Local landowner Richard Bailey called on area residents to band together to oppose the proposed construction of a new cellular tower by Rogers Communications near Delacour.
Local landowner Richard Bailey called on area residents to band together to oppose the proposed construction of a new cellular tower by Rogers Communications near Delacour. The cell tower was to be installed directly across from Bailey's driveway, along Highway 791. According to Bailey, the placement of the tower would be intrusive and could devalue land in the area.
Two men from Calgary died when their truck went over a steep embankment near the Ghost River on Township Road 265B, approximately four kilometres from Highway 40 on Jan. 4. Nathan Wack, 20, and Jordon Fish, 22, were pronounced dead on scene. The two men were riding in the bed of the truck when it went over the embankment. The driver, Logan Toews, 19, of Calgary was injured in the incident and airlifted to a Calgary hospital by STARS Air Ambulance.
The Town of Irricana council unanimously voted to disband the Economic Development and Tourism Committee (EDTC) at its Jan. 5 meeting. However, EDTC Chair Phillip Liesemer said the forced disbandment did not follow proper procedure and he was taking the issue to Alberta Municipal Affairs (MA). Liesemer had opened the issue with MA in September 2014 when he began to feel council's treatment of the committee was unfair.
A plan to construct a motorsports facility in Rocky View County (RVC) fell apart when council unanimously voted against a land use amendment Jan. 27 that would have paved the way for its construction. The decision came after nearly ten hours of debate and a public hearing that had proponents and opponents of the proposed $70 million Rockyview Motorsports Park stepping forward to voice their opinions.
Cochrane said goodbye to a much-loved member of the community Jan. 31 when a celebration of life was held for “ice cream queen” Christina MacKay who passed away Jan. 23. MacKay and her husband, James, established the landmark business MacKay's Cochrane Ice Cream in the 1940s.
Then-MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Bruce Rowe announced his retirement Feb. 5. Rowe, who along with eight other Wildrose Party members crossed the floor to join the Progressive Conservative Party Dec. 17, 2014, was criticized by members of his constituency and the media for his apparent refusal to provide a public response to questions regarding why he had made the decision to cross the floor. Rowe was elected as MLA in 2012 after previously serving as the Mayor of Beiseker.
Then-Premier Jim Prentice made a visit to Chestermere's Lakeside Golf Course Feb. 14, in an effort to meet with Albertans and find out how they felt about an upcoming budget announcement. A new Cabinet committee of six ministers, chaired by Prentice with the Minister of Finance by his side, had been instructed to prepare a brand new Ten-Year Plan for the province, broken into two five-year sections.
An open house was held Feb. 11 at the Springbank Heritage Centre to provide residents with more information about the proposed Gardner Ranch project. The development was proposed for a 1,500-acre area north of Highway 8 down to the Elbow River and was planned to accommodate 1,800 residential units. If approved by RVC council, the project would have begun construction in 2017.
Terms of reference for the new Glenbow Ranch Area Structure Plan (GBRASP) were adopted by RVC council at its meeting Feb. 24, providing direction for the review of a portion of the Bearspaw Area Structure Plan. This will in turn facilitate the development of the new GBRASP, including the scope, timeline and goals.
Residents of Springbank voiced their concerns about the proposed Off-Stream Reservoir at a public meeting hosted by the Springbank Community Planning Association March 2. The $250 million reservoir was proposed by the Progressive Conservative Party in September 2014 as the likely flood mitigation project for the area.
A 21-year-old Cochrane man with developmental issues, missing from his assisted living facility in Cochrane since March 8, was found by police in Calgary at the Southeast Plaza Mall on Macleod Trail on March 11. Robert Donald Myers was picked up by his care worker and returned to his residence.
The provincial government passed legislation on March 10 that enabled Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) to be established in schools, following months of contentious debate. GSAs are student-led clubs that provide both LGBTQ and straight students space to discuss and collaborate.
An audit of flood mitigation in Alberta revealed weaknesses in key areas, according to the March 2015 Auditor General's report. Auditor General Merwan Saher released his 128-page report March 11, which highlighted one repeated and 15 new recommendations to government, covering issues like dam safety and pipeline monitoring. The report singled out a weakness in identifying and controlling flood hazard areas, along with a failure to assess the effect of mitigation projects on surrounding communities.
The provincial government tabled amendments to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) on March 16, proposing changes to the way municipalities in the county operate. Changes in the tabled bill include a focus on municipal transparency and accountability, enabling efficiency, strengthening planning and addressing emerging issues. The MGA review began in 2012 and the completed document is expected to be complete at the end of 2016.
