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NWP, FVSD announce partnership to open up Bachelor of Education remote courses

Ethan Montague
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NWP, FVSD announce partnership to open up Bachelor of Education remote courses

Northwestern Polytechnic and the Fort Vermillion School Division have announced a new partnership to bridge education opportunities in the North.

The two partners recently inked a deal that will enable the first remote cohort of FVSD students to enroll in NWP’s brand new four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education degree.

NWP President and CEO Dr. Vanessa Sheane says the aggreement formalizes the collaboration between the two, and broadens career pathways for Alberta’s northernmost communities.

“We are delighted that both learners and communities will benefit immensely from BEd graduates who are trained and retained locally,” she says.

As part of the new partnership, NWP will run a mixture of in-person and remote course delivery through FVSD learning spaces. Officials maintain that students will have access to a number of supports and course practicums will be able to be completed in local classrooms.

The collaboration will be piloted over the next four years, and applications are now being accepted for NWP’s Fall 2025 intake.

St. Stephen’s chosen as Valleyview recipient of Smile Cookie donations

Ethan Montague
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St. Stephen’s chosen as Valleyview recipient of Smile Cookie donations

The Holy Family Catholic Regional Division has announced St. Stephen’s School as this year’s recipient of the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign in Valleyview.

From April 28th to May 4th, 100 per cent of proceeds from Smile Cookie sales at the Valleyview Tim Hortons will be donated directly to St. Stephen’s School to support programming and strengthen the school community.

Nationally, in 2024, the campaign raised nearly $20 million. School officials say funds raised through Valleyview Smile Cookie sales will be used to enhance educational resources, extracurricular activities, and community events at the school.

Principal Jodie Chrisholm says the investments will help to ensure every student has the chance to thrive.

“We are incredibly grateful to be chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s Smile Cookie campaign,” she says. “Every cookie purchased helps us create more opportunities for learning, growth, and connection within our school — and that’s something to smile about.”

The school division is encouraging all Valleyview residents and anyone passing through to stop by Tim Hortons during Smile Cookie Week.

ASIRT concludes investigation into police-involved shooting in Grande Prairie

Ethan Montague
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ASIRT concludes investigation into police-involved shooting in Grande Prairie

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has completed its investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred in December, 2023.

According to ASIRT, on December 20th, the affected person was involved in a domestic violence complaint, which involved the discharge of a firearm, before escalating into a hostage event.

Responding officers safely removed the hostage from the residence after several hours; however, the affected person, still armed, barricaded himself inside the home and refused to exit the residence. Officers contained the residence and negotiators attempted to persuade him to peacefully surrender.

ASIRT’s report indicates the individual moved to the rear glass patio door of the home, making efforts to conceal himself behind curtains. Police say he brandished a shotgun to police through the opening of the door, before repositioning himself behind the curtain, raising the weapon to point directly at the position of one of three officers under investigation for the shooting, along with a witness officer.

Those two officers believed the person in the residence fired at them, leading to three RCMP members discharging their weapons.

ASIRT Assistant Executive Director Matthew Block determined the officers were acting reasonably, under the belief that the affected person posed a risk to their lives if they did not act.

“Their uses of force were proportionate, necessary, and reasonable,” Block’s report reads.

As a result of ASIRT’s findings, the involved officers actions were deemed reasonable, and no offence was committed during the incident.

Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital ED closes for 24 hours due to physician shortage

Ethan Montague
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Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital ED closes for 24 hours due to physician shortage

The Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital Emergency Department has been temporarily closed due to a lack of physician coverage.

As a result, the ED will be closed from 8:00 a.m. April 17th to 8:00 a.m. April 18th.

AHS says nursing staff will remain on-site to provide triage, assessments, and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in surrounding communities.

Residents are asked to call 9-1-1 in case of emergency and EMS will remain available to the community with re-routing to surrounding healthcare centers. For non-emergencies residents are asked to call Health Link at 8-1-1, for 24/7 inquiries.

City of GP beginning pest control operations in May

Ethan Montague
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City of GP beginning pest control operations in May

The City of Grande Prairie will begin annual pest control operations this May, with a focus on controlling noxious weeds, insects, and plant diseases.

Every year, operations continuously run throughout May and October, depending on the weather, on city-owned land within municipal boundaries.

