Opinion

Two weeks ago, Barrhead RCMP Sgt. Bob Dodds told County of Barrhead councillors that the crime rate is on the downward trend, at least in the county. And I for one believe him.

The idea of going to an open house on your local municipality’s operating budget doesn’t exactly fill one with enthusiasm. It’s not exactly a night at the movies, after all.

Crime statistics may be seeing a downward trend across Alberta, but locally the numbers are still climbing, albeit more slowly than previously. Westlock RCMP Staff Sgt.

Late last week, the Westlock News received an anonymous e-mail complaining about Pembina Hills’ practice of allowing bus drivers to decide whether it’s safe to travel their routes during inclement weather.

Alberta Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley said rural crime has decreased every month since the government introduced its rural crime initiative.

On a previous trip through Belize, I met some fellow Canadians at the local chicken bus stop in Placencia, a charming port town on the south coast.

On Nov. 7, 2017, the Town of Athabasca and the surrounding area was disconnected from the world for about 12 hours. A third-party contractor doing work in the area cut the only internet cord into town, which cut the internet at homes and business.

For all the Tawatinaw Ski Hill naysayers, the numbers don’t lie. Since the hill re-opened Dec. 15 under the leadership of community-lead Tawatinaw Valley Ski Club roughly 3,500 people have used the facility.