RCMP and the Calgary Police Service (CPS) resumed the search of a property northeast of Airdrie on March 29. The property is owned by the parents of Douglas Garland, the man charged in the first degree murder of Alvin and Kathy Liknes and, at the time, the second degree murder of five-year-old Nathan O'Brien. In a statement issued by CPS March 30, the new search was said to be taking place “to collect additional evidence to support the upcoming court case.”
Century Downs Racetrack and Casino opened April 1, providing a welcome addition for local horse-racing fans in southern Alberta, who were forced to travel out of the area to enjoy the sport after Stampede Park in Calgary closed in 2008. Located east of CrossIron Mills mall in Balzac, the expansive entertainment complex features a 0.7-mile racetrack, 550 gaming machines, a restaurant, bars and an off-track betting lounge.
Despite vocal opposition from residents within Rocky View County (RVC), the Springbank Dry Reservoir project continued to be the only flood mitigation option investigated by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD), according to a presentation at RVC's Policy and Priorities Committee meeting April 7. However, according to the timeline from AESRD, the project wouldn't be ready for review by the Natural Resource Conservation Board until 2016.
After noticing a sharp increase in the number of noise complaints since the opening of Calgary International Airport's new runway in June 2014, the Calgary Airport Authority announced a plan to address those concerns and offered residents a bit of a relief from the noise. Beginning April 30, aircraft departing from the airport would take a flatter departure path, flying over more industrial rather than residential areas.
Residents of Acme received a letter from Municipal Affairs (MA) on April 16, stating a preliminary review Jan. 2 into the auction of a tax recovery property, which was purchased in July 2014 by the Village's deputy mayor, was complete and an inspection into the operations of the Village would be conducted. The investigation was prompted by a petition started by residents who opposed the rezoning of the property, which allowed it to be auctioned off. Council reversed the rezoning at its Jan. 26 meeting.
The 2015 tax rate bylaw was unanimously approved by RVC council, setting the year's tax rates at 3.3 per cent above the 2014 rate. The rate increase kept residential property taxes among the lowest in Alberta, according to RVC, and non-residential rates remained “highly competitive.”
In an effort to renew its working relationship with RVC, representatives from the Chestermere Regional Community Association (CRCA) proposed a plan on May 5 to upgrade its recreation facilities.
Board member Jeff Colvin presented the Policy and Priorities Committee with the CRCA's plan for the facility for the next five, 10 and 15 years, aiming to provide more amenities for residents “both urban and rural.” He said the group was looking to upgrade the parks space, exterior amenities and redesign the facility's interior.
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) identified the human remains found east of Airdrie on May 4 as being those of Jessica Rae Newman of Calgary, following an autopsy conducted by the Office of the Medical Examiner. CPS did not release the cause of death, however, the release indicated it was being treated as a homicide. The 24-year-old had been reported missing in Calgary in March.
After nearly 10 hours of input from the public on the proposed Conrich Area Structure Plan (ASP) on May 12, the item was back on the agenda at RVC council's meeting on May 26. First reading was passed 8-1, despite opposition from some area landowners and representatives from the adjacent municipalities of Calgary and Chestermere.
During a heated debate with then-Councillor Greg Boehlke, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the approval of the ASP could result in the City seeking mediation as the first step toward proceeding with an appeal and potentially annexing the land, and told Boehlke, “you have the power to avoid that, not me.”
On May 27, a Provincial Court judge decided Airdrie-area resident Douglas Garland would not only stand trial in connection with the 2014 murders of a Calgary couple and their young grandson, he will also face a third first-degree murder charge. Garland had been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the disappearance of Alvin and Kathy Liknes, and second-degree murder related to the disappearance of their grandson, five-year-old Nathan O'Brien, in June 2014. The second-degree murder charge in relation to O'Brien was upgraded to first-degree.
On June 6, an area ranching family made a gruesome discovery in their field - one of the family's cows dead in pasture, with an eye, udder and sex organs “surgically” removed.
Cow mutilations have been reported in the past in Alberta, according to Sundre RCMP Constable Val Dennis, who was called to investigate the mutilation at the Farquharson family's Madden-area ranch after the carcass was found. However, the family was left without answers.
The 30th anniversary of the Madden Community Hall was celebrated June 13. Madden and District Agricultural Society President Craig Dorin said the event reflected a “generational change” in the hamlet, as many past residents had returned to the community with their own families.
“(Community centres) bring people together in person instead of electronically. I think people's soul food is socializing with their friends,” he said. “I think that's one of the reasons people move to the country.”
