SHERWOOD PARK NEWS

Grateful for compassion in time of need Rave to the off duty Sherwood Park (Strathcona County Emergency Services) paramedic that helped at the accident I stopped at. I called 911 and he politely asked if he could takeover the call and then helped direct 911 and took control of the scene. I was able to […]

The issue of safety is top of mind for Strathcona County’s mayor after the province announced it will be slashing the number of photo radar sites by 70 per cent across Alberta in 2025. Early last week, Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen announced that that provincial government will restrict the use of photo radar programs on […]

As the former co-owner and hockey GM of the highly successful Sherwood Park Crusaders, Kyle Chase knows about assists and he’s offering up the biggest one of his life helping his NHL brother Kelly in his fight with leukemia. The two brothers will undergo a stem-cell transplant Dec. 20 at a cancer facility in St. […]

After a natural gas fire destroyed the Tempo gas station including the Country Boyz Food Store and Country Roads Restaurant (off Highway 16 near Ardrossan) on Sunday, Dec. 1, the community has come together to support the approximately 20 employees who are now left without the steady income of their jobs amid the holiday season. […]

Strathcona County firefighters provided back up to the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department (FSFD) early Tuesday morning. After thick black smoke was sighted, fire crews were deployed after 8 a.m. on Dec. 10 to a large garage shop that was fully engulfed in flames on Clover Drive in the Fort’s Clover Park neighbourhood, which is near […]

The players of the Sherwood Park Kings Athletics Club U15AA Sabres gathered to make the season bright for local seniors this past weekend as they welcomed grandparents and seniors from the community to join them for an afternoon of holiday cheer at the Sabres Senior Social. Held at Sherwood Park Arena’s mini gym, the U15 […]

Festival Players are busy putting the finishing touches ahead of their opening night of the musical Cinderella on Friday, Dec. 13. Running until Sunday, Dec. 29 at Festival Place, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella promises to be a night of fairytale love mixed with modern humour, strong duos, beautiful French set design, and a leading lady that will […]

It’s a chore that every dog owner dreads; scooping up poop. But that unenjoyable chore is exactly what landed local entrepreneur, Josh Oosterveld on CBC’s Dragons’ Den. Owner of Poo Pickers, a service that handles the unsavoury task for dog owners, Oosterveld launched Poo Pickers in March 2021 and on Thursday, Jan. 2, his appearance […]

Owners of the Tempo gas station, which includes the Country Boyz Food Store and Country Roads Restaurant off Highway 16 are vowing to rebuild following a devastating natural gas fire on Sunday. Just after 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, Strathcona County Emergency Services (SCES) received a 911 call stating that a vehicle had struck […]

Respect for transit workers As a candidate for council in Ward 2 for Strathcona County, and a former director with the Edmonton Transit System, I firmly support the Strathcona County Transit (SCT) operators in their pursuit of fair treatment, equitable compensation and job security. Public transit is essential to our community, connecting residents to work, […]

A wrench has been thrown into the plans for the affordable housing project at the old Clover Bar Lodge site. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Heartland Housing Foundation (HHF) informed Strathcona County Council that design work revealed that incorporating underground parking, which was required under the land zoning, would increase costs by $4.5 million. That doubled the […]

A new Officer in Charge will be at the helm of the Strathcona County RCMP detachment come 2025. At the most recent Council Priorities meeting, Strathcona County RCMP Supt. Dale Kendall announced her departure as the Officer in Charge from the local detachment. After three and a half years, Kendall was promoted to a new role […]

Mounties in Strathcona County are the first in Alberta to be using body cameras. In an update provided to Strathcona County Council on Tuesday, Nov. 26, Strathcona County RCMP explained how the body-worn cameras (BWC’s) will be used in local policing, what will happen with captured video and how it will be used by the […]

A 41-year-old man from Sherwood Park is charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death of a 45-year-old Edmonton man late last year.Fort Saskatchewan RCMP were called to the report of a dead body located on Township Road 552 near Range Road 201 in Lamont County near Elk Island National Park on Dec. 14, […]

A man shot dead by Strathcona County RCMP in a rainy highway ditch fired a sawed-off shotgun seconds before and threatened to kill a woman out walking her dogs. Those details are contained in a report released Thursday, Nov. 28 by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), which found the three officers who fired at […]

The need is real. With the intake phone line and online form for clients closing on Friday, Nov. 30, the Strathcona Christmas Bureau (SCB) is set to help more than 600 families this holiday season. In fact, the overall number of families is 633, which is up 43 hampers over last year. Overall, 2,003 people […]

