The Mackenzie Region of Alberta will debut a new animated mascot during National Forest Week.

“Boris the Spruce Tree” is set to become Northwestern Alberta’s “boreal buddy” as a way to open up a line of communication between the region’s young people and the boreal forest.

The Mackenzie Region is nearly 80,000 square kilometres in size, mostly consisting of forest, with more than 70 per cent of Mackenzie Region residents working in forestry in “some capacity.”

Due to its immense size, and critical role in Alberta’s economy, officials suggested that a connection between the region’s youth and the forest itself was necessary, leading to the development of the forest’s newest friend Boris.

National Forest Week takes place from September 22nd to the 28th, and approximately 5,500 students will get a sneak peek of Boris in his animated music video before his official public unveiling on October 9th during the Alberta Forest Products Association’s conference in Banff.

Boris’ Adventure was created by Kathleen and Dražen Rukavina of Long Sleeve Productions, which features a blend of animation and real-life footage within the Boreal Forest, and is described by its creators as a “mix between a nature show and an interactive video game.”

The Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection’s Try It Day is back for its Fall session, boasting more than 30 sports for parents and kids to try out before committing to a full season of play.

This time around, the usual sports such as karate, ringette, and gymnastics will return, but new this year, arm wrestling and bowling will be available for those looking to try something new, which GPRSC Marketing and Communications Coordinator Heather Llewellyn says is what the day is all about.

“It showcases some of the over 80 sports that we have in town because a lot of people don’t realize we have over 80 different sports available and there’s something for everybody,” she says.

Llewellyn says the day is so attractive to parents and kids as it allows young people to try before committing to a full season in a sport they may not prefer. She says getting a feel for a new sport before committing to it allows kids to get active while having fun in activities they know they like.

“Once you sign your kids up, they’re committed for a season and sometimes you don’t know if they’re going to love it or not,” she says. “They come, they try it, the parents get a feel for the sport, the kids get a feel for the sport, so you can try it before you buy it.”

The Marketing Coordinator adds that the choice to include some sports that would otherwise go unnoticed by the general public is intentional. She says the more typical sports like hockey and soccer, while fun for some, are “not for everyone.”

“Not every kid wants to play hockey or soccer, which are huge in our community and are also very good, but they’re not necessarily for everybody,” she says. “It’s a way to try non-mainstream sports, you’ll find your niche.”

Ultimately, Llewelyn says the day really comes down to getting kids active in a fun and lighthearted setting. Try It Day is scheduled for September 14th and is open for free for youth aged six to 17.

Youth up to 17 years old will get into the 2024 Festival of Trees for free thanks to a $10,000 sponsorship from the City of Grande Prairie.

The choice to provide the festival with some extra cash was an easy one for council, after moving a portion of the city’s large-scale tourism funding into places that would serve local events better on a smaller scale.

Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton credits the event’s long-standing status as a major supporter of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation for more than 30 years as another reason for her council’s sponsorship.

“I think council was really happy to do this event, especially this year because with the sponsorship we will be able to have youth attend for free,” she says. “Bringing youth to that event to experience not only the awe and wonder of Christmas and the beauty of that event but also to experience and learn more about what the hospital and the Hospital Foundation do, is a win-win for all.”

The Mayor mentions her council’s “attraction and retention” goal for local healthcare workers. She says healthcare-based fundraising events like the Festival of Trees serve as a message of support to physicians while providing fun entertainment options at the local level.

“Sometimes when you move here, especially in a job as busy as a healthcare profession is, you’re so head down in your work that you may not recognize all of the wonderful things going on around you,” she says. “We’re happy to support those events, [and] create awareness on events so that you not only love your job, but you love the community around you.”

The 2024 Festival of Trees is expected to be scheduled for November of this year, with proceeds going directly to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation.

The Grande Prairie Public Library has announced the return of its early-learning literacy initiative “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.”

The program aims to foster a passion for reading among young children and to strengthen the bond between parents and children through a shared love of reading while building essential early literacy skills to prepare kids for academic success.

The GPPL says parents can start by making reading a daily habit and keeping tabs on progress with the library’s special tracking booklet. From there, parents and kids can celebrate milestones along the way, with prizes set at every 100 books read, before reaching the 1,000-book mark and receiving a special certificate and completion prize.

Library officials suggest that the program is essential in early literacy development, as regular reading from birth “stimulates language development and cognitive skills,” while building a strong foundation in reading, writing, and speaking during a child’s academic career.

