SHERWOOD PARK NEWS

One year after Canada Post workers began negotiating a new collective agreement, roughly 55,000 employees of the crown corporation have officially gone on strike. Requesting safer working conditions and fair wages among other things, it’s a nationwide walkout with conflict dating back to 2018. At the main Sherwood Park storefront on Cranford Way, more than […]

During last week’s 2024 conference, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta elected the organization’s first female president. Kara Westerlund has served as vice-president since 2017 and is a councillor of Brazeau County. She succeeds Paul McLauchlin, the president of the organization since 2020. “I felt that the timing was right for me to just take a run […]

A day after blasting the federal government for its oil and gas emissions plan, Premier Danielle Smith got an earful from rural Alberta leaders frustrated by the province’s unpaid taxes, piecemeal policing plans and high electricity fees. “In the next five to 10 years, if things are status quo and do not change, you will […]

After several years of hearing demands from condo owners, the Alberta government plans to implement a dispute resolution body that will provide an alternative to court. On Monday, Nov. 4, the province tabled Bill 30 — the Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act 2024 — which proposed changes to the Condominium Property Act. Under the new […]

Most of Alberta is once again welcoming snow back into the rhythm our lives. It takes time to adjust winter’s routine, but remembering some key tips will make it safer for you and your family to embrace the snowy season.   During winter, Strathcona County’s crews work 24/7 to clear and sand high-volume and high-speed roads. […]

One of the ways we remember is through storytelling. We pass stories from generation to generation. This tradition keeps our history alive. I’m sure everyone here today has a story to share about how a friend or family member served our country. A story of a loved one who fought for freedom, who fought for […]

Dear Santa,  We know your busiest season is well underway but that also means it’s time for our annual Celebration of Lights event here in Strathcona County.  As you schedule your pre-Christmas visits, we would like to invite you to, once again, visit Festival Place on Saturday, Nov. 16. Our community members will be out […]

I’m excited to share that the Elk Island Catholic Schools (EICS) Board of Trustees started our annual review of our education assurance plan last month during our professional development day. We focused on renewing and refining our advocacy and assurance strategies to ensure that our vision aligns with the needs of our school communities.  The […]

In front of a hometown crowd, Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary’s senior boys volleyball stretched the limits of a championship game and came away with the glory. Pushing through fifth sets against Jasper Place (JP) on Wednesday, Nov. 6, SCA dropped the first set 25-22, came back to win the second set 25-21, trailed again in the […]

Trump won – so bring back vote tabulators Now that Trump has decided that there was no election fraud, and the electronic voting counters were working, can we please use them in our next municipal election and save a few million dollars please? Allan Morris Jack, Edmonton   Weeping for the United States I weep […]

The last time Sarah Keller saw her husband Bryce, she remembers the blue shirt and jeans he wore, and the look on his face before he went through airport security, a look that to her mind said; “I love you and I don’t want to go but I need to get back.” Sarah Keller, 44, […]

When Heather Emmerzael decided to leave nursing after 22 years, she wanted to continue helping people. After working in acute care, managing an intensive care unit, and teaching at MacEwan University, she can now add founder and owner of Sherwood Park’s newest beauty collective to her resume. Hosting the grand opening on Friday, Nov. 8, […]

Budget 2025 is set to be another juggling act of inflationary pressures, growth needs, addressing and replacing infrastructure assets. This week, Budget 2025 was tabled with a proposed 3.87 per cent tax increase. Based on a $460,000 household value, residents will face an additional $85 tax increase annually (or $7 monthly) and a non-residential property […]

It’s the biggest night of the year for the local business community as it celebrates exceptional achievements, innovation, and community impact. The Sherwood Park and District Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the 2024 Business Awards. Celebrating relatively newcomers to the business landscape, finalists for the New Entrepreneur Award includes Fellowship Farms, Manual […]

As an opportunity for the community to come together in gratitude and remembrance, more than 3,000 people paid their respects during this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11 at Millennium Place. The event highlighted the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which was a pivotal turning points in WWII which led to the liberation of […]

Since 1919, Canadians have marked Nov. 11 as a day to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought to protect the country. Across Canada, schools take Remembrance Day as an opportunity to teach students about the important role the men and women who have served have played in keeping the country as […]

Launching the holiday season, the Celebration of Lights returns to Festival Place on Saturday, Nov. 16 and with a list of activities there promises to be something for the whole family. Running from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the afternoon will be packed with action, from holiday crafts to wagon rides, and a winter carnival, […]

On Monday, Nov. 11, Canadians will pause to honour those who fought to protect the country’s freedom and remember the soldiers who died in those pursuits. Since Canada’s earliest days men and women from Strathcona County have served their country, leaving their families and comforts to stand in defence of Canada. In many cases it […]

