Fort McMurray Tourism says tickets are selling fast for their 7th Annual Fish Fry.

$20 gets you one pound of of walleye, an assortment of salads, beverages and blueberry pie.

The Fish Fry will take place Saturday night during SummersEnd at Mac Island.

For tickets call 791-4336.

With Old Man Winter ready to crawl out of bed, its time to celebrate the end of summer.

What better to way to do that, then to make your way out to McDonald Island Park over the next four days.

Events Wood Buffalo is hosting the 'SummersEnd' festival starting with the return of the Blueberry Carnival Midway this afternoon.

Check in for the Mix 103.7 DanceXplosion starts tomorrow at 11:00 am.

For more information visit www.eventswoodbuffalo.com, for tickets call 780-791-0070.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say they're continuing to search for a woman last seen over three years ago.
According to police, 42-year old Shirley Ann Waquan, was last seen July 1, 2007 in Fort MCMurray.
Police received a report that Waquan may have been spotted two weeks later standing on a street corner in Edmonton.
Her family says she was homeless and had drug and alcohol problems.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is now officially a single-use shopping bag free zone.
The bylaw, passed by Municipal Council in December 2009, was implemented today, banning businesses from distributing single-use shopping bags, including biodegradable bags, paper bags or a plastic bags with two handles that are used for transporting goods from retail outlets.
Fast food restaurants, liquor stores and pharmacies are all exempt.

Former broadcaster Ross Jacobs is throwing his hat into the municipal election ring again for a seat on Ward 1.

Jacobs, now the General Manager of Community Futures Wood Buffalo, received 5.6 percent of the votes in 2007.

He also finished second to Guy Boutilier in the 2008 provincial election when he ran as a Liberal.

Jacobs platform priorities include improving traffic flow, taxation solutions and enhancing Wood Buffalo's regional, provincial and national identity.

A local teen says he's excited to finally see his hard work finally paying off.

More than two years ago Sean Graham, then a student at Father Mercredi, set out with a petition in hopes of soliciting support to ban plastic bags in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

Now, beginning tomorrow, the city will implement a ban on all single-use shopping bags.

Graham says Wood Buffalo is the only place in North America, and possibly the world to ban all single-use shopping bags.

Not everyone is happy with the bylaw.

Some merchants in the Peter Pond Shopping Centre are expressing concern on the eve of the bylaw going into effect.

Spokesperson Karen Nixon says some merchants say they have lost sales, they have also said they expect their shoplifiting losses to increase dramatically with people bringing their own bags into the store.

Canada's mining sector, including the oil sands help grew the economy in the second quarter.

Canada's gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 2 per cent, the fourth consecutive quarterly expansion following the recession, according to Statistics Canada.

Manufacturing also contributed to the growth, as did the banking and public sectors.

Declines were reported in the home resale market and in retail and wholesale trade.

Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Guy Boutilier is calling the Conservative's latest move, an assault on democracy.

The upstart party has received a letter from the Speaker of the Alberta legislature, prohibiting leader Danielle Smith from being quoted in press releases, because she's not an elected MLA.

Boutilier says it is the height of hypocrisy, and that this just motivates Smith to gain a seat in Legislature soon.

The Wildrose has requested a meeting with the Speaker.

A semi-truck with a tanker trailer and a vacuum truck were involved in a serious head on collision Friday night.

Police say the incident took place at around 7 o'clock on Highway 69, just past the Fort Mcmurray Airport turnoff.

The male driver of the vacuum truck recieved serious injuries and is currently in an Edmonton Hospital.

His male passenger suffered minor injuries and was transported to the Northern Lights Regional Health Center as a precaution.

The male driver of the semi recieved serious but non-life threatening injuries and has since been released from hospital.

The cause of the collision is currently under investigation.

Charges are pending following a two-vehicle crash that sent a local woman to hospital.

St. Paul RCMP say that around noon on Sunday, an Infiniti G37 driven by a Fort McMurray woman, failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Highways 28 and 36 near Ashmont, and collided with a Mitsubishi Lancer.

The driver and her female passenger, from New Brunswick , were taken to hospital and released, the lone male in the Mitisubshi was airlifted to an Edmonton hospital and is in stable condition.

More than two years after a mechanic was crushed to death at Suncor, Finning International is set to appear in Fort McMurray court today.

The heavy duty equipment supplier is charged with violating Occupational Health and Safety Standards.

40-year old Kevin Grocutt was killed July 8th, 2008, when he was run over by a  Caterpillar 797F heavy hauler.

The incident occurred when workers were trying to move the broken-down hauler for repairs.

The man who was allegedly tortured at the hand of his roommate is discussing his ordeals.

When interviewed by CBC Dustin LaFortune, who is currently in a Regina Rehabilitation Center, claimed that he was victimized  for over a year, but was afraid to speak out.

He also says that reconstructive surgery is planned for his lips and ears.

Dustin Paxton made his first appearance on several charges, including forcible confinement, aggravated assault and sexual assault in relation to the suspected torture of LaFortune on Friday.

Strange and somewhat misinformed comments by an American Airlines pilot.

Late last week as his plane was landing in Calgary, the pilot made the comments; "it's 19 degrees Celsius in Calgary, and it's very hazy in Calgary, the haze is due to smog from the tarsands and fires."

A Calgary couple on the plane was outraged and went public with the incident.

American Airlines says they are investigating.

An alliance of green groups, including the Fort McMurray Environmental Association is requesting that the Joslyn North Mine application be rejected.

Ecojustice, on behalf of the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition, has filed a submission calling on the Joint Review Panel to reject the proposed Total E&P oil sands site, claiming it's not in public interest, due to mounting environmental effects, flawed environmental assessment, and missed government deadlines for environmental protection.

The Joslyn Oil Sands Mine hearing begins in Fort McMurray on September 21.

A popular family vehicle is being recalled.

Ford is recalling over 500,000 older model Windstar vans in Canada and the U.S, over fear that the rear axles could corrode and potentially break.

The recall affects 1998 to 2003 models sold where the heavy use of road salt can lead to corrosion.

Police are cautioning residents to make sure they lock their vehicles after an incident in Abasand early this morning.

At around 5:30 police were called to the Aime Court/Athabasca Avenue area after a report of a young man going through vehicles.

The suspect was apprehended by a civilian witness and in his possession were several stolen items including Ipods, GPS units, digital cameras, wallets, satellite radios and cell phones.

The youth was taken into police custody and has since been released to his parents.

Charges are pending.

Quality of life, affordable housing and fair taxation are all pillars or Councillor Mike Allen's campaign for a second term on council.

The long-time business owner announced his intentions to seek re-election this morning.

Allen says he is looking forward to the campaign because of the quality of candidates he is running against.

Adding another  major reasons he is running again is that he feels council has some unfinished business.

In an attempt to accelerate the reclamation process, Shell Canada has unveiled a new method of managing tailings ponds.

"Atmospheric Fines Drying" mixes mature fine tailings with chemical agents, helping bring the fine clay particles together.

The substance is then placed on a sloped surface to help speed up the release of water from the clay.

The demonstration project is located at Shell's Muskeg River Mine.

Following a year and a half of dialogue, a vision for land-use in the Lower Athabasca Region is available to the public.

A 17-member Advisory Council has presented the Alberta government a document providing advice on economic, environmental and community needs in the region, which includes Fort McMurray.

Starting in September the government will tour the province to gain feedback on the vision, before developing a draft regional plan.

Stopping in Fort McMurray on the 15th and 23rd.

You can read the document at www.landuse.alberta.ca

Second-degree murder charges have been filed after a 43-year old woman was found dead on the Heart Lake First Nation, near Lac La Biche, Tuesday.

EMS and RCMP discovered 43 year old Sharon Fox unconsious and battered and were unable to revive her.

Her common law partner, 40-year old Carl Peter Blood was arrested after an investigation and autopsy determined that Fox died as a result of blunt force injuries.

RCMP do say they have been to the couples house in the past.

Blood is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Incumbent Mayor Melissa Blake will seek a third term when Wood Buffalo residents head to the polls in October.

In a news release, Mayor Blake pointed out that beginning in 2007, the province’s attitude toward Wood Buffalo has changed dramatically.

Including the creation of the Oil Sands Secretariat and the investment of $2.25 dollars in the region.

So far two other two other residents have announced their chasing the mayor's chair, current councillor John Vyboh, and local plumber Joe Nebesny.

The election will take place on October 18, 2010

A single-vehicle crash north of Newbrook has claimed the life of a young Fort McMurray woman.

Redwater RCMP say the 23-year old victim was driving alone on Highway 831 south in a blue Mazda 3 around 9:00 am when the vehicle went off the edge of the road and the driver over-corrected.

The woman lost control of the car, which went off the road and rolled multiple times.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, her name has not been released.

Polic say alcohol or drugs are not believed to be a factor in the crash.

Two people from Fort Chipewyan have been found after going missing for 24 hours, after their boat ran out of gas.

The pair were out on the des Rochers River and were supposed to be back Sunday afternoon but never returned.

RCMP were unable to search on Sunday night due to the darkness, but were able to resume their search Monday morning and found the pair on the Slave River at around 3:00 pm.

No injuries were reported.

RCMP advise the public to always be prepared before you venture out on local water ways.

Wood Buffalo Municipal Council is back around the table tonight.

They return from their brief summer vacation with a light night on the agenda.

Councillors will be hearing an update on the full scale opening of the Suncor Community Leisure Centre at MacDonald Island.

They will also have to approve some capital budget ammendments which include paving the Janvier access road, an increase in funding for the construction of the Conklin water treatment plant and finally the Franklin Avenue reconstruction.

If your looking for a place to call home, you may be interested in this.

Qualifying mid-income residents can apply for one of the remaining 51 units located in Hawthorne Heights at Eagle Ridge.

The 128-unit project is currently under construction but is expected to be done by next spring.

Applications are being accepted by the Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation.

Qualifying criteria and program details are available online.

The YMCA pool has officially reopened.

The pool has been closed since May 16, because of a cracked pipe that caused significant water damage to the aquatic mechanics.

In addition to the extensive repairs that needed to be done, crews also gave the facility a fresh look with new grouting and a mural over the tot pool.

From now until Saturday, the YMCA is offering the public free use of pool, to celebrate its Summer Splashdown event.

An apartment building on Manning Avenue had to be evacuated this afternoon because of high levels of carbon monoxide.

A contractor was sweeping out the underground parkade at Rundlestone Estates with a gas powered sweeper for about five hours before emergency services were called.

About 20 people were evacuated from the building into a bus until the ventilation procedure was completed.

There were no reported injuries.

Hundreds of charges were laid by Northeast Regional RCMP Integrated Traffic Services during a three day blitz on Highway 63.

The highest number of tickets, nearly 300, were laid against motorists speeding somewhere between Boyle and Fort McMurray.

Police also laid 16 liquor related charges and 1 drug charge.

As well, three people were arrested on outstanding warrants.

Students in Fort Chipewyan will likely return to the Athabasca Delta Community School when the new year begins.

The school has been closed since April 29th, when mould forced students and teachers to relocate their classes.

Local contractors, Alberta Infrastructure and the Northland School Division have worked over the past three months, removing contaminated drywall and replacing leaky pipes.

For the next couple of weeks contractors will be installing new drywall in the school and on August 27th, Alberta Infrastructure will complete a final environmental assessment.

A big change to the way council conducts their business begins tomorrow.

The newly created Governance, Agendas and Planning Committee or G.A.P. Committee will meet for the first time.
In this first meeting, the committee will prioritize nine notices of motion brought forward by councilor Sheldon Germain.
They will also schedule items for upcoming council meetings.

A little girl is listed in serious but stable condition following a head on collision Friday night.

Both of the parents of the seven-week-old infant were killed in the collision, when the car the family was in crossed the center line and hit a truck on highway 8 south of Cochran, Alberta.