Interested parents can get started as soon as they wish by visiting the GPPL to sign up and get tracking materials.

The Veteran’s Association Foodbank in Grande Prairie is looking for donations of fresh produce from local gardeners.

Gardeners with a surplus of veggies from the growing season can put them to good use as the region prepares for Autumn by donating anything from leafy greens to root vegetables before the 15th of every month.

“We’re always in need of fresh healthy food for those in need,” the Veteran’s Foodbank says.

Veteran’s Association Marketing Coordinator Tammy Decker says having fresh produce available for clients is not only good for healthy eating, but for mental health and wellness as well.

“They love fresh produce any chance they can get because a lot of people don’t have access to a garden, it’s great,” she says.

Decker says both fresh and non-perishable donations can be accepted until the 15th of every month as hampers are sent out on the 16th.

A full list of the foodbank’s needs, along with donation options is available on the Veteran’s Association Foodbank’s website.

Road work has led to a number of traffic and transit impacts in the areas of 102nd Street and 116th Avenue.

According to the City of Grande Prairie, starting on September 7th, paving operations and a Full Depth Reclamation of the roadway will result in the south side of 102nd Street and 116th Avenue being closed for approximately seven days, depending on the weather.

As a result, northbound traffic on 102nd Street will be detoured eastbound on 115th Avenue, while southbound traffic on 102nd will not be allowed to pass through the 116th Avenue intersection and traffic west and eastbound will not be permitted to turn south onto 102nd Street.

The city maintains that school bus routes will be impacted; however, the project will not affect pick-up or drop-off, but parents should still expect some delays.

City transit will also be affected as stop 820 will be closed with riders directed to stop 426. Riders are advised that stop 822 will not be accessed by Route eight, but route four will continue to service the stop as 426.

The final number has come in for the Parkinson Association of Alberta’s 12th annual Step n’ Stride Walk in Grande Prairie.

Every September, participants from around the province gather as one community and walk for Parkinson’s, which the PAA says has helped raise more than $3.8 million to support and better the lives of those living with or loving someone with Parkinson’s disease.

In Grande Prairie, this year saw nearly $1,000 more than the target goal for fundraising, with the grand total coming in at $10,917.80 raised. The top fundraisers this year include Bob Sherard who raised just over $3,600, Carla Pierce who raised $1,775, and Jason Bass who raised $1,415.

The well-attended event took place at the Ernie Radbourne Pavillion in Muskoseepi Park and featured hundreds of donators and participants representing a variety of corporate, government, and private entities.

The Parkinson’s Association of Alberta says the organization relies heavily on community participation with the Step ‘n Stride fundraiser accounting for more than 20 per cent of the PAA’s annual budget.

The first class of Grande Prairie Police Service recruits have begun their training, marking another milestone in the agency’s ongoing journey to take over policing in the city.

On September 9th, 12 recruits commenced their six-month Police Cadet Training program, provided by Lethbridge Polytechnic. Classes will be taking place at the GPPS’ recruitment and training centre at NWP, as well as several other community facilities to learn subjects surrounding law, community policing, firearms training, evidence and statement collection, Indigenous awareness, and more.

GPPS officials suggest that this batch of recruits was selected from nearly 200 applicants after an “extensive” hiring process; which included written and physical testing, character assessments, psychological testing, and background investigations.

GPPS Chief Dwayne Lakusta says every single recruit that was chosen “exemplifies” the agency’s core values, and he says he looks forward to seeing them excel in training and calling their names during next year’s graduation.

“Each of these recruits exemplify GPPS’ core values and commitment to community-focused policing, progressive practices and values, and improving the safety and wellbeing of all citizens in Grande Prairie,” he says.

Eight of the recruits are Peace Country locals, while two came from other Alberta communities, and two are from British Columbia.

The City of Grande Prairie is encouraging residents to participate in Neighbour Day on September 14th.

According to Mayor Jackie Clayton, Neighbour Day plays a significant role in fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion in communities.

“Grande Prairie is a mid-sized city with big-city pride and connecting with our neighbours plays a big role in fostering that sense of belonging, value, and inclusion,” she says.

To participate, residents are encouraged to engage in a variety of activities such as organizing a community barbecue, inviting a neighbour over for coffee, or helping out neighbours with household tasks such as gardening.

For large-scale activities, such as joining a neighbourhood association, planning block parties, or creating a neighbourhood association, the city has established some resources for residents to facilitate the process.

