ATHABASCA – From provincial and federal elections, to new infrastructure here's a look back at some of the top 2019 news and sports stories for Athabasca, Boyle and area. Be sure to check back as this series will run over three days online.
Feb. 5
New pool donations sit at $600,000
Donations to the new pool and fitness centre are sitting at 60 per cent of the fundraising committee’s total goal of $1,000,000.The committee reached a milestone Jan. 31 when Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. wrote a cheque for $50,000, putting the total donations at just about $600,000 for the $15-million project.
Feb. 12
Piquette bows out of race
Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Colin Piquette sits with Alberta Minister of Children’s Services and Status of Women Danielle Larivee at a daycare in Athabasca Nov. 5. Piquette announced Feb. 5 he would not be running for re-election.In the statement released on Facebook, Piquette cited family as the main reason why he is stepping back. Speaking to the Advocate Dec. 29, he had said he would be jumping into the race.
Feb. 19
Grand Union saloon robbed
Athabasca RCMP responded to a robbery at the Grand River Saloon Feb. 11 at 4:04 p.m. Police say they are still looking for witnesses to come forward.According to an RCMP press release, police responded to the incident at 4:04 p.m. at the corner of 50th Street and 50th Avenue in town. The release states it is believed that a lone male suspect wearing what is believed to be blue coveralls, a balaclava and sunglasses entered the bar and demanded cash from the bartender.
March 5
County council increases pay
Council members at Athabasca County approved a 10-per-cent pay increase at their regular council meeting Feb. 28.According to a report put together by county manager Ryan Maier, the increase was first proposed at a Budget and Finance Committee meeting Feb. 4. The proposal came after the federal government eliminated a tax exemption for provincial and municipal elected officials that had meant the first third of their pay cheques were untaxed. The change came into effect Jan. 1.
March 26
Election’s on
Alberta’s 30th general election will take place April 16 and five candidates have now stepped forward in the new Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock riding.Premier Rachel Notley called the provincial election March 19, the day after the Throne Speech was delivered, giving candidates 28 days to spread their messages.
As of March 24, there are five candidates vying to represent the riding in the Legislature.
April 2
Election signs disappear across constituency
NDP campaign volunteer George Ellen nails a replacement sign in the Dapp area after the previous one that was there disappeared.Campaign manager Courtney Wentzell said they have reported the incident to Elections Alberta, and that they are looking into it.
April 16
Thousands vote in advance polls
Voters took to the advanced polls April 11 at the Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock returning office. As of Friday evening, 5,700 people had voted in advance polls across the electoral district.According to Lorrill Waschuk, Elections Alberta’s returning officer for the Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock electoral district, only 235,000 people cast an early ballot during the 2015 election in all the advance polling days put together.
Waschuk said the trends began right after the first day of polling.
“One-hundred-forty-thousand cast a ballot across the province in the first day of advanced voting alone,” she said. “That’s opposed to just 58,000 during the first day of advanced polls back in 2015.”
April 23
Glenn van Dijken wins Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock
Re-elected Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken poses with his wife Barb at Memorial Hall April 16, the night of the election. van Dijken won the riding with 68.8 per cent of the vote, far ahead of nearest competitor Therese Taschuk of the NDP at 19 per cent. van Dijken won the riding with 68.8 per cent of the vote, compared to his nearest competitor Therese Taschuk, of the NDP, who garnered 19.2 per cent.
Wayne Rufiange of the Alberta Party came in third with 9.1 per cent followed by Alberta Independence candidate Buster Malcolm at 1.8 per cent and independent candidate Brad Giroux at 1.1 per cent.
May 14
Athabasca under fire advisory
Athabasca County declared a fire restriction May 13 after a grassfire the day before burnt through five hectares off Hwy 827 northeast of Colinton.The hot, dry weather also led the Town of Athabasca to issue a fire advisory May 10.
In a press release, the town stated it issued the advisory due to current weather conditions and a forecasted wildfire risk.
“There is no open burning within town limits,” the release states.
May 21
New pool to open May 31
The new aquatic centre located on University Drive is set to open May 31 and June 1. Athabasca County Coun. Christi Bilsky said the pool will be open both of those days, with regular programming at the pool to begin June 3. BOYLE
Jan. 22
X-ray interruptions set for hospital renos
Boyle Healthcare Centre pictured Jan. 10, prior to the Jan. 18 start of duct and roofing construction. Until Feb. 21, the on-site portable x-ray machine will be available at the centre for urgent issues, but regular appointments will be directed elsewhere. Travis Stroh, diagnostic manager for the area, said the on-site portable x-ray machine will still be available at the healthcare centre for urgent issues, but regular appointments will be directed elsewhere.
A press release from Alberta Health Services states that about 200 x-ray exams are performed every month at the Boyle Healthcare Centre, and about one in five is needed urgently.
