Grande Prairie Storm superfan and local legend Doug Edey is being recognized with the 2024 AJHL Viterra Salute to Service Volunteer North Division Award for his dedicated service to both the Storm and his community as a volunteer.

GP Storm Executive Director Nicole Menzies says Doug’s heart and dedication to his hometown have continued to shine through in each and every volunteering job he takes on. Whether it’s selling 50/50 tickets or his work with the local Special Olympics, Doug is beloved by many as a community leader and friend.

“I think legendary is a totally accurate way to describe Doug, Doug’s so special is he has the biggest heart out of anyone, and he cares so deeply about this community,” Menzies says. “It’s not just the storm, but he helps minor hockey extensively, he helps the athletics, he helps minor baseball, he’s heavily involved in Special Olympics, so anywhere you turn, anything, any organization that’s bringing something positive to life in Grande Prairie, Doug Edey is always there.”

Each year, the AJHL helps teams organize and recognize the people who dedicate their time to helping out their teams through the Viterra Salute to Service Award, and Menzies maintains that Doug embodies everything the award is about.

“They asked all of their teams, to nominate an exceptional volunteer, just somebody who goes above and beyond and really enhances the culture of their organization, and for us, Doug was such an easy pick,” she says.

Doug will be recognized on September 20th prior to the Storm vs Grizzlys puck drop with a special pregame ceremony when the volunteer will take center ice alongside AJHL and Storm officials to receive his award, and Menzies says the team has a special gift for him to mark the occasion.

“We have a few words to say about Doug and then we’ve got a special storm gift for him just to show him our appreciation for all he does for us,” she says.

Fans are encouraged to come out and show Doug some love ahead of the Storm vs Olds Grizzlys puck drop at 7:00 p.m. at Bonnetts Energy Centre.

St. Joseph Catholic High School teacher Emily Elsenheimer has been named the Alberta School Boards Association Zone One Edwin Parr Award winner.

The ASBA Edwin Parr Award is rolled out every year to recognize outstanding first-year teachers across the province and according to Grande Prairie Catholic School Division officials, Elsenheimer fits the bill.

Elsenheimer is described by her peers as a “remarkable individual” and outstanding educator who has continuously demonstrated a true dedication and passion for teaching.

The high school teacher is a Peace Country product and has a deep-rooted connection to her city. Elsenheimer was born and raised in Grande Prairie and attended Holy Cross Catholic School during her elementary and junior high years. She then moved on to St. Joe’s as a student and attended Northwestern Polytechnic in the school’s Teacher Education North program.

According to the GPCSD, her unique perspective of being both a former student in Grande Prairie’s education system and now as a teacher within it has allowed her to connect with her students “profoundly.”

Ms. Elsenheimer was honoured at the ASBA Zone One ceremony on September 18th and will now represent Zone One as one of six teachers from around the province who will attend the provincial ceremony in Edmonton this November.

Thanks to lower temperatures in the region, Saddle Hills County has downgraded the Fire Restriction for the area to a Fire Advisory.

Officials say under the advisory, burn permits will be issued on a “case by case” basis and only for purposes deemed “essential.”

Campfires in non-combustible manufactured firepits, charcoal briquettes in approved barbecues, portable propane firepits, gas and propane stoves, catalytic infrared heaters, wood fires in enclosed facilities, and burning of hand-piled agricultural brush and wood debris up to a maximum of two cubic metres are allowed, with caution.

Burning barrels are also permitted; however, all usage must be a minimum of 30 metres away from structures and six metres away from combustible materials. Off-highway vehicles are also permitted under the advisory.

Still, open campfires in the backcountry, fireworks and exploding targets on crown land, burning of larger, machine-piled wooden debris, and controlled burns of larger brush or windrows are not allowed.

The City of Grande Prairie, along with Aquatera Utilities, and Goodwill are hosting a Drop and Swap event to promote sustainability and waste reduction at a local level.

During the event, residents are encouraged to drop off their clean, previously owned clothing at the Ernie Radbourne Pavillion in Muskoseepi Park between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on October 16th, 17th, and 18th.

