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Blue Christmas Drumming Group offers hope for those struggling during the holidays

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

By Heather CameronSouthern Alberta NewspapersLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterHaving a Blue Christmas? There’s a remedy under the tree for you this year.On December 13, Family and Community Support Services Coaldale will be hosting Blue Christmas: A Therapeutic Drumming Group for Grief in the Holiday Season from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coaldale FCSS.“Therapeutic drumming involves a safe space where drumming direction is provided so that participants can relax in a safe space free from judgment or expectation,” said Amanda Fontaine, a counsellor at FCSS. “The drumming itself helps to process difficult emotion in a fun way that allows for a sense of connection and shared experience with the rest of the group. No previous musical knowledge or experience is needed in order to experience these benefits.”Fontaine says that Therapeutic Drumming was first brought to FCSS by Counsellor Trevor Gilbert who received training in the modality in 2022. “Since then, a number of ‘Circle of Rhythm’ groups ...

Feds and province offering $165M in drought relief for livestock producers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

By Cal BraidSouthern Alberta NewspapersLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterAlberta’s Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) hosted a recent virtual media roundtable to announce a recovery infusion of $165 million to support livestock producers affected by drought and extreme growing conditions in 2023. The AFSC news release cited “a tough growing season with challenges due to dry conditions, causing many of our farmers and ranchers to face extraordinary costs. To help them through this difficult time, the governments of Alberta and Canada are partnering on a 2023 Drought Livestock Assistance Response.” At the roundtable, RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, explained the thrust behind the initiative and reiterated what the news release said, specifically that, “Many Alberta livestock producers have faced multiple challenges this growing season. This year’s drought and excessive heat has resulted in our ranchers facing extra costs due to lost grazing days....

Dog training group helps vets and their pets cope with PTSD

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

By Alejandra Pulido-GuzmanSouthern Alberta NewspapersA group of southern Alberta dog lovers is helping veterans train their beloved pets to achieve a high level of obedience and give the veterans peace of mind while dealing with PTSD.Kilo-9 is a training organization that started in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic when a veteran and a dog lover recognized the need to equip other veterans with the tools to strengthen their bond with their pet by helping them learn techniques to train them.Training director Ken LeBlanc says they also help veterans who do not have a furry companion to find one through various fostering organizations, and once they obtain the dogs they help train them.“Our website is a resource for them to call at any time,” LeBlanc says. “They can leave a message, they can send a video of what they are having difficulties with their dog, anything in regards of training support. We also help them get in contact with veterinary care.”LeBlanc says their goal is to make...

Local decision making key in AHS reorganization: Hunter

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

By Trevor BuschSouthern Alberta [email protected] status quo at Alberta Health Services isn’t working, argues Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter, and radically reshaping the landscape for health care in the province is both necessary and overdue.With the announcement earlier this month that Alberta’s UCP government will be dismantling its primary health-care delivery organization into four separate entities, each with a narrower focus, critics have been vocal but Premier Danielle Smith is adamant the changes will improve access to care for Albertans grappling with a system under severe strain.The new organizations will deliver health services in primary care, acute care, continuing care and mental health and addictions, and will be overseen by a council of politicians and senior bureaucrats. “We’ve been concerned for some time about having one organization having to do so much,” said Hunter. “AHS will still be an entity within Alberta, but they will be responsible specif...

Innovative energy projects bearing fruit in Taber

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

Dear Editor,Yesterday (Oct. 31) I was at a presentation here in Calgary on the RenuWell project that has seen two pilots move ahead in the MD of Taber, installing solar power on a couple of orphan well sites primarily to supply power for irrigation. I was very impressed to hear of the range of benefits shown; providing renewable power at the times of highest demand, saving electricity costs and load on the electricity grid, accelerating the cleanup of unproductive and orphan wells, making use of brownfield sites, providing lease income for farmers, and tax benefits for the MD. That’s an amazing collection of benefits coming out of one type of project! I applaud the MD of Taber for showing leadership in shepherding these developments through to completion. I do not doubt that municipalities up and down the province are going to learn from and imitate this work done in your region.Sincerely yours,Roger Gagne, Calgary 

