WETASKIWIN NEWS

November is Adoption Awareness Month!  Our government is proud to recognize the many Alberta families making a positive, life-changing difference for children and youth by choosing to adopt. Whether a child is adopted from government care, a licensed agency, private direct placement or internationally, we are grateful for the adoptive parents who provide stable, nurturing […]

Wetaskiwin City Council approved the changes to its Fees and Charges Bylaw 2073-24 during the Monday, November 12 regular meeting. The updated charges were presented to and discussed by Council during budget deliberation meetings held October 28 and 29. Significant fee and charge changes for 2025 include: • 2 per cent increases to all recreation […]

On Nov. 16 2024, Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a 911 call of a disturbance in progress at Dollarama in Wetaskiwin. RCMP officers arrived on scene, and while investigating the initial call were informed that a male had just committed an indecent act inside the business which had been witnessed by multiple people. Jaycee Applegarth (49), […]

The Wetaskiwin Icemen are back in the win column. After opening the 2024-25 Capital Junior Hockey League (CJHL) season with an impressive 9-2-0 record, the Icemen struggled to open November, dropping three straight games. The team halted their skid on Nov. 13 with a 4-2 victory over the Spruce Grove Regals. Two days later, the […]

To help prepare for the Canada Post strike, paper utility bills were sent out earlier than usual. However, this does not guarantee timely delivery. As postal services are interrupted, Peace Hills Utilities Inc. wants to remind everyone of the convenient options available for receiving and paying your utility bill. Options for receiving your utility bill: […]

Wetaskiwin RCMP have laid charges in connection with the Nov. 7, 2024, residential fire at a multiplex on 55 avenue in Wetaskiwin. The Wetaskiwin and Millet Fire Departments utilized numerous resources to put out the fire, which had impacted five residences. RCMP investigators determined that origin of the fire was suspicious in nature. The subsequent […]

As of November 15, 2024, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has initiated a national strike, resulting in a complete shutdown of Canada Post operations. Mail delivery services are suspended until the strike concludes. County of Wetaskiwin services are affected as follows: Utility Bills: Utility bills are currently in the mail system. To view your […]

More often than the Samson Cree Nation community would like, youth recreation activities are cancelled or postponed so families can host a wake at the Howard Buffalo Memorial Centre.  Those who attended a groundbreaking ceremony at 5 Mile on Hwy. 611 East Saturday afternoon reflected on this as a long funeral procession for a recently […]

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, the Manluk Centre is hoping to fill the lobby with twinkling lights and green boughs as they get ready to host the 9th annual Festival of Trees.  Registration is open for businesses and organizations wanting to participate in the event.  Entering a tree is completely free, and the winners […]

The Wetaskiwin Ministerial Association/ Wetaskiwin Church of God is continuing to do what it can to help ease the financial burden on the holidays by hosting the Upcycle Toy Drive to help those in need.  This year, the church is accepting donations of used toys and books in good condition along with batteries (AA, AAA) […]

The Wetaskiwin Salvation Army and Wetaskiwin FCSS are looking to bring some Hope for Christmas to Wetaskiwin families this year.  They are making changes to the annual holiday hamper and Tree of Giving program to make it easier for families to access the service – and let struggling parents do a little “shopping”.  Previously, the […]

Several people have been displaced following a devastating structure fire at the townhouses on 55 Ave. commonly referred to as “The Coops” Thursday afternoon.  Fire crews from Wetaskiwin and Millet responded to the fire at around 3:45 p.m. on 55 Ave. between Centennial Drive and 52 St. while everyone in the complex was evacuated.  The […]

Millet firefighters spent Wednesday night battling a structure fire until early Thursday morning.  Firefighters were just returning to their homes after a training night when the call came in of a large equipment shed that was on fire in the area of Twp. Rd. 480, just east of Hwy. 814.  “It was a fantastic response […]

Millet’s new traffic lights have been installed at the intersection of Hwy. 2A and Hwy. 616, but it will still be a couple of months before they’re turned on.  Construction started this summer at the problematic intersection and while the lights and curbing have been installed, including closing off motor vehicle access to the service […]

Maskwacis RCMP continue to make a dent in the number firearms in the community.  Earlier this year, police and community members expressed concern about the number of violent incidents involving firearms in the First Nations and police have been actively investigating tips they receive about firearms.  “This is at the forefront of the Maskwacis RCMP […]

Wetaskiwin RCMP are asking for public assistance to locate 11-year-old Bryson Threefingers of Wetaskiwin. He was reported missing Nov. 8 after he was was last seen  leaving his residence in Wetaskiwin and has not returned home since. There is a concern for his safety and wellbeing. Threefingers has a medium complexion is 4 feet 11 […]

Thousands of Indigenous people served in the Canadian military during the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War and continue to serve today.  In front of the Maskwacis Veterans Memorial, the deceased, the veterans and those in active service were honoured Nov. 8 during Indigenous Veterans Day  While thousands of Indigenous people served proudly […]

