The County of Grande Prairie has issued a fire advisory for the entire region, including the municipalities of Wembley, Sexsmith, and Beaverlodge.

Officials say the continuing hot and dry conditions with a lack of precipitation in the short term forecast prompted the advisory. The County’s advisory aligns with the fire advisory issued yesterday by Alberta Wildfire for the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

The county says existing fire permits are still valid, but Fire Services will be evaluating any new permit requests over as they come in over the next few days. Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited. Burning is never permitted when winds are forecasted to reach 12 kilometres per hour or higher.

More than 1,700 elementary students across 40 schools in the Grande Prairie region released newly hatched butterflies into the world this week.

Recently, the International Paper Grande Prairie Mill, through the International Paper Foundation provided thousands of Peace Country youth with “butterfly kits” to bolster hands-on learning in Grande Prairie area schools.

Schools in the Public, Catholic, County, and French school districts received their kits containing larvae in May, granting students the opportunity to witness metamorphosis in real time over the course of three weeks, which Grande Prairie Mill Manager Lyman Rorem says supports engaging education among youth in the region.

“We hope it inspires a curiosity to learn more through educational activities such as the butterfly kits,” they say.

The Painted Lady butterflies were taken care of for a number of weeks by students as they began to hatch and were fed for nearly a week before students got the chance to release them into the wild.

International Paper’s school butterfly kit program operates throughout North America in schools across Canada, the US, and Mexico, allowing students to witness the biological miracle of metamorphosis in their backyard.

Grande Prairie is in the midst of a heat wave sweeping through much of western Canada and will likely see numerous decades-long daily temperature records broken throughout the second week of July.

July 8th unofficially busted the previously held six-decade-old temperature record of 31.1 degrees recorded in 1964 when temperatures climbed to 32.5 degrees celsius on Monday afternoon.

According to Environment Canada, the heat wave was brought about due to a high-pressure ridge moving through the west bringing temperatures up to as high as 40 degrees in British Columbia over the weekend.

As a result, some communities in Alberta including the City of Lethbridge have implemented fire bans and restrictions due to low moisture and high temperatures.

The City and County of Grande Prairie have yet to implement any fire restrictions or advisories in their communities; however, residents are always encouraged to practice FireSmart techniques in the summer to mitigate any unnecessary risk.

The heat is expected to persist throughout most of the week, with potential record-breaking temperatures as high as 36 degrees on July 9th, and 34 degrees on July 10th.

Beloved local volleyball coach and pioneer of the sport in Grande Prairie, Leigh Goldie has been inducted into the Alberta Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Goldie boasts a storied career filled with accolades across the different teams and leagues he has coached in over the past 50 years and now serves as Board Director of the Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection.

Before his time at the GPRSC, Goldie began his coaching career in GP as Head Coach of the Grande Prairie Regional Men’s Volleyball team in 1975. Since then, Goldie led the team to numerous provincial championships and earned three Coach of the Year awards in the process.

The humble coach took a moment to thank the hundreds of players, coaches, and officials he has interacted with over the years.

“It’s very nice to be recognized like that, for participation for a long time, but I think in terms of personal recognition, it’s also a recognition of the number of people I’ve worked with and the team I’ve had with me through the years,” he says.

Goldie says a number of highlights jump out at him when he thinks of his long career in Grande Prairie, especially in his early days as a coach.

“One of the things that stands out is when we came to Grande Prairie, it was certainly a lot smaller then, and there were lots of great people and you could really do things here, and we were able to help facilitate some things that helped Grande Prairie become known as a volleyball community,” he says. “One big highlight was hosting the Canadian College Athletics Association Nationals for five years in a row in the early 2000s.”

Goldie founded the Wolves Volleyball team in 1984, so the question of what could be next for the well-established coach was answered simply when he said- “I guess just keep doing what you’ve been doing.”

“Personally, I teach a lot of coaching courses in the National Coaching Certification Program, both in multi-sport and volleyball, so we’re able to continue contributing that way,” he says. “There’s still lots to do and there’s lots of people I get to interact with so it’s great.”

Goldie joined three other inductees, one player, and one coach, and was recognized in the Hall of Fame’s “Builder” category.

The Sexsmith Community Garden is highlighting some tips and tricks for sustainable harvesting for residents who choose to utilize the garden for their produce needs.

