The Alberta Government has rolled out 39 recipients of its Community Justice Grant, to aid in the resolution of legal matters outside of the traditional court system.

For the 2023-24 year, numerous recipients were selected including nine in Calgary, nine in Edmonton, 11 in central Alberta, and five in northern Alberta. The province says the organizations chosen include Indigenous-based organizations, those dedicated to criminal matters, family law, and other legal issues.

Grande Prairie-based home healthcare service, Family Education Society, was among those selected and will receive a one-time payment between $5,000 and $25,000 alongside dozens of other organizations throughout the province.

Alberta Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mickey Amery says the grant aims to bolster community-driven alternatives, rather than the traditional court system in order to better serve communities.

“I am proud of this innovative approach to alternative justice for Albertans,” he says.

The Community Justice Grant will provide up to $25,000 to Alberta-based organizations such as restorative justice programs, and applications were accepted between January 31st and February 29th this year.

Seniors in Grande Prairie, Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley are invited to the County of Grande Prairie’s Family and Community Support Services Bi-annual Seniors Tea event.

Senior-aged residents from across the County, City, and neighbouring communities are being encouraged to attend the event as a celebration of Seniors Week, and a recognition of senior contributions in local communities.

County of Grande Prairie Reeve Bob Marshall says the event is significant as it serves as a reminder of the wisdom and experience so many seniors bring to their communities.

“As we come together to celebrate Seniors’ Week, let us express our gratitude for their contributions and dedication to our community as a whole,” he says.

Sexsmith Mayor Kate Potter credits the bi-annual affair as an important event that fosters connections between seniors and their community representatives.

“The Seniors’ Tea allows us to strengthen our ties to those who have made our communities what they are today,” she says.

The event is scheduled for June 13th from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the TARA Centre at Evergreen Park and will feature light refreshments, snacks, musical entertainment, door prizes, and an engaging afternoon for everyone in attendance.

Interested individuals are asked to register by June 5th to reserve a spot and registration can be completed by phone at (780)-567-5586 or by emailing [email protected].

A collaborative inter-division project between the Peace Wapiti Public School Division, Westwind School Division, Horizon School Division, and the University of Lethbridge has become what the PWPSD is calling an “inspiring” learning opportunity.

The “Building Equity in Middle Years Numeracy Through Number Talks” project was designed to address gaps in numerical literacy among students through short, daily exercises among 300 students in Grades four to eight throughout the three school divisions.

As a result of the project’s success, this Summer, numerous PWPSD staff members will expand the project nationwide in Laval, Quebec during a presentation at the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group.

Additionally, later in the Summer, the project will go international when PWPSD Numeracy Coordinator Nicki Nightingale, Assistant Superintendent Penny Rose, and Dr. Richelle Marynowski from the University of Lethbridge will bring their research to the International Congress of Mathematical Education in Sydney, Australia, followed by a trip to Auckland, New Zealand during Psychology of Mathematics Education and a Teacher Professional Development Day.

The trips will be paid for in part by the University of Lethbridge.

The Grande Prairie Sunrise House Youth Emergency Shelter has officially opened its doors at its new location.

The spacious brand-new facility has been in the work for years and boasts an impressive lineup of amenities, housing options, and more for its residents.

Sunrise House Board President Sean Doerkson describes the new building as a worthwhile endeavor, saying the years-long process of opening its doors has already proven to be a success.

“It’s very exciting, and I’m very proud of the community that stepped up and provided the funding and the support so we’re able to offer this to the youth in our region,” he says.

More than $4.5 million in funding went into the project provided by the County and City of Grande Prairie, the MD of Greenview, and the province.

Doerkson describes the original shelter as being simply too small for the needs of the community, and he says the most noticeable change is the sheer size of the new facility.

“The biggest thing is the size, the capacity, at the original shelter, there was room for ten beds, emergency shelter beds.”

The new facility features room for 24 youth on its emergency shelter floor, with an additional 11 transitional housing suites available for youth to rent to support their transition into adulthood.

