Local News

The wins keep rolling in for emerging hockey talent and the Cochrane Minor Hockey Association (CMHA).

Cochrane Minor Hockey has been granted U15 AAA and U17 AAA teams in the latest expansion of the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL), beginning in the 2026–27 season.

County of Grande Prairie Council approved the 2025 budget with a 2.4 per cent municipal tax rate increase to ensure alignment with public feedback which consistently identifies roads and public safety as key priorities. The increase translates to approximately $57.85 annually, or $4.82 per month on a residential property valued at $575,000.  

The $216.5 million budget includes an estimated $118.3 million for general operations and $98.2 million for capital investments.  

Northwestern Polytechnic and Fort Vermilion School Division (FVSD) are working together to bridge education opportunities in the North. The two partners recently inked a deal that enables the first remote cohort of FVSD students to enroll in NWP’s newly launched, four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEd) degree.

Thursday morning, the Rural Municipality of Weyburn released the results of the by-election held Wednesday. The by-election was for the vacant Division 1 councillor position. 

There were 69 votes cast in the by-election, with Christopher Cugnet winning the seat after receiving 35 votes. Doug Dembiczak, who had won the original election in November, received 34 votes.  

Due to a clinical personnel shortage and an inability to secure temporary coverage, the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital emergency department (ED) will be without onsite physician coverage from: 

• 8 a.m., Thursday, April 17 to 8 a.m., Friday, April 18  

During this time, nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing triage, assessments, and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities, as needed. 

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention wrapped up in Saskatoon this week, bringing together elected officials, administrators, and provincial leaders from across the province for four days of networking, resolutions, and policy discussions. 

Weyburn Mayor Jeff Richards, speaking Wednesday afternoon on his way back from the convention, said the event offered valuable opportunities to connect with both peers and provincial officials. 

As reports surface of understaffing and equipment shortages at the Regina Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a Weyburn mother is sharing her personal experience to highlight just how critical the facility is, not just to her family, but to the entire southeast Saskatchewan region. 

The City of Grande Prairie begins annual pest control operations in May to support the health of parks, trees and green spaces.

Operations run from May to October, weather permitting, and focus on controlling noxious weeds, insects and plant diseases. All pest control takes place on City-owned land within municipal boundaries using products registered with Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Residents with concerns are encouraged to contact AccessGP by calling 311.

Okotoks will see some facility closures over the Easter long weekend.

The Municipal Centre, Operations Centre, Fire Station No. 1, RCMP detachment, and the Eco Centre will all be closed on April 18 and 21.

Recreation facilities will be open, but with adjusted hours. 

The Okotoks Recreation Centre will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 18 and April 21, with regular hours of operation on April 20, while Natural High will be closed on April 18 and 20.

Saskatchewan artist Jake Vaadeland is one of three finalists in this year’s Top of the Country competition, a national talent search hosted by SiriusXM Canada and the Canadian Country Music Association.

Vaadeland, who hails from Cut Knife, Sask., was selected alongside Sully Burrows of Parry Sound, Ont., and Noeline Hofmann of Bow Island, Alta., following a nationwide vote by Canadian fans and music industry experts.