Police say the 54-year old driver of the truck is listed in serious but stable condition as well.

They also believe that neither speed drugs nor alcohol were contributing factors to the crash.

A company which owns five Fort McMurray hotels posted a small second quarter loss.

Temple Real Estate Investment Trust owns the Clearwater Suite hotel, Nomad Inn, Merit Hotel, Franklin Suite Hotel and the Vantage Inn.

The trust lost $726,000 in the second quarter, compared to a profit of $828, 000 in the second quarter of 2009.

According to the group hotel conditions are improving in Fort McMurray and that should key profits for them in the coming months.

After the announcement was made this week, the company's stock shot up 5.5% to $2.50 per share.

Crown and defense lawyers in the Syncrude case are discussing possible creative sentences.

The oil sands giant made a brief court appearance in St. Albert Friday where the two sides were granted more time for talks.

Today's proceedings were originally said to focus around whether or not the company would be convicted on the provincial charge, the federal charge or both.

In June Syncrude was found guilty relating to the deaths of over 1600 ducks in the Aurora tailings pond In April 2008.

Court proceedings will resume October 22nd.

Expanding health services for citizens, establishing more youth drop-in centers and accelerating land release are all parts of John Vyboh's plan to improve social sustainability in the region.

One of two residents currently seeking the mayor's chair in the upcoming election, the current councilor unveiled his third of four platform pillars Friday.

Vyboh says presently too many residents concerns are not being addressed in terms of social needs.

The deadline for nominees to announce their candidacy falls on September 20th, the municipal election will be held October 18th.

At least 20% of Alberta's oil sands region may be protected against development.
A 17-member regional advisory council has submitted a report to Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Minister Mel Knight who says he hopes to have it approved by cabinet early next year.

C.E.M.A. is a member of advisory council and their Executive Director Glen Semenchuk says they say even more land could conceivably be protected.
Public consultations are scheduled to begin in September.

A harrowing night for five people en route from Fort McMurray to Fort Chipewyan.

The group was aboard a McMurray Aviation Cessna 206 when it lost power Thursday.

The pilot successfully negotiated a landing in the bush 110 miles north of Fort McMurray.

A new emergency locator transmitter which had recently been installed in the plane immediately notified company operations.

A helicopter arrived on site after two hours and everyone was retrieved safely and flown back to Fort McMurray.

The company says there were no injuries.

Transportation Canada in conjuction with McMurray Aviation will collect the aircraft and determine the cause of the engine failure.

The Syncrude dead ducks trial returns to a St. Albert court room today.

In June a judge found the company guilty on provincial and federal environmental charges relating to the deaths of over 1600 ducks in the Aurora tailings pond more than two years ago.

Today, Syncrdue lawyers will argue to have one of the two convictions stayed, saying you can't be convicted of the same crime twice.

Syncrdue has not said whether it will appeal, but lead lawyer Robert White told reporters following the ruling in June that he'd recommend it.

Four dogs which were seized from a former Fort McMurray resident in Saskatchewan are now at the Edmonton SPCA.

April Irving was the owner/operator of "Doggy Daycare" on Draper Road, the local SPCA seized 40 animals back in June 2007.

Irving was charged in June of this year in Saskatchewan after 80 animals were seized from her home East of Saskatoon.

Edmonton SPCA officials say some of the dogs are afraid of toys and food dishes, and they were living on roadkill and carcasses.

The Alberta Tourism Minister is admitting she is a bit worried about the latest anti-oilsands campaign being launched in the U.K.

The latest campaign is being funded by Corporate Ethics International and features web based advertising and billboards which feature oil covered ducks.

Cindy Ady says that she never not worries when campaigns like this are launched.

When we last talked to Fort McMurray Tourism, they said the ad campaigns have had minimal effect on tourism here.

Fort McMurray will play host to the Premier this fall.

Ed Stelmach will stop in Fort McMurray on September 23rd.

Details of the visit aren't available at this time.

A Fort McMurray man who allegedly tricked a 15-year old Halifax girl into sending him nude images is scheduled to return to court today.

36-year old Ryan Davison was arrested on June 25th and charged with five child exploitation charges.
It's alleged that in June 2009, Davison began an online relationship with the teen through Facebook, by portraying himself as an adult, female modeling agent.
Police say the girls guardians became suspicious and contacted Halifax police who initiated the investigation.
Davison's charges include child luring and possession of child porn.

With intentions of building a strong community and cleaning up the downtown core, a local lawyer announced his candidacy for Wood Buffalo council today.

Standing on the deck of ship at the Marine Park Museum, Donald Scott declared he's setting sail for a seat as a Ward 1 councillor.

Scott is the former president of the United Way and currently serves as a board member for Children's First and Legal Aid Fort McMurray.

Wood Buffalo residents will head to the polls October 18, 2010.

Clients using the services of the Fort McMurray Health Promotion Centre will have a new, more accessible location.

The Centre now has a new street-level facility on downtown on Manning Avenue near the Bank of Montreal.

Executive Director Daven Sebarren told Mix News they will be able to offer more programs than ever before.

"We're looking in doing more drop-ins for particular populations, for example sex trade workers who need a facility that has a shower that has laundry facilities, and things like private counseling. We're looking at converting one of the spaces into a community kitchen, where we are going to be teaching people how to eat healthy and how to put their health needs on the forefront."

The new centre is also a housing facility and will have extended hours along with a second needle-exchange program drop-box.

Alberta Infrastructure spokesman Cam Traynor told Mix News what step follows the Request for Proposal phase, which closes October 18th.

As police continue to target impaired driving during the month of August, a major check stop was set up Sunday.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say over 200 offenses were discovered during the eight hour blitz on Highway 63 south of Fort McMurray.

Two guns were seized, two drug charges laid, while a pair of drunk drivers were taken off the road.

Floods in Pakistan has taken the lives of more than 1 200 people while disrupting the lives of more than 20 million others.

The United Nations is expecting another wave of deaths as water borne diseases and hunger begins to take affect on survivors.

The organization is also struggling to obtain the $460 million needed to provide emergency aid to those effected by the flood.

The flood began late last month in the wake of particularly heavy monsoon rains.

Local B-Boys and B-Girls will have a place to learn more about the Hip-Hop culture today.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is running their first Urban Boot Camp with the help of Syncrude and a dance troop by the name of Concrete Roots.

The camp is running all this week at Keyano College.

The Alberta Government may have some of your money.

A spokesman with Alberta Finance says they are sitting on millions of dollars of unclaimed cash, artwork, jewellry and furniture.

 The money and property are generally from uncashed cheques, forgotten utility deposits or unclaimed refunds.

To see if you are owed any money log onto missingmoney.com

Municipal bylaw officers are cracking down on illegally parked vehicles.

Over the past few months, municipal vehicles such as refuse collection trucks, road maintenance crews, and fire pumpers have had difficulty navigating streets due to illegally parked vehicles.

Infractions such as parking too close to an intersection, parking is specified no parking zones and vehicles parking perpendicular to the curb in cul-de-sacs have become common.

Parking enforcement authorities will be targeting these vehicles over the next number of weeks.

Getting around yesterday was very difficult on Fort McMurray roadways.

A collision on Confederation early yesterday afternoon had the entire roadway closed for a period of time.

Just minutes after that, a collision had traffic backed up on Franklin Avenue near the Kozy Corner restaurant.

Then after 3 p.m. a three vehicle collision at the top of Beacon Hill delayed things there.

RCMP have not confirmed if there are any injuries resulting from these accidents.

RCMP in Western Canada are keeping their eyes peeled after a US man escaped from an Arizona prison.

Authorities are puzzled when it comes to the whereabouts of John McCluskey and his fiance and cousin, Casslyn Welch.

There's no information that says the pair have entered Canada, but they may have entered the country undetected.

They were last seen over the weekend in Montana near the Canadian border.

Its alleged McCluskey escaped with two other inmates after Welch threw them wire cutters over a fence.

The other two inmates have since been recaptured

First Nations, Metis, and other community members affected by the oilsands will be walking from Crane Lake Park up to Syncrude and then back.

Organizers say they are walking to bring attention to what they say in irresponsible development of the resource.

An environmental thinktank is upset after the ERCB approved the tailing plan of Imperial Oil for their Kearl project.

The Pembina Institute says this just confirms the concerns they raised prior to the projects approval in 2007.

Spokesman Simon Dyer says the fact that Imperial is getting a six year grace period to get their tailings up to the new standard, sends the message that environmental regulation are flexible and negotiable.

The second ten thousand barrel plus per day SAGD project for Conacher Oil and Gas is up and running.

The Algar project is located 80 kilometres south of Fort McMurray and began production on August 4th.

Once fully streamlined the project is expected to produce between 15.5 and 16.5 thousand barrels of bitumen per day.

After a great start to the year, the Fort McMurray housing market has cooled.

We told you earlier this week about multi family housing starts being down 81 percent compared to last year, however single family housing starts were up.

President of the Fort McMurray Real Estate Colin Hartigan says that will slow down the average price of  homes in Fort McMurray.

Hartigan says the reason there are so few multi family starts is that there are so many units available on the market.

After 20 years on Franklin Avenue, the Interplay Festival is on the move.

Next year they will set up in their new home on King Street.

The move is being done because of construction on Franklin Avenue which is planned for next year, which will leave a median in the middle of the street so they will not be able to set up their tents.

Executive Director of Events Wood Buffalo Claude Giroux says Keyano College will offer up plenty of parking as well they have three theatres and an art gallery which will play a prominent role.

Approval of the tailings management plan has been given to Imperial Oil by the Energy Resources Conservation Board this week.

Slated to begin in 2011, the Kearl Project proposal states that requirements to reduce the amount of fine particles in tailings can not be met for the first six years, as new technologies are needed that would require time to be implemented.

In light of this, ERCB Spokesman Davis Sheremata says some flexibility has been given, and Kearl has been given a deadline of 2018 to start meeting these requirements.

The Kearl Project will operate with only one tailings pond which is slated to be decommissioned by 2038.

Opti Canada shares went into free fall mode Wednesday afternoon.

They fell by as much as 17 percent after the company announced it will raise 400 million dollars in debt to get through the ramp up of its Long Lake Project.

Earlier this month the Calgary based company also announced that production at Long Lake would be cut this month due to unplanned maitenance.

After a three week trip to the United States, Mayor Melissa Blake back in her home province.

She is took part in the  International Visitor Leadership Program .

The program's alumni features many high profile political figures, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Blake says she she developed many great contacts on the trip.

After spending the first week in the Washington DC, the group is made stops in Baltimore, Vermont, Denver, Texas and LA --- all with a focus on Climate Change.

July was a good month for housing starts in Fort McMurray.

There were 47 single detatched houses started last month as compared to 27 in July 2009.

There were also six multi family dwelling started compared to zero in July of last year.

However the year to date numbers are still down.  Single detatched housing starts are up around 26 percent compared to last year, but multi family dwellings are down 81 percent leading to a total decline of 44 percent when compared to last year.

Environment Canada has released some disturbing information about the oilsands.

They found that volumes of arsenic and lead released into tailings ponds have increased 26 percent in the past four years.

They also found huge amounts of airborne pollutants including over 70 thousand tonnes of organic compounds which can cause damage to human organs and over 111 thousand tonnes of sulpher dioxide, a key contributor to acid rain.

The numbers are contained in the national pollutant release inventory which the organization made public because of a 2007 court case.

Some scientists have pointed out however that the report does not contain the concentration of the chemicals, which is the key to how poisonous they are.

Expect an announcement soon from Mayor Melissa Blake.

She says she has decided whether or not she is going to seek a third term, however the announcement of that decision is expected late next week.

Blake has taken some critisism for taking her time making her decision from John Vyboh, who has already declared his candidacy for the Mayor's Chair.

Last month, Vyboh said the people of the region can't wait on her timetable when there are several pressing issues to get addressed.