A partnership between Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (GRPF), the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area (BGC) and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (FEF), the TD FEF Kids Outside program allowed more local youth the opportunity to enjoy the great summer activities available at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
During each visit, kids had the chance to participate in two GRPF led programs, such as Remarkable Raptors, Pond Exploration or Paws and Claws, in addition to the BGC programming which includes group hikes, nature crafts and child-directed play.
Residents of Chestermere and Langdon areas who ate at the Original Joe's Restaurant and Bar in Strathmore between June 9 to 19 were at risk of contracting hepatitis A after a worker there was found to have the disease, according to Alberta Health Services Spokesperson Shannon Evans.
AHS offered the hepatitis A vaccine at a series of clinics in Calgary, Strathmore and Chestermere on June 23 and 24 to anyone who thought they may have been infected. According to Evans, 400 people visited the clinic to get the vaccine on June 23 and an additional 310 received the vaccine on June 24.
A report released on July 8 by Alberta's Auditor General Merwan Saher suggested mental health and addiction strategies have “failed” in the province. NDP Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman said in a press release the government would accept the recommendations presented in the report, and work with AHS in its review of the system.
“People who suffer from addictions and mental illness experience an incredible amount of pain and hardship. Their friends and family members suffer as well,” she said. “We need to fully implement and measure the addictions and mental health strategy so people get the care and support they need.”
Following an extreme storm on July 12, the communities of Langdon and Chestermere worked hard to deal with an aftermath of flooding - while facing the threat of further precipitation as rain continued throughout the area.
At a meeting on July 14, RVC council unanimously approved a budget adjustment in the amount of $50,000 to the Langdon Transfer Site, to deal with the hauling of additional materials. RVC crews also provided assistance to the City of Chestermere, where the flooding affected upwards of 300 homes.
Restrictions on nighttime jet departures from Springbank Airport were lifted on July 13, despite protests from area residents who were concerned about noise. Two days later, residents and representatives from the Calgary Airport Authority (CAA), met at the Springbank Heritage Club.
“We had some really good discussion and support from the CAA representatives who were there, so that was a good thing,” said Lois Torfason, a community member of the noise committee. “I know we won't get the restrictions reapplied - that was clear at the meeting - but now we are looking at how we can make it as unobtrusive as possible, and I'm hoping we can move forward.”
On July 20, the federal government handed out the single largest direct payment to families in a single day by a government in Canadian history when it released the first installment of the newly expanded Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) to families across the country. Approximately 480,000 families in Alberta were expected to receive the lump payment, totalling nearly $392 million.
Then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the longest campaign in Canadian history since 1872 on Aug. 2 - a 78-day campaign that kicked the campaigns of local candidates into high gear. The announcement included a stated belief by Harper that the prolonged campaign would put the financial strain of election costs on political parties and not taxpayers.
A light aircraft departing Springbank Airport on Aug. 7 suffered engine trouble shortly after takeoff, resulting in a hard landing in a field more than 13 kilometres southwest of the airport, in the vicinity of Jumping Pound Road.
According to Dax Huba, district chief with Rocky View Fire Services, the pilot was “a bit banged up” and was transported by Alberta Health Services after being assessed at the scene. The RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board investigated the crash and removed the plane from the field.
After an 18-year-old male was killed in the early hours of Aug. 9, Cochrane RCMP investigated the second death of a local teenager on the town's railway tracks in less than a month. Another 18-year-old died July 16 when he was struck by an eastbound train behind the Cochrane RCMP detachment on First Street East.
A new climate change panel was announced by the Alberta government on Aug. 14, meant to gather information and seek public input on emissions in the province en route to the implementation of a new provincial strategy. The climate change panel formed by the provincial government included five members who will advise the government on the “new proposal to address climate change.”
In RVC, municipalities were tasked with producing individual sustainability plans.
Crossfield Town council voted unanimously to approve the first phase of the town's newest subdivision, Vista Crossing, at a meeting on Aug. 18. The development will see 154 lots built around a three-acre park in the heart of the community.
“This is the first step of a tremendous growth wave that is coming to Crossfield,” said Ken Bosman, Crossfield chief administrative officer. “We are looking forward to the enhanced services and benefits that this development will bring to our community.”
On Aug. 22 and 23, 4-H members from throughout RVC participated in the 18th annual Calgary Stampede 4-H Rodeo. This introduction to the rodeo environment allowed participants to not only compete in events, but also learn more about animal care and proper techniques.
RVC mourned the loss of Division 8 Councillor Al Sacuta, who passed away on Aug. 23 after a battle of cancer. Sacuta was a strong voice on council on behalf of Bearspaw residents, as well as all residents of RVC.
Sacuta was first elected to RVC council in October of 2010, and was re-elected for a second term in 2013. During his time with RVC, Sacuta served on a number of additional boards and committees.