The Boyle Healthcare Centre’s $5.7-million construction project includes upgrades to the facility’s roof and fire alarm system.
March 12
Honouring a local volunteer
Lindy Johnson (centre) poses with her grandsons Jaxen (left) and Callen Richard after being awarded the 2018Volunteer of the Year Award at the Village of Boyle regular council meeting March 6. (L-R) Councillors BarbaraSmith and Patrick Ferguson, Mayor Colin Derko, Councillors Shelby Kitely and Mike Antal.In a nomination letter to the village dated Dec. 29, Alice Wlos said that Johnson has a genuine interest in the community of Boyle and has spent countless hours of her time helping to make Boyle a better place.
Johnson said she was shocked that she was even nominated.
“It was a surprise to be sure,” Johnson said. “All I do is just go out there and do my thing, and not worry about what people think.”
In the nomination letter, Wlos said she is currently the treasurer of five different organization, including the Boyle Agriculture Society, the Boyle Betterment Committee, the Boyle Farmers’ Market, Santas Anonymous and the Boyle Youth Centre.
April 2
Police hunt leads to meth bust
Boyle RCMP responded to a break and enter in progress at a rural farm just west of Boyle March 22 at 10 a.m. The suspect vehicle fled the scene and headed west before Athabasca RCMP were able to stop them on the highway. A Mar. 25 RCMP press release stated that Athabasca RCMP stopped a 1996 Ford F-250 truck on Highway 2 just south of Athabasca and seized 157 grams of methamphetamine, valued at $22,000.
Boyle RCMP Const. Andrew Deme said in an interview the incident began at 10 a.m. that morning, when officers responded to a break-and-enter in progress at a rural farm just west of Boyle.
“The truck fled the scene before RCMP arrived,” Deme said. “The truck then headed west towards Athabasca, and we called in the Athabasca detachment to help locate the vehicle, which they promptly did.”
April 9
Boyle forum draws 100
Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock constituency candidates took part in a forum April 1 at the Boyle Community Centre April 1. (L-R) Therese Taschuk (NDP), Brad Giroux (Independent), Glenn van Dijken (UCP), Wayne Rufiange (Alberta Party) and Buster Malcolm (Alberta Independence Party). The forum was organized by the Boyle and District Chamber of Commerce. Organized by the Boyle and District Chamber of Commerce, the forum featured about two-and-a-half hours questions and answers about rural crime, rural Alberta fairness and what each candidate felt would be the most important issue of the next government.
Chamber president Tom Martin said he was very pleased with the turnout.
“Peter Golanski did a fantastic job moderating the debate,” he said. “It was run in a professional manner, and the timing was always respectful.”
Sports
Feb. 19
They’ve got the spirit
The EPC Senior Cheerleading team took in the spirit of a lifetime during the World Cheerleading Competition Feb. 8-10 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. (Back, L-R) Nick Manossa, Tyler Stocking, Ben Gladue, Heidi Wood, Chloe Jackson and Aliya Auger. (Middle, L-R) Megan Boehlke, Bryce Semashkewich, Avery Zimmermann, McKenzie Kapitaniuk, Alyssa Younker and Morgan Delisle. (Front, L-R) Wyeth Tan, Maria Espino, Calen Manossa, Jyka Tan, Nicole Cunanan, Courtnie McNallie, Hannah Bentley, Kean Tan. EPC head coach Barb Lachance said the team spent six days down south. She added it was a fantastic event for everyone who was able to take part.
Cheerfest draws hundreds to Multiplex
Members of the WHPS cheerleading squad perform their routine at the 14th annual EPC Cheerfest Feb. 16. Teams came from all over northeastern and north-central Alberta, with competitors hailing from Athabasca, Fort McMurray, St. Albert, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Morinville, Devon and Drayton Valley. Only one team, George McDougall High School in Airdrie, came from outside of those regions.
May 7
Three girls from Boyle head to nationals
Ayva Bossel (far left, middle row) and Kady Graham (second from right, back row) will head to Toronto May 11-14 as part of the Plamondon Club Volleyball team. They will compete in the 18U National Volleyball competition. Both also played for their senior girls' volleyball team at Boyle School this past year, pictured above. Ayva Bossel, Maria Antal and Kady Graham each play for the Plamondon Club Volleyball Team, which won the competition last year when they played for the title in Edmonton.
May 14
Big wins for Athabasca U13 teams
Twelve-year-old Mahekun LaRoche crosses home plate during the Athabasca U13 Team 2 Trappers game May 8 against the Slave Lake Heat. The Trappers destroyed the Heat 16-7 after six innings. The Trappers Team One were on the road, where they took on Slave Lake Team One, where they defeated the Heat by a score of 14-9. The Trappers Team Two were at home versus Slave Lake Team Two at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex ball diamonds, where they dominated the Heat 16-7.