Officials maintain that all pest control is completed using products registered with Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

“This program supports the community’s enjoyment of outdoor spaces by responsibly managing pests in line with public health and environmental standards,” Parks Director Kase Devries says. 

Additionally, the city is reminding homeowners that under the Provincial Weed Control Act, property owners are responsible for identifying and controlling noxious weeds on their own land, as they can spread quickly, damaging the surrounding ecosystem.

Residents can report noxious weeds in public areas or along roadways by contacting AccessGP at 3-1-1.

Any burning except campfires now prohibited under City of GP Fire Advisory

Ethan Montague
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Any burning except campfires now prohibited under City of GP Fire Advisory

The City of Grande Prairie has joined the county in issuing a fire advisory, effective immediately.

Under the advisory, fire permits for open burning and fireworks will not be issued, existing burning permits will be suspended, and new fire pit permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis, strictly for “light burning” activities only.

Permitted activities include safe wood campfires, backyard fire pits, portable propane fire pits, gas or propane stoves and barbecues, and catalytic or infrared-style heaters.

Any burning without a valid permit, besides campfires, is now prohibited. Officials say the advisory will remain in effect “until conditions improve.”

GPFD responds to downtown dumpster fire

Ethan Montague
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GPFD responds to downtown dumpster fire

The Grande Prairie Fire Department was dispatched to the area of 99th Avenue and 97th Street in response to a dumpster fire behind the RBC in downtown GP.

On April 16th at around noon, the GPFD responded to the blaze, which engulfed most of the dumpster.

A pair of RCMP cruisers, along with members of the Grande Prairie Police Service’s Community Standards Unit controlled traffic, while a GPFD engine addressed the flames.

Crews responded quickly and there is no visible damage to any of the surrounding structures.

Grande Prairie RCMP reminds residents to watch out for online scams

Ethan Montague
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Grande Prairie RCMP reminds residents to watch out for online scams

The Grande Prairie RCMP are reminding residents to be mindful of scams, both online and over the phone.

According to police, as digital communication continues to rise, fraudsters are finding new ways to scam unsuspecting victims.

To start, the RCMP says when it comes to online scams, the simplest method of avoiding them is ignoring them. Police say taking a few extra steps like changing passwords, ignoring suspicious links, and using anti-virus software can make a significant difference in your online safety.

When it comes to social media, police say protecting your personal information is critical in avoiding scams. Law enforcement says you should never share banking details, SIN, or passwords online, or with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Additionally, the RCMP is encouraging businesses to keep an eye out for gift card scams. According to police, fraudsters will often pressure victims into purchasing large quantities of gift cards as a form of payment.

As a result, businesses should watch for warning signs of gift card scams like customers who wish to purchase a large number of gift cards, especially in high denominations, customers who appear anxious, or “in a rush,” customers insisting they must complete the purchase immediately, or are unwilling to answer questions.

If you are suspicious of a scam, residents are asked to contact local police, and reach out to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Rotary hoping for another sellout year as Dream Home Lottery enters final days

Ethan Montague
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Rotary hoping for another sellout year as Dream Home Lottery enters final days

The 32nd Annual Rotary Dream Home Lottery is hoping to sell out for a third year in a row.

The lottery is entering its final week of ticket sales, and with 84 per cent of tickets sold, Raffle Manager Melissa Coulombe says Rotary is looking to make this edition the first time the lottery sells out three years in a row.

“With only days remaining, we are hoping the community will get behind us and help us hit our goal,” she says.

The lottery’s 50-50 jackpot is also approaching its limit. Officials say the jackpot has already reached $400K of its $750K limit, so the contest will run until midnight on April 22nd, or until the limit is reached, whichever is first.

The $1.6 million Carriage Lane property is open for viewing Friday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the final 2 days of sales on April 21st and 22nd.

Mounties snag driver doing double the limit during speed enforcement blitz

My Grande Prairie Now Staff
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Mounties snag driver doing double the limit during speed enforcement blitz

At least once driver had police doing a double take, as they were clocked doing double the speed limit during a recent speed enforcement blitz conducted by Grande Prairie Rural RCMP.

Mounties were keeping an eye on several locations on Highway 40 during the two day blitz April 14th and 15th, with at least three notable tickets handed out to drivers for excessive speeds and other potential dangerous actions behind the wheel. Authorities say among the biggest offenders were drivers pulled over for going 104km/h in a designated 50km/h construction zone with workers present, a driver peeling at 120km/h in an 80km/h zone, and a driver who was pulled for performing stunts.