Some may breathe a sigh of relief, while others may roll their eyes; but the World Health Organization has announced the H1N1 pandemic is over.

Swine Flu killed more than 18-thousand people around the world since the outbreak begun in the spring of 2009.

The organization says declaring the pandemic over does not mean H1N1 has gone away, and it is expected to circulate in the years to come; morphing into a seasonal flu virus.

A break and enter and theft this morning at the downtown Boston Pizza.

At 5:30, RCMP responded to an alarm at the restaurant and when they arrived witnesses told them that two males entered the building and left with a substancial amount of stolen property.

RCMP Dog Service and the Forensic Identification Section attended the location to assist with the investigation.

The two suspects are described as native males between the ages of 17 and 19 and were wearing dark clothing.

If you have any information on this incident you are asked to call RCMP at 788-4000 or crimestoppers.

A single vehicle rollover on the CNRL access road has left one man dead.

The incident occurred at around 11:30 pm Thursday night and involved a blue Crown Victoria.

44-year old Shane Van Adestine of Edmonton died on scene after being ejected from the vehicle.

A second occupant was transported to the Northern Lights Regional Hospital and is stable condition.

RCMP are continuing their investigation and have called in a collision reconstructionist to assist.

15-year Wood Buffalo resident, Russell Thomas has announced he will be running for Council on October 18th.

Thomas has worked with Keyano College for more than ten years and has been a leader with the InterPLAY festival for just as long.

New survey results show tourism in Alberta could be taking a big hit from environmentalist groups.

Angus-Reid surveyed four-thousand people in Canada, Britain, and the United States and asked them if they would consider visiting Calgary, Edmonton or the Rockies for a holiday.

About 51 per cent said yes, but after viewing the controversial "Rethink Alberta" video created by a coalition of environmental groups; that number dropped by about one half.

The Alberta government maintains the video is riddled with misinformation about the oilsands environmental record.

Lots of hard work will be gone over with a fine toothed comb today.

The Communities in Bloom judges are in town today and tomorrow.

Fort McMurray is going for five blooms for the sixth year in a row.

This year we are up against, Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Karwartha Lakes, Ontario, Medicine Hat, and Whitby, Ontario.

The final day of Interplay goes today.

Things kick off on the Transalta Main Stage at noon with the Mix 103.7's Kickin' Karaoke contest. 

The finals of the Petro Canada Home Grown Talent Contest goes at 4:00 this afternoon.

Franklin Avenue will re-open for traffic at midnight tonight.

The latest land release by the province is getting rave reviews from the business community.

The two parcels of land, a combined 12, o 25 acres, will be primarily commercial and industrial space.

One parcel is nine kilometres south of the Highway 69 intersection on Highway 63, while the other parcel is south of the airport.

27 oilsands workers have a few more dollars in their jeans.

$18, 518.00 each to be exact.

The workers from Albian Sands Jackpine site won 500 thousand dollars in the max millions draw last Friday.

When asked what members of the group plan to do with their winnings, a group spokesman says many plan to pay off bills, while some are going to buy new vehicles.

Unemployment is down in the province, or is it?

The unemployment rate is at 6.3 % down from 6.7 % in June and 7.2 from July 2009.

However full time employment fell by 13 thousand jobs while part time employment rose by 21, 700.

Alberta has been one of the slowest gaining provinces in the country, with unemployment going down a mere 1.2.

RCMP are investigating a robbery downtown early Thursday.

A man was walking outside of the 7/11 when he was approached by a group of men saying they wanted his beer and cigarettes.

The victim refused, walked away and was then pursued by the group when one of the suspects produced a knife.

The victim then went back into the 7/11 and called the police.

The suspects are described as wearing red hoodies all were approximately 20 to 25 years old.

Four of the men were white and one was black.

If you have any information call the RCMP at 788-4000 or crimestoppers.

Production has come to a standstill at CNRL's Horizon project.

The company has said that a pipeline carrying amine corroded and leaked causing the shutdown.

Amine is used to recover sulpher from the coking process.

The project should be operational again next week as new piping is being installed this weekend.

Franklin Avenue is a buzz with activity this afternoon as the 20th annual InterPLAY festival kicks off.

The Homegrown Talent Search starts today, along with all the street performers, music and theatrical performances, and fair food you can handle.

Scotland-based band Lau will kick off the TransAlta Main Stage this evening, starting at 6:30; and following that will be The Nylons and Dustin Bentall.

Tomorrow night features Amy Heffernan, The Lost Fingers and Spirit of the West.

For all the activities, check out www.eventswoodbuffalo.com

Meanwhile, Franklin Avenue from Hardin to Main street will be closed off until 12 am on Monday for the festivities.

Fort McMurray's Lower Townsite is on the verge of a major revitalization .

An open house was held last night to show design plans and inform residents and business owners in the Lower Townsite of upcoming projects.

Planned projects include a parking study, repaving Franklin Avenue and upgrading or replacing utilities like sewers.

But the municipality's engineering and parks departments are also partnering to spruce up the streets.

Dates have not been confirmed, but the city hopes to start work soon.

People throughout the world looking for more information on the Cumulative Environmental Management Association won't have to look far.

CEMA has launched a brand new website for it's members and the public.

Over two hundred CEMA reports have been uploaded to the website as part of an enhanced research library, as well as links to their twitter and facebook pages at www.cemaonline.ca

The provincial government has announced two large parcels of land will soon be made available to developers in Fort McMurray.

625 acres along Highway 63 south of the city will be sold as raw land in September.

An additional 600 hectares located south of the airport will be sold in smaller parcels, which are expected to hit the market early next year.

The land will be marketed through government's long-standing arrangement with the Alberta Real Estate Association.

Snye Point will close next week as the municipality begins dredging.

Between August 9th and 23rd, boaters are advised to use the boat launch at the horse pasture in Waterways.

Dredging and weed harvesting is done to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all Snye users.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited has posted its second quarter financial figures.

Results from a new survey are freaking people out and causing sleepless nights all over North America.

Over a thousand pest control companies were surveyed and found an 81 per cent increase in calls regarding bed bugs.

The increase is said to be because people are travelling more and the insects tend to hitch a ride on clothing and in suitcases.

Also, many pesticides used to control them are either no longer effective or have been taken off the market.

A local teen is scheduled in court today, facing charges relating to a stabbing in Waterways.

The province is asking Albertans to "tell it like it is" about the oil sands.

A new public relations campaign to pump up the industry has been launched with newspaper ads and radio commercials.

The campaign also promotes a new government website -- oil sands dot alberta dot ca -- which highlights facts about industry.

And includes results of a new public poll.

In May, over 1,000 Albertans were read the statement, "The Alberta government is responsibly managing the oilsands."
25 % agreed, 6 % said they completely agree, while 13 % disagreed, and 5 % cent completely disagreed.

 (Photo courtesy of www.greenpeace.org)

Greenpeace has taken its anti-oil sands campaign to new heights.
Three protesters rappelled from atop the Calgary Tower this morning to hang a banner reading "Separate Oil and State", more than 160 metres above city streets.
Greenpeace says the banner was intended to highlight the need to sever what it calls "the cozy relationship" between the oil sands industry and the Alberta and federal governments.
Calgary police arrested eight protesters.

A Wood Buffalo RCMP member escaped serious injury after the officer's cruiser was side swiped Saturday.

Police say a Toyota Tundra crossed the centre line on Leggett Street and collided with the driver's side of the cop car.

Residents enjoyed homemade ice cream while strolling through history yesterday.

In light of Heritage Day, a piece of the past was added to Heritage Park; with the Dale Huberdedau exhibit being showcased for the first time.

The event packed the historic village with a petting zoo, local artists and even a 2 year old buffalo named "Bailey D Buffalo".

All of the money donated during the event is going towards the operation of Heritage Park.

27-thousand hectares of boreal forest continue to burn in our area from 17 fires.

The 33 hundred hectare Margeurite River fire continues to be held near the Suncor Firebag, it isn't the biggest fire in the region though.

There is a 10 thousand hectare blaze which was started by lightning on July 23rd as well as a quick growing 71 hundred hectare blaze wich began on July 30th.

Alberta Health Services continues to have an air quality advisory in effect as well for Fort McMurray, Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan.

Syncrude is putting a new method of dealing with tailings into practice this week.

They will utilize a large centrifuge machine that will seperate recyclable water and thick clay which will be deposited into a quick drying two metre thick layer.

The technology is similar to those currently being used in sewage treatment facilities.

Syncrude estimates that twenty such centrifuges could handle their total daily outflow of tailings, however they are currently researching three different methods of dealing with the toxic byproduct.

Community members are invited to come explore Fort McMurray's history today at Heritage Park.

The story of past resident Dale Huberdedau will be revealed as participants enjoy live performances, door prizes and a visit from 2 year old Bailey the Buffalo.

This years theme is 'Our Story, Our Stories' .

The event will run from 11 from 4pm.

The Nunee Health Board says construction on the Fort Chipewyan nursing station is progressing well.

The structure and windows are in place and that means construction workers will soon be able to work on the interior.

The board is now in the process of finding a project lead for the facility.

The 15 million dollar project is expected to be completed by 2012.

Syncrude is planning to shut down one of its cokers in September for scheduled maitenance.

Coker 8-1 will be down for 45 days, cutting production by 100 thousand barrels per day.

The company announced Thursday that they are now lowering their annual production by five million barrels to 110 million barrels.

On the heels of that news, shares in Canadian Oilsands Trust fell by 56 cents Friday to 27 dollars per share.

Another battle is brewing over the Edmonton City Centre Airport.

This time between Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel and  Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith.

Smith said earlier this week that Edmonton Council should have further debate as to whether or not to keep the City Centre Airport open.

She wants the city to hold a plebiscite on the matter.

Stephen Mandel says he doesn't appreciate Smith interferring with a municipal matter..

Mandel adds that he would have appreciated it if Smith would have brought up her concerns over the airport to his office before holding a press conference.

Nineteen wildfires continue to burn in our area, though none are considered to be out of control.

The 3300 hectare Margeurite River Fire is still classified as 'being held' and remains burning near the Suncor Firebag site 80 kilometres Northeast of Fort McMurray.

Because of all the fires burning in the area there is still an Air Quality Advisory for residents in Fort McMurray, Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan.

Air quality has deteriorated due to wildfires burning in the region and those with asthma, COPD and cardiovascular conditions are particularly at risk.

A 45 day shutdown of one of its cokers is having a domino effect for Syncrude.

Coker 8-1 will be down for 45 days for scheduled maitenance.

That will cut the oilsands giants production by 100 thousand barrels per day.

The company announced Thursday that they are now lowering their annual production by five million barrels to 110 million barrels.

On the heels of that news, shares in Canadian Oilsands Trust fell by $0.56 Friday to $27.00 per share.

Alberta leads the country when it comes to the size of an average pay cheque .

A database published Friday containing thousands of government and industry records, says Alberta's oil sands is a constant source of low-level pollution.

Scientist Kevin Timoney, who has campaigned against the industry in the past spent eight months compiling hard to find information, pertaining to toxic releases, spills, problems with tailings ponds and water quality exceedences between 1995 and 2008.

Timoney's data also includes reports of oil sands employee's health, noting one incident where chlorine gas flowed over work camps causing burning eyes and respiratory distress.

He also says the Alberta government is failing to enforce environmental regulations.

A teenage female is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in the stomach.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say the victim was hurt following an alleged altercation between a group of people at J. Howard Pew Park in Waterways early yesterday morning.

A police dog was able to locate three individuals in a wooded area near the park, and as a result, police have charged 18-year old Breanna Celeste Bentley.

Police say the victim remains in hospital in stable condition.

Alberta Health Services has issued an Air Quality Advisory for residents in Fort McMurray, Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan.

Air quality has deteriorated since the start of wildfires burning in the region and those with asthma, COPD and cardiovascular conditions are particularly at risk.