The Diary of Anne Frank is a renowned play that brings to life the poignant and compelling story of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who, along with her family, goes into hiding during the Holocaust. Based on Anne’s actual diary entries, this adaptation incorporates newly discovered writings from Anne’s diary as well as survivor accounts […]

The Canadian Flower-class corvettes in the Second World War were named after Canadian cities to foster a sense of national pride and strengthen connections between the ships and the communities they represented. This practice was initially a British tradition, with the original Flower-class corvettes being named after flowers, such as HMS Begonia and HMS Bluebell. […]

Stakeholders of Sacred Heart School believe it’s time to have a Catholic high school in Wetaskiwin. Currently, Sacred Heart educates students from Kindergarten to Grade 9, and parents have been asking for Grades 10 to 12 be added to serve the educational needs of the students, provide choice in education, and allow for a faith-based […]

Wetaskiwin City Council wants to hear from the community one more time before they make a decision on the 2025 operating budget.  During the Oct. 28 regular Council meeting, Council was presented with the proposed 2025 base operating budget, which shows a need for an additional $1,125,890, which is equivalent to a 5.91 per cent […]

Wetaskiwin residents may be noticing a difference in their mail delivery.  Earlier this year, Devon Rundvall, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Edmonton and affiliates Local 730, said “Canada Post wants to implement a new system across the country. It’s been a complete failure everywhere they’ve tried it.”   Last week, CUPW Edmonton and […]

Last week, Millet and Wetaskiwin volunteers stepped up to ensure none of the graves of the communities’ deceased veterans are forgotten as part of the No Stone Left Alone program.  On Friday, students from Griffiths-Scott School were bused out to Millet’s two cemeteries to put flags and poppies on the graves while a No Stone Left […]

People will come together across the region to recognize the service and sacrifice of Canada’s veterans.  In Maskwacis, they will be honouring Indigenous veterans Friday, Nov. 8 to recognize National Indigenous War Veteran’s Day from 10:30 a.m. until noon at the Maskwacis Veterans Memorial in Samson Cree Nation. Bagged lunches will be provided, and attendees […]

A Wetaskiwin man wanted on outstanding warrants is facing new charges after he attempted to evade police.  On Oct. 27, officers of the Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit observed a repeat offender known to have warrants leaving a vehicle on 56 St. in Wetaskiwin. The suspect was approached and advised he was under arrest. The […]

The Diary of Anne Frank is a renowned play that brings to life the poignant and compelling story of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who, along with her family, goes into hiding during the Holocaust. Based on Anne’s actual diary entries, this adaptation incorporates newly discovered writings from Anne’s diary as well as survivor accounts […]

Local NASCAR racers were celebrated at Edmonton International Raceway in Wetaskiwin’s season-ending awards banquet Oct. 19.  This year, awards went to:  CREW CHIEFS OF THE YEAR Cameron Medd, Steve Morros, Stan Wilkie, Ryan Rusnell, Michael Carbone, Brian Chalifoux  COOPER EQUPMENT CRASH CAR CLASS CHAMPION Dave Pattison   MINI CUP CHAMPION Hunter Medd    IMCA MODIFIED CHAMPION Chase […]

A group of Millet residents, businesses and organizations were honoured for what they do to make the community better.  Braydon Sinclair-Smith, Millet Pharmacy, Mary Hegge, Kelly Winkler, Bob Maynard, Alex Capnerhurst, Kirk Handbury, Thrifters of Millet, Community Relations Team and Scissors Hair Studio (Denise Witham) were recognized for their service to the community.  Capnerhurst received […]

No one was hurt, but significant damage was done to the front of the Canada Post Office in Millet Sunday night.  At around 7 p.m., the Millet Fire Dept. and RCMP were called out after an 81-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle in the parking lot of the post office and drove into the […]

Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), along with Alberta Sheriffs Safer Community and Neighbourhoods Team (SCAN), began a drug trafficking investigation at a residence in the 4700 block of 52 Ave. in Wetaskiwin after several complaints were received from citizens of the community.  As a result of the investigation, Wetaskiwin CRU, along with the Alberta […]

Wetaskiwin RCMP members conducting patrol in Millet came across a fire at the Millet Spray Park Oct. 20.  Millet Fire Chief Steve Moen said by the time firefighters were called the pump house at the spray park on 49 Ave. and 52 St. was fully involved but they were able to prevent it from spreading.  […]

RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a woman who breached her release conditions after she was charged with first degree murder.  On March 29, 31-year- old Talsa Ashlee Cardinal, a resident of Wetaskiwin, was released from custody on a release order, which included a 24-hour curfew, for First Degree Murder out of […]

A proposal for a commercial building can move to the next stage after Millet Town Council approved a Land Use Bylaw amendment.  At the Oct. 23 regular Town Council meeting, Administration presented Council with additional information on development proposal on a property at 4503 51 St. that a number of residents are opposed to.  Millet […]

