Westlock News

The Town of Westlock has started the process of ending the Westlock and District Seniors and Disabled bus service.

Ally Karczmarczyk covers her mouth while a funny anecdote is shared about her (and the rest of her classmates) at the St. Mary School graduation ceremonies Friday night at the Westlock and District Community Hall. The Class of 2013 had 16 graduates in it. For more pictures see the print of e-edition of May 27 Westlock News.

Close to 40 people gathered in front of Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Maureen Kubinec’s office last Tuesday to protest the pending cuts to Persons with Developmental Disabilities.

Despite experiencing stable enrolment numbers for the first time in years, deep cuts introduced in the provincial budget have left the Pembina Hills school division facing an operating deficit of nearly half a million dollars in next year’s budget.

The lab cuts at the Westlock hospital are set in stone, says Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Maureen Kubinec. During the spring session of the Legislature May 14, Kubinec drew attention to the fact that 5.

Westlock County fire crews have been kept busy since a fire advisory was put in place on May 6. Since that time, county fire chief John Biro said crews have responded to at least 19 fires, two of which were structure fires.

Over the next five weeks, the Westlock Independence Network could lose as much as $408,332 during provincial funding cuts as part of a $9 million hit to Persons with Developmental Disabilities’ Northeast service providers.

On May 9, R.F. Staples junior high students held their Mukluk Day — a chance to get outside and have some competitive fun. Kyra Kostiw (left) battles against Kes-leigh Letendre in a tough arm-wrestling match.

Westlock County firefighters were busy last week, responding to at least 10 brush fires in locations across the county. Fires burned near Fawcett, Tawatinaw and Linaria, and in each case, county fire chief John Biro said the fires were preventable.

The way business is being done for people with developmental disabilities will change as provincial funding cuts for programming are phased in over the next few weeks.