“A lot of people come out and they spend their one day a year, they have the ceremony and they’re thankful for what we have, but for some of us, we think about it daily. Remembrance Day is one day a year, for veterans and guys who served overseas, We think about our buddies and situations we would’ve been in, so for us, it’s every day of the year that we think about it.”
Public activities are scheduled throughout the evening at the Grande Prairie Legion, until 5 p.m. including hot lunch and award ceremonies.
No physician will be on-site at the Fairview Heath Complex Emergency Department for 24 hours starting Tuesday morning. According to Alberta Health Services, the disruption will start at 7 a.m. on November 14th and is expected to end at 7 a.m. November 15th.
However, the provincial health authority will cancel the disruption if sufficient coverage is found.
Nursing staff will remain on-site to provide triage and assessments. EMS calls will be re-routed to surrounding facilities, including the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.
AHS also reminds residents they can contact 8-1-1 anytime about non-emergency health questions.
Due to a lack of physician coverage, the Central Peace Health Complex Emergency Department won’t be available until 10 a.m. Saturday, November 11th. According to Alberta Health Services, while there isn’t a physician on-site, nursing staff will remain in the emergency department to provide assessment and referrals for patients to alternative emergency departments in the region.
EMS calls will be rerouted to surrounding healthcare centres and anyone expieriencing a medical emergency is advised to call 9-1-1. Residents are reminded that Health Link is available at anytime for non-emergency health questions at 8-1-1.
The Beaverlodge Fire Department’s engine truck will have its loudspeaker on and siren going at the end of the month as department members, along with volunteers, collect donations for the town’s Christmas Hamper and Food Bank.
Program Coordinator for Beaverlodge Family and Community Support Services Reanna Stockman says the annual Firetruck Food Round Up is a positive around the holiday season, as the donations collected go back to the community when holiday hampers are handed out.
“The Beaverlodge Fire Department are very instrumental; they bring the truck around, and they, along with volunteers, go all around the Town of Beaverlodge, collecting food items.”
She adds all donations are appreciated, but the food drive also allows them to collect things that the food bank does not regularly receive funding for, such as dish and laundry soap and toilet paper.
“Then a lot of times too, even like pancake mix and syrup, pudding cups, Hamburger Helper, canned meats, cereal. Those things are definitely well used this time of year, for sure.”
The Firetruck Food Round Up will start at 6 p.m. on November 27th. Residents are asked to leave their porch lights on if they have items to donate so the volunteers can collect them.
