More provincial healthcare funding is coming to Grande Prairie as the Government of Alberta announced a $2.42 million investment to enhance kidney care services for Peace Country residents.

According to the province, the funding will directly support the Queen Elizabeth II Ambulatory Care Centre in expanding its hemodialysis unit to provide care for up to 24 patients daily.

The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation will also provide a $1.5 million bump to support the project, and the space will be named the Sargent Family Kidney Care Centre to honour the Sargent family’s sizeable donation to the foundation for this project.

Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation Executive Director Keith Curtis says he is proud of the work being done to expand kidney care services in the swan city. He says the project is another healthcare project that will impact the community in a positive way.

“We are proud to support this initiative and grateful to the Sargent Family Foundation for their dedication to extended kidney care in Grande Prairie and the Peace Region,” he says.

The provincial funding for this project comes as part of a nearly $15.5 million investment from Alberta’s government in supporting healthcare across rural Alberta.

After weeks of public engagement and discussion among councillors, Grande Prairie County Council has come to the decision to keep divisional boundaries at the status quo.

Following the dissolution of the Village of Hythe to become a hamlet in the County of Grande Prairie, county council was tasked with reviewing electoral boundaries and the number of councillors by the province.

The review consists of several pieces, mostly revolving around public engagement. During the public engagement portion, council learned that of the small number of respondents, a significant portion of them wished to keep things the same.

Despite the few who chose to engage with council across numerous open houses and online sessions, County Reeve Bob Marshall says the decision was made partly due to a lack of feedback from the public.

“Unfortunately part of it was the lack of public engagement, not that we didn’t try,” he says. “In total, I think we had less than 400 people that actually engaged with us, and [at] one of the open houses, we had very few people show up.”

Marshall says the target was around 1,500 respondents to provide an accurate reading of how county voters were feeling on the matter; however, the Reeve says there simply weren’t enough people indicating their feelings for or against any potential changes for council to make a drastic decision on divisional boundaries or changing the number of councillors from the current nine who serve.

“We looked at that as we’ve got 27,000 people in the county, not all of them are going to be voting age, but when you have that many people in the county, from a statistical standpoint, you want to get a good representation of the population which would be about 1,500 respondents, we didn’t even get a third of that,” he says. “Most of the people, if they’re not responding, in my experience, if you don’t hear from them, there’s not an issue.”

While Marshall expressed some level of disappointment in the lack of community engagement, he maintains that he was open to whatever the public wanted to see, and ultimately, making significant changes would have been inappropriate based on what the limited sample size indicated.

“I was open to whatever they came back with, but I mean if we were to have significantly more engagement that demanded a change, then that would’ve had a larger play on council’s decision,” he says. “When you get a very small group of people, when you look at the population, and even a good chunk of them wanted to keep it the same, it’s like- well what’s the big issue here, is it worth changing everything up, or are we just going to create more issues by changing it than leaving it as status quo.”

As required by the Municipal Government Act, the Bylaw will be advertised and will receive its final reading after the mandatory 60-day petition period.

City construction crews will begin working at various locations throughout Grande Prairie beginning on September 25th, to level uneven sidewalks to enhance pedestrian safety.

This comes as the city continues addressing safety concerns throughout the city and the initiative will see raised sections of sidewalks ground down where height differences pose tripping hazards.

The city suggests that crews will be working on-site for several days to address “high-priority” areas. Officials maintain that the process is efficient, taking between 10 and 15 minutes at each location to minimize disruptions to pedestrians. Additionally, city administrators say vehicle traffic will not be affected as a result.

Residents are advised they may see workers in multiple areas throughout the process. Anyone with information about a sidewalk in need of repair near them is asked to contact AccessGP at 3-1-1.

Students and Staff across the Peace Wapiti Public School Division will be participating in a variety of Truth and Reconciliation activities starting September 25th, ahead of the official holiday on the 30th.

Throughout the week, students and staff are encouraged to wear orange in the spirit of recognizing the importance of Indigenous history and culture.

Most PWPSD schools have plans to engage with their students on September 27th when several schools will host school-wide assemblies, Orange Shirt Day activities, and learning opportunities headed by a variety of local Indigenous representatives.

Some schools will observe Orange Shirt Day on October 1st, and Clairmont Community School students will even be working together to create an Orange Shirt display.

PWPSD officials suggest that recognizing Truth and Reconciliation throughout the week is an important step in reflecting on the legacy of residential schools in Alberta and throughout the country.

