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COVID-19 UPDATE: May 28
On May 28, Alberta Health Services confirmed 29 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,955. It was also reported that two people passed away in the last 24 hours.143
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Majority of poll voters worried about Biden’s promise to cancel Keystone XL Pipeline if elected US President
Over 68 percent of voters to the Trending 55 Poll of the Week are concerned about a promise made by an American presidential candidate. Democratic candidate, Joe Biden says if he becomes president in November, he would
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MP Viersen frustrated that NDP helping liberals extend adjournment period
The MP for Peace River-Westlock is wondering what the New Democratic Party received in exchange for suspending Parliament until September. “If you are going to ask Justin Trudeau for money, I think you are likely to get
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Mercer Altering Plans For Boiler Maintenance
The Mercer Pulp mill in Peace River has had to make some changes to their maintenance plans. A major rebuild for the recovery boiler was planned to start in late June and run until early November, but
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COVID-19 UPDATE: May 27
On May 27, Alberta Health Services confirmed 25 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,926. It was also reported that two people passed away in the last 24 hours.141
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Fire bans in three Peace Region jurisdictions downgraded to advisories
Yesterday, the province announced fire bans in most area of the province had been downgraded to advisories. The only exceptions were the counties of: Saddle Hills, Clear Hills, Birch Hills, the County of Grande Prairie, and the
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Virtual exhibit at Mackenzie Crossroads Museum and Visitor Centre highlights events around last year’s wildfire
The Town of High Level has put together an exhibit where people can celebrate the overcoming of the Chuckegg Creek wildfire. An evacuation order was issued for the town on May 20, 2019 and the growing fire
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COVID-19 UPDATE: May 26
On May 26, Alberta Health Services confirmed 22 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,901. It was also reported that one person passed away in the last 24 hours.139
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Alberta Health Services to hold “Community Conversation” for northern residents
Alberta Health Services and the True North Health Advisory Council want to update the people of Mackenzie County and surrounding areas. That is why they are collaborating to hold a community conversation on Wednesday, May 27. The
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Fire bans now changed to advisories in many areas of the northwest
The Peace and Mackenzie regions have seen their fair share of rainfall over the last week. That is why the province says the fire bans issues have been downgraded to advisories, which applies to the forest protection
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High Level firefighters resume outdoor training
The High Level Fire Department is taking advantage of the easing of public health guidelines to get some outdoor training done. Earlier this month, the province announced that outdoor gatherings up to a maximum of 50 people
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COVID-19 UPDATE: May 25
On May 25, Alberta Health Services confirmed 19 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,879. It was also reported that three people passed away in the last 24 hours.138
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High Prairie RCMP looking for suspect in shooting
The High Prairie RCMP is investigating a shooting that happened on the Peavine Metis Settlement. Police responded to a call of an injured male in the community on Saturday at around 6:30 PM. The victim had what
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RCMP recovers property stolen from Harmon Valley Fire Hall
The Peace Regional RCMP was able to find items that were stolen from the Harmon Valley fire hall last month. According to the Mounties, officers responded to a call in Berwyn off suspicious activity on May 18th
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Leslyn Lewis thrilled to have the support of MLA Dan Williams for federal conservative leadership race
The Trending 55 Newsroom caught up with lawyer and Conservative Party of Canada candidate, Doctor Leslyn Lewis. Lewis talks about what an endorsement from Peace River MLA, Dan Williams means to her, and believes there is a
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Mackenzie County estimates a week before water treatment re-opens
Officials with Mackenzie County are working to restore service to its water treatment plant in Fort Vermilion. According to a post on its Facebook page, the county says it estimates it will be approximately a week before
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Local firefighter preparing for third annual Northern Trek for charity
Northern Sunrise County Deputy Fire Chief, Julien Bergeron is getting ready for a 185 kilometre run. This is the third year the St. Isidore native is doing the Northern Trek, which is to raise money for the
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RCMP looking for help in solving an assault case in Peace River
The Peace Regional RCMP is asking for the public’s help in cracking an assault case. According to the Mounties, an unknown male entered a multi-unit building on the south side of Peace River on May 3rd at
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High Prairie RCMP Respond To Multiple Replica Firearms Incidents
RCMP officers in High Prairie have responded to a number of incidents involving replica firearms over the past month. The first one happened on April 16, officers responded to a number of 911 calls of a male
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Meals For Months Surpasses Initial Goal
The “Meals for Months” campaign for the Peace River Rotaract Club has surpassed its initial goal of fundraising for 2500 meals. Rylee Armstrong, president of the club, says they fact that they got enough for over 3000
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Fox Lake RCMP on the lookout for s suspect in an assault case
The RCMP is trying to find a suspect in the Fox Lake area. According to the Fox Lake detachment, officers responded to a serious assault and determined that 26-year-old Rick Alexander Seeseequon is believed to have been
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UPDATE: RCMP catches suspect in Fox Lake assault
The Fox Lake RCMP has a suspect in custody in commotion with an assault in the community. Officers, with help from the High Level and Fort Vermilion detachments managed to find 26 year old Rick Alexander Seeseequon.