Current air quality can be accessed at Alberta Environment's website at www.environment.alberta.ca/index.html

Residents with health related questions can call Alberta Health Link and speak to a registered nurse at 1-866-408-LINK.

Meanwhile, the wildfire burning about 80 kilometers north of the city is still 33-hundred hectares in size and is classified as Being Held.

There were twelve new starts yesterday and the current wildfire hazard is ranked at high.

Alberta drivers won't have to dig as deep next year to pay for insurance.

The Automobile Insurance Rate Board has directed insurers to cut mandatory rates by five per cent, meaning an average savings of 30 dollars per year.

The reduction is said to be mostly due to a projected decline in the number of bodily injury claims next year.

The decrease takes effect on November 1st.

If you see a suspected drunk driver, report them.

That's the message behind a new cooperative campaign launched today by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers,  Alberta Health Services and RCMP.

Urging motorists who see a suspected impaired driver to note their vehicle information, pull over and call police.  

According to MADD, on average four people are killed and 200 injured everyday across Canada as a result of impaired driving.

A pair of isolated storms looming over the Wood Buffalo region are to blame for power outages and pea sized hail this afternoon.

That's according to one meterologist with Environment Canada who says one storm developed rapidly over Fort McMurray, and the other is about 25-kilometers south.

Dan Kulak told Mix News we should expect more throughout the day and into the evening.

Meanwhile, Bill Heingington with ATCO Electric told Mix News lightning hit and destroyed a power pole near the Fort McMurray Airport meaning power outages from that area to downtown.  Power in all areas is estimated to be returned by 5:00pm as they replace the pole.

Fort McMurray Mayoral candidate John Vyboh has revealed another piece of his election campaign.

Vyboh revealed a nine point plan to environmental sustainability, included in it are curbside recycling and intensifying bylaw enforcement of environmental issues.

Vyboh was the first candidate to enter the mayoral race.  Just this week local plumber Joe Nebesny became the second.

Beach season in Fort McMurray begins September 22nd.

That is the official opening day of the aquatic centre at MacDonald Island Park.

Chief Operating Officer Tim Reid says the facility is worth the wait with a facility that will hold 1200 people at one time and 4.3 million litres of water.

During today's press conference it was also announced that Centennial Pool will be closed for good on September 18th.

The provincial Liberals are taking a proverbial swipe at the Wildrose Alliance party and more specifically, MLA Guy Boutilier.

Wood Buffalo's provincial representative has delayed signing on with the Wildrose since his announcement in June, and says he will officially join when the legislature resumes in the fall.

Independent MLA's recieve almost 100-thousand dollars a year in research funds, but when Boutilier switches to the Wildrose, that number will look more like 60-thousand.

Liberal Leader David Swann is not pleased and said the Wildrose appears to be trying to get more public tax dollars to use for their own benefit.

Residents who like to cool off with a swim this summer are being warned to watch out for blue-green algae.

Often referred to as "pond scum" the algae produces a poison that can cause serious illness to humans or animals who drink, or come in contact with contaminated water.

Symptoms include rash, sore throat, fever, and nausea.

Alberta Health Services advises people who take to the lake to not swim of wade in water containing the algae, which ranges in colour from olive-green to red.

Husky Energy has released it's second quarter financial figures.

The company recorded net earnings of 266 million dollars, down from 430 million in the Q2 of last year.

Husky is the title owner of the Tucker oil sands projects and says three new well pairs are being steamed with production expected to begin later this year.

Husky also says production at the Sunrise Energy Project, where it holds a 50 per cent stake, is slated to start in 2014.

(Photo of Marguerite River Fire courtesy of ASRD.) 

A 3300 hectare wildfire burning just 13 kilometres north east of Suncor's Firebag facility is still classified as "being held".

The blaze was detected Saturday afternoon and is believed to have sparked by lightning.

Around 50 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire, along with helicopters and air tankers.

Currently the fire poses no threat to any oil sands operation or other structures.

The risk of wildfires is the Waterways Area is low.

Fort McMurray's political scene now has it's very own Joe the Plumber.

Joe Nebesny told Mix News Tuesday night at the candidate information session that he is running for Mayor.

Nebesny originally hails from the Hamilton area and is enthusiastic about the possibilities in Fort McMurray.

"I work for a local plumbing company and I love this city and my famiiy loves this city. And there's a few issues here that must be rectified to make this a better city; a better community."

Nebesny says he will roll out information on his platform as the campaign progresses, but he does say housing and daycare are a couple of areas of focus for him.

In the wake of a recent campaign calling on Americans to boycott Alberta, the province is committing to investing in advertising of it's own.

TransCanada is embracing a decision to delay an announcement on the multi-billion dollar Keystone XL pipeline.

The U.S State Department now says federal agencies have until the end of the year to decide if the pipeline, which would flow bitumen from Alberta to refineries in the Gulf Coast, is in the national interest.
The original deadline was September 15th.

TransCanada says the delay gives the company more time to promote the advantages of brining Alberta oil to the United States.

A pipeline carrying oil from the United States to Canada has leaked into a creek in southwest Michigan, today.

More than three million litres of oil leaked from a pipeline owned by Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. endangering birds and other wildlife.

Reports say the company has yet to find out the cause of the leak and are working closely with United States Fish and Wildlife.

A project that's been ongoing in the provnce for more than a decade will come at a hefty price tag.

1.4-billion dollars is expected to be spent as the Tory government looks to implement electronic health records throughout Alberta.

674-million has been spent since 1999, and there's no word on when the process will be complete.

The project would allow health professionals to view a patient's medical history, lab results, diagnostic images and more.

Auditor General Fred Dunn called the whole thing poorly managed in his final report.

The Municipality is holding a series of Candidate Information Sessions beginning this afternoon.

The meetings are intended to provide residents with an interest in running for mayor or council with the basics of the election process and an overview on topics including recent changes to the Local Authorities Election Act.

Returning Officer Darlene Soucy says potential candidates still have nearly two months to throw their hat into the ring as the nomination deadline is September 20th.

An out of control wildfire burning just 13 kilometres from Suncor's Firebag facility has grown to 3300 hectares.

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development says the blaze is the largest out of control fire in Alberta and was caused by lightning.

Forecast winds today are from the northwest and are expected to push the fire eastward and away from any structures.

There are currently 15 active wildfires in our region but recent rain has lowered the wildfire hazard rating in the Waterways Area to low.

RCMP are investigating a pair of weekend robberies.

Police say a man walking along Franklin Avenue yesterday afternoon was attacked by two males near the Kozy Corner.

The victim was struck in the face and had his backpack and wallet stolen.

The suspects are described as caucasian males both in the early 20's and 5'9".

One was wearing a red t-shirt, shorts and a baseball cap, the other a light coloured shirt and jeans.

On Friday night a man entered the Gregoire Spirits Liquor Store and pointed what was believed to be a replica handgun at the employees .

He made off with cash and left the store on foot running towards the bowling alley.

The suspect is described as a caucasian male, between 18 and 23 years old, roughly 5'7", with blue eyes, short brown hair.

He was wearing a black hoodie with a black scarf covering his face, jeans and brown shoes and he had a bag.

Four fire crews are working on getting control of a 2300 hectare fire near the Suncor Firebage site.

Wildfire Ranger Pam Slaney says the fire is 16 kilometres away from the oil sands site. 

The blaze was started by lightning yesterday afternoon and grew quickly because of the strong winds.

Winds are from the west today so they are pushing the fire away from the Firebag site.

A man being crushed to death at Suncor Millennium mine has resulted in Finning International being charged.

Nearly two years ago, mechanic Kevin Grocutt was run over by a Caterpillar heavy-haul truck.

Finning International is charged with four instances of failing to meet OHS standards.

They will appear in court on August 30th.

Our MLA wants the Municipal Council and the Fort McMurray Regional Airport Commission to do more to defend residents against the closure of the Edmonton City Centre Airport.

Guy Boutilier says he would like to see council put a resolution forward.

He says the airport is key to the health of Fort McMurray residents saying that critical minutes can be lost if medevac flights have to go to Edmonton International Airport.

Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel says that going from the International Airport to the U of A Hospital is just as quick as going from the City Centre to the Royal Alex, however a simple google map search indicates that it is nearly a half hour longer.

Mayor Melissa Blake says she has made up her mind as to whether or not she is going to run for re-election in the upcoming municipal election.

Mix news talked to Blake while she was in Washington, D.C. at the International Visitor Leadership Program.

Blake has said previously that she'll announce whether or not she plans to seek re-election after she returns.

Today she told us, her mind is made up, but she won't announce her intentions until she returns to Canada.

A Canadian Forces CF-18 has crashed at the Lethbridge Regional Airport.

The incident occured at 12:20 this afternoon.

Emergency personnel along with fire and police attended the scene.

The pilot was taken to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge with undetermined injuries.

The Regional Municipality is coming back with some hardware from the Capital Ex Parade.

Their float finished third out of more than 200 entries.

Branding Manager Andrew Stuckey says it is the same float they had in the Fort McMurray Canada Day Parade except they decorated the truck as well.

Stuckey says they may enter the float in the Lethbridge parade as well.

Two men are dead after a single-vehicle rollover near Conklin.
Wood Buffalo RCMP say the driver of a 2002 Ford 250 Super Duty lost control and rolled the truck on a dirt access road west of Conklin Corner around 8 o'clock last night.
All three male occupants were ejected.
A 23-year old from Edmonton and a 28-year old from Lac La Biche died as a result of their injuries, the third man was airlifted to an Edmonton hospital with serious injuries.

RCMP along with the Collision Reconstruction Analyst continue to investigate.
Next of Kin notification has been complected, however the names of the deceased will not be released, at this time, out of respect for their families.

A masked man got away with an undisclosed amount of cash after an armed robbery in Timberlea last night.

The man walked into the Mac's store on Loutit Road, shortly after midnight, with what appeared to be a hand gun and demanded money.

He is described as a white male, wearing a black mask, a long sleeve black shirt a hood, silver pants and white sneakers.

Police along with the police dog service made patrols of the area, however they were unable to apprehend the man.

If you have any information on this crime call the RCMP at 788-4000.

There are two wildfires burning less than 100 kilometres outside of Fort McMurray.

Lightning sparked a 12 hectare blaze east south east of the city, and a small half-hectare fire north west of here on Tuesday.

The fires are classified as Under Control and Being Held.

The current wildfire hazard in the Waterways District is High.

Troubled oil mogul British Petroleum is paying off costs brought on by the gulf coast oil spill disaster by selling some of its assets to Apache.

Included in the $7 billion deal are properties in Alberta and British Columbia.

But BP is keeping it's stakes in the oilsands, which include a 50 percent stake in the Husky Sunrise Project, and a piece of the Kirby oilsands project owned by Devon Energy.

A Korean state oil company has contracted a billion dollar a year construction firm, to build an oil sand project south of Fort McMurray.

$ 300 million has been award to the GS Engineering & Construction Corporation by Korean National Oil Corp., to build the 10,000 bpd BlackGold Phase 1.

The SAGD development is expected to begin production in late 2012 or early 2013, and will be operated by Harvest Energy Trust.

Korea uses 2.3 million barrels of oil a day, making them the seventh largest oil consumer in the world

Canada's crime rate fell by 3 % last year.

Stats Canada says 2.2 million crimes were reported to police, 43,000 less than in 2008.

Violent crimes, which range in seriousness from harassing phone calls to homicide, accounted for about 1 in 5 crimes in 2009. 

Violent crime in Canada is also declining, but to a lesser extent than overall crime.

While impaired driving offenses rose for the third straight year.

Despite endless efforts, anti-oil sands messages are being heard much outside of Canada.

The Canada West Foundation released a report yesterday that studied a year's worth of media coverage on the oil sands.