“With the arrival of warmer weather improving road conditions, the Grande Prairie RCMP has noted an uptick in reckless driving behaviors, particularly speeding” said Cst. Van Eyk of the Grande Prairie RCMP.

“We are calling on the public to follow speed limits, stressing the importance of protecting all road users and roadside workers. We also commend the majority of drivers who demonstrate responsibility and contribute to road safety by obeying traffic regulations.”

Several other drivers were stopped for a range of moving traffic violations, with numerous tickets and warnings being issued.

County of GP issues Fire Advisory for entire county, including towns, due to recent dry, windy weather

Ethan Montague
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County of GP issues Fire Advisory for entire county, including towns, due to recent dry, windy weather

The County of Grande Prairie has issued a fire advisory for the entire county, including the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, effective April 15th, until further notice.

This comes due to current and forecasted weather conditions, and increased dry grass hazards throughout the region. Deputy Fire Chief Chad Cormack says county crews have already seen the threat the region’s dry, windy weather poses, especially as the last signs of winter fade away.

“Since Friday we’ve attended seven different vegetation fires, majority of them were grass fires,” he says. “There’s not a crazy concern with the size of the fires yet, I think the biggest one was about half a hectare, but again, continuous dry, windy weather just increases that risk.”

What it means

According to Deputy Chief Cormack, advisories are simply the first step in making the public aware of any fire risks in the region, and it is not uncommon to see advisories in the spring.

“Essentially it’s just the first step in notifying the people that our fire hazard is high, especially this time of year,” he says. “It just gets people a little more aware.”

Additionally, while existing fire permits remain valid, Fire Services will evaluate any new permit requests personally, issuing them on a case-by-case basis.

Safe campfires are still permitted; however, officials are urging “extreme caution,” especially with strong winds in the forecast. Burning is not permitted when winds reach or are forecasted to reach 12 kilometres per hour or higher.

Numerous city facilities closed, operating under adjusted hours on Good Friday

Ethan Montague
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Numerous city facilities closed, operating under adjusted hours on Good Friday

Numerous city facilities will have adjusted hours of operation on April 18th in recognition of the Good Friday statutory holiday.

The Ernie Radbourne Pavillion at Muskoseepi Park, Eastlink Centre, and Design Works Centre will all be operating within the holiday hours of 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, City Hall, the City Service Centre, Bonnetts Energy Centre, Montrose Cultural Centre, Grande Prairie Museum, Dave Barr Community Centre, Activity and Reception Centre, and Cedar Point will all be closed during the holiday.

When it comes to transit, busses will operate under holiday hours, which are the same as Sunday’s operational hours, with regular service from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and late night, on-demand service available from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

All facilities and transit will operate under regular hours on Easter Sunday and on Monday.

County advising of bridge repairs, detours expected

Ethan Montague
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County advising of bridge repairs, detours expected

The County of Grande Prairie’s search for trolls will continue this month.

The County is advising residents of another bridge repair project, this time on Township Road 744 between Range Road 90 and 91.

Officials suggest the project is expected to take until sometime in “late April” depending on the weather.

Traffic will see at least some affect, with detours to Township Road 750; however, the county maintains local traffic will be allowed through periodically throughout the project’s duration.

The county says any questions can be directed to the Transportation and Utilities Department.

$283K in drugs seized following organized crime investigation in Grande Prairie

My GP Now
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$283K in drugs seized following organized crime investigation in Grande Prairie

Six people are facing numerous charges after members of the ALERT Grande Prairie organized crime team seized over a quarter of a million dollars in cash and drugs following a nearly two year investigation.

Officials say the group under investigation was believed to be involved in drug trafficking in the Grande Prairie region and into British Columbia. On March 13th, a 42-year-old from Wembley, believed to be the leader, has been charged with instructing the commission of an offence from a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic drugs, amongst other offences.

“[The accused] was allegedly the head of a criminal organization that was deeply rooted in Grande Prairie and beyond. Drug trafficking, linked to his group, would have caused considerable community harm,” said Insp. Brad Lundeen, ALERT.

