April 12, 2024 By Jessica Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A new, innovative tool has slid onto the scene to help outdoor enthusiasts make better decisions when planning trips in avalanche terrain in Kananaskis Country, or to steer clear of avalanche hazards altogether. The Automated Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale map, or AutoATES map, uses geospatial modelling to assess avalanche terrain risk based … Read more…
By Steffanie Costigan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Alberta government announced on Thursday $35 million in funding over three years to assist with reducing emergency response times and support EMS workers. “We will outline significant steps our government and partners are taking to enhance the emergency response capabilities and healthcare across Alberta, said Alberta Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange on Thursday … Read more…
4/16/24By: George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Revamped advisory councils blanketing the province will help ensure that the government understands and addresses rural health-care challenges while improving service, the health minister said Monday. Rural Alberta will be heard through 13 new advisory councils – 12 regional and one Indigenous – that give traction to diverse concerns and ideas, said Adriana … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Innovations that prepare Alberta to attack wildfires sooner, more efficiently and more effectively are baked into an updated approach after last year’s record-breaking season, Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen told The Macleod Gazette. “Our number one concern is public and community safety when we’re dealing with wildfires,” said Loewen, the UCP member … Read more…
By Scott Hayes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Jasper National Park has confirmed that the first black bear sighting occurred locally on Tuesday, April 2 in the area between Old Fort Point and Jasper Park Lodge. This report is on par with the first sighting last year, which occurred on March 31, 2023. “Spring brings important changes to the landscape and to … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter What if you showed up for an Alberta wildfire and your water source was frozen over? That was just one of the many challenges crews faced last year in a long, arduous and record-breaking season that burned a combined area the size of Prince Edward Island – times four. Todd Loewen, the minister of … Read more…
By Rob VogtLooks can be deceiving.The recent heavy snowfall has provided some moisture, but this area is still in drought, and the Town of Claresholm’s water restrictions are still in effect.The town gets its water from the Pine Coulee Reservoir west of Stavely, and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas has already started to fill the reservoir.“The reality is they need … Read more…