For seven years, Peter ten Dijk has kneeled 5,629 times in the name of honouring Canada’s war dead. From Holten to Groesbeek and 178 other burial sites, ten Dijk has photographed every gravestone of Canadians who died in the Second World War Liberation of Holland. Gravestones on his website can be sorted by name, regiment, or […]

Premier Danielle Smith clapped back Monday at the federal government’s new draft regulations that would force oil and gas producers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about one-third over the next eight years. At a press conference on Monday, Smith said Alberta’s government plans to “actively explore the use of every legal action,” including a […]

Alberta is moving to enable alternative financing measures (AFM), including Halal mortgages, and introducing a previously proposed tax on electric vehicles (EVs), according to new legislation. Bill 32 — the Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 — was tabled by Finance Minister Nate Horner in the legislature Monday, Nov. 4. If passed, the omnibus bill would […]

Strathcona County firefighters continue to prove they’re some of the best in the world. Competing for Canada at the 2024 Firefighters Challenge Championship Series in Rogersville, Alabama, Sherwood Park’s Carla Morrison took silver with a time of 2:23:99 in the age 40-44 female category. That was a major improvement over her fifth place finish in […]

A Safe Place is celebrating four decades of courage, building community, raising awareness and supporting safety.  For the past 40 years, the nonprofit has sheltered and provided services to those experiencing domestic abuse and violence. Notably, during that time, the local women’s shelter has supported more than 25,300 women and children. To celebrate its 40th […]

Known as the festival of lights, Diwali has been celebrated in India for thousands of years, but for the first time in Sherwood Park, the Strathcona County Museum and Archives hosted its own Diwali celebration this past weekend. Led by Neve Deol, owner of Moon Maiden Movement, who was born in India, the Saturday, Nov. […]

A group of Grade 8 students at St. Theresa Catholic School are giving Starbucks a run for its money while supporting a cause close to their hearts. Cearra Yarmuch and Presley Gilmore enrolled in their school’s leadership class as an opportunity to get involved in their community and prepare for future jobs. Led by teacher […]

Inflation continues to hit people’s pocketbooks hard and because of that the Strathcona Christmas Bureau (SCB) is yet again upping its fundraising target this season. Last year’s 2023 campaign saw the Strathcona Christmas Bureau increase its fundraising goal from $100,000 to $125,000, which marked the first time needing to do so since 2014. With increased inflationary […]

Local hopes of having a permanent cat shelter have been put on pause. During a recent update to Strathcona County Council concerning the Sheltered Paws Program, Tom Sutton, director of the county’s RCMP and Enforcement Services, and Liz Pankhurst, president and co-founder of Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society (GEARS), explained the challenges faced by the non-profit in […]

Misleading UCP policy At the UCP annual general meeting that took place this weekend, 5,500 UCP members voted on 35 policy resolutions. Policy Resolution #12 (written by two UCP MLAs) looks to abandon net-zero targets and “celebrate” CO2 as a “foundational nutrient for all life on earth.”   The rationale portion of the document states that “CO2 […]

They took to the runaway for a great cause. Almost 50 volunteer models wore wares from the local Salvation Army Thrift Store all in good fun to support the Sherwood Care during the fifth annual fashion show and silent auction at the Community Centre’s Agora on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The evening raised more than $8,500 […]

Lest we forget. The Strathcona County’s Remembrance Day ceremony will take place this coming Monday, Nov. 11 at Millennium Place. With seating for more than 3,000 members of the public, the ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will include a marching contingent of veterans, four Cadet corps, RCMP Pipes and Drums Band, RCMP, and […]

For the past two weekends, 40 members of the 238 Royal Canadian Sea Cadets (RCSCC) Campbeltown volunteered their time giving out poppies as part of this year’s Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign. One of those local members was Leading Cadet Providence Nicholas, who volunteered a shift at the Walmart in Emerald Hills on Sunday, Nov. 3. […]

It’s all systems go for the new fire hall in Cambrian Crossing. While approved in Budget 2024, full funding of $24.6 million for Station 7 was finally approved by Strathcona County Council as elected officials supported the third reading of a debt bylaw at the latest regular council meeting on Oct. 22. Mayor Rod Frank […]

On Saturday, Nov 2, crafters from around the county will gather in the Log Cabin to do what they do best in support of animals at the GEARS Crafthathon and Rebel Rummage Sale. Hosted by the Yarn Rebels and GEARS, the 12-hour long craftathon welcomes crafters of all skill levels and mediums to join in […]