“I think he changed the way this county works forever, with his insight, background, and experience,” said then-Reeve Margaret Bahcheli. “He really made an impact, and he did it in a way where he maintained the respect of everyone around him - both councillors and administration. It’s a testament to who he was as a person, and he will be missed.”
On Sept. 1, Crossfield Town council gave first and second reading to the Financial Responsibility Bylaw, which placed rigorous transparency on municipal finances, and gave third and final reading on Sept. 15.
The bylaw calls for council and administration to explain during a council meeting any increase of spending in the annual budget report that is above the annual inflation rate for Alberta and the inflation adjusted growth in the net assessment for the Town.
Crossfield CAO Ken Bosman commended council for “having the guts” to ask for this bylaw to be written so the difficult choices that need to be made when running a municipality are out there for all to see.
In an effort to increase the Chestermere’s sustainability, the City announced on Sept. 10 it had purchased 101 acres of land in the south part of the city - minutes away from the TransCanada Highway, Calgary International Airport and CN Logistics Park.
While Chestermere has experienced “extraordinary” population growth for years, Mayor Patricia Matthews said she hopes this land purchase will attract light industrial and commercial enterprises to expand and diversify the city’s non-residential sectors.
Following a lengthy cold case investigation dating back to 2006, investigators charged 47-year-old Duane Redelback on Sept. 11 in Cochrane in relation to the death of his common-law wife, Airdrie resident Ruth Degayo.
Redelback made his first appearance in Calgary Provincial Court on Sept. 14 before provincial court Judge Mike Dinkel adjourned the case until Oct. 22.
RVC council approved a development permit to allow the construction of a process water recycling facility on Sept. 15, paving the way for the reopening of the Harmony beef processing plant located within the High Plains industrial development, east of Balzac and north of the City of Calgary’s boundary.
According to information provided by RVC, development permits and land use redesignation were approved for the former Rancher’s Beef plant after public hearings in 2004, which included consultation with the City of Calgary. At the time of the consultation, RVC said the City of Calgary had no plans for development in the area that would conflict with the plant.
The historic Bassano train station in Beiseker caught fire in the early morning hours of Sept. 18 and Beiseker RCMP are investigating it as suspicious.
Sergeant Glen Demmon, detachment commander with Beiseker RCMP, said there was no power to the building at the time and crews had yet to determine how the station caught fire.
The first phase in the Alberta NDP government’s plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2018 was carried out Oct. 1, as workers saw hourly rates increase from $10.20 to $11.20. Liquor servers saw their hourly wages increase from $9.20 to $10.70. The remainder of the increase will be carried out over “phased” increases in the next three years.
The community of Beiseker was brought together to overcome a “calamity,” Mayor Ray Courtman said, after a water main break on Oct. 1 caused the entire village to be without running water.
Public Works brought in well water and residents were making their personal rain barrels available to ensure everyone had a chance to get water before it was turned back on shortly before 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 2.
A new Airdrie Transit route connected Crossfield with the city of Airdrie on a trial basis from Oct. 5 until April 5, 2016.
According to Chris MacIsaac, transit co-ordinator with the City of Airdrie, planning for the new route was prompted by Crossfield’s large industrial landbase and by the amount of employees who commute to and from the town.
RVC council unanimously passed third reading on a conceptual scheme for the proposed Conrich Station Industrial Estates.
This document will be used to guide the future development of an industrial and commercial area adjacent to the Canadian National Railway Calgary Logistics Park facility, within the hamlet of Conrich.
Enrolment numbers in Rocky View Schools (RVS) increased by 974 students from last year, for a total of 21,567 students in the 2015/16 school year. The biggest gains were seen in Cochrane (up 11.5 per cent), Crossfield (up 7.7 per cent) and Airdrie (up 6.9 per cent).
The deadline for the Division 8 byelection candidate nomination was Oct. 19 and three candidates stepped forward to vie for the role of Division 8 councillor - Eric Lowther, Samanntha Wright and Valerie Murdoff. The seat was formerly held by Al Sacuta who passed away Aug. 23.
In a night that saw the Liberal Party of Canada steamroll the competition en route to a stunning 184-seat majority, voters in the Banff-Airdrie riding chose stability over change, giving incumbent Blake Richards a third term as a Member of Parliament.
Richards led the polls throughout the night Oct. 19 and was elected with 40,617 votes (64 per cent). His closest competitor, Liberal Party candidate Marlo Raynolds, took in 16,517 votes (26 per cent).