With little adjustments, Budget 2025 was approved this week with a 3.9 per cent tax increase. That rate shifted ever so slightly from the original tabled document as Strathcona County Council approved additional operational funding for the Strathcona County Museum (Strathma) accounting for more than $79,000 in 2025, more than $51,400 in 2026 and more […]

While many people will focus on getting the best deals this coming Black Friday, others will focus on how to best support the community on Giving Tuesday. Touted as the world’s largest generosity movement, Giving Tuesday — Dec. 3 — will see people around the world give their time, provide an act of kindness, help […]

Hands off our pensions I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent firing of the entire Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) board and the lack of transparency surrounding this decision. As an Albertan and a constituent, I believe it is essential to address the following issues: 1) Lack of transparency regarding the […]

As part of the Alberta Affordable Housing Partnership Program (AHPP), the provincial government has committed up to $150 million to support new affordable housing projects across the province. Speaking at Silver Birch Lodge in Sherwood Park on Friday, Nov. 22, Minister of Seniors, Community, and Social Services, Jason Nixon, recognized National Housing Day as he […]

Alberta’s Industrial Heartland has garnered the attention of its South Korean economic twin. On Monday, Nov. 25, Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA) and South Korea’s Ulsan Free Economic Zone Authority (UFEZA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Fort Saskatchewan. The agreement is expected to foster bilateral cooperation and economic growth between two of the […]

The Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) will no longer receive funding from the Alberta government starting next year. “The news was sudden. It was unexpected,” said EMRB chair, Allan Gamble in an interview with Postmedia Monday. On Friday, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver told the board that the Alberta government would no longer provide provincial […]

With stops throughout Josephburg and the surrounding area featuring artisan and vendors markets, delicious treats, and activities to participate in, there is no better time to enjoy the countryside during the 16th annual Christmas in the Heartland. Hosted by the Josephburg Ag Society, the local holiday tradition will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. […]

It’s a collaboration built on community and support that has spanned three decades. For the 30th year, the City of Edmonton and Strathcona County have kicked off the annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign. Launching this year’s campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at Save-On Foods on Calgary Trail in Edmonton, mayors Amarjeet Sohi and Rod Frank celebrated the […]

Strathcona County is projecting a 2024 operating surplus in the double digits. As part of the Budget 2025 presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 13, county administration reported that the municipality has a surplus of 6.4 per cent for its 2024 operational budget, which equates to $18.3 million. A number of favourable factors account for the overage; […]

Stop blocking release of survey findings I am deeply concerned about Premier Danielle Smith’s refusal to release the results of the studies on the Alberta pension plan (APP) and the provincewide survey on renewable energy. The government’s decision to keep these findings hidden from the public raises serious questions about transparency and accountability. Albertans deserve […]

It’s a move that is hoped to bring more transparency and accountability to the annual budget. At the Nov. 19 regular Strathcona County Council meeting, Ward 2 Coun. Dave Anderson tabled a motion seeking a report by the end of this month with the total amount of severance and termination pay paid out per year […]

The most public facing county division will see a 2025 budget increase of more than $4 million to keep up with the pressures of a growing community. Strathcona County’s Community Services, which is responsible for Family and Community Services (FCS), Recreation, Parks and Culture (RPC), Transit, RCMP and Enforcement Services, and Emergency Services (Fire), presented its 2025 […]

After joining the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) local 569 earlier this year, the operators of Strathcona County Transit (SCT) took to the streets outside County Hall on Thursday, Nov. 14 in demand of better treatment and fairer compensation. As STC works to negotiate their first contract with the county as ATU members, the operators of […]

With the hardware acknowledging that hard work of local business owners is not going unnoticed, the 47th annual Sherwood Park and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards took place at Festival Place on Friday, Nov. 15. Chamber president and owner of Trends Optical Ltd., Janet Sochatsky said the event is all about celebrating the success […]

A longtime celebration of holiday spirit, Winterfest returns to Strathcona County on Saturday, Nov. 30 at the Agora. Formerly known as the Festival of Trees, the event is back for its second year under the new moniker of Winterfest. Featuring beautifully decorated trees and wreaths donated by local businesses, attendees can place their bid in […]

With the Canada Post workers’ strike kicking off on Friday, Nov. 15, local businesses are already feeling the impacts of life without the nation’s largest shipping service and with the holiday season fast approaching, and many fear a prolonged strike by letter carriers could impact their bottom line. At Sherwood Park’s JACEK Chocolate Couture, founder […]

