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School Buses – April 12, 2021
Northland School Division Bus 425: Cancelled Peace Wapiti Public School Division Bus 351: Cancelled
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Fairview RCMP seeking assistance in locating missing person
-Update- Fairview RCMP have located 49-year-old Tina Willemsen safe. RCMP would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance The Fairview RCMP are asking for the public assistance in locating 49-year-old Tina Willemsen. Willemsen
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31 Alberta Health Services facilities in North Zone get new information sharing system
Alberta Health Services is preparing to launch Connect Care Wave 3 in 31 facilities in the west side of the North Zone during the weekend of April 10-11, 2021. The 31 sites will be fully or partially
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Viersen, Tories calling for public inquiry into pandemic response by the feds
Peace River-Westlock MP, Arnold Viersen and the federal Conservative Party want some answers. Viersen says his party wants a full and transparent inquiry into the federal government’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with the
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COVID-19 UPDATE: April 8
On April 8, Alberta Health Services confirmed 1,429 new cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 156,905. Three people passed away, which means 2,005 Albertans have
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Community Garden program expanding in High Level
The High Level Community Garden Association will have more space for public gardening in 2021 thanks to a $30,000 grant the Town of High Level received through the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta. The grant is being
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Absolute majority of poll voters favour increased public health restrictions
The results are in! On our most recent Trending 55 Newsroom’s Poll of the Week, we asked how you feel the province should address the rise in active COVID-19 cases. Around 61 percent of voters favour increased
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Notley says MLA’s speaking out against health measures puts lives at risk
On today’s edition of the Trending 55 Hot Seat, we are checking in with NDP Leader and former Premier, Rachel Notley. Among the topics we discuss with the Leader of the Official Opposition include: her thoughts on
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Loewen Among UCP MLA’s Criticizing Restrictions
Central Peace-Notley’s Todd Loewen is part of a group of UCP MLA’s speaking out against Premier Jason Kenney and the new COVID-19 restrictions announced on Tuesday. The group is calling the government’s decision to go back to
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Peace River Council, Community Futures looking for ways to support local businesses
The council for the Town of Peace River, as well as Community Futures Peace Country have been putting their heads together. The objective was to come up with a plan to support businesses within town that have
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Northern Sunrise County feeling crunch of provincial budget cuts
Politicians in Northern Sunrise County are wondering how they can keep services and property taxes in the current position. When the provincial government unveiled its budget on February 25, it included a 25 percent cut to the
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COVID-19 UPDATE: April 6
On April 6, Alberta Health Services confirmed 931 new cases of COVID-19 over the last four days, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 154,125. Three people passed away, which means 2,001 Albertans have
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River Ice Advisory for Town of Peace River lifted
Alberta Environment and Parks has lifted the river ice advisory for the Town of Peace River. According to the provincial river reporting system, satellite images taken 38 kilometres downstream from the Highway 2 Bridge showed an ice
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Mackenzie County Bursary Program is open for applications for those who want to work and live in the rural north
If you live, or have immediate family, in Mackenzie County, there could be financial support available to you for your post-secondary education. The county posted on its Facebook page that it is accepting applications for its bursary
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High Prairie AFSC Branch to be merged with office in Falher
A couple of offices in High Prairie will be closing. Big Lakes County issued a media release on March 25 in which it was revealed that the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation branch will be amalgamated with the
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COVID-19 UPDATE: April 5
On April 5, Alberta Health Services confirmed 3987 new cases of COVID-19 over the last four days, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 153,194. Four people passed away, which means 1,998 Albertans have
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Kaus talks about new role at the MD of Greenview
We recently had an opportunity to chat with Sheila Kaus, Manager of Agricultural Services for the Municipal District of Greenview. Among the topics covered include: her new position and what she hopes to bring to the MD
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Homicide Near Joussard Under Investigation
High Prairie RCMP are investigating a homicide that occurred near Joussard on Saturday morning. Officers were called out to the Joussard Sand Pits after reports of a shooting at around 3:41 AM. 3 individuals received gunshot wounds
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Over 90 percent of voters favour tougher penalties for property crimes
The results are in! For our most recent Trending 55 Newsroom’s Poll of the Week, we asked if you felt that property crimes need to have stiffer punishments. Here is the breakdown: They should be harsher (93.7%)
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Legislative Speaker talks about procedures and gives us more interesting facts about our political history
Alberta Speaker, Nathan Cooper joined the Trending 55 Hot Seat to talk about various procedures in the house and other issues. Among the topics covered include: when and where the first ever session of the legislature took
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Hoffman says financial literacy a good aspect of new draft curriculum; not impressed with the rest
With the provincial government releasing its draft K-6 draft curriculum for review, we reached out to the NDP’s Education Critic, Sarah Hoffman to get her thoughts on the proposal. While the Edmonton-Glenora MLA applauds the topics of
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COVID-19 UPDATE: March 31
On March 31, Alberta Health Services confirmed 871 new cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 148,332. Three people passed away, which means 1,990 Albertans have
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Peace River ice cover breakup expected for Easter weekend
Alberta Parks and Environment has issued a River Ice Advisory for the breakup of the Peace River at the Town of Peace River. It is expected for the Peace River ice cover to break up through the
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Schweitzer says same drilling technology used for natural gas can be used for geothermal as well
Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, the Economy and Innovation, Doug Schweitzer checked in with the Trending 55 Newsroom for his weekly appearance on the Hot Heat. Among the topics covered this week are: a start-up in Calgary enjoying
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Williams says Paddle Prairie will be consulted before bridge project moves forward
Peace River’s MLA says no construction on a potential bridge at Tompkins Crossing will be done without proper consultation. Dan Williams was on the Trending 55 Hot Seat and was asked about consultations with the Paddle Prairie
