Wembley News Archive

The County of Grande Prairie approved a 2.9 per cent property tax increase for 2024. County council approved an interim $157.6 million budget which includes an estimated $109.5 million for general operations and $48.1 million for capital investments on Dec. 15. About 70 per cent of the capital budget is going toward road and bridge […]

Grande Prairie Technical Search & Rescue (TSR) is looking for volunteers. The organization is currently looking for aid for its operational and support teams.  “Our team is really diverse, anyone from lawyers to farmers to stay-at-home moms,” can volunteer, said Darren Sherk, TSR vice president.  The all-volunteer team has room for people with many different […]

There’s a twinkle in his eye as Klaus Gabriel talks about his volunteer work. His moustache curls with a smile as he remembers Christmases gone by. It’s a face you could believe belongs to the real Santa Claus, and this reporter isn’t convinced he isn’t. For four years, Gabriel has served as the Santa Claus […]

A First World War veteran's 106-year-old watch was returned to his 98-year-old son, a Second World War veteran, in Grande Prairie.  Bill Bessent Sr. was presented with his father's watch on Nov. 24 by his son Bill Jr. It started with a voicemail son Bill initially thought might have been a scam. “If you're the […]

The City of Grande Prairie’s Public & Protective Services committee was given an update on possible amendments that can be made to the Alberta 911 program to better serve the local community at the Dec. 5 meeting.  One idea proposes to the Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) to increase the 911 cell phone levy from $0.95 to […]

Grande Prairie regional youth may be eligible for up to $750 from the City of Grande Prairie’s Communities Building Youth Futures (CBYF) microgrant launched earlier last week (Dec. 5).  The new grant is available to youth aged 13 to 30 who may be facing barriers to education or entering the workforce.  “I'm not evaluating anyone's […]

It appears official.  Construction of a $170 million replacement for the aging Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital is due to start within months.   The facility is expected to open its doors in 2028. A service was held Monday morning in Beaverlodge on the corner of 20 acres of land donated a decade ago by the McFarlane family.  […]

The Grande Prairie Public Library’s (GPPL) Giving Trees are collecting donations for three regional charities.  Three trees are set up in the library and are accepting donations; the children's department’s tree is accepting donations for the Grande Prairie Hospital Foundation Pediatric Unit, the teen tree is collecting for Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue and over in […]

Although not much snow has fallen (as of press time), residents of the Grande Prairie Region know the white fluffy snow will debut eventually. Still, some seniors and will need a helping hand when that day comes, and that’s where volunteers or snow fairies are needed.  “In Snow Fairy nature, they will fly over with […]

One local county cattle producer is reaching out to the province to speak on behalf of Peace Country providers regarding overwinter funding. Andrea Conrad, who operates Saddle Hills Cattle Company outside of La Glace, has penned a letter to Premier Danielle Smith, MLA Grande Prairie-Wapiti Ron Wiebe, MP Grande Prairie-Mackenzie Chris Warkentin and Alberta Minister […]