Over 4000 stories, an average of 11 a day were collected from media outlets, blogs and environmental and economic websites.

Around 55 per cent of the stories were considered negative, 31 per cent positive and 14 per cent were considered neutral.

The oil sands received significantly more
negative coverage at home than abroad, with only 8.2 per cent of negative stories found in conventional international media.

The study concluded that the general media impression is that the oil sands are environmentally damaging yet essential to the Canadian economy and North American energy security, and of growing interests to energy needs overseas, in short, a necessary evil.

A fatality inquiry into the death of four RCMP officers will start nearly six years after the tragic incident occurred.

The inquiry will begin January 10, 2011 in Stony Plain Court.

The mounties were killed by James Roszko in March of 2005 at his farm near Mayerthorpe, Alberta.

Under the Fatality Inquiries Act, families of the deceased can personally or through counsel cross examine witnesses and present arguments and submissions.

The US ambassador to Canada wants Alberta to clean up the oilsands.

David Jacobsen made the comments Monday at the Pacific Northwest Economic Summit in Calgary.

He says government needs to work with industry to make sure the oilsands is the best it can be environmentally.

Jacobsen says he knows companies have done a lot of work already, but he thinks more can be done.

RCMP and Fire Crews were on scene of a gas leak this afternoon near Save On Foods downtown.

A construction crew hit a four inch gas line and ruptured it.

The Platnium Hotel, Sears, Liquor Depot, Save On Foods, and Rona were all evacuated for a short period of time.

Atco was able to re-route the line and everyone was allowed to return.

There were no injuries reported and crews were only on scene for about an hour.

It could take up to two months for investigators to determine what caused a ride at the Calgary Stampede to break apart.
10 people were hurt, some seriously, when the the Scorpion ride malfunctioned Friday night, sending riders and wreckage flying.

Stampede officials say the ride was inspected earlier that day.
The Alberta Elevating Device and Amusement Rides Safety Association is leading the investigation.

Annual dredging and weed harvesting on the Snye begins today.

The weed harvesting is the first step, then once that is complete a date for the dredging will be determined.

The work is done to make sure the waterway is safe for all users.

Municipal officials expect the work to take approximately two weeks, durng that time Snye Point will be closed to traffic.

RCMP in Okotoks shot and killed a man during a confrontation last night.

At 7:30 p.m. police were called to a residence in the community after an alleged assault where a man struck a teenage male.

When RCMP arrived on the scene they were confronted by an adult male holding a shotgun, which he refused to put down and threatened the members.

Police then withdrew from the immediate scene, established a perimeter and called the Emergency Response Team.

The E.R.T. then attempted to make contact with the male without success.

Then at  2:00 a.m. the male suddenly and quickly exited the residence, gun in hand and was shot by RCMP.

He was treated on the scene and later died in Calgary hospital.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team will investigate the incident.

If you head to Snye Park over the next couple weeks you will see some interesting work being done.

Crews will be out on the water starting tomorrow for the annual dredging and weed harvesting.

The weed harvesting is the first step, then once that is complete a date for the dredging will be determined.

The work is done to make sure the waterway is safe for all users.

Municipal officials expect the work to take approximately two weeks.

Plans to re-align highway 881 between Anzac and Gregoire Lake Provincial Park were revealed to municipal council this week.

Work includes nine kilometres of grade widening, six kilometres of new alignments, and over three kilometres of new service roads.

There is no confirmed start date for the project, however work is not expected to begin for at least three years.

Three levels of government met with local business and industry leaders last night.

A delegation of federal MP's finished their day in Fort McMurray with a reception at the Sawridge, attended by MLA Guy Boutilier, Mayor Melissa Blake and members of council.

The tour, which included MP's from Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, and Ontario was co-hosted by the Oil Sands Developers Group and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

The group of MP's spent the day touring Shell's oil sands mine and Devon's SAGD facility.

Four First Nations are calling on the federal government to stop industrial development in areas where woodland caribou roam.

The groups, which include the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, have called on Ottawa to issue an emergency under the federal Species at Risk Act, protecting the full ranges of woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta.

Woodward and Company LLP, is the First Nations legal representation, and this morning sent a letter to Environment Minister Jim Prentice, giving the government 45 days to prepare an emergency order protecting the region's caribou.

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has rejected an offer to host an all-party emergency oil sands meeting.

Wild Rose Alliance leader Danielle Smith tabled the offer Thursday, saying that on the heels of another misleading and senseless attack on Alberta, the province's politicians should unite.

Smith was hoping the parties could sit down during the Pacific Northwest Economics Region energy summit, which starts Friday.

A trio of 14-year old boys were reported missing by their parents after not returning home from a hike in the woods.

The boys went for a walk around 6:30 last night in the wooded Abasand area and their parents became concerned around 9 o clock after they didn't come back.

Constable Karolina Malik with the Wood Buffalo RCMP says they were able to get a hold of one of the boys on his cell phone, who confirmed they were lost.

Officers found them more than two hours later using GPS on the phone --- they were located, wet and cold but unharmed, hear the hangingstone river.

Police used ATVs and the RCMP Police Dog Service to help track the boys.

Forest fires burning in Northern Saskatchewan may cause health problems for some at risk people in our region.

Alberta Health Services has issued an air quality advisory for Fort McMurray, Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan.

Dr. Chris Sikora says for people with asthma, emphysyma and bronchitis; if air quality is really bad, stay inside, but if problems persist go see your health care professional.

The air quality advisory is on until further notice.

If you see a man in uniform playing street hockey with local kids, it may be the newest member of the Fort McMurray police detachment.

Corporal of Community Policing Adam Schedlosky, has been in town just under a month and has experience in general policing.

He was most recently a school resource officer at the rural detatchment in Red Deer.

Schedlosky says he wants to be out and involved in the community in all capacities.

"We have visions of, instead of having just pilons and shovels in the trunk of our cars, and spike belts; put a hockey stick in the trunk of the car, then that way when you see kids playing road hockey, you stop, you get out, you interact with them," he said.

"It's just kind of a new age thinking, I guess."

He also says he hopes to create the opportunity of having someone meet an officer for the first time, on a positive note.

A delegation of eleven MP's and industry representatives will arrive in Fort McMurray tomorrow.
The Federal Conservative Energy Caucus Summer Energy Seminar, will provide the politicians an in-depth briefing on the economic, energy security and environmental impacts of oil and gas development.

The tour, which also includes representatives from the Alberta government and industry will view Shell mining operations and visit the Devon SAGD site.
Fort McMurray - Athabasca MP Brian Jean is on the list of participants, but Mix News has learned he will not be attending.

Alberta is once again under attack from an American environmental group.

San Francisco-based Corporate Ethics International is rolling out a billboard campaign across four major US cities, Denver, Seattle, Minneapolis and Portland, calling on Americans to rethink visiting Alberta.

The billboards compares the oil sands with the BP Gulf oil spill, and are aimed at revealing the province to be one of the world's dirtiest destinations.

The group is also pairing google ads with key Alberta names and places.

It was the last regional council meeting before summer break last night, and they took care of a few house keeping items.

Council unanimously approved seven debenture borrowing bylaws which will allow the municipality to proceed with work on the previously approved projects.

They also approved some capital budget amendments, which Councillors Vyboh, Germain, Blair and Byron opposed with Germain saying he would like to find a way to discuss the plans without breaching confidentiality.

That confidentiality is in place to protect the tender process

Councillor Mike Allen says the amount the municipality spends on capital projects is already available through the budget.

Where there's smoke, there's not always fire.Smoke and haze has been settling over our city for a couple of days now, but Forestry Information Officer Francesca Klingle told Mix News it's being blown west from a series of wildfires burning in northern Saskatchewan.

"Most of the fires are around 400 kilometers from Fort McMurray so they are not a threat. One of their largest fires is currently 161 thousand hectares."

Klingle says the risk of wildfires around Fort McMurray is currently moderate.

The gap in flights left by Air Mikisew will begin to be filled as of next week.

Fort Smith based Northwestern Air Lease will operate between Fort Chipewyan, Fort McMurray and Fort Smith three days a week, starting on July 19th.

Since Air Mikisew voluntarily surrendered its air operator's certificate to Transport Canada in April, a timeline for when they will fly again has been up in the air.

Right now, McMurray Aviation is the only airline flying in and out of Fort Chip.

A close watch of speeders on highway 63 south of the city has led to a drug bust for Wood Buffalo RCMP.

Police say they pulled over a Pontiac G6 headed northbound on Saturday, about 50 kilometers south of the city and due to evidence of drugs, the male and female inside were arrested immediately.

Police service dog Kerry was then brought in to search the vehicle and found 4.5 pounds of marijuana, and two-grand in cash.

18-year old Marie Bergin from Quebec and 22-year old Karar Jawad from Edmonton were both charged with possession and trafficking.

The pair will appear in court today.

If a new report from the International Energy Agency is correct, the oil sands won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

The Agency says in 2011, the need for global crude oil will increase by 1.6 % to 87.8-million barrels per day.

Developing nations like China are likely to lead the way in demand, while demand from rich developed countries will likely fall by half a percentage point.

Mist and bitumen were sent spewing Saturday, after a well blew out at an oil sands site near Conklin.

The blowout occurred at Devon Canada's Jackfish SAGD site.

Energy Resources Conservation Board spokesman Darin Barter explains says the blowout lasted nearly 36 hours.

ERCB is investigating what caused the blowout and how much oil was released.

No one was hurt, and its unknown how many barrels of bitumen were released, but Barter says it was far less than 200.

A Devon Energy spokesperson says they hope to have the majority of the spill cleaned up by the end of the week.

Details have been released after a fatal collision on highway 881 this morning.

Police say a Pontiac Sunfire was travelling south bound around 4:30 a.m. and was attempting to pass a vehicle when it collided with a north bound Chevrolet Silverado.

Two passengers in the Sunfire were pronounced dead on the scene, while the driver of the car was transported to Edmonton hospital.

The driver of the truck was not seriously injured.

Police say alcohol may have been a factor.

The portion of the highway, just three kilometers east of the highway 63 turn off, remains blocked as Police continue to investigate. Traffic is being rerouted on Stony Mountain Road.

Mix News will keep you updated as the information comes in.

Occupational Health and Safety has given us the update on the incident at Syncrude's Mildred Lake Facility on Friday.

Barrie Harrison told Mix News an unplanned release of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia occurred after a weld failed on an overhead drum.

Harrison said a stop work order was then immediately put into place by OH&S.

No one was hurt as a result of the leak; however, Harrison says two workers were taken to hospital with minor injuries due to the evacuation.

They've since been released.

One man has been killed after a motorcycle crash on Confederation Way, early Sunday morning.

Around 3 a.m. , Police say they were called by a witness who came upon the scene after the collision had happened.

The motorcycle rider was found about one hundred feet from his bike and was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The name of the deceased will not be released as the request of the family, however Police continue to investigate the crash.

If you have any info on this, please call local RCMP at 780-788-4000 or call crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Nearly 10,000 full time jobs were lost in Alberta last month.

Raising the unemployment rate from 6.6 per cent to 6.7 per cent

Youth unemployment remains high, currently 11.7 per cent of Albertans between 15-24 are without work.

Meanwhile, across Canada, 93,000 jobs were added in June, dropping the national unemployment rate to 7.9 per cent.

In a continued effort to green up Wood Buffalo, the municipality has launched a new road repair pilot project.

The Roads Maintenance Branch is utilizing the asphalt pulverizing method on roads in Saprae Creek and Gregoire Lake Estates, where road crews will pulverize existing road surfaces that require repairs, and recycle the deteriorated asphalt in place.

A 47-year old man is dead after police say the Nissan Sentra he was driving crossed the centre line and collided head on with a Diversified bus.

The accident occured Thursday afternoon around 4:00 on Canterra Road, a service road which leads to Shell Albian Sands north of Fort McMurray.

