WHITECOURT NEWS

The driver appeared at the Whitecourt Court of Justice

Flood risks have been a concern in the area

Children, parents and area residents lined the streets of downtown Whitecourt on the night of Saturday, Nov. 16. In a major tradition signaling the Christmas season in Whitecourt has arrived, the Santa Claus Parade came to town. The Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce organized the annual event, while the Town of Whitecourt approved street […]

While the community has strengths, there are limited opportunities for doctors and nurses to practise their specialties, council hears

Moving into quarterfinals to determine who goes onto the semifinals in provincials, the Whitecourt Cats hosted the Ponoka Broncs at Graham Acres on Monday, Nov. 11. The Broncs won 44–4, wrapping up the Cats’ season, according to the Whitecourt football club. The game was held in the afternoon, following Remembrance Day services held in the […]

New Whitecourt RCMP sergeant welcomed

The Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt received guilty pleas in two separate theft cases during its sitting on Tuesday. One case regarded Christopher Michael Blackburn, who was sentenced to 30 days in jail for theft worth under $5,000 after taking copper wire from a CN site in Whitecourt. Blackburn appeared in-person in court. “The […]

The fieldhouse at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre was packed Monday morning for Remembrance Day services. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 44 planned the event, with Marlene Pinchbeck reading the address, written by Mayerthorpe cadet Luke Johnson. “As we gather today to honour the sacrifices made by our soldiers, I think it’s important to […]

This Monday is Remembrance Day, and the Whitecourt Legion is planning observances at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre. “We have very good support from the citizens of Whitecourt and area,” Ian McDermid, poppy fund co-chairperson, told the Whitecourt Star. According to the Whitecourt Legion, attendees will begin filling the Millar Centre fieldhouse at 10:15 […]

Greater capacity is needed, as some foster children are being moved out of their communities

Amid ongoing controversy over federal funding to the Sustainable Development Technologies Canada (SDTC) fund, Peace River–Westlock MP Arnold Viersen spoke in the House of Commons in late October. Viersen called for documents related to the SDTC fund to be turned over to the RCMP, joining other Conservative MPs in taking this position. “We need to […]

Getting an early start on grabbing gifts for loved ones, families flocked to the Westward Christmas Market this weekend. And, kids who came with their parents had their first opportunity of the year to meet the big guy, Santa Claus. The Whitecourt District Agricultural Society hosts the market annually at Westward Community Centre in Woodlands […]

The Whitecourt Wolverines once again faced off against the Devon Xtreme at JDA Place on the night of Saturday, Nov. 2.  Six hundred and thirty people gathered at the arena to see the Wolverines win, 5-1. There was no scoring during first period. During second period, the Wolverines made it onto the scoreboard for the […]

The pedestrian’s injuries weren’t life threatening

Whitecourt councillors saw a snapshot of the town’s finances for 2024 during their regular meeting on Monday. Judy Barney, town corporate services director, presented council with the quarterly financial report, covering the period up to Sept. 30. “I really appreciate the report and the highlights – it helps,” Mayor Tom Pickard said during the meeting. […]

Whitecourt Communities in Bloom (CiB) committee representatives Ann Blackwell and Kelly Sadoway presented town council with an update on the group’s achievements and challenges during Monday’s meeting. This was an important year for the group, as CiB judges inspected Whitecourt’s community appearance and environmental initiatives for 2024 provincials in August. “It’s not a big group, […]

A hearing was held to determine whether Drayton Valley resident Mervin Edward Desjarlais should be released from the Edmonton Remand Centre at the Court of Justice in Whitecourt on Oct. 22. Desjarlais is charged with possession of illegally-obtained property and a controlled substance and failing to comply with release conditions, according to the docket. “I […]

With playoffs going on, the Whitecourt Cats hosted the Valleyview Cougars at Graham Acres on Friday afternoon. The Cats emerged victorious in the Mighty Peace Football League game, 10–8. This secures the team a spot in the first round of provincials, according to the Whitecourt football club. The Cats last hosted the Cougars on Oct. […]

Trunk or Treat, hosted by the Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 from noon to 3 p.m. in downtown Whitecourt. To accommodate the event, the following roads in the downtown area will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26: 49th St. between 50th Ave. and […]

No other councillors nominated for the top spot

‘This is a phenomenal, dedicated group’

Theresa Sophie Savard, who was charged along with Jesse Gordon Rudichuk of shopbreaking with intent and possessing break-in instruments, went to the Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt on Tuesday. Savard entered a guilty plea to count one, shopbreaking. “The court accepts the guilty plea,” Judge Thomas W. Achtymichuk said. Crown counsel Kerri Malcolm told […]

On Saturday afternoon, the Whitecourt Cats had their fifth and final game before Peace league playoffs, hosting the High Prairie Renegades at Graham Acres. The Cats won 63–28 and will be going onto playoffs, according to the Whitecourt football club. The club said they are currently standing second in the Peace league. Under Coach Stephen […]

The Swan Hills Healthcare Centre continues to be plagued by temporary disruptions, causing overnight closures of the emergency department.  Alberta Health Services said the department will be closed overnight on Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19, after having also closed overnight on Thursday.  The disruptions are being caused by “a lack of nursing staff […]

In response to Whitecourt’s expansion and development, the town will have a new transportation master plan. During their regular meeting on Tuesday, town councillors awarded the work to develop a plan to ISL Engineering for $103,396. “It’s timely, to see the changes and patterns in Whitecourt,” town CAO Peter Smyl told council. The plan would […]

