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County of Paintearth
Thirty-one culverts need replacing due to rain PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 27 August 2010 20:46
Thirty-one culverts require replacing following the heavy rains this year said Public Works Officer, Ed Manz at the August 24 County Council meeting.  Manz stated that he and his staff have replaced 11 of the culverts and were working very hard to replace the others before winter sets in.  Council viewed pictures of staff hip deep in water during the replacing of one of the culvert’s.  The culvert replacement will cost approximately $80,000 and has placed the 2010 County Budget under stress, as such heavy rains were not anticipated.  Public Works Officer Ed Manz also informed County Council of the condition of back roads within the County.  He has received many calls from the public and he and his staff are working diligently to repair the holes that are being reported.  Manz is asking the public to call their Council representative or him directly if their road needs repair and if the water has dried enough for his road crew to do the work.
Castor Centennial wrap up
County Councillor Walter Weber reported on the Castor Centennial Homecoming Committee statistics for their Centennial Celebration weekend.  He informed Council that five years ago a small group started with the planning and about three years ago they increased the size of the committee considerably by asking organizations to come on board.  Councillor Weber stated that the committee reported 2319 guests registered with a increase to approximately 3000  attending the parade  that had 118 entries.  They had 550 people participate in Tours down the Castor water canal.  Weber relayed the  Centennial Committee’s  thanks to the County for the marvelous fireworks display.  He told Council that the total cost for the whole weekend of celebrations was $94,000.  Comments have been expressed regarding how well organized the celebration was and that it should have been one and a half to two days longer.  There was only one complaint so far, stated Weber, that it was hard to find lunch in the Town of Castor due to not enough restaurants to feed all the people who came.
Huber Dam
County Council is reviewing plans to repair the Huber Dam by November 2010.  They have been in discussions with Genevar Engineering who are willing to oversee the project from start to finish, meeting Alberta Environment’s regulations.  The project will be considered for tender presently for a start date in early October.
County Reservoir Project  
Williams Engineering, Wayne Gustafson and Kevin Paul attended the Council meeting to discuss the progress on the three reservoir projects in Halkirk, Coronation and Castor.  Gustafson stated that Coronation’s transmission lines are in the ground and water has been tied into the system.  Pressure tests on the pipe have been good. The mechanical room for the Coronation Reservoir is expected to be poured next week. The Castor Reservoir has the piping installed and the mechanical room will be started shortly, however, some of the work has been hampered by rain.  Halkirk’s mechanical room has had some delays due to wet ground when pouring the concrete.  Repairs have been made on site, replacing the concrete and tests completed to meet the regulated standard requirements.  Even with the additional repairs, Gustafson stated that “Halkirk project is still on track to meet the January 31 deadline.”  Williams Engineering had some concerns regarding the septic system for the new County Office, however, are working out a solution with CDM Mechanical in the interim while the lift station is being finished.
Municipal Corporate Reviews
Alberta Municipal Affairs is in the process of developing a new procedure for conducting Municipal Corporate Reviews and has asked municipalities including the County of Paintearth to present their recommendations by August 25.  County Council is recommending that Municipal Affairs consider a three way request system for a review by Alberta Municipal Affairs that includes requests for either, the Minister, the Council, or the Ratepayer.  County Council is also requesting that Municipal Affairs review the entire workings of the municipality including records and staffing.  They are also asking that the Review Committee be made up of one Municipal Affairs Officer, one past Elected Officer, and one retired Staff Member, as latter two have past experience with the day to day business of the municipality.
 
Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 27 August 2010 20:32
The driver of a semi with a trailer was uninjured but the driver of the pickup truck was declared deceased on scene following a collision on Highway 599 between Range Roads 83 and 84 in the County of Paintearth on August 20.  
At approximately 12:45 p.m. Coronation RCMP were notified of a motor vehicle collision and responded along with local EMS and Fire departments attended the scene. 
Investigation revealed that the east bound pickup truck was observed swerving across the center line and as it passed the west bound semi-truck it swerved into the semi's lane and struck the tractor just below the door. 
There was extensive damage sustained to the pick up and as a result of this damage, and the driver not wearing his seat belt, the driver was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.  
The identity of the driver is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin and positive identification.  
Coronation RCMP would like to remind motorists of the importance of wearing seatbelts.  
Your chances of survival are reduced significantly if you are ejected from a vehicle during a collision.
Castor
Coronation RCMP are looking for information regarding a recent act of vandalism to a sign on the side of Highway 36 south of Castor.  
On Thursday, August 19  Coronation RCMP Detachment received a report from a local businessman who had discovered that a sign that he had placed on the side of Highway 36 south near Horseshoe Road had been repeatedly shot with a shotgun, causing extensive damage to it.  
The last time it was observed undamaged was at approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 15. 
Evidence was seized at the scene and is currently being examined.
Consort
Sometime during the early morning hours of August 21, 2010 unknown suspect(s) stole a Green Toyota Tundra from the Village of Consort.  
The truck was abandoned in the Hamlet of Monitor, where a second vehicle, a Grey GMC Pickup was stolen and abandoned within the Hamlet of Monitor.  
Damage was done to ditches and traffic control signs within Monitor and along Highway 12.
 