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COVID-19 UPDATE: March 30
On March 30, Alberta Health Services confirmed 576 new cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 147,461. Four people passed away, which means 1,987 Albertans have
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Peace River RCMP arrest man for stolen property and arson
On March 23, 2021 at around 12 p.m. the Peace River RCMP responded to a break and enter from a business located on 101 Street in Peace River where a vehicle was stolen. Shortly after, the RCMP
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Shandro talks about investment to train more rural physicians
Health Minister, Tyler Shandro makes his weekly appearance on the Trending 55 Hot Seat today. A major topic we discussed was recruiting physicians to the rural regions of the province and keeping them there. He tells us
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Prairie Oat Growers optimistic about 2021
For today’s discussion on agriculture, we are speaking with Brad Boettger, who is the Alberta Chairperson for the Prairie Oat Growers Association. We talk to Boettger about the challenges and opportunities that COVID has brought on. We
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COVID-19 UPDATE: March 29
On March 29, Alberta Health Services confirmed 545 new cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 146,885. No one passed away, which means 1,983 Albertans have
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High Prairie RCMP investigating case of butchered cow along a road
The Mounties in High Prairie are asking for your help in cracking a case where the victim was a cow. According to the local RCMP detachment, it got a call on Sunday evening about a slaughtered cow
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Practical skills to be key component of K-6 curriculum reform
Grade school students will be introduced to some skills previously not taught in classrooms. Education Minister, Adriana LaGrange released the province’s draft of the kindergarten-to-grade-six curriculum. “The new curriculum delivers on our commitment to Albertans to refocus
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High Level chamber gearing up for Tuesday’s AGM
Like many meetings around the province, and country, the High Level and District Chamber of Commerce will be having its annual general meeting virtually. The chamber is putting the finishing touches on the AGM’s agenda but told
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RCMP Thanking Public For Help In Finding Missing Child
RCMP officers in Peace River are thanking the public for their help on Saturday in finding an 11 year old boy who went missing. Police received a report of a child who went missing from an apartment
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Mackenzie Applied Research Association talks about its goals and studies for 2021
The Trending 55 Newsroom had a chance to catch up with an official from the Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA). Samuel Peprah is the Research Manager for MARA and he talked to us in great detail about
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MD of Peace Council wants to resolve issue with Highway 2A railway crossing
The CN Rail crossing on Highway 2A (Roma Drive), has the MD of Peace council concerned for the safety of highway users. At the council meeting on March 23, 2021, council decided to continue discussions on troubleshooting
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Relative majority believe AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine is safe
The results are in! For our most recent Trending 55 Newsroom’s Poll of the Week, we asked if reports of blood clots in Europe of people who took the Covishield injection were enough to make you shy
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Alberta loses federal carbon tax challenge; levy ruled constitutional by Supreme Court
Premier Jason Kenney is expressing disappointment over the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to rule the federal carbon tax as constitutional. “We are obviously disappointed with that decision,” says the Premier. “The Supreme Court ignored the Alberta
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Shandro says a report on the pandemic response will be coming
Health Minister, Tyler Shandro joined us for his weekly appearance on the Trending 55 Hot Seat. The topics of discussion this week include: the ministry’s intention to release a report on the response to the pandemic, as
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User Rates To Increase In Falher
Residents and property owners in the Town of Falher will be paying more for their user rates. Last week, Town Council approved the rate increases for water, sewer, recycling and waste collection. Water rates will go up
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Mammography mobile unit coming to Grimshaw with additional screening services
Women aged 50-74 are the most at risk group for developing breast cancer, and women in the Grimshaw and Peace River region will have access to screening mammography services with a mobile unit in the communities next
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COVID-19 UPDATE: March 24
On March 24, Alberta Health Services confirmed 692 new cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 143,547. Two people passed away, which means 1,973 Albertans have
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Schweitzer says Alberta likely to lead country in renewable energy development in 2021
Minister of Jobs, the Economy and Innovation, Doug Schweitzer was back on the Trending 55 Hot Seat for his weekly appearance. This week’s list of topics includes: how the province is expected to lead the country in
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Shepherd calling for public inquiry into government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic
On the Trending 55 Hot Seat, we check in weekly with a member of the provincial NDP. This week, we are catching up with Edmonton-City Centre MLA, and Health Critic, David Shepherd. Among the topics we cover
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Sargent Dave Browne talks about crime trends in the Peace Region
The Peace Regional RCMP had an opportunity to release its annual Policing Priorities Survey. The Trending 55 Newsroom caught up with Sargent Dave Browne with the local detachment, who presented the survey’s finding to Peace River Town
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Voyent Alert System Launched For Town Of Peace River
Residents in the Town of Peace River can now be more informed about urgent and emergent situations. The Town now has it’s own Voyent Alert system which can provide notifications about planned activities like road or infrastructure
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River Road in Peace River to remain closed for the foreseeable future
According to a representative with Alberta Transportation, the route under the Peace River Bridge will remain closed. Peace River Town Council heard a presentation from Ryan Konowalyk with Alberta Transportation and told officials it would likely open
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COVID-19 UPDATE: March 22
On March 22, Alberta Health Services confirmed 456 new cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 142,390. Five people passed away, which means 1,968 Albertans have
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Loewen hopeful the government will announce phase three in easing restrictions
Central Peace-Notley MLA, Todd Loewen has been open in calling for a regional approach to pandemic restrictions. This time in a Facebook post on his page, he opens his statement saying, “With hospitalizations below the step 3
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Viersen concerned the federal government may not table a budget
We had a chance to catch up with Arnold Viersen on the latest news from Ottawa. The Tory MP for Peace River-Westlock says he is worried that the federal government may not table a budget for the
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