County of Grande Prairie Reeve Bob Marshall says he is disappointed with the recent announcement of the cancellation of a $4 billion methanol plant. The gas plant promised jobs and economic benefits, but Nauticol Energy Ltd. announced earlier this month it would not be moving forward with the project.“I was really hoping (it) would go ahead,” […]
Grande Prairie Storm goalie Connor Mackenzie is used to blocking pucks but is now opening up with local youth on mental health. The 20-year-old is in his last season of junior hockey and wanted to give back to the community that has supported him for the last two years. More than $20,000 has already been raised […]
A new volunteer appreciation program has been launched by the County of Grande Prairie, giving residents another opportunity to show gratitude.Starting Feb. 1, individual volunteers, groups, or organizations can be nominated through the It Takes a Volunteer initiative.Nominees will receive a recognition package from the county, including a gift certificate as well as a coffee […]
The Rural Renewal Stream is attracting workers to the Grande Prairie region as more municipalities adopt the provincial program. A local business owner has filled job vacancies through the program, after a “historically low” year for applications in 2022.“It was difficult generating any interest in the positions,” said Shawna Miller, who owns 16 Subway franchises in […]
A recent trend in asks for funds from local municipalities has had a focus on recreation, couched in its role to boost the attraction and retention of medical professionals.According to a Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) study, recreation is a factor for health professionals, but not a priority.“A welcoming community was the number one […]
The Town of Spirit River is finding regional support after the province removed medevac fixed-wing air ambulance service there in November 2022.The medevac fixed-wing air ambulance service is slated to resume April 1, pending appropriate weather conditions. In the same period last year, 15 incidents used this service.STARS helicopters and ground ambulance continue to respond […]
After an ambitious effort by a local parent group, Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) is asking the community its opinion. The PWPSD survey, tasked to explore the possibility of bringing junior high classes to Beaverlodge, was launched online Jan. 24. Community members can attend meetings at the Beaverlodge Elementary School on Feb. 14 from 6:30 […]
The way South Peace residents mark the death of their loved ones is evolving, largely due to the two-year pandemic.Oliver’s Funeral Home director of operations Chris Clements says that he has seen a dramatic effect on local services during the pandemic, when service sizes were at times mandated to a maximum of 10 people.“For some, […]
The province announced a $1-million investment to explore options of delivering medical education at Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) and the University of Lethbridge (U of L) last Thursday (Jan. 26). The nationwide shortage of healthcare workers disproportionately affects rural areas, said the province. The University of Alberta (U of A) and the University of Calgary (U of C) […]
Volunteers young and old are being asked to help their community by lending a hand to their local hospital.Volunteer resources co-ordinator Mavis Mintenko says that spare hands are needed at both the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital (GPRH) and the Queen Elizabeth II Ambulatory Care Centre.“We have a volunteer resources office at both locations in Grande […]