“Once those youth have maybe made some connections and are not in need of emergency housing anymore or ready to transition to adults in the community, they’re able to rent their own spot and just help them make those connections and prepare them for the real world,” Doerkson says.

Currently, nine of eleven suites are rented out, and Doerkson says rental prices are purposefully chosen, to reflect the current rental prices in Grande Prairie.

“That’s so that they’re not shocked, not surprised when they get out in the real world,” he says.

Despite the ask, Doerkson maintains that subsidies are available for renters at the Sunrise House to support the transition for residents.

Doerkson also spoke on the future of the Sunrise House as it continues to utilize the new facility, saying the organization’s new home aligns with the ultimate goal of eliminating adult homelessness in Grande Prairie.

“A lot of these youth, there could be various reasons they show up at the shelter or find their way here, and it’s really just providing the supports, getting them connected with the right people in the community,” he says. “Whether it ends up that we work with child and family services or with the family and get the youth back with the family, it’s just really providing them that hope.”

The Sunrise House is open to any youth who is in need; however, a screening process is in place to ensure the protection of staff and residents in the building.

“First and foremost we’re here to provide safety, so to provide safety to the youth that shows up at the shelter, to provide safety for the youth and staff that are here, but for the most part we’re here to help the youth,” Doerkson says.

Construction on the new facility began in 2022, and was finally completed in April of this year.

Following a several-week-long investigation related to the human remains found near Clairmont, police are looking for a suspect they believe to be involved in a homicide.

According to the RCMP, when the remains of 34-year-old Echer Marcial were found on Range Road 55, an autopsy followed and the Chief Medical Examiner in Edmonton deemed the cause of death to be a homicide.

Alberta RCMP Major Crimes took over the investigation and have charged 37-year-old Grande Prairie resident David “Toothless” James Sietsma with first degree murder.

Sietsma’s whereabouts are currently unknown to police; however, he is believed to be in the Grande Prairie area.

Investigators are instructing the public to avoid Sietsma if he is spotted, and contact police immediately.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sietsma is asked to contact the Grande Prairie RCMP at (780)-830-5700 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

Aquatera customers in Grande Prairie are being encouraged to sign up for electronic billing with an incentive to motivate the switch.

According to Aquatera, all customers who register for eBill between May 1st and December 31st will receive $5 off their bill. Additionally, the offer is valid for each Aquatera account and customers with multiple accounts will receive $5 off on each account they switch over.

Aquatera CEO Vaughn Bend says the change comes as a way to promote sustainable efforts by the company and the further embracement of digital innovation.

“At Aquatera, we are committed to environmental sustainability, and eBill is one way we can make a positive impact on the environment while also providing added convenience to our customers,” he says.

Current Aquatera customers can make the switch online on Aquatera’s website, or by contacting Aquatera directly at (780)-538-0340, and upon enrollment, customers will receive their bills electronically along with their incentive.

The winners of the 31st annual Rotary Dream Home Lottery have been selected after a highly anticipated months-long contest.

Graeme and Ginger Leishman took home the nearly 6,000 square-foot grand prize, valued at more than $1.4 million on April 30th.

The four-bedroom, five-bathroom dream home in Taylor Estates, built by Unique Home Concepts, supported over a dozen local non-profits through lottery ticket sales and was not the only prize up for grabs during the lottery. Robert Jones from Dawson Creek won the $287,000 50/50 prize, and Cindy Rideout took home a $2,650 cash prize and a $50 Keddie’s Tack and Western Wear gift card.

Additionally, this year’s lottery included a Loyalty Draw for free gas for a year and three Early Bird draws, along with dozens of prizes like gift cards to local businesses, gift baskets, furniture sets, and more.

The province is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best when it comes to wildfires across Alberta.

Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen says preparations have been in the works for months including investing in fire safety programs and initiatives such as the Community Fireguard Program. As well this year the province has invested in additional crews and technology to support wild fire firefighting efforts, including a pair of new night vision-equipped helicopters.

