The MD of Greenview council has approved a $2,000 sponsorship to the Peace Area Motor Sports Association.

The sponsorship comes in support of a racing event PAMSA will host at the Hythe Motor Speedway from August 30th to September 1st of this year.

According to the MD, the sponsorship was an easy choice as the event serves as a significant tourism driver for the region, attracting racers and crew members from all over Canada, including around 50 participants and their families from the MD itself.

The track is described as “one of the premier motorsport ovals in Western Canada,” featuring a 3/8-mile high banked track complete with a grandstand, concession, media tower, and a small dirt track for lawn mower and kids races.

The $2,000 funding boost comes from the MD’s 2024 Community Services Donations and Sponsorships budget.

Alberta Health Services is advising residents and visitors to Moonshine Lake that Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) has been identified in the water.

As a result, visitors to the lake are advised to avoid all contact with algae blooms, do not swim or wade or allow pets to swim in any areas where the bacteria is visible, and avoid consuming fish from the lake.

Additionally, according to AHS, it is unsafe for visitors to drink or cook with water from the lake, even if it is boiled. The Health authority says boiling the lake’s water will not remove the toxins produced by cyanobacteria.

AHS advises that people who come into contact with visible cyanobacteria or who ingest water containing the algae could experience symptoms from skin irritation to swollen lips and eyes, and even vomiting or diarrhea. AHS adds that symptoms tend to be more pronounced in children and exposure could be fatal to pets.

Visitors to the lake are encouraged to keep their eyes open for lake scum or fuzz on the surface of the water that appears to be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, or pinkish-red in colour.

Weather and wind conditions also play a factor in the advisory, as AHS says natural occurrences could move the algae from one area of the lake to another, and as a result, the advisory will remain in effect “until further notice.”

The lake remains available for recreation during this time; however, visitors are encouraged to exercise caution when fishing, kayaking, or using the lake for any reason even if the algae is not visible.

Anyone who believes they have come in contact with cyanobacteria or is experiencing symptoms is advised to contact Health Link at 8-1-1 with any questions.

The Town of Peace River has announced a new public safety services project in hopes of enhancing the safety and security of the community.

After “extensive” consultations with residents and businesses impacted by increased security, Peace River administration negotiated a three-month agreement with Apex Security to boost safety in the community over the summer, representing a $240K investment in community wellbeing.

Peace River Mayor Elaine Manzer says the agreement displays the current council’s commitment to keeping Peace River a safe and welcoming town for residents and visitors alike.

“This pilot project is a testament to our dedication to improving public safety and supporting our downtown core,” she says. “We believe that by taking proactive steps, we can foster a more secure and welcoming atmosphere for all.”

According to town officials, the new services will include increased patrols, surveillance, and assistance for business owners dealing with “low-level social disorder” and disturbances in the community.

Due to the size of the investment, representing a “substantial” piece of the town’s budget, council maintains that administration will carefully monitor its impact and effectiveness. Upon the conclusion of the three-month pilot, council will review the services.

The project will run from July 15th to October 15th of this year and residents are encouraged to share feedback with council throughout the duration of the pilot.

A heat warning has been issued for Alberta, expecting extremely warm temperatures between 30 to 35°C and overnight lows of 14°C or higher until at least mid-week.

Residents and visitors are advised to:
– Reschedule outdoor activities to cooler times.
– Take breaks in cool indoor spaces.
– Stay hydrated with water and non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks.
– Ensure children and pets are not left in vehicles.

Be alert for symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and pay special attention to vulnerable groups such as infants, seniors, individuals with certain medical conditions, outdoor workers, and socially isolated individuals. Heat warnings indicate a heightened risk of heat-related illnesses.

After a toasty three days, the heat warning in effect for the Grande Prairie area has officially been ended by Environment Canada.

According to Environment Canada, temperatures have cooled off enough in the communities of Grande Prairie, Beaverlodge, Valleyview, Peace River, Fairview, High Prairie, and Manning to warrant the ending of the days-long heat warning in the area.

Despite the ending in the Grande Prairie region, numerous communities in Alberta are still in the midst of a record-breaking heat wave. The MD of Greenview near Fox Creek, Yellowhead County near Edson, and Woodlands County near Benbow are continuing to experience high temperatures and remain under a heat warning.

Environment Canada suggests that temperatures will be moderate for most of Alberta on Friday; however, some regions, especially in the south of the province such as Lethbridge, are expected to remain warm through the weekend.