The swap portion of the occasion is scheduled for October 19th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. when participants can browse and take home new outfits and accessories. To further minimize waste, attendees are asked to bring their own reusable bags.

Any remaining items after the event will be collected by Goodwill and brought to their Grande Prairie facility for sale. Unsold materials will be repurposed into items such as rags, stuffing for various products, or will be used in the agriculture sector to ensure nothing goes to waste.

Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the event marks a significant example of the power of community and hopes the Drop and Swap will make a “real difference” when it comes to waste reduction in her city.

“In collaboration with Aquatera Utilities Inc. and Goodwill, we are proud to offer this opportunity to not only reduce landfill waste but also to foster everyday sustainability,” she says.

Last year’s event was described by many as a “resounding success” with 13,000 pounds of clothing donated by the community, and city officials suggest they are counting on the community to grow that figure even more this year.

Just a few weeks after Deputy Prime Minister and Peace Country local Chrystia Freeland paid a visit to the Grande Prairie area, Grande Prairie-Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin shared his thoughts regarding what he calls the Liberal government’s “disconnection” from Canada’s west.

The longtime Tory MP says the issues concerning Grande Prairie residents are eerily similar to those being felt nationwide. He says the federal price on carbon has emptied the pockets of Canadians and is a topic brought up to him “time and time again.”

“You know, what’s remarkable is over the last number of years, I’ve learned time and time again that the challenges that folks in Grande Prairie are facing are the same challenges that the vast majority of Canadians from coast to coast are facing,” he says. “The inability to afford the essentials is one of the common themes that we’ve heard in every part of this country.”

“People from across the country feel that this government has been disconnected from their reality.”

This comes less than one month after Freeland’s Peace Country visit when she toured the Glacier Natural Gas Plant to view its new carbon capture technology, which she and several project leaders maintain was only possible thanks to the $200 million federal investment in Calgary-based cleantech company Entropy Incorporated.

During her visit, Freeland insisted that projects such as the carbon capture technology featured at the Glacier Natural Gas Plant are “cementing Alberta’s future” in a reduced carbon world. The DPM also suggested that while Ottawa is far away from the Peace Country, the work being done does not go unnoticed.

“I think this is quite literally the future of Alberta’s economy and of Canada’s economy,” she says.

Despite her words, Warkentin calls her statement “nonsensical,” saying the current government has “chased billions of dollars investment out of Canada,” and has caused numerous project cancellations due to “additional red tape.”

“When Freeland talks about Canadians or a burden, feeling a significant distance from the policymakers in Ottawa, I believe that the vast majority of Canadians have now become disconnected from Ottawa because the decision makers, the Liberals, the Liberal cabinet has been completely disconnected from the realities that most Canadians are facing,” he says. “The additional taxes, they’ve taken the money to jurisdictions that don’t have this type of red tape, places like the United States, places even in Europe that have better investment climates than Canada.”

Warkentin and his conservative colleagues have not been quiet in Ottawa regarding the carbon tax, with party leader Pierre Poillievre calling for his opposition to bring common sense back to the table, while the Liberals maintain that their controversial price on carbon has led to numerous project advancements in the Peace Country and beyond.

The Folktales Tour will return to the Grande Prairie Museum’s Heritage Village on October 18th and 19th with what officials are calling an “extra scary flare.”

The event will operate as a guided outdoor evening walking tour, featuring historical and newly added fictional stories to mark the occasion as a spooky way to invite in the Halloween season.

According to the city, the stories for this year’s event were chosen through a collaborative effort between the city, the South Peace Regional Archives, and the Disturbing the Peace Podcast.

Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the tours are a “hallmark” for Halloween in Grande Prairie, and says this year will be more of a thriller than ever.

“Embrace the spirit of the spooky season by joining us for a night of eerie stories, autumn weather, local history, and refreshments,” she says.

During the event, a staff member from the archives will be onsite to showcase newspapers and other historical documents highlighting the factual aspects of the stories.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available online on the city’s website for $25 per person.

Tours are one hour and 15 minutes long and take place primarily outdoors. Tours are slated for October 18th at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and again on October 19th at the same times.