Multi Club 4-H Awards of Excellence PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 23 August 2010 15:47
Paintearth 4-H Multi Club held their Achievement Day was June 20 at the Halkirk Bullarama Grounds.  The horse project participated in Showmanship and Grooming classes, gymkhana and fun games while the Small Engines and Photography projects gave demonstrations and the snowboarding project had a display.  ATB Financial 4-H Awards of Excellence based on 4-H involvement, community and school volunteerism and involvement and school achievement were presented to the following:
Bronze went to Malorie Schwenk, Tyler Madge and Meagan Hewitt. Silver went to Brianna Madge. Gold was presented to Desirae Hewitt-Anderson and Amy Van Hienen. Platinum went to Kourtney Hronek and Cora van Zandbergen. Kourtney was involved in light horse, sewing, crafts and photography projects.  For three years she has took part in the World Professional Chuck Wagon Association Mentorship program, working with Lane McGillivary, Chance and David Bensmillar. She also attended People Developing People Camps, Club Week and 4-H Circle Square Winter Camp. Kourtney is pursing a career in eduction at the Augustana University in Camrose. Cora van Zandbergen participated in the Multi-Club and Byemoor Wranglers Club.  She did light horse, cooking, crafts, sewing, scrapbooking, snowboarding, interior design and alpaca projects. Cora attended senior ski camps in B.C., People Developing People Camp, Club Week Leaders in Training Summer Camp and camps where she was Senior Counselor. She is pursuing a career in Bio Ethics and will be attending Augustana University in Camrose.
Paintearth 4-H Multi Club wrapped up another year of activities that included planting 23 trees supplied by Alberta 4-H Foundation in Castor. Their Hiway Cleanup had been cancelled due to the weather and the spring tire recycling has been postponed until the fall. Our members hosted the Gymkhana events at the Alliance Sports Day on July 1, attended 4-H camps, local horse shows and parades.
Members of the Paintearth 4-H Multi Club included Dylan Heidecker from Coronation, Ashley Schofield, Kacee and Jessica James from Alliance, and Kourtney and Kassidy Hronek from Halkirk.
Members from Castor include Alyssa and Cody Ball, Russel Coupland, Brianna and Tyler Madge, Luke Kneller, Clinton Schulmeister, Carly Dunkle, Meagan, Nicole and Shaelyn Hewitt, Desirae Hewitt-Anderson, Haley Ries, Malorie and Emily Schwenk, Carlie and Hallie Erion, Amy and Mackenzie Van Hienen, Cora and Tiara van Zandbergen.
Leaders were Grey Laverty, Wendy Dunkle, Velma Schofield, Teresa Van Hienen, Rhianne Wagner, Helen Madge and Tara van Zandergen.
 
Smoke reaches East Central Alberta PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 27 August 2010 20:22
A thick haze of smoke on Thursday, August 19, wasn’t someone locally burning a pile of brush in their field, but from more than 300 wildfires burning in British Columbia.  According to some reports, only Edmonton was experiencing poor air quality and diminished breathing conditions due to the west winds that were blowing in the smoke.
However, residents in East Central Alberta were experiencing the same low quality air.  Fortunately for some, the rain fell during the night and the smoke was gone by morning.  Alberta was not the only province to experience the thick haze of smoke.  Even as far away as Winnipeg, Manitoba, news broadcasters were informing the public to “stay inside,” especially those who suffer from respiratory illness.
At present, the health concerns have diminished and the continued random showers we have experienced, has brought relief, at least to our air quality, however, the wildfires still burn.  The number of wildfires burning this year have surpassed the 10-year average and have burned over 400 per cent more than the 10-year average, totalling 3,029,292 hectares so far.
 
New RCMP Officer for the County of Paintearth PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 23 August 2010 15:36

The Coronation RCMP Detachment responsible for policing the County of Paintearth, has a new RCMP officer, Constable Carl Almusa.  “I graduated from depot on July 19,” said Constable Almusa, “and grew up in small town Saskatchewan on a farm. “Becoming a Mountie was always something I wanted to do, even as a kid.”“I lived in Saskatoon for the past 16 years,  working in the automotive business for  12 years.” Constable Almusa is married with two children and is posted here for the next four years. “I am looking forward to becoming part of the Coronation community and getting to know the County of Paintearth.” Constable Almusa has plans for his future. “There is a lot of career opportunities in the RCMP.” For myself I am going to do general duty police work for a number of years and then hope to go into police dog service, collision analyst or whatever opportunities come up.”
 
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