The City of Grande Prairie has provided an update on its ongoing Noxious Weed Control project to address concerns about harmful weeds spreading through the city.

According to the city, the plants can pose “serious risks” to local ecosystems and agriculture. As a result, the city has implemented two targeted programs that operate in the region throughout the growing season.

In mechanically managed areas of the city, such as places where mowing and other regular maintenance occur, crews use broadleaf spot-spraying techniques when addressing weeds that could return unless they are sprayed.

When it comes to naturalized and non-mechanically managed areas in places that are not mowed, the city relies on chemical control to manage noxious and prohibited weeds. Herbicides are applied in a targeted fashion, once per growing season, to protect other plant life in the area.

The city maintains that it can take days or sometimes weeks after treatment for an area to show visible signs as plants absorb the herbicides in their root systems, effectively destroying the noxious plant from the inside.

Throughout the growing season, residents are encouraged to report any areas of concern where noxious weeds are present to AccessGP at 3-1-1.

ABMunis Board Member and Grande Prairie City Councillor Dylan Bressey is in Red Deer this week for the Alberta Municipalities’ Convention and Trade Show to discuss critical issues with fellow municipal leaders and advocate alongside them to the provincial government.

The event is scheduled from September 25th to the 27th. Bressey says he is mostly looking forward to bringing up issues concerning the Peace Country while collaborating with municipal leaders from around the province.

“I’m excited to be with hundreds of municipal leaders from across the province so that we can share best practices with each other and advocate the provincial government as one voice,” he says.

One major talking point for the councillor was what he describes as a “dramatic reduction” in provincial funding for municipal infrastructure. He says if the province does not act now, a time when costs are climbing and populations are increasing, residents will continue paying high property taxes due to infrastructure spending falling on local governments.

“This is having a huge impact on both property taxes and our ability to maintain basic infrastructure, so we’re working hard to help our provincial colleagues understand the consequences of reducing municipal infrastructure funding,” he says. “Mid-sized cities more than any other type of municipality are just getting hammered by these grant reductions and a place where population growth is happening are mid-sized cities so especially, I think they need support.”

Bressey says the advantage of the convention is the collaborative atmosphere between municipalities, putting politics aside and finding the “best possible solutions” for residents across Alberta, and the rest of the country.

“Something I love about municipal government over other levels of government is we don’t have parties, we’re not on teams,” he says. “Council is a group of residents who are working together to find the best possible solutions for their community.”

As a result, Bressey says advocacy opportunities like the upcoming convention are essential in making sure local voices are heard at the provincial level.

Bressey adds that his council’s continued advocacy on transmission and distribution fees in Grande Prairie will be a significant talking point for him and his colleagues during the event. He says ATCO customers around the province are paying “unfair portions” of the electricity going to industrial sites around Alberta, and insists that the provincial government must listen and take action to ensure fees are fairly distributed across the province.

“People who get their power from ATCO are paying an unfair portion of the electricity that’s going to industrial sites across Alberta,” he says. “We’re continuing to advocate to make sure that transmission distribution fees are fairly distributed across Alberta, not unfairly put onto our residents.”

The three-day event has a long list of provincial ministers who will be available to municipal representatives including Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi.

Some of the city’s seasonal facilities have started to close as the temperatures continue to cool off as the region dives into fall.

As of September 23rd, the seasonal washrooms at Crystal Lake are closed, along with the Muskoseepi Park spray park, Lions Park spray park, and the Ampitheatre.

Despite these closures, the Old Tourist Information washrooms, Lion’s Park washrooms, Old Tourist Information sani-dumps, South Bear Creek beach volleyball washrooms, and the South Bear Creek Sani Dump remain open.

Residents are advised that more closures are expected as the season comes to a close, and anyone with concerns regarding seasonal facilities is asked to contact AccessGP at 3-1-1.

“There is no undo button,” this was the County of Grande Prairie’s message to residents regarding safety around the railway.

During their most recent meeting, the county council proclaimed the week of September 23rd to the 29th “Rail Safety Week” as a way to raise awareness regarding train safety in the Grande Prairie region.

According to the county, the awareness initiative is necessary as “one wrong decision near railway tracks can be life-altering.”

During the week, the county is advising residents to work together to protect their community by staying off the tracks, following crossing signals, and reminding others that “life doesn’t have a reset button.”

The county says collisions at railway crossings and trespassing incidents can lead to severe injuries and in some extreme cases, death.