The driver of the bus and one other passenger received non-life threatening injuries.

The name of the deceased has not been released.

To crack down on gang and organized crime activity in and around Fort McMurray, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team has launched a new gang hotline.

Residents with tips on drug trafficking, weapons or anything else suspicious are encouraged to call 780-788-GANG and leave an anonymous message.

"We know there are good citizens in the community who have information to share with police but who may be fearful to do so without some form of anonymity," said Sgt. Irv Heide of CFSEU-Wood Buffalo.We felt it was important and imperative for us to do what we can to encourage those people to come forward. We are hopeful that this hotline will help us with current and future investigations so we can create a safer community for our residents."
Individuals can leave their name and number if they'd like to talk to an officer, all calls will be kept strictly confidential, and the callers identity will be protected.

The Tories are threatening a fall election.

This after opposition senators stripped contentious provisions from the government's massive budget implementation bill.
Conservative campaign Director, Senator Doug Finley said the Harper government is ready to go to an election if they have to.
The entire Senate could vote to overturn the changes made by the Finance committee, but its uncertain if the Tories have the numbers to do so.

Wood Buffalo RCMP have confirmed to Mix News that one person is dead following a collision between a truck and a bus on Canterra Road north of Fort McMurray.

Constable Karolina Malik also said two people on board the bus were injured.

The name or gender of the victim was not released.

Residents of Fort Chipewyan will have to do without Air Mikisew until the airline can meet aviation safety regulations.

Back in April, the airline voluntarily turned over its operators license when Transport Canada became aware and concerned with irregularities in reporting related to its Quality Assurance Program.

On June 28th, Transport Canada inspected the grounded airline again and revealed that the maintenance control system still had deficiencies.

Air Mikisew says they will continue to work toward complying with regulations and will notify Transport Canada when ready for another inspection.

The department says they will continue to work closely with the airline but will not reinstate their Operators Certificate until an inspection verifies full compliance with safety guidelines.

The Alberta Liberals are looking for teammates to topple the Tories.

In newspapers ads in today's Edmonton Journal and Calgary Herald, the Liberals used the line "Let's Talk" in bold letters.

Encouraging cooperation between parties to defeat the Ed Stelmach government in the next provincial election.

Party leader David Swann says people are talking about it and letters have been sent out to various Alberta parties.

He says he hopes to start setting up meetings regarding the issue in the near future.

Swann says a new approach could include a new party with a new name, but that would have to be approved by Liberal party members.

A year-and-a-half long investigation into the oil sands impact on water has been scrapped, and all draft documents destroyed.

Federal politicians from all parties ended the review after an in-camera meeting June 17, 2010.

Matt Price is the Policy Director for Environmental Defence, an independent research group based in Toronto and said, "No one knows much about it, they do this behind closed doors until they release it. They had extensive hearings, they travelled, they spent a lot of tax payers money, a lot of witnesses were called who spent a lot of time making their presentations and preparing them, so it's a shame for everyone who participated in this that there is not going to be a report".

MP's from the NDP and the Liberal parties have vowed to write their own reports, including Linda Duncan who represents the Edmonton-Stratcona riding.

Suncor's June production numbers were nearly on par with its year-to-date output.

As another volunteer fire department has chosen to suspend emergency calls on Highway 63 this week.

Local drivers are left with the realization that immediate help in case of an collision will likely be delayed or could even be non-existent.

As of Monday, Grassland's force called it quits, leaving Plamondon's tiny force to take over the stretch of highway between Marianna Lake and Boyle.

Wood Buffalo MLA Guy Boutilier says this is definitely a cause for concern, "It's very scary for anyone travelling on Highway 63 that responding is obviously a concern. I guess we can only hope that the highway is travelled safely, that's all I can encourage people to do, knowing that there is no immediate emergency help".

Wandering River's volunteer fire department started the trend last month by suspending it's operations; citing an lack of members and heavy workload as the cause.

If you like baseball, football or the Fort McMurray Firefighters...you won't want to miss this event.

Fort McMurray's finest will go head to head with CFL Hall of Famers like Rocco Romano, Herm Harrison and Willie Pless in the Celebrity Slow Pitch Challenge tonight at 7:00.

The event is taking place at the ball diamonds at Mac Island, and tickets can be picked up at the gate.

A portion of the proceeds will stay local and will be donated to the Fort McMurray Firefighters charity fund which supports muscular dystrophy and the centre of hope.

The Celebrity Slow Pitch Challenge has raised over 1.6 million dollars for charities over the past 18 years.

Bring Your Own Bag.

That's the message the Municipality is stressing as implementation of the Single-Use Shopping Bag Bylaw looms.

Effective September 1st, the bylaw will eliminate the distribution of single-use plastic and paper shopping bags within Wood Buffalo.

Municipal spokesman Tyran Ault says there are some exceptions, "Including dine-in, take-out and fastfood restaurants, as well as pharmicies and liquor stores".

A full definition of the bylaw can be found at www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca

A 23 year old Fort Mackay woman is back in court today.

Erin Faichney faces one count of aggravated assault.

Faichney allegedly stabbed her boyfriend in the neck in 2008, and will speak to her charges today in Fort McMurray Provincial Court.

A Wood Buffalo RCMP member was recognized by his peers back on Canada Day.

Constable Kyle Rose received the Commanders Certificate of Appreciation Award; in connection to an incident which happened in the summer of 2008.

A man had been walking in the north bound lanes of the Athabasca River Bridge and stated he was going to kill himself.

The Constable negotiated with the man, and when he climbed over the protective barrier in order to fall to the water, Rose grabbed onto the man, and pulled him back onto the sidewalk.

The award was presented at the Timberlea detachment following the Canada Day parade.

For the first time since the late 80's, professional golf will be played in Fort McMurray.

It was announced today that the Canadian Tour's Syncrude Boreal Open will take place next June at the Fort McMurray Golf Club.

The field will consist of 156 of the top PGA Tour prospects, and could include Stuart Anderson, who began his golf career right here.

The three-time Canadian Tour winner says, "The players that the fans are going to see here in Fort McMurray could be the next Mike Weir," adding "It's going to be exciting golf, I think the Canadian Tour doesn't get the recogniton of the great golf it has, our players are really good".

Syncrude, who has signed on for two years, with the possibility of a third, as the events title sponsor also announced that proceeds from the tournament will be donated to a local charity, benefitting Fort McMurray's youth.

Girls Inc of Northern Alberta is bringing back it's annual golf tournament and fundraiser.

The tournament is being held at Miskanaw Golf Course at Mac Island and is for men and women alike.

All of the money raised will help support programing aimed towards girls aged 6 to 18 in the region hrough Girls Inc of Northern Alberta.

The Golf Tournament is set to take place on Saturday, and will include three chances at hole in one prizes and auction items including a trip to Mexico and a trip for two anywhere Westjet flies.

To sign up, call 780-790-9236 or check out www.girlsincofnorthernalberta.org.

Crooked calls are being made from a Fort McMurray number.

Scam artists are offering a free cell phone as a Bell mobility promotion and proceeding to ask for information, such as social insurance and credit card numbers.

According to Bell Representatives there is currently no such promotion and will only ask for such information upon opening a new account.

They also say Bell representatives identify themselves with employee and contact numbers.

Fort McMurray continues to have the highest rent in Alberta.

The average price for a two bedroom apartment has actually gone down $105 dollars per month but still sits at $2060 dollars per month.

The rent decrease is due to an increase in vacancy rates.

The rate currently sits at 13.2 percent, up from 6.9 percent a year ago.

Those flipping through the Washington Post yesterday morning may have stumbled upon a half-page ad defending the oil sands.
After the paper rejected a letter written by Premier Ed Stelmach intended for the opinion pages, the province shelled out nearly $60, 000 for the ad that appeared on the fourth page of the Post.
The letter starts with "A good neighbor lends you a cup of sugar. A great neighbor supplies you with 1.4 million barrels of oil per day".
It was written in defense of the industry, which came under attack from 50 U.S congressman last week, who are calling for the $12 billion Keystone XL pipeline expansion to be put on hold.
The pipeline would run from Hardisty, Alberta, through Monchy, Saskatchewan before dipping into the American Midwest.

Three more members are needed to fill up the Health Advisory Council for the Wood Buffalo region.

The Councils were established last year to develop partnerships between communities and Alberta Health Services.

The members are expected to provide feedback on the local health care system from theirs and other's experiences...

And identify issues or trends from a local perspective when reviewing quality and safety reports provided by AHS.

Expressions of interest forms need to be completed by Friday and can be found on the AHS website at alberta health services.ca.

An attention seeker spent a few hours in jail this week, after apparently trying to outdo the headline act at the Canada Rocks concert.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say they arrested a man after he stripped down to his underwear and jumped a fence at the Bare Naked Ladies concert on Tuesday.

He was held in custody until sober and released without charges.

Police say more than a dozen arrests were made during the Kim Mitchell show on Wednesday night, most alcohol related.

But did file two drug possession charges.

Alberta's Environment Ministers is downplaying the guilty verdict in the Syncrude dead ducks trial.

Ron Leipert says the case has been overblown and hasn't eroded Alberta's environment reputation internationally.

Leipert made the comments while on a government mission in the middle east.

Several environmental groups are chastizing the minister for the comments including the Pembina Institute who say the incident introduced several people around Canada and the World to the toxic tailing pond issue.

Following charges laid against a Fort McMurray man accused of possessing child porn, now is the time for parents to speak to their children about internet dangers.

36-year old Ryan Davison was arrested last Friday after allegedly receiving nude images of a 15-year old girl he contacted through Facebook, and convincing her to view live web cam videos of him engaged in sexual acts.

Police say Davison posed as an adult female modelling agent.

The website www.protectkids.com suggests placing computers in areas of your home where you can easily supervise your childs online activity, and regularly ask your child about their online friends and activities.

Davison has been released on bail and is scheduled in Fort McMurray court July 12th.

Production at CNRL's Horizon project is humming along.

They revealed that their production in June will be between 116,000 and 118,000 barrels per day.

The oil giant's target at Horizon is generally 110,000 barrels per day.

Last month they only managed 81,000 barrels per day because of scheduled maitenance, which allowed them to increase productivity this month.

According to Alberta's health board there will not be a wage freeze for nurses in the province.

On Wednesday, the United Nurses of Alberta voted on a three year contract, as the head of Alberta Health Services downplayed the suggestion of wage freezes.

Under the new agreement, there will be no wage hike this year, a two percent raise based on productivity in 2012 and a four percent increase in 2013.

Reports say there are three other unions that currently have wage increases up to four percent. 

AHS President Stephen Duckett says the boards 11.2 million dollar budget takes into account wage increases negotiated with other unions.

Improved choice and access for seniors, and reduced wait times in emergency departments highlight Alberta Health Services latest budget.

The 11.2-billion dollar 2010/2011 budget was released Tuesday, committing over 80 million dollars to enhance life for Alberta's aging population, and 50-million for Transformation Improvement Programs, including reduction in emergency department wait times.
Funds have also been set aside to stabilize staffing levels and provide for growth in priority areas.

The review process for the upcoming Enbridge Gateway Oilsands Pipeline is drawing criticism from a well know environmental group.

The Pembina Institute says the review panel for this project, which has three members, should at least be comparable to the MacKenzie Gas Project panel, which had seven members.

Karen Campbell is Staff Counsel for the Institute, and says even with the review panel, the final decision is ultimately the federal governments, and that is generally politically motivated.

The municipality announced the installment of three kiosks in the region.

The Human Resource computer kiosks are located at the Timberlea Landing on Powder Drive, the Jubilee Center and the Fort Chipewyan Municipal Office.

They provide citizens with a tool to search and print municipal postings to better serve the community and will retain the same hours of the building in which they are located.

Job searches can also be done any time by visting the recruitment section of the municipal website at www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca.

The preparations have likely already started for one local man.