The Grande Prairie RCMP is asking for help from the public in locating an individual in possession of a black, 1997 BMW Z3 that was purchased sometime in August of this year in the Grande Prairie area.

According to police, the vehicle was advertised through a social media sales platform, and through an investigation into a report of a stolen vehicle, law enforcement believes the individual who purchased the vehicle may be a victim of fraud.

As a result, the RCMP is reminding residents to follow some simple safety tips to protect themselves from online fraud when shopping on the web or on social media.

Police say knowing the market value of a potential purchase, locating and verifying the seller’s contact information, using payment methods with fraud protection, picking up the item in person, and looking at customer reviews can make the difference between getting scammed and making a legitimate purchase.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Grande Prairie RCMP at (780)-830-5701 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

The Grande Prairie Kidney Walk is set to return on September 22nd at Muskoseepi Park to unite with local families, transplant recipients, and donors in a fun and family-friendly setting.

Kidney Foundation Community Engagement Manager Krysta Gendreau says the walk is “more than just a fundraiser” as it serves as a gathering for so many who have been affected by kidney disease.

Gendreau was candid when speaking on her own experiences with kidney disease, saying she understands firsthand how important solidarity can be for those living with the disease and their families.

“I’m a staff member with the Kidney Foundation of Northern Alberta and Territories Branch, but I’m also the wife of a kidney transplant recipient,” she says. “I know firsthand how important it is to connect that with others on their kidney journey and to raise funds to support them.”

According to the foundation, kidney disease affects one in ten Canadians, including more than 500,000 Albertans. As a result, the Kidney Foundation is looking to Grande Prairie residents to walk in support of those affected, while meeting their $25,000 fundraising goal.

“We aim to raise $25,000, and we’ve already reached 50 per cent of this goal [and] your support can help us get there,” Gendreau says. 

Interested residents are encouraged to visit the Kidney Foundation’s website for more information on registration and how to donate.

Several construction projects are underway throughout the Peace Country as the season winds down, and the County of Grande Prairie has announced one more road closure.

According to the county, construction on Range Road 53, 750 metres north of Township Road 714 to the Grande Prairie city limit is underway after beginning on September 17th.

During this time, traffic is expected to see some delays throughout the duration of the project. Officials suggest that speed will be reduced in the construction zones and traffic could be reduced to a single alternating lane, be temporarily detoured, or have rough, non-gravel driving surfaces.

Drivers are asked to obey all posted signage and flaggers, and exercise extreme caution when travelling through sites, especially when crews and equipment are nearby while allowing for extra travel time.

The project is expected to be completed by October 31st of this year, depending on weather conditions.

RCMP vehicles in Grande Prairie will be stashing snacks instead of suspects during this weekend’s annual Cram-a-Cruiser event.

On September 21st and 22nd, members of the Grande Prairie RCMP will be cramming their cruisers with donations of non-perishable food items and essentials to support the local Salvation Army.

Detachment officers and RCMP staffers will be at the Save-On-Foods in GP from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Staff Sergeant Brent Lawson says he and his detachment are grateful for the opportunity to do some good for the less fortunate in the community.

“Helping out and supporting our community is important to the officers and staff at the Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment,” he says. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to team up with Save-On-Foods and The Salvation Army to help those in need.”

The RCMP says they are hopeful that community members will take the time to donate, chat, and do some good for their community during the event.

The Grande Prairie RCMP is seeking help from the public in finding a missing 39-year-old man.

Lamia Junior Kasse was last seen in Grande Prairie on September 14th; however, investigators say he could be travelling to Chilliwack. Police suggest there is concern for his wellbeing.

Lamia is described as a middle-aged Black male, standing six feet one inch tall, weighing approximately 207 pounds, with black hair, and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the Grande Prairie RCMP at (780)-830-5701 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

The City of Grande Prairie is bringing back its third annual GirlZone event on October 5th.

According to the city, GirlZone is an activity-based day for girls between the ages of 10 and 15 and aims to encourage young women to try new skills and recreational activities in a non-judgemental setting.

Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the event addresses the gender gaps seen in local youth recreation as the event also looks to grow participation among young women in sports while creating a safe and inclusive space for participants to try new things.