One year after Canada Post workers began negotiating a new collective agreement, roughly 55,000 employees of the crown corporation have officially gone on strike. Requesting safer working conditions and fair wages among other things, it’s a nationwide walkout with conflict dating back to 2018. At the main Sherwood Park storefront on Cranford Way, more than […]

During last week’s 2024 conference, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta elected the organization’s first female president. Kara Westerlund has served as vice-president since 2017 and is a councillor of Brazeau County. She succeeds Paul McLauchlin, the president of the organization since 2020. “I felt that the timing was right for me to just take a run […]

A day after blasting the federal government for its oil and gas emissions plan, Premier Danielle Smith got an earful from rural Alberta leaders frustrated by the province’s unpaid taxes, piecemeal policing plans and high electricity fees. “In the next five to 10 years, if things are status quo and do not change, you will […]

After several years of hearing demands from condo owners, the Alberta government plans to implement a dispute resolution body that will provide an alternative to court. On Monday, Nov. 4, the province tabled Bill 30 — the Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act 2024 — which proposed changes to the Condominium Property Act. Under the new […]

Most of Alberta is once again welcoming snow back into the rhythm our lives. It takes time to adjust winter’s routine, but remembering some key tips will make it safer for you and your family to embrace the snowy season.   During winter, Strathcona County’s crews work 24/7 to clear and sand high-volume and high-speed roads. […]

One of the ways we remember is through storytelling. We pass stories from generation to generation. This tradition keeps our history alive. I’m sure everyone here today has a story to share about how a friend or family member served our country. A story of a loved one who fought for freedom, who fought for […]

Dear Santa,  We know your busiest season is well underway but that also means it’s time for our annual Celebration of Lights event here in Strathcona County.  As you schedule your pre-Christmas visits, we would like to invite you to, once again, visit Festival Place on Saturday, Nov. 16. Our community members will be out […]

I’m excited to share that the Elk Island Catholic Schools (EICS) Board of Trustees started our annual review of our education assurance plan last month during our professional development day. We focused on renewing and refining our advocacy and assurance strategies to ensure that our vision aligns with the needs of our school communities.  The […]

In front of a hometown crowd, Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary’s senior boys volleyball stretched the limits of a championship game and came away with the glory. Pushing through fifth sets against Jasper Place (JP) on Wednesday, Nov. 6, SCA dropped the first set 25-22, came back to win the second set 25-21, trailed again in the […]

Trump won – so bring back vote tabulators Now that Trump has decided that there was no election fraud, and the electronic voting counters were working, can we please use them in our next municipal election and save a few million dollars please? Allan Morris Jack, Edmonton   Weeping for the United States I weep […]

The last time Sarah Keller saw her husband Bryce, she remembers the blue shirt and jeans he wore, and the look on his face before he went through airport security, a look that to her mind said; “I love you and I don’t want to go but I need to get back.” Sarah Keller, 44, […]

When Heather Emmerzael decided to leave nursing after 22 years, she wanted to continue helping people. After working in acute care, managing an intensive care unit, and teaching at MacEwan University, she can now add founder and owner of Sherwood Park’s newest beauty collective to her resume. Hosting the grand opening on Friday, Nov. 8, […]

Budget 2025 is set to be another juggling act of inflationary pressures, growth needs, addressing and replacing infrastructure assets. This week, Budget 2025 was tabled with a proposed 3.87 per cent tax increase. Based on a $460,000 household value, residents will face an additional $85 tax increase annually (or $7 monthly) and a non-residential property […]

It’s the biggest night of the year for the local business community as it celebrates exceptional achievements, innovation, and community impact. The Sherwood Park and District Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the 2024 Business Awards. Celebrating relatively newcomers to the business landscape, finalists for the New Entrepreneur Award includes Fellowship Farms, Manual […]

As an opportunity for the community to come together in gratitude and remembrance, more than 3,000 people paid their respects during this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11 at Millennium Place. The event highlighted the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which was a pivotal turning points in WWII which led to the liberation of […]

Since 1919, Canadians have marked Nov. 11 as a day to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought to protect the country. Across Canada, schools take Remembrance Day as an opportunity to teach students about the important role the men and women who have served have played in keeping the country as […]

Launching the holiday season, the Celebration of Lights returns to Festival Place on Saturday, Nov. 16 and with a list of activities there promises to be something for the whole family. Running from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the afternoon will be packed with action, from holiday crafts to wagon rides, and a winter carnival, […]

On Monday, Nov. 11, Canadians will pause to honour those who fought to protect the country’s freedom and remember the soldiers who died in those pursuits. Since Canada’s earliest days men and women from Strathcona County have served their country, leaving their families and comforts to stand in defence of Canada. In many cases it […]