Long-time Fort McMurray resident Dave Kirschner officially announced in a press release late last night that he will be looking to hold down a seat on municipal council as a councillor.

The municipal election is slated to be held on October 18th.

Eleven months of speculation was brought to halt last week when Guy Boutilier joined the Wildrose Alliance Party.

Professor of Political Science at Keyano College Dennis Westergaard says that if he gets to be a leading cabinet member that would certainly put Fort McMurray interests higher up on the agenda.

Wildrose Alliance Leader Danielle Smith says that his extensive experience will be a great help to their upstart party.

Total E & P will have their day before the Alberta Energy Resource Conservation Board.

The hearing for their Joslyn North Mine project has been set for September 21st at the Sawridge.

The ERCB is also now requesting applications for interested parties to file submissions for the hearing.

The proposed project once completed will produce 200 thousand barrels per day for the French company.

Volunteer Wood Buffalo is now able to stay active in the community because of 100 thousand dollars in funding from the Municipality.

Executive Director Cassandra Flett says they basically needed the funding to stay alive.

At last Tuesday's council meeting Mayor Blake said the work that Volunteer Wood Buffalo does is vital to the community and she would not be willing to see the group go under.

For more information on Volunteer Wood Buffalo, check out www.volunteerwoodbuffalo.ca

Fort McMurray will officially be split into two new electoral boundaries.

Meaning the RMWB will be represented by two MLA's.

The Fort McMurray - Conklin District will include everyone in the south eastern part of the district, including the southern part of Thickwood Boulevard.

The exception is the lower townsite which will be in the Fort McMurray - Wood Buffalo district along with Timberlea and most of Thickwood.

With four Alberta MLA's now aligned with the Wildrose Alliance, the party's leader says the door is closing on others thinking of crossing the floor.

The upstart party held it's Annual General Meeting this weekend, attracting around 800 members, four times the attendance last year.

Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Guy Boutilier, the newest Wildrose Alliance member introduced party leader Danielle Smith for her keynote speech, and noted comparisons between her, and previous Alberta premiers, "I've watched a modern leader emerge, Danielle has the charm and natural communication abilities of a Ralph Klein, the grasp of policy and intellect that we saw exhibited in Peter Lougheed, and she embodies the spirit of grass roots leadership that we have seen in Alberta before with Preston Manning".

Highlights of the AGM included confirmation that the party has established active associations in each of the current 83 provincial electoral districts, and updated constitution and policies to further build out the party's platform.

The second man charged in connection May 2009 drug bust has been sentenced to jail time.

Bryan Ethier was convicted of possession of property obtained by crime over five thousand dollars and possession of a prohibited weapon.

For each count Ethier received a six month jail sentence.

He did however get numerous charges against him dropped including possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

20 year old Zekaria Abdi was charged along with Ethier and received a year in jail for possession for the purpose of trafficking back in March.

A 46 year old Red Deer man is dead and a 24 year old Didsbury man has been charged with criminal negligence causing death.

On Friday RCMP received a call about a man on township road 674, 30 kilometres north of Boyle.

After some investigation they found the incident was directly involved with an impaired driver investigation earlier that morning in the same area.

They were then able to confirm that the accused in that case and the deceased were known to each other and worked for the same business near Grassland.

Along with the criminal negligence causing death charge, the accused will also face charged of failing to remain at the scene of an accident, impaired care and control of a motor vehicle and failing to provide a breath sample.

He remains in custody pending his first court appearance in Boyle July 13th

South Asian culture will be put on display tomorrow night at MacDonald Island Park.

The South Asian Canadian Music Festival will be held in the field house, complete with authentic South Asian music, food and dancing.

The festival is open to all ages.  For tickets, call 780-880-1604 or pick them up at Import Connection.

Syncrude has been found guilty on both the federal and provincial charges facing them.

The case will be put over for sentencing, possibly until August 20th, where legal arguments will take place to determine whether convictions should be entered on both counts because the charges are similar in nature.

They could be facing as much as an 800 thousand dollar fine.

There's been talk about it for months -- but it's now been confirmed that Wood Buffalo's MLA will be joining forces with the Wildrose Alliance.

Party Leader Danielle Smith announced last night on her Twitter Account that Guy Boutilier will be joining her team.

The move comes right in time for the party's Annual General Meeting in Red Deer this weekend.

It has long been rumoured that this would happen; dating back 11 months to when Premier Ed Stelmach booted Boutilier from his caucus.

The case of an oil sands giant, 16-hundred dead ducks and two levels of government will finally come to a close today.

The judge in the case of the Syncrude Duck Trial is expected to deliver his verdict this afternoon.

Back in May, Defence lawyer Robert White delivered his closing arguments, stating again that the deaths of the ducks; more than two years ago, was a mistake and not a crime.

Syncrude has pleaded not guilty to both provincial and federal charges.

Mix 103.7's Leithan Slade will be reporting from the hearing today. Mix News will give you up to the minute coverage as it happens.

A dispute with a builder and Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation has ended up costing a local man thousands of dollars.

Rick Haney says he lived in his home for three years and then couldn't come up with an occupancy certificate due to a dispute with his builder and privacy legislation.

He was then forced to pay back a 30 thousand dollar vendor lien to Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation.

Haney says discussion with them were not pleasant.

Council has pledged to discuss the issue with adminstration, Mr. Haney and Wood Buffalo Housing.

What started off as notice of motion to look into the benefits of a truck stop, ended up with council sending a letter to the provincial government in support of the development of a truck stop outside the request for proposal process.

Councillor Sharon Clarkson voted against this motion saying this is a business owner lobbying specific a council member.

Clarkson is also concerned that this set a precedent for any business owner that is having problems with the province to come to council through a notice of motion.

She adds that the Municipality doesn't like like the province telling them how to do their business, why should the municipality do that to the province.

Councillor John Vyboh brought the original notice of motion forward and says he was simply listening to the concerns of residents and he says this certainly isn't someone lobbying him.

Regional Council finally gave approval for a consortium of religious groups to go ahead with a massive project.

They passed a land use bylaw amendment to allow for a segment of land along Thickwood Boulevard to be used to build three religious facilities and a long term care centre.

The McMurray Gospel Assembly, the Roman Catholic Church and Islamic Society will build facilities on the land.

The group has been working together on this project for four years.

A community-wide reunion is planned for past residents of Fort McMurray.

Events Wood Buffalo, Fort McMurray Tourism and Wood Buffalo Big Spirit unveiled their shared vision of Homecoming 2012, at Tuesday's council meeting.

Executive Director of Events Wood Buffalo Claude Giroux says it would be nice for previous residents to see how far the city has come.

Activities for the four-day event include concerts, fireworks and tours.

Jazz Air and pilot negotiations have not resulted in a new agreement.

Precautions are being taken, however, in case there is a strike.

Labour Minister Lisa Riatt has given a notice of intent to introduce a legislation that would allow an intervention by the federal government.

Riatt expressed that a strike could inconvenience businesses and shake the countries fragile economy.

Over 15 hundred pilots have been without a contract, since the previous one expired at the end of June, 2009.

The never ending story within municipal politics since 2007 seems to be what to do with the former home of The Brick on Franklin Avenue.

The municipality holds the lease on this property.

Last night council defeated a motion, by a 5-5 vote, that would have seen the building be renovated to accomodate municipal employees in the short term.

Councillor John Vyboh voted against the motion, and said that he would like to see the municipality look to the non profit sector.

Mayor Melissa Blake disagreed, saying that even if a non profit group is in their, the municipality is still on the hook for the renovations and the lease.

The lease is costing the municipality 30-thousand dollars a month.

A consultation was held to get feedback from the public on the recommended establishment of an Alberta Health Act.

MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford Fred Horn says the Alberta Health Act is an overarching piece of legislation that contains principals as well as a patient charter; to set out what people can expect from the health system.

About 40 people participated in the discussion.

If you would like to give your feedback visit www.yourhealthact.alberta.ca.

The Wood Buffalo Crime Prevention and Reduction Plan has been given a financial boost from the province.

The plan aims to create safer public spaces by offering design strategies that will reduce crime and the perception of crime in the community.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Alison Redford paid a visit to the region to make the announcement yesterday.

75-thousand dollars will be put into the project through Alberta's Safe Community Innovation Fund.

The concept of a school with in a school is being explored by the Fort McMurray Public School Board.

Due to a decrease in the number of students at Greely Road School and the increase of students in Fort McMurray's Islamic School, the board is considering Greely Road sharing some of the extra space.

Greely Road's student body has decreased from 470 students to just 230, while the local Islamic School has grown from a little more than 30 students four years ago, to more than 200 by September.

Two scientists got the apology they were looking for after having defamatory statements made about their work.

Preston McEachern, the Head of Oil Sands Research for Alberta Environment apologized in a letter to scientists Kevin Timoney and Peter Lee, after making a formal presentation of the University of Alberta where he allegedly said the pair had lied in their research and used data selectively.

The duo had published a paper last fall which said there was evidence that oil sands projects pollute the environment.

Some residents may have noticed an oversized bug in the region.

They are found throughout the world, but here in town we have come to know them as tar sand beetles.

Turns out, they are also known as sawyer beetles.

Jerry Hilchia Jerald is an Entomology Professor at the University of Alberta and says they only eat trees that have been recently cut down.

Other than biting, they pose no real threat to residents.

There could soon be a definative answer to the question of whether or not toxins are leaking from tailings ponds into the Athabasca River.

Environment Canada has a new million dollar machine that can tell whether the fingerprint of  water from the Athabasca River matches natural oilsands deposits or if it matches specific tailings ponds.

Industry official have already submitted some samples.

A productive day for RCMP yesterday.

Police netted seventeen speeders in just two hours yesterday in a construction area on Highway 63 by Stony Mountain Road.

The constrution zone speed limit was 50 kilometres an hour, the highest speed limit caught was 60 kilometres an hour over the limit.

RCMP are encouraging motorists to obey construction zone speed limits even it appears no activity.

Fines for speeding in a construction zone are doubled.

A home in a townhouse complex in Abasand was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday.

The fire occured around 2 in the afternoon.

Fire crews responded with an engine, ladder truck, two ambulances, and two rescue trucks and when they arrived flames were coming through the roof.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze.

No injuries were reported.

A group that empower youth to be actively engaged citizens took the time to cover up graffiti around Borealis Park over the weekend.

The Mayor's Advisory Council on Youth, or MACOY, in conjunction with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo painted an image of the ocean over unattractive graffiti on the Bob Lamb bandstand.

MACOY member Luke Maddaford says the group is looking for recruits for next year as many of the students are moving on to university in other cities.

If you would like to learn more or sign up visit check out www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca or call Norma McDonald at 780- 743-7917.

Volunteer Wood Buffalo is bringing back a summer program focused on youth in the region.

The SAY program, which stands for Socially Active Youth, is starting next month in it's second year.

Program Coordinator Sangram Hansra told Mix News issues like poverty, diversity, culture, the arts and environment will be covered.

The program is for youth ages 11 to 17; for more info give them a call at 780-791-9333 or check them out online at www.volunteerwoodbuffalo.ca.

In spite of a decrease in provincial funding, Alberta's Education Minister is urging school boards not to cut teachers to balance their budgets.

We talked with Public Board Chair Jeff Thompson after their meeting last month, a meeting in which they passed a deficit budget.

"We're using, pretty much all of our reserves and when you find yourself in that kind of situation and you know the problem is from the province at this point we don't know weather we are going to be able to help you next year. That's pretty disappointing. So, it's a difficult thing to do."

Thompson says they need an increase in grant funding or staff cuts could be a reality.

A man who was sentenced to two years in prison for a real estate scam in Fort McMurray in 2007 is in trouble again.

Christian Richardson was arrested in BC this week on Canada wide warrants alleging he bilked two people out of money in Calgary.