Included in the seized items, include 2,220 grams of cocaine, more than 1,000 opioid pills, a loaded handgun which had previously been reported stolen, as well as various amounts of illegal steroids.

Five others, including three from Grande Prairie, a second person from Wembley, and a resident of Sexsmith, are facing a total of 22 charges in connection to the investigation.

Energy authorities looking for public feedback regarding Peace River Nuclear Power project

Ethan Montague
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Energy authorities looking for public feedback regarding Peace River Nuclear Power project

Energy Alberta is looking to construct a new nuclear power plant north of the Town of Peace River, and is now seeking feedback from the public.

The “Peace River Nuclear Power Project” would see the construction of two twin nuclear reactors, located approximately 30 kilometres north of the Town of Peace River, operating for around 70 years, providing 4,800 megawatts per year.

The proposal is subject to an assessment to meet the requirements of the Impact Assessment Act and the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

As a result, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada are inviting Indigenous nations and communities, and the public to review the initial project description and provide comments on the proposal.

The IAAC and CNSC are asking for comments that are made based on local, regional, or Indigenous knowledge of the site or the surrounding environment. Officials say the feedback gathered will help the authorities develop a summary of issues for the energy provider.

Comments can be submitted online on the project’s home page. Additionally, printed copies of the Initial Project Description are available at Peace River Town Hall, Northern Sunrise County Municipal Office, and the County of Northern Lights Municipal Office.

Northern Alberta Kidney Foundation hosting inaugural Kidney and Transplant Health Forum in GP

Ethan Montague
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Northern Alberta Kidney Foundation hosting inaugural Kidney and Transplant Health Forum in GP

The Kidney Foundation in Northern Alberta and the Territories is hosting its first-ever Grande Prairie Kidney & Transplant Health Forum for patients, families, potential donors, and the community on April 26th.

The inaugural event aims to bring together kidney and transplant experts, along with those interested in learning more about kidney health and transplantation, together for a day of connection and education.

Community Engagement Manager at the Kidney Foundation NABT Branch Krysta Gendreau says the organization is “thrilled” to bring the forum to Grande Prairie.

“Our goal is to foster a supportive community in the Grande Prairie region where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to take charge of their health journey,” she says.

The event boasts a deep lineup of speakers, including two nephrologists, a transplant specialist, and several other industry experts to discuss a number of topics like nutrition, treatment, and even mental wellness tips.

Attendees will have the chance to ask questions directly to healthcare professionals, hear inspiring stories from those with lived experience, learn about local resources, and build a sense of community with others who understand the journey first-hand.

The event is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 26th at Northwestern Polytechnic. Attendance is free; however, registration is required ahead of time.

GP Composite celebrates provincial funding bump, enters design phase for new expansion

Ethan Montague
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GP Composite celebrates provincial funding bump, enters design phase for new expansion

The Grande Prairie Public School Division has announced a significant funding dump from the Government of Alberta to facilitate the design phase of a “major addition” to Grande Prairie Composite Highschool.

The funding comes as part of the Province’s Accelerated School Construction Program, which officials say allows school projects to receive funding and move forward, even outside of their regular budget cycle, saving time and resources while opening up much-needed classroom space.

Capacity pressures

A lack of space has continued to pose issues for Grande Prairie’s school divisions, with schools operating at 100 per cent, and in some cases, even beyond capacity. Grande Prairie MLA Nolan Dyck says the expansion has always been a part of the plans at the Comp, just coming sooner than later due to capacity pressures.

“When we planned and built the composite high school, it wasn’t planning to hit capacity for another five to seven years,” he says. “Because of Grande Prairie’s growth, we’re seeing more people entering the public system- which is the better problem to have.”

Thanks to the funding bump, the GPPSD will now begin the design process for the expansion, including 18 new classrooms, space for an additional 450 students, with the whole addition spanning around 21K square feet.

Timeline

The design portion of the project is expected to take around one year; however, the division maintains they aim to fast-track timelines so construction can begin “as soon as” approvals are in place.

Grande Prairie RCMP CRU arrests two, seizes more than $2K in cash, drugs during traffic stop

Ethan Montague
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Grande Prairie RCMP CRU arrests two, seizes more than $2K in cash, drugs during traffic stop

The Grande Prairie Crime Reduction Unit made two arrests last week following a traffic stop in the city.

