All Stories

Demolition of landmark school in Peace River begins

Richard FroeseSouth Peace News An old francophone school building in Peace River will soon be history. Built in 1976, the former Ecole des Quatre-Vents building is set to be demolished starting March 7, Conseil scolaire du Nord-Ouest (CSNO) announced in…
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Richard FroeseSouth Peace News STARS air ambulance service continues to soar in Big Lakes County and the High Prairie region. Councils at the Town of High Prairie were updated on STARS activities at its Feb. 27 council meeting while Big…
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Young scientists get creative

Students at Prairie River Junior High School in High Prairie participated in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Day activities on March 1. Teams were timed and assessed in activities that included creating a paper roller coaster, bottle rocket launching,…
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Richard FroeseSouth Peace News A High Prairie man charged with arson in connection with a fire that damaged the historic St. Bernard Mission Church in May 2023 was sentenced in court last week on another charge. Gerald Kenneth Capot, 50,…
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Students learn ABCs of CPR

Richard FroeseSouth Peace News Students at six Peace River School Division schools had the opportunity in February to get trained in bystander CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and use of an AED (automated external defibrillator). Training for students from Grades 4-12 is…
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Richard FroeseSouth Peace News The Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter is receiving $400,000 from the Alberta government to cover clean-up costs at the facility. The shelter temporarily closed its unit of emergency shelter bed earlier in the winter for renovations…
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Students shown opportunities in forest sector

Richard FroeseSouth Peace News Career opportunities in the forest industry were presented to junior high school students at a forestry career fair Feb. 29 in High Prairie. Employers and industry partners presented options at the fair held at the Edmo…
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Study to determine impact of development

Pearl LorentzenFor South Peace News Caribou, moose, and grizzlies are species of interest for local Indigenous governments and they are using camera traps to study them. Swan River First Nation (SRFN) is between Slave Lake and High Prairie south of…
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Morin designs logo for Smoky River Food Bank

Emily PlihalLocal JournalismInitiative Reporter Smoky River Regional Food Bank has chosen a logo to help represent its introduction into the region as an independent body. “The Food Bank was formed for our residents, so we wanted them to have more…
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Emily PlihalLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter Smoky River Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is seeking volunteer nominations for their annual Volunteer Appreciation Event April 19. “We rely on community members to nominate volunteers,” says community program coordinator Anita Portsmouth. “As…
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Richard FroeseSouth Peace News A young High Prairie woman charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a seven-month-old boy in October 2022 will go to trial in early 2025. Kyra Renee Backs is scheduled for trial Jan.…
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Richard FroeseSouth Peace News Peace Regional RCMP was significantly busier responding to crime in 2023 than in the year before. Officers responded to 7,983 calls for service in 2023 compared to only 6,370 in 2022, says Const. Julie-Ann Strilaiff, public…
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Richard FroeseSouth Peace News A vacant seat on the Big Lakes County Library Board has been filled. At its regular meeting Feb. 28, council appointed Delaine Labby as a member at large for a three-year term. Labby fills the vacancy…
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New worlds created in eyes of Art students

High Prairie E.W. Pratt High School Art students reinvent the world around them through their work. In other words, “They own their ideas!” Art is about invention and exploring at Pratt and students put both to good use. Students receive…
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The High Prairie Golden Age Club

Richard FroeseSouth Peace News The High Prairie Golden Age Club welcomes more seniors to join in times of fun and friendship. The club invites seniors aged 50 years and older to the High Prairie Golden Age Centre for a special…
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