As a result, county officials are encouraging residents to participate in some exercises to promote rail safety including taking the Pledge and Play Quiz, reading up on CN’s rail safety tips, and recognizing railway warning signs.

Specific safety tips for kids, cyclists, truck drivers, farmers, and other vehicle operators are available on the county’s website.

The County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service is doubling down on its recruiting efforts by asking residents to consider service at local stations in Bezanson, Hythe, La Glace, Teepee Creek, and the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley.

The Fire Service is seeking “dedicated individuals” living within 15 kilometres of the listed communities to join the team as paid firefighters and medical first responders.

Officials suggest paid responders will provide essential fire, rescue, and medical first response services in rural communities on a flexible, on-call basis. The County Fire service will also provide compensation for emergency responses, station duties, and training with accredited professionals.

District Fire Chief Bryan Hall says enrolling as a paid responder is a chance to make a “tangible impact on your community while “gaining valuable skills and experience.”

“We’re looking for individuals committed to serving their neighbours and ready to grow personally and professionally,” he says.

Previous firefighting experience is optional, but not required; however, applicants must meet a few pieces of criteria to be successful. Successful applicants must reside within 15 kilometres of their local fire station, be at least 18 years old, hold a driver’s license with a clean record, possess a high school diploma, pass an RCMP criminal record check, and provide a doctor’s letter confirming fitness for firefighting duties.

The deadline to apply is October 18th, and interested residents can do so online on the county’s website.

Grande Prairie City Transit has completed the installation of two brand-new heated bus stop shelters at the Transit Hub near Towne Centre Mall.

The project was completed on September 17th and officials suggest the new shelters, along with existing heated shelters at NWP and the Community Knowledge Campus will provide transit customers with additional comfort and protection when travelling in the winter months. Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton adds the new shelters are a “welcome addition” to the city’s infrastructure.

“In our cold climate, these shelters offer a safe, warm space for riders as they wait for their bus, supporting a safe, inclusive, and caring community with supports for all,” she says.

The new shelters are fully enclosed and were designed with a variety of mobility needs in mind to provide a sense of comfort and security for all users.

The shelters are also equipped with automatic door openers, a purposeful feature that will allow the city to lock them during off hours.

The Grande Prairie Public Library experienced a break-and-enter over the weekend when the suspects stole several computers from the facility.

According to the GPPL, city workers worked over the weekend to fix the smashed window, and the library has returned to normal operating hours after a delayed Saturday opening.

The RCMP was contacted and officers quickly responded. Corporal Lou Leroux of RCMP Media Relations says police obtained video surveillance and managed to recover “the majority” of the stolen property which has since been returned to the library.

The GPPL says they will be checking the equipment to determine if everything remains functional, but library officials have confirmed at least some of the items appear to be damaged.

The RCMP says the investigation remains open as no suspects have been identified as of late.

Due to the nature of the incident, the GPPL is asking for donations from the public to help cover the costs of replacing the damaged equipment. Interested individuals can make financial donations online by selecting “Teen Gaming Computers” from the drop down menu.

The Grande Prairie RCMP is asking any individuals who may have witnessed an alleged hit and run on September 14th at approximately 8:00 p.m. on 108th Avenue between 103rd and 104th Street in Grande Prairie.

According to police, the RCMP responded to a complaint that evening regarding a hit and run involving a blue sedan and a 13-year-old pedestrian.

Police describe the victim as “being thrown into the air” as a result of the collision; however, law enforcement reports that he only suffered minor injuries and was treated and released by EMS on the scene.

Police suggest that after hitting the pedestrian, the male driver stopped his vehicle, apologized, and fled the scene.

The suspect and vehicle are described as a blue sedan, potentially a Honda Civic, driven by a male with a darker complexion, and dark hair with a long beard.

In addition to any witnesses of the incident, the RCMP is urging anyone with dashcam footage recorded that evening between 7:50 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. in the area of 108th Avenue to come forward and contact the Grande Prairie RCMP at (780)-830-5701.

Following a public safety alert that was issued for the region surrounding the community of Mayerthorpe due to concerns about armed individuals in the area, the RCMP has announced one of the two suspects surrendered himself to police on September 17th.

According to police, the suspect surrendered himself to the RCMP with his family, and a warrant for the arrest of the second male involved has been issued.

The investigation remains open; however, police have determined the offences were targeted, and the RCMP is reassuring Mayerthorpe residents that there is no imminent risk to the community.

