By Jaryn Vecchio
Sheila Lalonde is looking to be elected to another term on Wood Buffalo council.
She was first elected as Councillor for Ward 3, which represents Draper and Saprae Creek, back in 2017.
She ended up defeating Brad Lucier by just 19 votes, officially replacing Allan Vinni who tried to become Mayor.
Lalonde tells Mix News she’s simply not finished and wants to come back.
“We had COVID, we had the flood, we had a bunch of stuff going on and we still need Draper issues done.”
This includes flood mitigation, slope stability, paving streets, rural water & sewer, second egress roads, and more.
By Jaryn Vecchio
Jul 28, 2021 | 4:12 PM
Despite still ongoing, the municipal census is highlighting a positive trend for the region’s population.
Speaking on Fort McMurray Matters, Project Lead Kodjo Efu says they’ve been in contact with 68 per cent of dwellings or approximately 22,000 properties.
They’ve been able to count over 53,000 residents which puts the region on pace to hit a population of around 71,000. This would be down from the roughly 75,000 counted in 2018.
However, Efu tells Mix News the region may be getting close to a firm number as many claim to have lived here for over 11 years.
“The transient nature of our population is slowly changing to a more permanent form of population.”
The 6’7″ defender has spent the last two seasons with the MOB, scoring six goals and adding 13 assists in 62 games.
Harding sees himself as more of a defensive minded player, modeling his game after Seattle Kraken d-man Jamie Oleksiak.
He’s the first Oil Baron to be drafted since Colton Parayko was selected in the third round of the 2012 draft by the St. Louis Blues.
“Amazing guy and also a great player, he’s definitely a guy to, even slightly, follow in his footsteps… I have something to be proud of,” added Harding.
He plans on returning to the MOB for a third season.
By Jaryn Vecchio
Northern Lights Regional Health Centre // Steph Seidel - Harvard Broadcasting
The Northern Lights Regional Health Centre isn’t experiencing any bed closures at this time.
Multiple hospitals across Alberta, including in Edmonton, Red Deer, and Grande Prairie, have had to close off a number of beds due to staffing issues
Several other smaller communities have also seen closures at different health centres.
In an email sent to Mix News, Spokesperson for Alberta Health Services Logan Clow says the NLRHC isn’t experiencing any staff shortages with all beds currently open to help residents in need.
Despite closures across the province, AHS says everyone who needs help will receive it.
Executive Director Dan Edwards inside new location // Photo via Wood Buffalo Food Bank
The Wood Buffalo Food Bank is officially moving into their new downtown location.
The non-profit had been operating out of a temporary site ever since their building was flooded and extremely damaged during last year’s flood.
Back in November, they purchased a spot on King Street and eventually started their move on Monday.
Executive Director Dan Edwards tells Mix News this new building will give them something they didn’t have before – space.
“We used every nook and cranny, we had a couple Harry Potter offices hiding under staircases…. this new space, significantly larger – I don’t need extra space to hold things.”