Annual dog licences abolished

Some of a series of charges against Shyanne Louise May Davies, 28, were resolved at the Alberta Court of Justice during its sitting in Whitecourt on Oct. 8. Davies pleaded guilty to mischief and breaching release conditions by breaking curfew and will receive a $500 fine and suspended sentence under a joint submission. “At this […]

It was game on at Graham Acres on Thursday afternoon as the Whitecourt Cats hosted the Valleyview Cougars. The Cats won the Mighty Peace Football League game 24–13, according to the Whitecourt football club. “The players are constantly improving with every game,” Coach Stephen Tapp told the Whitecourt Star. “They’re really starting to gel well […]

Whitecourt’s Wellspring Family Resource and Crisis Centre provides a vital service for women and children across the region, and Woodlands County is voicing its support. During its regular meeting on Wednesday, county council voted to send a letter of support as Wellspring is looking at expansion. “These things all take money to make happen, so our […]

The Whitecourt Wolverines hosted the Devon Xtreme at JDA Place on the evening of Oct. 9. The Wolverines emerged triumphant, 6-3.  Less than three minutes into first period, Kyle Tucker scored the first goal of the night for the Wolverines, assisted by Mason Russell and Tyler Rowland. The Wolverines had their second goal four minutes […]

As a result of a theft at Mark’s, a man was sentenced during the Alberta Court of Justice’s sitting on Whitecourt on Tuesday.   Timothy Preston Cardinal entered guilty pleas to theft worth under $5,000, failure to appear for prints and failure to appear in court.  Crown counsel Kerri Malcolm told the court that in […]

Edmonton man Darren Shannon, 36, is facing charges after Whitecourt RCMP Traffic Services seized what they called “dangerous” substances on Highway 43, including methamphetamine and cocaine. The incident began in the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 3, when officers spotted a speeding vehicle, which escalated into a flight from police after a failed traffic stop. “The vehicle […]

Edmonton man Darren Shannon, 36, is facing charges after Whitecourt RCMP Traffic Services seized what they called “dangerous” substances on Highway 43, including methamphetamine and cocaine. The incident began in the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 3, when officers spotted a speeding vehicle, which escalated into a flight from police after a failed traffic stop. “The vehicle […]

Whitecourt faces challenges with its hospital while Hinton is in crisis

‘It’s time to move forward’

‘Parrent forged a new path for how training is delivered in Whitecourt and the rest of Alberta’

‘The RCMP remind everyone to prioritize safety when engaging in activity on or near the Athabasca River’

Marking the fourth year of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, approximately 100 people gathered at Festival Park in Whitecourt on Monday morning before a memorial walk. Participants marched through downtown Whitecourt sporting their orange T-shirts to honour children lost in Canada’s residential schools, as well as the survivors. “The National Day of Truth […]

‘This, hopefully, will lead to further co-operation for the joint services that benefit our residents’

Motorists on Highway 16 early on Friday morning found the westbound lanes unpassable with no detours following what police called a “serious” collision. According to Edson RCMP, a semi and car collided in the westbound lanes of Hwy. 16 by Range Road 224A, near the Yellowhead County community of Obed. “If you plan to head […]

Land Use Bylaw amendments allowing different types of housing at Meadows Manufactured Home Park were approved, despite opposition from several area residents. Whitecourt town council adopted the amendments during its regular meeting on Monday. “The whole idea behind this bylaw amendment is to increase housing affordability,” Planner Stephanie Schaffner told council. Meadows Manufactured Home Park […]

In 2025, Whitecourt residents will be paying more on the part of their electricity bills that goes to the town. During its Monday regular meeting, council raised the franchise fee on power from 4.47 per cent in 2024 to 5.34 per cent. “The franchise fee is a mechanism whereby everyone pays it with no exemptions, […]

Following multiple calls to the Whitecourt RCMP about vehicle break-ins in June, Justice David Crabbe appeared before the Whitecourt Court of Justice on Tuesday, by CCTV while in custody. Crabbe, 26, entered several guilty pleas and was sentenced to 165 days. “I’m sorry for doing what I did,” Crabbe told the court. Crown counsel Christine […]

The Whitecourt Wolverines are back in action, hosting the Bonnyville Pontiacs in an AJHL game at JDA Place on Friday night. The Pontiacs ultimately won, 7-4. Wolverines player Jalen Bianchet had the first goal of the night, assisted by Tyler Rowland, 45 seconds into first period. A little more than five minutes into the game, […]

Sisters Natália and Nalani Gonzales are back in the Anselmo area after having competed in the 2024 international Torneo ITOM in Puebla, Mexico in August. Natália collected three medals, gold, silver and bronze, while Nalani had two, gold and silver. Both girls are students of Mayerthorpe Taekwondo. “I was slightly surprised by the results, considering […]

After having recently looked at municipal rebranding (possibly a new logo, artwork, slogans or taglines), Woodlands County put an abrupt halt to the project. Council voted during its Sept. 11 regular meeting to cancel rebranding and return $62,500 in provincial funds to the Alberta government. “Clearly, when the timing is right (a) rebrand is an […]

Two cases scheduled for the Sept. 11 trial day at the Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt were resolved. The first criminal case dealt with on Wednesday was that of Daniel James Elmquist, who was charged with assault and assault (choking), according to the docket. “I’m prepared to resolve this matter,” Justice Charles D. Gardner […]

Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara hosted his third annual charity golf tournament at the Edson Golf Club on Friday, Aug. 23. The final tally is in, and the tournament raised $25,715 for the Edson and District Public Library. “Once again, our community has stepped up to provide financial support to a great local organization,” said Mayor […]

‘Wellspring pours their heart and soul into helping victims of gender-based violence’

The Land Use Bylaw amendments aim to increase affordable housing, planner says