As a result of their investigation, the RCMP has charged 28-year-old Whitecourt resident Dakota Patterson with several counts including alleged kidnapping with a firearm, robbery with a firearm, theft of a truck, assault with a weapon, and others. Patterson remains in police custody.

A warrant for the arrest of 30-year-old Grande Prairie resident Santiago Patterson has been issued on similar weapons, kidnapping, and theft charges.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Santiago is asked to report it to their local police or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

An early morning traffic stop has resulted in two arrests and the seizure of 542 grams of suspected cocaine.

According to the RCMP, on September 17th, just before 1:00 a.m., a routine traffic stop was initiated by a member of the Grande Prairie RCMP resulted in stopping what police are calling a “significant quantity of dangerous drugs” from entering the community.

Police say after speaking with the two people inside the vehicle, an officer noticed drug paraphernalia in plain view. As a result, both occupants were placed under arrest for alleged possession of a controlled substance and a vehicle search was conducted shortly after.

During their search, the officer seized 542 grams of suspected cocaine, holding an approximate street value of $54,200, and numerous other items including drug paraphernalia and items “associated with drug trafficking” were seized.

58-year-old Grande Prairie resident Marie Gelinas and a 17-year-old boy from Edmonton who was in her company are now facing one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Both Gelinas and the youth were taken before a Justice of the Peace and were subsequently released with court appearances scheduled for sometime in October.

The County of Grande Prairie is encouraging local youth to consider signing up for the ATCO Fire Cadet Program.

Young people between the ages of 16 and 18 living in the County of Grande Prairie or the Towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, or Wembley are urged to participate in one of five scheduled information sessions at several local high schools between September 24th and October 2nd.

County officials maintain that the ATCO Fire Cadet Program is a “great opportunity” for high schoolers to explore their abilities, work with professional firefighters, and learn important life and leadership skills.

Participants can expect a level of classroom learning, combined with field training guided by industry professionals using real firefighting equipment.

Applicants must have an interest in firefighting and emergency medical response, be comfortable with physically demanding tasks, and commit to one full semester of work, for eight to ten hours per month.

Application is free and interested individuals are encouraged to apply online on the county’s website.

A new Indigenous art exhibit is coming to several Grande Prairie Public School Division schools throughout the year.

“Rooted Connections” is described as a thought-provoking and visually stunning exhibit that was created with students in mind. The installation is part of the Albert Foundation for the Arts TREX Program and was co-curated by the GPPSD’s Indigenous Liason Loriann Gignac.

Gignac and other local Indigenous representatives supplied the exhibit’s artwork which is set to tour around the school division throughout the year.

The TREX Program also offers educational support to help teachers integrate elements of visual arts into their curriculum. TREX was curated from a variety of sources including private and public collections.

The art collection has continued to grow since its inception in 1981 and now, consists of more than 9,000 artworks showcasing the talents of more than 1,700 artists.

The City of Grande Prairie is reminding drivers to exercise caution when passing through the area of 116th Avenue and 100th Street as paving operations are scheduled as part of the ongoing construction project near Westpointe.

According to the city, paving will commence on September 21st depending on the weather, and is scheduled for one day in hopes of mitigating traffic disruptions over the weekend.

During this time, minor delays should be expected, and truck drivers should consider alternate routes as a partial closure will affect the eastbound truck route on 116th Avenue. Trucks will also not be permitted eastbound on 116th Avenue to 100th Street northbound and must detour at the 108th Street and 100th Avenue intersection.

The city maintains that passenger vehicles will be accommodated through the intersection during the work.

The city remains on track to finish the project by the end of September.

The Fairview Health Complex ED will be temporarily closed due to a lack of coverage several times until the end of the month.

According to AHS, the ED will be without onsite physician coverage from 7:00 a.m. on September 20th to 7:00 a.m. September 21st, again from 7:00 a.m. September 23rd to 7:00 a.m. September 24th, and once more from 7:00 a.m. September 25th to 7:00 a.m. to September 28th.

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.

Grande Prairie Enforcement Services front counter services will begin operating out of the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment on September 23rd.

According to the Grande Prairie Police Service, as of that date, in-person services such as vehicle for hire and animal licensing will no longer be offered at Cedar Point.

Additionally, as part of the merger, two Enforcement Services front counter staff will be moving to the detachment at 10202 99th Street. Officials suggest hours will also be extended by 30 minutes to match the RCMP detachment’s front counter hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Enforcement Services representatives maintain that access to online and phone services will remain unaffected by the move.