Heat warnings are issued when “extreme temperatures” are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illness, and could occur once again later in the summer months.

The Grande Prairie Technical Search and Rescue squad has submitted a report of numerous stolen items to the RCMP.

According to GPTSR, members of the team were participating in a Swiftwater Awareness training exercise at the Canfor Bridge from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Team members describe returning to their vehicles following the exercise and discovered that “multiple essential items” were stolen by an unknown third party. The stolen items include a swiftwater drysuit, two chest rigs to carry gear, GPS systems, and other personal belongings.

According to TSR, some of the stolen gear was personally purchased by team members, which GPTSR Safety Director Sean Mowat says is “truly disheartening.”

“It is truly disheartening to have items stolen from an emergency response organization dedicated to saving lives,” he says. “Despite this setback, we remain committed and ready to respond to any emergency situation.”

Officials say the loss is “deeply personal” as the theft affects the tools that TSR depends on to save lives.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact GPTSR at [email protected] or the RCMP at (780)-830-5700.

The County of Grande Prairie has joined the city in implementing a complete fire ban for the region due to the recent extreme heat in the area.

The County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service, like most of the rest of the province, issued a fire ban effective 4:00 p.m. on July 10th, for the entire county including the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley.

Alberta Forestry issued a fire ban for the entire Forest Protected Area of Alberta on July 10th due to what officials are calling an “extreme” fire hazard, being the hot, dry conditions throughout most of Alberta.

Under the ban, existing fire permits are revoked and no new fire permits will be issued until the ban is lifted; however, some allowances can be made for “essential” agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.

All outdoor fires are prohibited under the ban including the use of charcoal barbecues, open pit burning, burning barrels, burning refuse, and fireworks. The use of propane appliances such as barbecues is still permitted.

The county says the ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Limited traffic has been opened up on 132nd Avenue between 97B Street and 99th Street as repairs on an incident that occurred on July 9th have begun.

The incident that ultimately led to the road closure occurred the afternoon of July 9th and has since been revealed to be a large pothole that opened up near the train tracks in the area after a CN contractor allegedly damaged an Aquatera water main during their work on the railway.

The city says CN has retained a contractor to complete repairs on both the water line and roadway; however, the truck route remains closed and trucks entering the city eastbound are asked to divert to Highway 43.

During the repairs, one lane of alternating traffic will be open for passenger vehicles only, semi-trucks will not be permitted until further notice, and the city maintains that all work is weather-dependent.

As of 4:00 p.m. on July 10th, a fire ban will be in effect for the city of Grande Prairie due to the “extreme” fire hazard associated with the record-breaking heat forecasted for much of the rest of the week.

Under the ban, all fire permits will be suspended or cancelled, no new permits will be issued, and all outdoor wood fires will be prohibited, along with the use of barbecue charcoal, and fireworks.

Propane and natural gas-powered appliances are permitted, however, and indoor wood fires contained with a chimney will also be allowed under the ban. Additionally, open flame oil devices such as tiki torches are still permitted, but all devices must be CSA-approved.

GPFD Fire Chief Mark VanWerkhoven says the ban is necessary as conditions are simply too hot and dry to be considered safe for burning.

“We ask all residents to adhere to the restrictions and take necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s safety,” he says. “Your cooperation is vital during this time of heightened fire risk.”

The city says the ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Due to the ongoing heat warning issued by Environment Canada for residents in Grande Prairie, the city has issued a number of tips for residents to beat the heat and stay safe during the record-breaking temperatures.

Residents are encouraged to use sunscreen, stay indoors whenever they get too hot, and hydrate whenever they are outside in the sun. Additionally, Grande Prairie pet owners are encouraged to make sure their furry friend has access to clean drinking water at all times, never leave pets alone outside for too long or in a parked vehicle, and consider walking pets early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid burning their paws.

In response to the heat, numerous city facilities have been made available for public use throughout the week, including the Ernie Radbourne Pavillion, Grande Prairie Museum, Eastlink Centre, Design Works Centre, Activity and Reception Centre, Montrose Cultural Centre, and the Aquatera Outdoor Pool.

Additionally, splash pads at Lions and Muskoseepi Park have been opened for extended hours of 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. until further notice for residents and kids to beat the heat.

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

Residents of Peace River, Fairview, High Prairie, and Manning are advised that wildfire smoke is causing “very poor” air quality and reduced visibility in those communities.