The Beaverlodge RCMP says 31-year-old Vince Hunter was found safe.

The Beaverlodge RCMP is looking for help from the public in finding missing 31-year-old Vince Hunter.

According to investigators, Hunter was hiking with his friends to Red Willow Falls before being separated from the group. Since then, he has not been heard from since 4:00 p.m. on September 7th.

Hunter is described as a 31-year-old male with black hair and brown eyes, standing five feet six inches tall, with a “stocky” build.

Anyone with information regarding Vince’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Beaverlodge RCMP at (780)-354-2485 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

The Grande Prairie RCMP is asking for the public’s help in tracking down a missing 45-year-old man. Authorities say Justin Radcliffe hasn’t been seen since August 27th, 2024 in Grande Prairie and there is concern for his well-being.

Radcliffe is described as having a fair complexion, standing approximately 5’5″ tall, weighing 170 pounds. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment at 780-830-5700, or if you wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Preseason is coming to a close, and Grande Prairie Storm Officials say expectations are high going into the regular season.

During the offseason, the Storm made a few changes to their coaching staff, the most notable being new Head Coach Chris Schmidt. Schmidt says he is excited to be behind the bench and looks forward to building on former Coach Eric Thurston’s approach to acquiring and developing young players of “strong character.”

“I think Eric did a great job just paying attention to what kind of kids we’re bringing into the team, I think that’s such a big part of building a team is just what quality of kid you’re bringing in and how important it is, it’s paramount in my opinion,” he says. “You want good kids because it goes so far in how the team does, so that’s number one thing we’re looking for and I think we’ve hopefully done that this year for sure.”

Storm Executive Director Nicole Menzies describes her team’s new HC as a coach who can connect with his players on a deeper level. She says understanding the unique challenges associated with playing hockey in the north is critical to his success as a coach.

“Chris really relates to the guys very well, and I also think he very deeply understands the unique challenges in the sort of unique environment of playing hockey and coaching in Grande Prairie,” she says.

Coach Schmidt says his approach is purposeful and direct, and adds that he coaches the way he would have wanted to be coached if he was still playing.

“As a player, I kind of appreciated a coach that was open enough to talk to you, not even about hockey, just to say, how’s it going today,” he says.

Both Menzies and Schmidt say this season is all about connecting with the community, providing top-notch entertainment on the ice, and building meaningful connections between the squad and the city off the ice.

“We’d like the community to be proud of this team, for not only the on-ice performance, but just what they do within the community,” Schmidt says. “That’s the number one priority for us, being this city’s team, being a team that the city can be proud of and that people look forward to coming to watch on the ice and coming to support,” Menzies adds.

The Storm is scheduled to face off against the Whitecourt Wolverines to kick off the regular season at home in Bonnetts Energy Centre on September 13th at 7:00 p.m.

An air quality advisory has been issued for several communities in the Peace Country due to wildfire smoke concerns.

According to Environment Canada, wildfire smoke is expected to cause “very poor” air quality and reduced visibility in some areas, which can vary considerably from hour to hour.

Officials suggest that poor air quality is expected to persist through the weekend and into early next week.

The provincial health authority says everyone is considered at risk regardless of their age or health due to the fine particles in wildfire smoke; however, seniors, pregnant women, smokers, infants, and those with existing ailments or chronic health conditions should avoid spending time outdoors altogether.

When indoors, Environment Canada recommends keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible. Additionally, property owners are encouraged to consider installing a good quality air filter in ventilation systems and everyone is urged to use a certified portable air purifier that can filter fine particles.

Residents are asked to be mindful of symptoms of smoke inhalation such as eye and throat irritation, and anyone who suspects they might be having a medical emergency is urged to seek immediate medical assistance.

The region that includes Grande Prairie reported the second lowest unemployment rate in the province in August.

According to Statistics Canada the Banff – Jasper – Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca – Grande Prairie – Peace River region was 4.8 per cent, a 0.2 per cent from July. However, compared to the same month in 2023 the unemployment rate in the area is down nearly two per cent.

The provincial unemployment saw a 0.6 per cent bump to 7.7 per cent. The Camrose – Drumheller region reported the lowest unemployment rate at 0.1 per cent lower then Grande Prairies, while Edmonton’s unemployment rate was nearly double that at 8.4 per cent.

The Rotary Club of Grande Prairie’s annual Community Food Drive is set to get underway for another year. 

The food drive has been an ongoing endeavour for “just over 30 years” and serves as a significant driver for local food banks especially heading into the holiday season.