According to police, on April 7th, members of the Grande Prairie detachment received a complaint of a suspicious person and vehicle. Officers responded, approaching the vehicle before it fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

Three days later on April 10th, a Grande Prairie RCMP Police Dog Services member observed the vehicle and advised the Crime Reduction Unit of their findings.

The CRU managed to locate the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop- leading to the arrests of two, and the seizure of 125 grams of methamphetamines, 30 grams of fentanyl, and more than $2,000 in cash.

Now, 45-year-old Grande Prairie resident Timothy Kelly faces charges related to alleged possession of drugs, proceeds of crime, and weapons while prohibited, obstructing a police officer, dangerous driving, and several others. The second individual- 30-year-old Grande Prairie resident Jasmine Potter was charged with two counts of alleged possession for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime.

Both were brought before a justice of the peace. Potter was released on conditions; however, Kelly remains in police custody. Both are scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice on April 14th.

2025 Sport Excellence Awards recognizes more than 40 nominees across 13 award categories

Ethan Montague
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2025 Sport Excellence Awards recognizes more than 40 nominees across 13 award categories

The Grande Prairie Subaru Sport Excellence Awards came on April 11th, recognizing some of the region’s best athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers in local athletics.

Previously called the Northwest Alberta Sport Excellence Awards, the newly named ceremony aims to shine a light on the individuals, across a variety of skill levels and ages, who have demonstrated a commitment to their sport throughout the past season.

More than 40 athletes, parents, coaches, and officials across 13 categories were recognized during the event.

This year’s Outstanding Official recipient Chris Stone says after starting out in the sport at the age of six, he’s happy to have found his home as a speedskating official.

“It’s amazing, I started out at six years old as a skater and made my way through that competitively and moved on to coaching after I finished skating, and it wasn’t quite the fit for me so I decided to get into officiating and I’ve been doing that for the last ten or twelve years now,” he says. “It’s been an amazing journey, I just got back from a national championship in Ontario so- it’s been, there’s no words to describe it honestly.”

Calvin Willett was recognized with the Unsung Hero award for his volunteering in the local baseball community. He says the award was rather “unexpected”- despite the roars of applause and cheering in Clarkson Hall when his name was called.

“I wasn’t expecting it that’s for sure- I don’t do what I do for these awards and to be recognized is awesome, but honestly, it’s truly our association that deserves this award over me,” he says. “It feels good, really good, there’s a lot of kids in there that are supporting us adults that help out these kids and it’s awesome.”

Other 2025 Award Recipients include Yasna Aedo Tapia as Female Athlete of the Year, Aiden Getson as Male Athlete of the Year, Grayson Hnydyk and Ainslie Coburn as Junior Athletes of the year, Sara Woodlands as Coach of the year, Shayne Milligan for Spirit of Sport, and Kade O’Dell as Junior Official.

It’s not just individuals who were recognized either- Jason Anderson and Michael Horrigan were selected as Developmental Coaches of the Year, and Nancy McCabe and Joe Alaimoana were chosen as this year’s Sport Builders.

Additionally, the Grande Prairie Minor Baseball U18 AA Reds won the coveted Team of the Year award and the Grande Prairie-hosted ASAA Football Alberta Bowl won Event of the Year.

County kicks off final budget deliberations Tuesday

My GP Now
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County kicks off final budget deliberations Tuesday

County of Grande Prairie councillors will be back around the table Monday as they kick off up to three days of final budget deliberations before ultimately approving a municipal budget for 2025.

Back in the fall, council approved the interim 2025 budget with a $3.96 million deficit, which includes funding in roads, water and sewer infrastructure, and intermunicipal for recreation and culture cost-sharing. Despite the approval, council at the time deferred any discussion around property taxes to final budget deliberations as administration contunues to work toward reducing the deficit.

“Council’s goal is to ensure we can continue to provide the services our residents enjoy that contribute to their overall quality of life,” said Reeve Bob Marshall following the approval of the interim budget.

“We have opted to move any discussion around property taxes to final budget, however a moderate tax increase should be expected. In past years when residents saw no increase in property taxes, Council was accessing reserves and withdrawing more from savings than we were able to replenish.

Overall, the $174.3 million budget includes an estimated $115.7 million for general operations and $58.6 million for capital investments.

Deliberations will take place April 15th-17th at the County of Grande Prairie Administration Building in Clairmont.

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