Alberta Liberal leader calls for 75% threshold on CPP referendum

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

Dear Editor,I support the CPP. An Alberta Pension Plan will expose Alberta workers to unnecessary risk and make Alberta a pariah in the rest of Canada. The UCP government shouldn’t even be entertaining this idea. But they will almost certainly force a referendum. If we have to have one, let’s make it fair. The threshold for leaving the CPP should require no less than 75 per cent of Albertans voting in favour with a clear and certain question.We are not talking about a simple policy change. We are discussing permanently and fundamentally changing a program Albertans have spent decades paying into. A program Albertans have planned our entire lives around. A monumental change like this demands a larger threshold for support than fifty percent plus one. What’s good enough for daylight saving time isn’t good enough for our pensions.If Alberta Liberals sat in the Legislature, we would put forward this amendment. But our absence in the Legislature doesn’t stop us from raising our voices in...

Budget update proves Trudeau isn’t serious about federal finances

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

Taxpayers should brace for impact based on the finance minister’s latest projections.Interest charges on the federal debt will go from $47 billion this year to $61 billion in 2028-29, according to the budget update.But what does $61 billion mean to you?Sixty-one billion is the same amount the government plans to collect with the GST in 2028-29.So, in a few short years, when you pay the GST on a hockey stick, a tank of gas or bar of soap, every penny will go to interest charges on the federal debt.In fact, interest charges will surpass federal health-care transfers next year. Let the shock sink in just a little deeper: what could we do if it weren’t for the federal debt?We could virtually double federal health spending.Or we could completely eliminate the GST in a couple years.Somehow the government is communicating these perplexing projections with considerable calmness.Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland claims “the foundation of our Fall Economic Statement is our responsible fiscal...

Lark Street to host 7th annual Chili and Chowder Stroll

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Lark Street Business Improvement District announced they will be presenting their seventh annual Chili and Chowder Stroll. The event is scheduled for December 9. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Over a dozen Albany eateries will compete to be see who makes the greatest chilis and chowders in the area. Last year's champions Keobi and TapAsia, both on Lark Street, will be looking to maintain their crowns. Attendees will be able to purchase samples and vote for their favorites while getting some respite from the winter air. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will coincide with the Santa Speedo Sprint, which begins at 2 p.m. Hattie’s in Albany expected to open in first few months of 2024 The Chili and Chowder Stroll will kick off at the Lark Street BID, located at 194 Lark Street in Albany. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Harbor Freight opening new store in Schenectady

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Harbor Freight Tools is set to open a new location in Schenectady. The store will be at 2330 Watt Street in Crosstown Commons. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The company said construction has already started on the new store. According to the Harbor Freight website, the store is estimated to open in January.The store is expected to bring about 25 to 30 new jobs to Schenectady, said Harbor Freight. If interested, you can apply for a job on the Harbor Freight website. New Thai restaurant opens in Bennington This will be Harbor Freight's seventh store in the Capital Region. The company has other locations in Albany, Amsterdam, Catskill, Clifton Park, Queensbury and Troy.

St. Charles County tax bills to warn of title theft and property fraud

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:51 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - Some property owners in St. Charles County will notice a warning on this year's tax bills about title theft and property fraud. Officials say it's part of the county's plan to be proactive against title theft. The FOX Files reported weeks ago that vehicle owners in the St. Louis area and elsewhere in Missouri could receive similar warnings of fraud. Tow truck operator killed in Illinois served as volunteer firefighter Property fraud happens when someone registers a fake deed with forged signatures to claim ownership of a property in order to sell it or take out fraudulent loans against the property.To combat concerns, St. Charles County officials reminded property owners of its Property Fraud Alert system, a free notification service that helps owners detect potential scams. “It hasn’t happened here yet, but it could,” says St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds Mary Dempsey via a news release Thursday. “This type of fraud tends to target victims who won’t...