Food Bank Chair Lori Pollock says while excitement is high among everyone involved, the harsh reality of just how dire the need for food is in the city cannot be ignored.

“Sadly, the need is greater than it ever has been, we’re seeing a solid, actually dramatic increase in the need just with the economic times that so many are experiencing,” she says.

Last Christmas, Salvation Army Captain Peter Kim shared a harrowing statistic, saying one in five Grande Prairie families are facing food insecurity and are accessing food banks as a result. Additionally, Pollock says this year nearly 50 per cent of residents who are accessing food banks are children and seniors.

“It’s really hard to wrap our heads around, I don’t even really know how to put it into words, it’s so sad,” she says. “It just breaks my heart to think somebody’s going hungry and doesn’t have enough to eat.” 

In an effort to combat the growing need in the Swan City, the food drive will be accepting financial donations to allow more flexibility for the Salvation Army to reach their targets.

“It goes a long way in supplementing some of the items that they maybe didn’t get or couldn’t get through the annual food bank drive,” Pollock says. 

Still, with so many charities and non-profits asking the public for donations, Pollock says her organization has continually had to look at diversifying options for residents to help out.

“That’s definitely the concern, we were very wary of that, even last year in the food drive, we know that people are struggling and more people are struggling than they were last year.” 

Despite her concerns, Pollock maintains that folks should only ever give what they can. She says volunteering, having donations ready at the door, and participating in any way is just as valuable to the drive.

“All we can do is what we’ve always done, we let people know what the need is, share with them how great it is, and if people can give, then they will, and whatever we get, we’ll be grateful for because it’ll make a meal for somebody,” she says. 

The drive is scheduled for September 12th, and residents are encouraged to have their donations ready for volunteers who will be going door to door.

Residents from across the City of Grande Prairie are invited to take part in Welcoming Week events across the municipality later this month.

Hosted by Grande Prairie’s Local Immigration Partnership, welcoming Week looks to connect new arrivals with long-standing residents, which helps develop a sense of belonging across the community.

“Welcoming Week is a time to reflect on the richness that diversity brings to Grande Prairie,” says Mayor Jackie Clayton. “We encourage everyone to join in the celebration, attend the City’s events, and experience firsthand how ‘We’re All In’ on making our community a welcoming place for everyone.”

Throughout the week, events will include a job fair, a number of municipal information sessions, including learning the ins and outs of transit, mental health and wellness, and more.

Welcoming Week runs from September 11th to 22nd, and you can find a full list of events, and information on how to register on the City of Grande Prairie website.

Residents in Sexsmith are invited to participate in a free crime prevention seminar that will take place later this month. Hosted by Citizens on Patrol Sexsmith, the keynote speaker will be Chad Cronk, the Crime Prevention Liaison from the Community Safety and Well-Being Unit with the Grande Prairie RCMP.

Topics on the night will include crime prevention through environmental design and a chance to ask any questions you may have when it comes to policing in rural areas. Representatives from Citizens on Patrol and The County of Grande Prairie enforcement services will also be on hand to take any questions.

The event will kick off at 7 p.m. at the Sexsmith and Area Community Centre.

The Fairview Health Complex Emergency Department will soon, twice, be temporarily closed for 24 hours due to the inability to secure physician coverage.

From 7:00 a.m. September 6th to 7:00 a.m. September 7th, and from 7 a.m. September 9th to 7 a.m. September 10th, the Fairview ED will be without an onsite physician.

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.

The Grande Prairie Police Service’s new recruitment and training centre will operate out of Northwestern Polytechnic as the agency continues establishing itself as the city’s police service.

GPPS officials suggest the new development opens up a line of communication for those interested in a career in the GPPS and now have the chance to speak to a recruitment specialist by appointment.

At the centre, officers will provide information on the requirements, application process, training, and career opportunities. Additionally, classroom learning for recruits and experienced officers will be conducted out of the NWP campus, instructed by Lethbridge Polytechnic Criminal Justice in Policing program and local experts.

GPPS Chief Dwayne Lakusta calls the choice to partner with NWP a “natural one,” saying his police service prioritizes local training for officers.

“This is just one of the many ways GPPS is building relationships and community partnerships that will lead to effective solutions,” he says.

According to the GPPS, all officer training will be based out of the Peace Country, including at local firearms ranges, race tracks, recreation centres, and other facilities, so residents can keep their eyes out for GPPS trainees and officers at places like NWP or the Eastlink Centre.