The garden is a shared space within the community of Sexsmith, which the Wellness Coordinator for the Town of Sexsmith Melody Sample says is taken care of by a number of community groups and individuals, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration in the municipality.

Sample says because the garden is shared among residents, some rules are necessary to ensure the space remains well taken care of while being sustained all summer long.

“We realize that a lot of people who use the community garden may not know how to pick a garden, maybe they haven’t had a garden, maybe they’re beginner gardeners, so some people don’t realize they can, let’s say, cut lettuce, and it will grow back again versus pulling it from the root so it’s done for the year,” she says. “The garden is open to the community to go pick, so we realize anyone can go anytime, but we ask that they only take what they can eat that day, you can always come back.”

To ensure fresh produce is available for everyone who wants it, Sample suggests bringing a pair of scissors when you go to pick, to use on veggies such as lettuce, kale, and green onions as they will continue growing after they are harvested. Additionally, Sample says bringing a small container or bag to bring your harvest home is recommended as well.

“That way you can bring home your radishes and your snipped lettuce, so you’ve got something to carry them with,” she says.

Curious potential gardeners are also encouraged to look into the town’s “beginner gardening classes” in May, where you can learn the basics of sustainable planting, nurturing, and harvesting in a community garden.

“We actually use those classes to start the planting of the garden, and then we open it up for people who want to come plant with us,” she says.

Additionally, Sample says that the garden is planted for the season during the classes in May, so it is important to harvest only what you can eat on a nightly basis.

The Grande Prairie RCMP will see two new faces on the force at the beginning of the week.

The RCMP is set to integrate the first two police officers assigned to work for the RCMP by the new Grande Prairie Police Service, marking what the GPPS calls the latest step in the city’s multi-year transition towards its municipal police service.

According to the GPPS, on July 8th, two constables will be integrated into the existing teams at the Grande Prairie RCMP, which GPPS officials say reflects the continued partnership between the two agencies during the transition.

“Regardless of the uniform, all of the officers at the detachment are dedicated to ensuring the safety of the citizens we serve,” Grande Prairie RCMP Superintendent Lee Brachmann says. “Ensuring public safety is non-negotiable, and this move underscores our shared commitment to a safe and seamless transition,” GPPS Chief Dwayne Lakusta adds.

Recently, the first GPPS experienced officer class of five began operating in the city and received “extra training” to foster a sense of community connection and allow them to become familiar with RCMP policies to ensure a consistent approach to policing the city.

During the integration of the new officers, residents are reminded that the process to follow during an emergency remains the same, being a 9-1-1 call, and non-emergency reports going through the RCMP’s line at 780-830-5700.

A five-year-old from Clairmont has died after a multi vehicle collision on Highway 43 near Highway 43X on Saturday afternoon.

Police say their initial investigation leads them to believe a Ford F350 pick-up truck was driving east on Highway 43 when it approached the intersection and ran into vehicles stopped for a red light including two pickups, an SUV and a semi.

Tragically, a five-year-old was declared deceased at the scene. Police say multiple others were taken to hospital for a various levels of injuries. Their current condition is not known.

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. A building upper ridge will increase daytime temperatures from near 30°C on Sunday to around 35°C by Wednesday, with little overnight relief.

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.

A special air quality advisory has been issued for the Grande Prairie region as wildfire smoke from blazes in British Columbia hovers over the area.

Environment Canada says the air quality will likely remain the same or worsen as we get through Saturday. Forecasting website Firesmoke.ca, meanwhile is forecasting for the bulk of the smoke to clear the area later this evening.

Experts are urging you to limit your exposure to wildfire smoke, especially as the air quality can greatly fluctuate over short periods of time.

There were 11 lives lost to accidental fatal drug poisonings in Grande Prairie in the first three months of 2024.

According to the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System, in March there were three fatal accidental drug poisonings reported, which was one less than those reported in both January and February. According to the report, all the incidents were connected to non-pharmaceutical opioids.

Across Alberta, in the first three months of 2024, there were 351 accidental fatal drug poisonings reported, down from the 417 reported in 2023 and 441 in 2024.

A 14-year-old Grande Prairie lacrosse player will be among just 26 others across Alberta to represent the Junior Roughnecks in next month’s National Lacrosse League Junior NLL tournament in Toronto.