He says this year there will be 13 different crews on rotation who will be able to work 24 hours a day, including at night. While wildfire officials will also start implementing the use of AI technology to help deal with wildfires across Alberta.

“What that is allowing us to do is input an enormous amount of information into the system and then it will spit out recommendations on where they will want to put crews and use resources as we plan for the wildfire season,” Loewen says.

According to the minister, leading up to this years wildfire season there have been conversations between the province and municipalities, along with fire chiefs across the province and these conversations will be ongoing throughout the season. He explains when fighting fires these groups’ local knowledge and expertise are extremely helpful because they know the area and terrain better than those coming from other parts of the province.

However, Loewen says when it comes to the number of crews that are ready to be on the ground and the new technology being implemented he believes the province is in a better position than it was a year ago.

“I think that the difference between last year is there were a number of large fires across the province so it stretched our resources quite a bit.”

Loewen says that there have also been conversations in the past year about the best ways to get information out to the public, between the province and municipal governments, along with making sure that alerts are put out in as many ways as possible including through different apps, the Alberta ALERT system and social media. The goal is to make sure that the message gets out as clearly and concisely as possible.

“One of the biggest things people can do is go to the Alberta wildfire app, and there is a ton of information that people can access on there.”

UPDATE: The Peace Regional RCMP has confirmed Chanelle Nezcroche has been found safe.

The Peace Regional RCMP is asking for help from the public in finding missing 16-year-old Chanelle Marie Nezcroche.

Police say the young woman left a residence in Cadotte Lake “some time” through the night of April 29th and 30th with an unknown direction of travel.

Police say the investigation has revealed that Nezcroche has expressed past interest in going to Red Earth Creek, Gift Lake, High Prairie, or Cold Lake.

Nezcroche is described as a 16-year-old female standing five feet five inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, with a light to medium complexion, chest length dark and dirty blonde hair, and was last seen wearing a black hoodie with flames on the chest, black jeans with stitching, and running shoes with pink accents. Additionally, police say she does not currently have her glasses.

Anyone with information regarding Nezcroche’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Peace Regional RCMP at (780)-624-6611 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

Local self-storage facility “Cans ‘N Boxes” is hosting a unique charity auction to help out those in need in Grande Prairie.

The storage facility is looking to use its resources and start a unit full of donations that will be auctioned off and donate all the money raised to a local charity when it is filled.

Cans ‘N Boxes Owner Sean Gray says the idea came from a recent auction that the facility held on a dormant unit that was unpaid.

“That gave us the idea that there’s some money there, and with our other businesses we like to do charitable work when we can,” he says. “There’s lots of people in need in Grande Prairie.”

According to Gray, once the locker’s contents are successfully auctioned off, the business will open up a vote on its Facebook page, encouraging residents to choose a charity of their choice to receive the funding.

“The hope is that once we do it we can continue to do it on a regular basis so we can continue to raise money for groups around town,” he says.

Gray says most donations are welcome; however, he suggests donating items that would otherwise be listed on Kijiji or Marketplace to make sure the locker is worthwhile for bidders.

Once the locker is filled, Gray says the auction will be held online on the Bid13 Storage Auctions’ website, and the “sooner the locker is filled, the sooner the auction.”

Interested individuals can donate items in person at the Cans ‘N Boxes Storage Facility in Grande Prairie.

Emergency response organization STARS presented its annual report to Grande Prairie City Council on April 30th.

During her presentation, STARS Senior Municipal Relations Liason Genda Farnden thanked the city for standing by the organization for so long and serving as one of three operations bases for STARS across the province.

“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all the municipalities that support it,” she says.

In her report, Farnden highlighted the fact that more than 300 Grande Prairie residents flew on STARS helicopters in 2023, which she says shows the need for the organization in the north.