“GirlZone is a great event to address the gender gaps we see locally in youth recreation, and empower young girls to build confidence, develop new skills and connect with peers in a supportive environment,” she says.

This year’s program features nine activities including self-defence lessons, squash fundamentals, gymnastics, yoga, cooking, soccer, biking, guided painting, and drama games at a variety of city facilities.

Registration is $20 online and includes the cost of lunch. Four different groups have been scheduled for GirlZone, with each visiting seven of the nine listed activities. Participants can choose the group with the activities they find interesting when registering.

The Grande Prairie RCMP is seeking public assistance in finding a missing 30-year-old woman who was last seen on September 2nd.

April Cox was last seen in Grande Prairie and is described as a five-foot-ten female with a light complexion and brown hair. Police suggest there is concern for her wellbeing.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact the Grande Prairie RCMP at (780)-830-5701 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

The AJHL season is officially underway and the Grande Prairie Storm are coming off a strong showing at their home opener when they shut out last season’s first-ranked team- the Whitecourt Wolverines over the weekend.

Storm Executive Director Nicole Menzies says she’s never seen a stronger performance on opening night from both her team and the fans. Nearly 2,000 fans were in attendance at Bonnetts Energy Centre, which was the largest crowd across the AJHL for opening night, and Menzies credits the support of the community for her guys taking home the victory.

“It’s amazing, the energy in Bonnetts on Friday night was absolutely unmatched from anything I’ve ever seen,” she says. “It was awesome to have the team back out there, we had the fan fest, the after party, and obviously some incredible production, and I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.”

The Storm went on to face off against the Wolverines in Whitecourt later that weekend and managed to push the game into a shootout, before losing 3-2, but Menzies says the weekend was a strong start for her team, and now the guys are looking to continue their momentum throughout the remainder of the season.

“I think that was just an incredible way to start off the season, last year Whitecourt was first in the league so to come away at your home opener with a 3-0, shutout win against a team that won the league last year, I think has a really positive impact on the guys,” she says. “To come out of this weekend with three out of four points feels really good for the team.”

Now, the Storm is gearing up for their next one, a double night of home team action against the Olds Grizzlies, and Menzies says she and her coaches will be looking to their senior skaters to set the tone for the rest of the team.

“We have a really great group of young men, not just hockey players but as people, our leadership group, our captains, are really focused on creating a positive energy and great culture for the team, and what I’ve seen over the past month, they’re absolutely doing that,” she says. “A lot of our new players said they’ve never played in front of a crowd that big or that electric, so that has really fired them up for the season.”

Ultimately, Menzies maintains that her team’s success truly comes down to the fans, saying the electricity in Bonnett’s last Friday was a critical part of her skaters pulling off the shut out victory.

The city and County of Grande Prairie are encouraging residents to attend a public open house on October 7th to review the final version of the drafted Intermunicipal Development Plan.

The IDP is described as a long-term strategic plan required by the Municipal Government Act that outlines a cohesive plan for development and infrastructure near municipal boundaries.

Over the summer, both the City and County of Grande Prairie conducted engagement sessions with community members on the draft updates and gathered their input during two open houses in July. Since then, the feedback was received and has informed a number of revisions to the drafted IDP.

Grande Prairie County Reeve Bob Marshall says the feedback gathered throughout this process will continue coordinating planning in the city and the county to ensure changes align with what both communities wish to see.

“The ongoing feedback from our residents plays an important role in ensuring we have an updated Intermunicipal Development Plan that will continue to coordinate our land use planning, economic development, and transportation needs in the areas that join our neighbouring municipalities,” he says.

The public open house is scheduled for October 7th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Teresa Sargent Hall in the Montrose Cultural Centre.

Hot on the heels of the Slave Lake RCMP’s recent announcement, the Grande Prairie RCMP has shared some numbers regarding its own proactive crime reduction initiative.

According to the RCMP, members of the Grande Prairie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit and the Grande Prairie RCMP conducted a proactive crime reduction initiative which resulted in the arrest of six individuals and the recovery of five stolen vehicles on September 6th.