According to Environment Canada, during heavy smoke, everyone is considered “at risk” regardless of their age or health due to the fine particles in wildfire smoke.

Seniors, pregnant women, people who smoke, infants and young children, those working outdoors, those who engage in exercise outdoors, and people with existing health conditions are urged to take extra care and avoid strenuous activities outdoors.

Anyone experiencing symptoms such as a cough or chest pains is encouraged to listen to their body and reduce outdoor activities during this time. When indoors, residents should consider utilizing a quality air filter in ventilation systems, and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

Additionally, anyone who must spend time outdoors is encouraged to consider using a respirator-type mask that can reduce exposure to fine particles in smoke; however, officials suggest that while smoke exposure may be reduced, there can still be health risks when spending time outdoors.

Applications for the City of Grande Prairie’s newly expanded Municipal Fee Rebate have opened up for developers and property owners.

After City Council approved the amendments to Policy 357, the Development Grants and Incentive Program, expanded to include secondary suites, multi-attached dwellings, and large-scale apartment building projects.

Officials suggest that the expanded program will provide opportunities for both new projects and existing suites, which Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says could help generate “innovative ideas and projects” that can better support community needs.

“This initiative is about more than just building new housing; it’s about creating homes and encouraging creative solutions to meet the needs of our growing city,” she says.

The Municipal Fee Rebate Grant is equal to all city fees on “all eligible” multi-unit residential projects, which the city says will stimulate growth by simplifying the application process and alleviate some of the financial implications associated with developing in the city.

Within the changes to the program, applicants will see the removal of the $10,000 cap and project limits per builder, and grant payments will also be given by an approved occupancy certificate from the city, in hopes of ensuring that new units are ready to be used as soon as they are completed.

The application will be open until 4:00 p.m. on December 30th next year, and interested applicants can apply for the rebate on the city’s website.

The heat wave sweeping through much of western Canada and the United States has resulted in two unofficial heat records being broken in the past two days.

On July 8th, the long-standing highest daily temperature record of 31.1 degrees recorded in 1964 was busted after temperatures reached 32.5 degrees Celsius that afternoon. July 9th saw the twelve-year-old highest recorded temperature of 31.3 degrees shattered when temperatures as high as 34.6 degrees were recorded during the day.

The heat wave has resulted in temperatures over 40 degrees in some British Columbia communities, with the Village of Lytton, nabbing the title of hottest place in Canada on July 9th.

Due to the unprecedented heat across the west, numerous Alberta communities have implemented fire bans and advisories due to low moisture and hot weather. The County and the City of Grande Prairie have implemented fire advisories as a risk management strategy during this time.

As of July 10th at noon, another decades-long held record could be unofficially broken for the third day in a row, with temperatures expected to reach a high of 34 degrees in the afternoon.

Work began on the replacement of two playgrounds in the City of Grande Prairie on July 9th.

Work on the playground at Monkman Park in O’Brien Lake is currently underway, and work on the playground located at 74th Avenue and 107th Street in Mission Heights is scheduled to start “soon.”

To engage the individuals that are most likely to use the structures and assist the city with revitalization, the City enlisted the help of local kids to select the new colour palettes for the new playgrounds. Students from two Stepping Stone daycares selected the colourful “Macaw” palette for Mission Height’s playground, and students from École Louis Riel chose a vibrant “Seabreeze” palette for Monkman Park.

Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the choice to engage the youth during this process was successful and adds that the city is pleased to have engaged the community’s youngest members in a project that means something to them.

“Their input has helped create spaces that will leave a lasting impression and provide enjoyment for years to come,” she says.

Officials say that a number of factors were considered during the planning phase of the project including a “thorough assessment” of playground safety, age and condition of playgrounds, maintenance costs, and proximity to other playgrounds.

Playground replacements include the removal of existing equipment, new installations of updated equipment and wooden borders, and wood fiber surfacing.

During this process, the playgrounds will be fenced off in the interest of public safety, and will remain fenced off until the final inspection is completed and approved.

The city suggests both projects are anticipated to be complete by September 30th of this year.

The City of Grande Prairie has joined the County in issuing a fire advisory due to the recent hot, dry conditions in the region.

As of July 9th at noon, fire permits for open burning and fireworks will no longer be issued, existing permits are suspended, and new fire permits will be issued on a “case-by-case basis, for “light burning” only.