“We were able to rescue 300 some that were all Grande Prairie residents that had been flown from almost 200 other locations across two provinces so accidents and illness do not happen just because you’re close to home,” she says. “We have unanimous support from every municipality across the north in the region that we serve, including into northeastern BC, so that really says it all, we do not see borders.”

Farnden says the collaboration between municipalities has truly paid off as the organization continues its lifesaving efforts for so many Albertans. She went on to thank the City of Grande Prairie specifically saying- “They didn’t see borders either, they were a part of the helipad project in the beginning at the old QE 2 Hospital so we could deliver patients in a timely manner.”

As for future endeavours, Farnden says she is looking forward to continuing the fruitful relationship between the City of Grande Prairie and the organization.

“Moving forward, I think the collaborative effort of everyone together just doing a little something has really helped the sustainability piece that the Grande Prairie base needs so badly,” she says.

When it comes to funding, Farnden says of the more than $40 million in annual operating costs, $15 million comes from AHS, $10 million comes from the STARS Lottery, and the remaining $18 million comes from corporate partners, community events, and just over $2 million from collaboration with the municipalities STARS operates out of.

The Peace Wapiti School Division has announced the recipients of the 2024 Teacher Bursary.

This marks the first year of the program and the PWPSD says the bursary was created to help students within the division’s boundaries to attain their Bachelor of Education degree.

The program provides $3,000 per year to cover the costs associated with the teacher education program that a student is enrolled in, and in addition to the funding, students are promised a position within the Peace Wapiti School Division upon their graduation.

Originally, officials said only five bursaries were to be awarded; however, upon reviewing the applications it was determined that eight bursaries were appropriate due to “excellent” interviews from candidates. Additionally, members of the selection committee say they encourage everyone who was not selected this year to apply again next year.

Those selected include Kellie Flett, Deneika Frankie, Jodie Trapp, Rory Desmet, Sierra Evans, Bryce Bogdanek, Natasha Langlois, and Jenny Keddie.

This year’s recipients include current and past students, and current staff from around the division, and based on their anticipated graduation dates, will be able to take on teaching positions within the PWPSD within the next five years.

Northwestern Polytechnic has launched two new online certificates for skill-building among educational assistants.

The Educational Assistant certificate specializing in Literacy Supports will be available starting in the Fall semester of this year, and an additional Educational Assistant certificate for Inclusion Supports will be added for the Winter 2025 term.

Both of the online certificates will take four months to complete, and NWP says students will see a work-integrated learning placement upon completion of their studies. Officials say that the work-integration approach will ensure students can more easily work towards their qualifications as they continue their current employment.

NWP President and CEO Dr. Vanessa Sheane says the implementation of the new certificates will open up more opportunities for Educational Assistants as the industry continues to grow.

“As classrooms strive for inclusive education, the need for qualified EA staff has grown exponentially,” she says. “NWP is doing our part to deliver timely workforce solutions.”

Currently, NWP offers a 12-month Educational Assistant program, and the two new certificates allow students to “prioritize” specific skills.

Additionally, NWP says upon completion of the certificates, both can be applied towards NWP’s full-year Educational Assistant certificate.

The City of Grande Prairie’s new Sidewalk Patio Program is launching this year to stimulate economic growth in the city’s downtown core.

The program enables local businesses to expand their outdoor dining and seating areas onto public sidewalks and roadways, similar to those seen in strong tourism areas like Banff and Jasper in the summer, and according to the city, the program will transform downtown into a more vibrant and inviting space for residents looking for social interaction and activities.

Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the initiative aligns with city council’s goals of developing a stronger quality of life through fostering relationships between the city and it’s communities.

“By introducing a formal sidewalk patio program, we’re not only creating opportunities for businesses to thrive but also providing residents and visitors with dynamic spaces to connect and enjoy our city,” she says.

Additionally, officials say the program is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy by attracting more visitors to the city’s downtown, leading to additional revenue for small businesses.

