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Grouard man dies from COVID-19
Shawn Auger proudly poses with his two girls, Neriah, left, and Shealynn, right, after winning the Alberta Atom Female Native Provincial title in 2016. Auger had a great love for hockey which he shared with his family. Chris Clegg South…
Rumour is false: Doctor has not tested positive for COVID-19
Chris Clegg Smoky River Express A doctor practicing out of the Falher Medical Clinic has not tested positive for the COVID-19 virus as rumours suggest. Dr. Grevisse U. Owanga, M.D., sets the record straight in a March 30 letter to…
What can I do about COVID-19?
Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and…
Courts contend with COVID-19
Richard Froese South Peace News Provincial courts continue to grapple with the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic and distancing restrictions. The Provincial Court of Alberta is limiting all regular operations until further notice. Future impacts were discussed as docket day…
PIC – Can you help us?
Vivienne [Maisonneuve] Laliberte dropped off this photo at South Peace News and wants your help. Can anyone in our readership identify the people in the photo? It was taken at the Winagami Lake Beach Days in July 1969. The event…
Smoky River services revised
SPN Staff Some municipal services in the M.D. of Smoky River have been revised to protect people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information was provided on the Smoky River website March 23. Landfill operations To protect our employees and ratepayers during…
Volunteers helping in Smoky River, High Prairie
Richard Froese South Peace News More help is available to support people in their homes during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Smoky River Family and Community Support Services [FCSS] extends its hands to people in Falher, McLennan, Donnelly, Girouxville and the…
Municipal offices set guidelines for municipal business
Richard Froese South Peace News Municipalities in the Smoky River region have closed or minimized public access to their administrative offices to control the spread of COVID-19. Town of Falher The town office is closed to the public. “Due to…
Education is changing during trying times
Richard Froese South Peace News The face of education is changing after schools closed March 16 over the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the message from Laura Poloz, superintendent of High Prairie School Division. “Education is changing,” Poloz says. “We are doing…
Mercer PR continues production, health of staff remains top priority
Susan Thompson South Peace News Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd. is staying open through the COVID-19 pandemic. While Alberta has yet to release its list of essential services in the province, other provinces including Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec have…
Thieves target Nampa Fire Station
Susan Thompson South Peace News The Village of Nampa’s public works and fire hall were both broken into sometime over the weekend of March 21-22. Nampa’s public works was entered forcibly through a back gate and door. Several tools were…
Editorial – Trudeau finally gets serious
Jeff Burgar “A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you are talking real money.” An American senator gets credit for saying that. Apparently he didn’t really, but said it sounded so good he never bothered to deny it.…
Commentary – Looking for fun in the lockdown
Joe McWilliams What to do, what to do! That’s what many of us have been trying to figure out in these new and strange circumstances of isolation. No more crib games at the coffee shop. No more friends over for…
Peacefest falls victim to COVID-19
Susan Thompson South Peace News The newly-revamped Peacefest music festival was officially cancelled on March 26. “Due to COVID-19 and the uncertain times we decided this year wasn’t the year to host the event,” chairperson Leah Wood says in a…
PR looking for ways to ease tax burden
Susan Thompson South Peace News The Town of Peace River has passed their annual budget but is still looking for ways to ease the tax burden on residents in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. After six public meetings of deliberations,…
McLennan byelection may be postponed
Richard Froese South Peace News A byelection in the Town of McLennan in mid-April to fill a vacant councillor seat may likely be postponed over the COVID-19 pandemic. McLennan voters were scheduled to go to the polls April 20. “Two…
March 26 statement by MP Viersen on COVID-19
COVID-19 Update March 27, 2020 Earlier this week, Conservatives asked the government to significantly increase the wage subsidy, to provide help with the GST remittance, and to backstop banks that extend loans to small businesses. I have been hearing from…
PR’s ‘Iceman’ completes 100th dip
“It feels incredible,” Earle says Susan Thompson South Peace News Peace River’s Iceman has completed his goal of taking 100 consecutive ice water dips. John Mark Earle has been cutting holes in the ice of the Peace River and other…