Last week, the drivers of Alberta’s economy were celebrated during Small Business Week.  During a Small Business Week luncheon in Wetaskiwin last week, Leduc, Wetaskiwin and Nisku Regional Chamber of Commerce executive Jennifer Garries said there are 1.2 million small and medium business owners in Canada who are “the dreamers and doers that make our […]

The Wetaskiwin Elite Hoopers Society (WEHoopS) Basketball League kicked off its second season Oct. 13.  “This season is especially exciting as we are welcoming teams and players from various cities, including Ponoka, Red Deer, Camrose, Leduc, and Edmonton,” said program director Chris Mission.  Operations manager Gerald Achazo said the opening day was a great success […]

There’s a new series of murals at the back of the Wetaskiwin District Heritage Museum Centre.  Museum executive director and Chief Curator Karen Aberle said she posted on social media recently looking for someone to paint the wall and storage shed at the museum.  “We wanted to brighten up the space. I was looking for […]

On the afternoon of Oct. 10, the Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit were conducting proactive patrols when they observed a vehicle towing a trailer displaying a stolen Alberta license plate.  Alberta RCMP’s Emergency Response Team happened to be in the area and attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled south on Hwy 2.    In […]

People living in the Louis Bull Tribe townsite were advised of a heavy police presence in the community over the weekend and were asked to avoid the area while RCMP dealt with the situation, which involved firearms and a woman being held against her will.  The call came in Saturday shortly after 9:45 p.m. with […]

In the year since a group of volunteers first approached Wetaskiwin City Council about building a spray park in the city, the project is on track to put shovels in the ground next spring.  “We’re really excited about the progress we’ve made,” said Committee co-chair Chelsey Wood.  Last week, the Wetaskiwin Spray Park Committee, which […]

The Wetaskiwin District Heritage Museum Centre celebrated Women’s History Month by sharing the stories of four local women – Lorraine Arnold, Arlene Hedlund, Gitta Proctor, and Kathy Lund – during the 26th Women of Aspenland induction ceremony Saturday.   “(The Women of Aspenland project) all began as an idea that women’s history in Central Alberta should […]

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly things can happen when a group of people see a need and step up to fill it.  Earlier this month, the Wetaskiwin Spray Park Committee updated Wetaskiwin City Council on where their project is at. While their fund raising has petered off a bit, which has forced […]

The utter hypocrisy of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres telling Israel to stop targeting UN peacekeeping troops, and forcing them to evacuate their positions in southern Lebanon, underscores the abysmal failure of the UN’s Middle East policies.  The UN troops are there as a result of the 2006 ceasefire deal, which required Hezbollah to cease […]

Alberta’s police watchdog has determined a Maskwacis RCMP officer was justified in his use of force in an incident going back to 2021, but could have been excessive. In a recently released decision, Alberta Serious Incident Response Team investigators determined that on Feb.1, 2021, Maskwacis RCMP were responding to a high-risk situation.  Just before 10 […]

It was a rough night in Stoney Plain as the Wetaskiwin Longhorns lost their first game of the regular season Saturday night.  Facing off against the NCHL expansion team for the first time this season, Longhorns goalie Nick Schneider turned away 32 of the 37 shots he saw against the Eagles, but it wasn’t enough […]

Millet Town Council is hoping a visual reminder will slow down motorists using the alley behind Cranston Place.  At the Oct. 9 regular Town Council meeting, Council voted in favour of spending close to $500 to install signs in the back alley after Cranston Place apartment residents complained about an increase in traffic, speed and […]

Several Millet residents are not happy with the idea of a commercial building being built in what amounts to a residential area.  Millet Town Council hosted a public hearing Oct. 9 to give residents an opportunity to express their thoughts on a proposal to rezone a property at 4503 51 St. from R2-Low residential to […]

No one was physically hurt after a man with a hatchet was threatening people outside the Hope Mission Shelter earlier this month.  Wetaskiwin RCMP Const Cory Schultz said at around 8:10 a.m. Oct. 4, Wetaskiwin RCMP received a report of a male threatening people with a hatchet on 37A Ave.  When police arrived, they located […]

Now that the Thanksgiving dishes are put away, look for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes around town this week.  Wetaskiwin Mission Church’s administrative assistant Char Houghton said they will be distributing empty shoeboxes to local businesses as well having some at the Wetaskiwin Mission Church, 3610 56 Ave., and are hoping to see them come back […]

Despite the milder than average temperatures in October, winter is coming and a pair of local organizations want to ensure families and individuals in need are outfitted for the inevitable cold.  ‘With the colder temperatures quickly approaching, we wanted to ensure that families and individuals in need are equipped with the proper winter wear,” said […]

Overdose Awareness-Edmonton wants to make sure the feet of those in need are covered.  During the month of “Socktober” they are hoping to collect 5,000 pairs of new or gently used socks for men, women, and children.  Donations can be dropped off at 3910 52 St. in Wetaskiwin with Wetaskiwin sock donations being given to […]