Under the advisory, the use of safe wood campfires, backyard fire pits, portable propane fire pits, gas-powered stoves and barbecues, and catalytic heaters are still permitted.

The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions cool off, and residents are encouraged to exercise caution and adhere to the guidelines to prevent unnecessary risk.

Traffic in both directions between 97B Street and 99 Street is closed due to what the city is calling “unforeseen circumstances.”

As of 4:30 p.m. on July 9th, traffic is being redirected to alternate routes. Additionally, officials say the truck route is also closed, and trucks entering the city eastbound are asked to divert to Highway 43.

Photos suggest that crews are actively working on the issue and will continue until it is resolved.

Residents are asked to avoid the area at this time and the city says more details will be provided as they become available.

Lemonade stands are a summertime staple for any kid, but residents at Prairie Lakes Seniors Community showed off that older folks can still sling summertime refreshments like the younger crowd during their recent lemonade fundraiser.

On July 5th, residents of the Prairie Lakes Seniors Community held the first lemonade stand of the summer-long fundraising event to raise money for their annual end-of-summer carnival on August 30th.

Raquelle Quinn, Recreation Coordinator for Prairie Lakes Seniors Community says the first event was quite well attended, raising more than $200 from lemonade sales alone, and now that the word is out, she says the seniors hope to raise even more than last year.

“The last time we ran it last summer, some days we raised over $600 on busier days so it’s really good and the residents just love to get out and be in the sunshine and see new faces,” she says.

According to Quinn, the idea to host a lemonade stand stemmed from a place of creative fundraising endeavours that could get the home’s residents involved, while doing some good in the community by celebrating the spirit of summer.

“Our previous coordinator was looking for fundraising ideas because we do this big carnival for our residents at the end of the summer,” she says. “We were looking for ways to have a big fundraiser that catches more people than just family members, that catches more people out in the community.”

The Recreation Coordinator adds that while the lemonade stand event helps with fundraising for the carnival’s operations, the event allows seniors to break out of their otherwise “routine” lifestyles, by getting involved in public service, and meeting new people while they do it.

“They just love to do different things, they love to have something different, they get so tired of having a routine and they love to do something different,” she says. “Because it comes back into the home all the money goes towards something they can enjoy at the end of the summer, they just love feeling like they are also helping.”

Numerous lemonade stand events are scheduled throughout the rest of summer into August. A glass of lemonade is $2 with 100 per cent of the proceeds going towards recreation at Prairie Lakes.

Representatives from the Bear Creek Folk Festival appeared in City Hall on July 9th to answer questions for council’s Financial and Administrative Services Committee regarding a funding request to support additional infrastructure during the festival.

During the question-and-answer portion of their presentation, the representatives identified three key priority areas within the festival’s operations that require additional funding; fencing, power, and a new stage.

According to Folk Festival Producer, Sarah Card, Bear Creek spends around $15,000 on fuel to operate diesel-operated generators to power the festival, leading to the festival’s $282K request for an improved electrical system on festival grounds.

“The cost saving is not just financial, but we’re excited about the environmental [impacts],” she says.

When it comes to the matter of a new stage, representatives suggested that the current supplier’s contract with the festival is “unstable” in price and could lead to potentially no guarantee that next year’s event will have a stage for the show.

Taken together, between fencing, a new stage, and electrical costs, the Bear Creek Folk Festival requested nearly $1.3 million in funding from the city; however, the $282K in electrical upgrades was identified as a top priority for council so the matter is scheduled to be discussed during this year’s budget deliberations.

Alberta’s annual Family Fishing Weekend returns this weekend, encouraging friends and families to connect with what the Provincial Government calls some of Alberta’s “greatest” natural resources- the bountiful lakes, rivers, and streams.

During the weekend of July 13th-14th, residents and visitors alike are encouraged to give fishing a try without having to commit to purchasing a sportfishing license.

While fishing licenses are not required during this time, fishing regulations remain in effect and apply to anglers of all ages, and residents who choose to fish are encouraged to be responsible by practicing sustainable techniques and learning the difference between sport fish and invasive species.

Additionally, free fishing is not available in national parks in Alberta including in Banff, Jasper, Waterton Lakes, and Wood Buffalo.

In Grande Prairie, Alberta Fish and Wildlife has stocked numerous water bodies in the area with thousands of fish, predominantly rainbow trout, in the County Sportsplex Pond, the Highway 40 Pond, Muskoseepi Pond, North Two Lakes, and South Two Lakes for residents to try their luck.