Coehn Bolin says he picked up the love of lacrosse from his father, and now he is hoping to put his best foot forward against some of the most talented young players in the country. He adds while it’s an honour to be there, the desire to compete to win remains very strong.

“He [his father] introduced it to me, I just stuck with it. It is his favourite sport,” he says. “It means everything, right? You are doing it for the coaches, and teammates, the second years that are leaving this year. You just want to do it for them, make them proud and show them what I can do.”

Bolin says getting on the team was no stroll in the park. He was selected for the final 26 from more than 150 U15 players from cities across Alberta. He says while the competition in the Peace Country is formidable, it was a bit of a jump at that level.

“There are some kids (in the region) that I could go play with, but it’s hard being from Grande Prairie to have a team like that,” he says. “I went to go try out for a national team in Calgary. Had to go to multiple try-outs and training camps until they decided on a roster.”

The Junior NLL tournament takes place August 16th-18th in Toronto.

Update: The Grande Prairie RCMP says Brodie Clegg has been found safe.

Police are turning to the public for help locating a missing 26-year-old.

According to Grande Prairie RCMP, Brodie Clegg was last seen on June 30th in Grande Prairie. Officials say Brodie’s family is concerned for his well-being and would like to speak to him.

He is described as being 6 feet tall and roughly 175 pounds. Brodie was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and white shoes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact RCMP at 780-830-5701 or Crime Stoppers.

The Northwestern Alberta Foundation has established the Barb and Al Side Family Fund to help continue supporting the needs of others in the region.

The $1.4 million endowment fund, named after the family which began its roots in the Grande Prairie region in the late 1960s, is a tribute to the impact made by Barb and Al Side in the decades that followed.

“We are deeply honored by the generosity and trust placed in us by the Side family,” stated Northwestern Alberta Foundation CEO, Laura LaValley. “This endowment fund represents a lasting legacy that will benefit our community for generations to come.”

Al and Barb’s daughter, Linda Side, says the endowment provides a vehicle to give others a way to achieve what’s possible when you get a leg up in life.

“That it goes on in perpetuity speaks to Mom and Dad’s steadfast belief around investment whether in family, community involvement or building business. The view is always
long term. And in the case of this fund, forever,” she adds.

In 1969, the Side family moved to Grande Prairie, and following the opening of their first business, Northern Metalic, helped created and support a network of businesses that are still in operation today Alberta, BC, the Yukon, and NWT.

Each year, the Northwestern Alberta Foundation will accept applications for support, and consult with the Side Family to determine their priorities. Al passed away in October 2023 at the age of 90.

You can expect some delays if you’re having to drive near the intersection of 116 Avenue and 102 Street as crews will kick off installation of a new concrete storm vault necessary for collecting storm water flows from the 116 Ave and 102 St storm mains.

This means construction crews will start at the north side of the intersection, focusing on storm vault installation itself, and then will move to the south side to install pipes connecting the new vault to an overflow pipe that will lead to a nearby ditch.

For drivers, this means, among other things, no left turns will be allowed from 116 Ave onto 102 St northbound. Detours will be implemented for vehicles turning north from 116 Ave onto 102 St, and for those travelling south on 102 St north of 116 Ave. The intersection will be closed to through traffic on 102 St, with detours for northbound traffic.

“This infrastructure enhancement is vital for our city’s continued growth and environmental stewardship,” says Grande Prairie’s Capital Construction Supervisor, Mark Hoseasson. “It will significantly improve our storm water management system, ensuring we can handle the demands of our community effectively.”

The work could take upwards of three weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Those fancying a spot of tea in Grande Prairie can do it in royal style this summer, as afternoon tea at Reverend Forbes Homestead is back on the menu in July and August, with the addition of a children’s tea time for the first time.

This summer will see a special Thursday tea times for ages five to 10 with their parent or guardian. Children’s teatimes are facilitated by the Children’s Literature Roundtable and includes a story from a local author, an activity complimenting the story, juice and a cookie.

“We look forward to another year of Forbes teas as well as our new addition of children’s teatime,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “We invite everyone to come explore the beautiful historic home and hospital of Dr. and Mrs. Forbes while enjoying an afternoon of tea and treats.”

Afternoon tea costs $5 and includes a large scone, jam, butter and choice of tea, coffee or juice. The afternoon teas begin at 2 p.m. on July 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th 24th, and 25th as well as August 14th, 15th, 23rd and 24th.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Grande Prairie Museum.