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A chat with Peace River MLA, Dan Williams
We had a chance to chat with Peace River MLA, Dan Williams on various subjects including: Supporting local businesses as COIVD-19 public health measures are relaxed The latest on the Fair Deal panel Why Williams decided to
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COVID-19 UPDATE: May 21
On May 21, Alberta Health Services confirmed 33 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,768. It was also reported that four people passed away in the last 24 hours.132
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Big Lakes County cautiously re-opening to the public
Administration buildings in Big Lakes County are now open, but with some rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The county’s main office in High Prairie is open but officials say only a maximum of six people can
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High Level Mayor Looks Back On Fire Evacuations
High Level Mayor Crystal McAteer says it still feels like yesterday when the Town had to be evacuated after the Chuckegg Creek fire. McAteer says in the year that has passed since that took place, they’ve paid
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Man In Custody After Threats And Assault
Fort Vermilion RCMP have a man in custody following a domestic violence incident where a female was assaulted and threatened with a firearm. Officers received a complaint at around 2 AM on Monday where the victim of
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Trending 55 Voters Feel It’s Too Soon For Economic Relaunch
Most of the voters on this week’s Trending 55 Poll feel the province should have waited a little longer to start its economic relaunch. Out of 292 responses, 164 (56%) say that it’s too soon to start
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COVID-19 UPDATE: May 20
During the Provincial COVID-19 update on May 20th, Alberta Health Services announced 19 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,735. The number of deaths has not increased for
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Chamber Wants More Shopping Local To Help Reopened Businesses
Now that local businesses are able to start opening again, the Peace River and District Chamber of Commerce wants to see people supporting them by shopping local. Chamber President Peter Herritt says this is a “prime opportunity”
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Peace River Town Hall Partially Reopened
People will now be able to visit the Town of Peace River’s office. Only two groups of people will be allowed in Town Hall at a time, up to a maximum of four people, and access will
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COVID-19 Update: May 19
On May 19, Alberta Health Services confirmed 33 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,716. It was also reported that there were no fatalities in the last 24 hours.
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Province sets up task force to deal with the crime of human trafficking
Premier Jason Kenney, along with Justice Minister and Solicitor General, Doug Schweitzer announced the formation of a seven-person task force this morning. The panel will be led by Canadian country music singer, Paul Brandt, who is also
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PRSD donates grant money to community organizations supporting families during pandemic
With school buildings closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Peace River School Division is donating grant money it cannot use. The division announced its remaining funds from Alberta Education’s nutrition fund are being shared between 15 community
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RCMP searching for missing male
The Peace Regional RCMP is asking for the public’s help to find a 40-year-old missing man. According to the detachment, Tony Vernon Noskey was last seen at around 3:00 am on May 15. The last place he
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MLA Loewen says he is glad the economy is re-launching
The MLA for Central Peace-Notley says residents in the riding are looking forward to getting out more. Todd Loewen says it’s nice to see places like parks and golf courses opening up but adds that is it
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COVID-19 Update: May 15
As part of her daily COVID-19 briefing, Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health, Doctor Deena Hinshaw says outdoor gatherings can now have a limit of 50 people. Hinshaw also said that if such gatherings are taking people,
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GPRC bringing more education online in partnership with Athabasca University
Grande Prairie Regional College is will be bringing more of its programs and courses online. GPRC announced a new partnership with Athabasca University, which already offers online and distance learning education. “It is innovative partnerships such as
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Glenmary High School teacher talks about being nominated for provincial award, and her first year teaching
First-year teacher, Cassidy Yasinski joins the Trending 55 Newsroom to talk about being nominated for the Edwin Parr Award and teaching during a pandemic and being a rookie teacher. The full interview is below. – Kenny Trenton,
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COVID-19 Update: May 14
On May 14, Alberta Health Services confirmed 50 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,457. It was also reported that one person in the Calgary Zone passed away. 121
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Town Of Peace River Reopening Facilities
Some public facilities in the Town of Peace River will start to reopen. The following sites will be reopened starting tomorrow. – Lower West Peace Tennis/Pickleball Courts, – All Playgrounds, – Curtis Marshall Memorial Skate Park, and,
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Budget Cuts Made At GPRC
The 2020-21 budget for Grande Prairie Regional College has them making some cuts. The College’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the budget earlier this week which sees a drop in spending from $73 million to $65 million.
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Vast majority of voters feel liberal firearms ban won’t reduce gun related crimes
The results are in for the Trending 55 Newsroom’s Poll of the Week and it was not a close vote. We also if you felt the legislation recently passed by the federal government would help reduce gun
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COVID-19 Update: May 13
On May 13, Alberta Health Services confirmed 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,407. It was also reported that two people passed away. 120 Albertans have now died
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MP Viersen says he will push the federal government to make broadband internet more available in rural communities
Peace River-Westlock MP Arnold Viersen says the federal conservatives want to see rural communities get more connected. In 2015, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) declared broadband internet an essential service. The CRTC felt the speeds should
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McLennan RCMP Investigating Gas Well Site Theft
McLennan RCMP are investigating a theft that happened at a gas well site near Donnelly. The site is located on Township Road 794 east of Range Road 204. According to police, three trailers were broken into during
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Fire Ban In High Level Forest Area
A Fire Ban and OHV Restriction are in place for the High Level Forest Area. This is due to the warmer temperatures, spring winds and no significant rainfall in the forecast. According to Alberta Wildfire, the fire
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COVID-19 Update: May 12
On May 12, Alberta Health Services confirmed 45 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,345. It was also reported that one person passed away. 118 Albertans have now died
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Glenmary teacher nominated for prestigious provincial award
A first-year teacher is receiving a big accolade from the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division. The board of trustees unanimously voted in favour of awarding the 2020 Edwin Parr Award Nominations to Cassidy Yasinski. Yasinski teaches math
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Alberta NDP calling for stronger supports for small businesses ahead of economic relaunch
The provincial New Democrats wants to see grants made available for small businesses as public health restrictions are eased. Former Premier, Rachel Notley made the suggestions, which also includes commercial rent relief. Notley was joined by small
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