Strathcona County Council will look to replace their lone employee come the new year. On Monday, Oct. 28, Chief Commissioner (CAO) Darrell Reid announced his retirement from the position, which will come into effect on Jan. 31, 2025. “It has been an honour to serve Strathcona County and the community I call home as Chief […]

Re: “Telus tower to be built in the Deermound Dog Park” letters to the editor in The News’ Oct. 24 edition Thank you to all citizens who have provided feedback on the cell tower at Deermound. Your concern and passion as users of the park are understood – Deermound is a popular and much-loved recreation […]

The 27-year-old Fort Saskatchewan man charged for his alleged involvement in a collision on the Highway 15 bridge in Fort Saskatchewan in July that sent a father and daughter to hospital has pled not guilty to 11 charges after postponing his plea date three times. Among the charges against Brett Daniel Conrad are impaired driving causing […]

A colourful cow statue representing the community? Great! That same cow offering members of the community a chance to win a $20 gift card from a local business? Udderly fantastic. In recognition of the businesses that participated in the Commerical Food Rescue and Organic Waste Pilot program, Strathcona County has launched Catch the Cow, an […]

Thanks to Strathcona County Emergency Services (SCES), this year’s Halloween pumpkins can go out with a smash — serving one more purpose and supporting a cause. Returning for the third year, the Strathcona County Pumpkin Drop for Muscular Dystrophy invites community members to launch old pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns from the fourth-floor balcony of Fire Station […]

If ever there was a better reason to pick up a sweet treat, JACEK Chocolate will launch its annual fundraiser for the Sgt. Miok Scholarship Fund on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Honouring a man who served his community and country, the scholarship recognizes the sacrifice of Sgt. George Miok who graduated from Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School […]

It’s an effective reporting model that local police are encouraging residents to utilize. Strathcona County RCMP are promoting the use of the Online Crime Reporting (OCR) tool, which can be found online at or by scanning the QR code connected to this story. The OCR tool can be used for a number of circumstances, […]

With colder weather approaching, Strathcona County RCMP are reminding motorists to ensure they don’t leave their vehicles running or unattended for any period of time. The police understand the desire to warm up vehicles in the cold weather, but it takes a short time for your vehicle to be stolen. “Intelligence based information tells us […]

Premier Danielle Smith says a potential budget deficit next year is not off the table as oil prices sit below what was projected. Smith told reporters Tuesday that although the government’s 2024 budget initially projected a surplus of $367 million when it was tabled in February, a deficit was always possible if oil prices dropped. […]

Alberta is suing the federal government over the carbon tax exemption on home heating oil, Premier Danielle Smith said Tuesday, arguing the carve-out is advantageous to only parts of the country, rendering the levy unconstitutional. Smith announced the legal action at a news conference alongside five other ministers, saying the request for judicial review was […]

The Alberta government has published a new accessibility design guide, marking the first major update to the document since 2017. The guide is meant to help architects, city planners, the construction industry and the public understand and implement building rules to make public and private spaces more accessible for those with mobility challenges and disabilities. […]

It is not often I get to write a full column for the Sherwood Park News where puns and wordplay are not only considered acceptable but are considered somewhat necessary for this column to be considered a success.   Today is that day!   Halloween’s ghoulish spell is upon us for another year. Jack-o-lanterns are at the […]

This past summer, a devastating wildfire swept through Jasper, causing extensive damage to this beloved mountain community and a proud symbol of Alberta. While the immediate flames have long been extinguished, the challenging work of rebuilding lives and homes has only just begun.   Alberta’s government recognizes the ongoing needs of Jasper residents and is stepping […]

Playoffs have proved solid for local minor football as three teams are in the running for city championship titles this weekend. Competing in the Capital District Minor Football Association’s (CDMFA) Morgan Division, the U16 Bantam Sherwood Park Rams (6-1 in the regular season) made quick work of their semi-final foes, the Leduc Ti-Cats (3-4), securing a […]

Telus tower to be built in the Deermound Dog Park Since my last letter to the editor regarding the Telus cell tower location at Deermound Dog Park, we — the Friends of Deermound —have received some answers to our questions from the county. Mayor Rod Frank, (Mayor’s Office chief of staff) Brittney McClinton and (Ward […]

Alberta’s municipalities can apply for a share of a new $20-million provincial infrastructure grant, but Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver says more funding is needed. McIver told reporters Tuesday, Oct. 22 the province aims to distribute $20 million in grant funding each year for the next three years, and the Local Growth and Sustainability Grant […]

Looking to provide supply key minerals needed in manufacturing, Fortune Minerals is looking to build a hydromet plant in Lamont County in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. At the recent Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association annual conference, Fortune Minerals CEO Robin Goad said the NICO Project will be a reliable supplier in North America for cobalt sulphate, which is used […]