Interested businesses can find specific information on the city’s website soon; however, Access GP remains open to answer any questions for business owners.

Free Comic Book Day is back in multiple cities across North America, and Grande Prairie is no different.

Every year on the first Saturday of May, comic shops across the US and Canada open their doors and give away free comic books to encourage new and returning readers to try out a new series, franchise, or hero that they might not otherwise give a chance, or simply build up their collections.

In Grande Prairie, local comic and game shop Wonderland Games will open up their basement collection for eager comic fans to dig through and hopefully find something new to read.

Wonderland Games Acting Manager Sheldon Wendt says the store’s basement collection usually sells comics for $1 a piece, and the expansive selection is sure to have something for everyone.

“We essentially have three stores worth of comics in the basement,” he says. “There’s entire rooms that are just comic book boxes for people to pick through.”

Wendt adds that in today’s landscape, traditional comic books are not as profitable as they once were; however, Free Comic Book Day presents a unique opportunity for the store to bring people in the doors, while giving fans a chance to read something new.

“Free Comic Book Day, is definitely a way to reintroduce old heroes and stuff like that, and even older themes that you don’t necessarily see in comic books anymore,” he says.

The event is scheduled for May 4th and will see numerous titles given away at comic shops around Grande Prairie and the rest of the province as well.

The Grande Prairie RCMP is seeking help from the public in finding missing 26-year-old Dillen Jacobi.

The Fort McMurray resident was last seen in Grande Prairie on April 27th and is described as a male with a pale complexion, standing five feet nine inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black sweater, sweatpants, a beanie, and brown work boots.

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

The City of Grande Prairie has announced the return of GP Grows: Dig It, to encourage gardening and sustainable living among residents.

Citing the success of previous GP Grows events and positive feedback from the community, the city says this year, GP Grows will continue its mission to provide residents with all the necessary tools to turn their thumbs green this summer.

GP Grows offers seed potatoes, seed onions, and triple-mix soil all for free, and the on-site team will be available to answer any questions and offer tips and tricks to maximize plant yield.

Environmental Programming Facilitator for the City of GP, Kierstyn Otterman says gardening should be treated as a “lifestyle” instead of just another hobby and emphasizes the patience required to be successful in the rewarding and fun endeavor.

“With GP Grows: Dig It, we’re excited to help you start your own green adventure right at home,” she says. “Gather the family, get your hands dirty, and let’s explore the wonderful world of homegrown delights together.”

The event takes place on May 11th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Grande Prairie Activity & Reception Centre and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration is not required; however, attendees are required to bring their own pails and containers.

The County of Grande Prairie has launched its sixth Business Retention and Expansion survey in an effort to better understand the plans and needs of local businesses.

According to the county, the survey seeks to utilize information provided by business owners and managers to plan economic development opportunities in the future, with an emphasis on local business priorities, and to monitor trends in the business community over time.

County Reeve Bob Marshall calls the survey a “vital tool” for capturing the unique perspectives of every business owner and says he is strongly encouraging every business leader to participate to ensure a wide variety of perspectives are shared.

“Your valuable feedback will directly influence our strategic planning and economic development initiatives,” he says. “Let’s work together to ensure our community not only meets but exceeds the expectations of those who drive its economic engine.”

Selection is random; however, all business owners are encouraged to participate. Candidates who are selected can expect to be contacted over the phone or email between April 29th to May 17th.

The County says the survey takes just 15 minutes and results will be made public at a council meeting later this year.

Fire crews were quick to act to knock down an early morning house fire in the Pinnacle Ridge neighbourhood Sunday. Reports of the blaze came in shortly before 10 a.m., with fire, EMS, and Peace Officers attending manage traffic, attend to any injuries, and stop the flames from spreading.

The blaze, the cause of which is unknown at this time, appears to have damaged most of the residence and parts of the two homes adjacent to the property.

Emergency crews have not confirmed the extent of the damage as the situation is still ongoing.

More information will come as it becomes available.