RCMP in Strathmore, with the assistance of the Strathmore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit “Green Team” and the RCMP Police Dog Services made a large drug bust at a rural property north of Langdon on Nov. 2, according to Strathmore RCMP Constable Clint Chisan. Police seized 1,140 marijuana plants with a street value of $1.425 million.
A second marijuana grow operation was brought down by Airdrie Rural RCMP Nov. 5 on a rural property in RVC near Balzac according to a release issued by Airdrie Rural RCMP Constable Matthew Gervais. A total of 536 marijuana plants were found in the home’s attached garage. The plants had a street value of $670,000, according to Gervais.
A second marijuana grow operation was brought down by Airdrie Rural RCMP Nov. 5 on a rural property in RVC near Balzac according to a release issued by Airdrie Rural RCMP Constable Matthew Gervais. A total of 536 marijuana plants were found in the home’s attached garage. The plants had a street value of $670,000, according to Gervais.
Canmore’s Marlo Raynolds, who ran for Banff-Airdrie MP, was appointed to a senior bureaucrat position in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government.
After losing his bid against sitting Conservative MP Blake Richards in the Oct. 19 federal election, Raynolds moved to Ottawa Nov. 2 to work as chief of staff for Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna.
The security fences surrounding what was left of the century-old Bassano rail station in Beiseker - after it caught fire in the early morning hours of Sept. 18 - were taken down, causing Beiseker Village council to voice concerns about public safety.
Jo Lambert, Beiseker chief administrative officer, said the fencing was removed Oct. 29 due to the building-owner’s insurance claim being rejected. At the Nov. 9 meeting, council debated what could be done by the Village to make the building safer for residents as the municipality does not own the land or building.
With 45 per cent of the vote, Eric Lowther was elected the Division 8 representative on RVC council, to serve until the Alberta municipal general elections on Oct. 16, 2017.
According to a press release from RVC, the count from advance polls and the Nov. 16 election day show a total of only 1,079 votes cast, with Lowther receiving 483 votes. Samanntha Wright received 462 and Valerie Murdoff received 134.
Domestic violence is not on the rise in Crossfield according to 2015 year-to-date crime statistics presented to the Town during a council meeting Nov. 17.
According to the report, Crossfield had managed to hold steady with 10 reported cases last year and 10 reported cases this year, which Airdrie RCMP Inspector Gordon Sage called a “good news story” for the community.
Rocky View Regional Handi Bus Society (RVRHS) lost a 10-year-old wheelchair accessible minivan after it collided with a deer along Highway 1A near Glendale Road on Nov. 26.
The loss of the minivan posed a problem for RVRHS as one of its mechanical spares, used when other vehicles went into the shop, had been permanently put into operation.
RVC council approved an operating and capital base budget for 2016, which allowed the County to operate into the new year until the final budget is approved in April.
Barry Woods, manager of financial services with RVC, said the 2016 budget maintains current service levels and contemplates a one per cent tax increase in light of current economic conditions.
The controversial Conrich Area Structure Plan (ASP) received third reading by RVC council Dec. 8, after receiving first reading at a public hearing in May.
Third reading was carried on the amended plan by a vote of 8-1, with Councillor Jerry Arshinoff in opposition.
The intent of the document, according to RVC Planner Amy Zaluski, is to guide land use and development within the Conrich area. She said the plan is based on sound planning principles and has been supported by an “extensive” public consultation process and technical analysis.
Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) coverage, as well as occupational health and safety regulations, were made mandatory for farms with paid workers starting Jan. 1, 2016.
The changes came as a part of Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act, which passed third reading in the legislature Dec. 10 with a vote of 44-29. Alberta Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour Lori Sigurdson said the bill will ensure rights and protections for farm workers.
Irricana Town council set the byelection for Feb. 11, 2016, following Councillor Laura Thiessen’s letter of resignation sent to administration Nov. 23. In an email, Thiessen, who was first elected in October 2013, stated it was due to personal reasons that she was unable to continue forward in her governing role.
RVS cancelled all eight student trips to Europe scheduled from Dec. 11 through to June 30, 2016, citing safety concerns following the terrorist attacks in Paris in November.
RVS Superintendent of Schools Don Hoium said meetings with parents of students affected are currently taking place, and alternative destinations for the trips are being evaluated.
The City of Chestermere applied to annex nearly 25,000 acres of RVC land Dec. 15, including a large portion of land included in the controversial Conrich Area Structure Plan - with no prior consultation with residents or other stakeholders.
The move was a response to RVC’s recent adoption of the plan, which received third reading at a meeting Dec. 8. According to Chestermere Mayor Patricia Matthews, the City brought forward their concerns with the plan more than 18 months ago, but said she feels they “got no traction” with RVC.