32-year-old Andrew Porter, along with 22-year-old Shilynne Shave, 39-year-old Burke Marr, 48-year-old Trina Davis, 42-year-old Chad Costello, and 29-year-old Jessica Foisy-Stevens have been charged collectively with a total of 18 charges including alleged possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, failure to comply with release order, and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.

Corporal Steven Jewer from the Crime Reduction Unit says the results of this initiative reflect how targeted crime reduction shows significant merit in community policing in Grande Prairie.

“These types of crimes cause personal hardship to the owners of the vehicles and the greater community,” he says.

All six individuals are scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Grande Prairie.

The City’s Engage Grande Prairie event is returning to Eastlink Centre for the second year in a row.

The event serves as a way to showcase a number of municipal topics for residents to learn about and provide feedback on including the 2025 Budget, Bear Creek Dam, Cedar Point, Fire Services, the GPPS, Parks, and Transit Services.

Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the event bridges the gap between the city and its residents by giving residents the opportunity to engage directly with city officials in charge of projects that matter to them.

“This event plays a crucial role in creating valuable connections and strengthening our relationships,” she says. “We look forward to interacting with residents on important topics like the 2025 Budget, allowing Council to gain a clearer understanding of our community’s priorities.”

Some feedback opportunities are available for residents to engage with ahead of the event including the 2025 Municipal Budget. These engagement opportunities are available online until October 6th.

The event is scheduled for October 3rd and is free to all who wish to attend.

UPDATE: Members of the Mayerthorpe RCMP emergency response team say while the two men remain at large, they “no longer believe” the suspects are in the immediate area and do not believe there is any imminent risk to the community. 

Residents in Mayerthorpe and the greater Lac Ste. Anne County are being advised that a Dangerous Person Alert has been issued by the Alberta RCMP for those areas.

According to police, two men armed with guns are on foot after an alleged robbery.

The first suspect is described as a white male, approximately 35-year-old, standing five feet eleven inches tall weighing 205 pounds with dark hair, brown eyes, and wearing a cowboy hat.

The second suspect is a white male, 6’0, 220 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes, in a black flat brim hat with red letters.

If suspects are spotted, do not approach them, and report all sightings to 9-1-1.

A man allegedly involved in the killing of a 23-year-old Dawson Creek woman while both were in Mexico has been found not guilty by local courts.

The victim, Kiara Agnew, was reportedly on vacation at a resort in Playa del Carmen with a boyfriend while celebrating a birthday before being found dead on March 3rd, 2023.

The accused was not named in any reports due to privacy reasons after his acquittal, and one Sergeant from the Dawson Creek RCMP says he “knows as much as you do.”

“In all honesty, we have no involvement whatsoever in that, it happened in a different country, yeah he’s associated with Dawson Creek of course, but I know about as much as you do,” he says.

According to the CBC, Global Affairs has confirmed they are “aware” of the acquittal; however, no further information can be disclosed due to privacy reasons.

The Slave Lake RCMP has launched its own Crime Reduction Unit as a way to address what police are calling the “increasing complexity” of criminal activity at a local level.

According to the RCMP, the demand for more effective policing strategies has necessitated a shift from reactive investigations to proactive crime prevention.

As a result, the Slave Lake RCMP General Investigation Section implemented several proactive crime prevention techniques to address the priority shift in June. Since then, based on their findings, the Slave Lake RCMP has made the decision to permanently shift resources by moving a number of officers into a new Crime Reduction Unit with a focus on data-driven policing and community collaboration to reduce crime in Slave Lake.

Law enforcement suggests that in many communities, a small group of individuals are frequently responsible for a large amount of the crime, prompting the CRU team to focus on reducing crime rates by targeting “priority offenders” who cause the most harm to the community.

The Slave Lake RCMP maintains that the new shift in priorities does not reflect a spike in crime as crime rates have remained relatively low in past years, and the CRU only aims to reduce the number even further.

Since the beginning of September, Slave Lake has experienced around seven incidents, largely involving property crime, compared to Grande Prairie’s 114 property crime incidents in the same timeframe.