You may remember back in 2005 and 2006, Richardson was sentenced for fraud in our city after writing one million dollars in bad cheques on real estate transactions.

Richardson is allegedly also under investigation in Vancouver's affluent North Shore community.  

Residents throughout the region will be celebrating with those living in Fort McKay this weekend.

Treaty Days kicked off Thursday, and Friday's activities include a petting zoo, a barbeque, a dunk tank and tug of war.

Friday night, some local performances along with Colin James and Tom Cochrane with Red Ryder will hit the stage starting at 6 o clock.

More activites carry throughout the weekend including a pancake breakfast, a kids carnival, and a baseball tournament.

The entire weekend is free to the public; for more information, check out their website at www.fortmckay.com

The Wood Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame inducted their fourth class last night.

Inducted were Olympic Swimmer Jennifer Button, hockey builder Frank Lacroix, cross country coach Gerry Breneman and the 1995-96 L. Robert Enterprises Peewee AA Oil Barons who won the Quebec International Hockey Tournament.

Current Phoenix Coyote Scottie Upshall was a member of that squad and says it ranks right up there with other accomplishments in his hockey career.

"A lot of guys that play in the NHL still tell stories about old teams they played on and for some reason the Quebec tournament always gets brought up".

Upshall was also a member of the 2000 Fort McMurray Oil Barons who were in the inagural class of the hall of fame.

Conditional approval to clean up tailings ponds has been given to Suncor Energy.

The Energy Resources Conservation Board says Suncor plans to reduce fluid tailings by 33-million cubic meters and will operate five fewer tailings ponds.

The oil sands giant will, however, operate with four of it's existing ponds,the first to be decomissioned by 2017, and the last in the year 2035.

Tailings plans from Albian Sands, Shell Canada, Imperial Oil and CNRL are currently being reviewed.

Back in April, Syncrude and the Fort Hills Project were also given conditional approval from the ERCB.

The longest day of the year is being celebrated in style this evening at Keyano College.

Summer Solstice Picnic in the Park is being held tonight from 4:00 until 9:00 pm with a free barbeque on the corner of Franklin and King Street.

Interactive band, the Dino Martinis - based out of Calgary - will be performing at the tenth annual event.

Vancouver Aquarium's AquaVan is making it's first visit to the region and will be at Keyano as well.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are looking for a missing man.

49-year old Abdullahi Mohamed Hussein was reported missing by his employer on Tuesday, after not showing up for work for two days.

Hussein was last seen on the morning of June 12, leaving the Misty River Open Camp on Highway 69 in a white vehicle.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hussein is asked to call police, at 780-788-4000.

Calgary bases Southern Pacific is nearly ready to begin construction of their 430 million dollar SAGD MacKay Project.

The site is north of Fort McMurray and they hope to have it operational by mid 2012.

Once up and running, the operation should produce 12 thousand barrels per day.

It has been a busy few weeks for the junior player as they also bought out Bounty Developments 20 percent share and hired former Suncor Firebag manager Ron Clarke as their Chief Operating Officer.

Almost from the point he was kicked out of the Conservative caucus, Fort McMurray MLA Guy Boutilier has had rumours regarding a move to the Wildrose Alliance surrounding him.

Speculation has heated up to its highest point this week with various insiders in provincial political scene saying a move could be imminent.

Wildrose MLA Rob Anderson says it is up to Boutilier to decide if he comes to the upstart party or not, but every Wildrose MLA and Leader Danielle Smith consider him to be one of the best MLA's in the province.

Property taxes are due by the end of the month.

The municipality is encouraging residents to pay on time so they can proceed with capital projects, as well as carry on with their day to day business.

Director of assessment and taxation with the RMWB Henk van Waas says there is also a 2 % penalty for late payments.

Not only are municipal taxes collected by the end of the month, the seniors and education requisitions from the province are also included in your tax assessment and collected by the municipality.

Anyone interested in coastal creatures will be given the opportunity to learn more, while interacting with living marine life.

Thanks to Vancouver Aquarium, AquaVan will be paying a visit to Fort McMurray on Friday.

AquaVan will be setting up shop at Keyano College from 4 to 9 on Friday.

Those who come out can explore the aquatic classroom and will be given the opportunity to hold starfishes and hermit crabs.

AquaVan is designed to provide interactive educational activities.

It will also be at Greely Road School on Monday from 8 until 9:30.

Construction work taking place downtown is taking a bit longer than expected.

The city has been replacing underground water services on Manning Avenue from Hospital Street to King Street.

The wrap up date for construction has been pushed from June 16th to the 25th.

Another step closer to a new long term care facility in Fort McMurray.
The province announced today that they are looking for applications to build, operate and manage a new 100 bed seniors facility.
The deadline for companies to submit an expression of interest is July 19th.

The government expects to open the facility within two years.

A second lightning caused wildfire is burning outside Fort McMurray.

The blaze was sparked yesterday afternoon and is burning less than one-hectare, 67 kilometres north east of the city.

Meanwhile, crews continue to battle a bigger 14-hectare fire over 100 kilometres from Fort McMurray.

Both fires are classified as under control.

Senior executives from Canada's oil and gas industry will be showing off their companies to investors this week.

As the 21st Annual Oil and Gas Investment Symposium started Monday in Calgary.

Nearly 300 oil and gas analysts and investment bankers from across the globe will meet with senior executives from nearly 60 companies , to get a better idea of where billions of dollars will be invested in Canada's oil and gas industry.
Representatives from oil sands companies including Syncrude, Suncor and CNRL are in attendance.

Alberta Health Services is encouraging the public to have their blood pressure checked.

June marks Stroke Awareness Month, and high blood pressure is the leading cause of strokes, and affects one in five Canadians.
With proper diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure, you can cut your risk of stroke by up to 40%, so AHS recommends you have yours checked at least once every two years.

Anyone with travel plans need not fret, just yet.

Jazz Air pilots are still in talks with the airline, negotiating conditions and salary improvements.

They were set to go on strike as early as this Wednesday, but have yet to give the required 72-hours notice before walking off the job.

Fort McMurray Airport C.E.O. Scott Clements says he has talked to a Jazz Air Spokesperson...

"He advised that the bargaining parties are locked into a hotel room and have been for about 4 days and they continue, obviously, to pursue the bargaining process and hopefully that will end up with happy news before the 16th."

The airline is responsible for about 38% of local flights.

A woman, who at one time was charged under the Animal Protection Act here in Fort McMurray, is now facing similar charges in Saskatchewan.

April Irving was the owner/operator of "Doggy Daycare" on Draper Road; however the local SPCA seized 40 animals back in June 2007.

Irving is now charged in Saskatchewan after 80 animals were seized from her home near Foam Lake.

RCMP and SPCA officials there allege that the animals were not receiving adequate care.

Tragedy has resulted from that house fire Friday afternoon on Beacon Hill Place.

RCMP say a woman died from injuries suffered in the blaze.

The woman's name and age has not been revealed, nor has the cause of the blaze however police do say it was accidental.

Police continue to investigate.

A Thursday morning drug bust in a downtown Fort McMurray home has netted police three people and taken some drugs off the streets..

The two men and one women were taken into custody after the home they were in was searched by RCMP and ALERT team members.

They seized 183 grams of crack cocaine, some marijuana, brass knuckles, and handgun ammunition.

For the second week in a row, no one won the 50 million dollar lotto max jackpot.

That means that next week the 50 million will still be up for grabs and there will be 45 additional one million dollar draws.

It will be the largest single week lotto payout in Canadian history.

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a house fire in Beacon Hill.
Smoke and flames can be seen from Highway 63 and vehicles have stopped on the side of the road to get a look.
Beacon Hill Drive has been completely blocked off near the residence.

There is no word yet on any possible injuries, or what caused the blaze.
Mix News will keep you updated as additional information comes in.

Communicating better and prioritizing their efforts.

Municipal council have established a governance standing committee made up of four members of council which will bring recommendations back to the committee of the whole.

Councillor Sheldon Germain brought the idea forward but says it is frustrating that it took so long to come to fruition.

Germain, Mayor Blake and Councillors Mike Allen and Sonny Flett will make up the committee.

A group has been brought in from Montreal to preform comedic scenes and circus arts as part as the first annual June Bug Fest.

Burletta will preform 3 acts over Saturday and Sunday.

This evening there will be a milk and cookies gala from 5:30 to 8, that will include a fashion show as well as a live and silent auction.

Mix 103.7's Amanda Purcell will be the host for the fashion show.

The June Bug Festival will run on Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and again on Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.macdonaldisland.ca

RBC economics is forecasting a bounce back year for Alberta's economy.

The Royal Bank's latest economic output projects a 3.1 per cent growth this year and 4.2 per cent next year.

The report also says increased investment and activity in the oil sands should go a long way towards boosting non-residential investments in Alberta.

Municipal administration is going to investigate their on street parking bylaw and their communication strategy for street maitenance after a presentation by a concerned citizen.

Jennifer Dahl told council that her vehicle was towed on the May Long Weekend and she had no idea that street maitenance was happening.

Councillor Phil Meagher called Dahl getting a ticket and towed blatently unfair.

Dahl says she would ultimately like to see a week's notice in advance of street maitenance.

A town in Washington has joined the fight against the oil sands.

Bellingham city councillors have voted unamiously in favour of a motion calling on the city "to identify ways to shift operations and consumption away from fossil fuelled transportation, and specifically high-carbon based Canadian tar sands ."

Bellingham is located within Whatcom County, home to two oil refineries.

15 per cent of the total crude that is delivered to the refineries comes from Canada, some of that from the oil sands.

Oil sands output is expected to more than double by 2025.

A new crude oil report released today by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, predicts production will grow from 1.3 million barrels per day in 2009, to about 3.5 million bpd in 2025.

It also points out that of the 135 billion barrels of remaining established reserves in Alberta, 80% is considered recoverable by in situ methods. 

The Municipality ammended their roads and transportation bylaw last night.

A portion of the bylaw was ammended to make flashing lights and stop arms mandatory on school buses.

Motorists also have to obey the stop arms and flashing lights, the fine for non-complience is five hundred dollars.

The bylaw amendment also sees the speed limit on MacKenzie Boulevard reduced from 70 kilometres per hour to 50. 

Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP Brian Jean is promoting the oil sands to Ottawa.

In a statement to all Members of Parliament, Jean explained how Northern Alberta is a major contributor to Canada's economy.

And that instead of criticizing its existence, people should start learning about the scope of the oilsands operations and recognizing the region's importance to the country as a whole.

Jean went on to explain how our region makes up six per cent of Canada's GDP and creates over 250,000 jobs across the country.

A couple of notices of motions were brought forward by two councillors last night.

Councillor John Vyboh wants administration to be directed to review the development and community benefit of a truck stop and staging area south of Fort McMurray.

According to Vyboh the project is by a private developer and has been in the discussion stage for four years or so.

Councillor Sheldon Germain also presented what amounted to approximately nine notices of motion.

One of the highlights of which was a request to reopen the budget as an agenda item for a council meeting in June and go over line items for more detail from administration.

Both of these notices of motion are likely going to be dealt with at the next council meeting.

17 of 21 Greenpeace activists arrested on September 30th of last year after protesting and trespassing at Suncor were sentenced today.

The 17 people, most of which reside outside the province or even the country, received between a one thousand and two thousand dollar fine.

Four of the people had charges against them dropped.

Those may just be the beginning of their problems however as Suncor is suing Greenpeace for disrupting production.

The oilsands giant is seeking 1.5 million dollars.

A busy afternoon on the docket at Fort McMurray Provincial Court.

First off three men charged after a drug bust in January will appear in Provincial Court Today

Abdinasir Dirie, the man found dead in April in a downtown apartment, was also charged in relation to that case.

Also appearing is Paul Moses who was charged with 11 other people in a huge undercover drug bust.

As well three men charged last week will be making their first appearances.

23 year old Mohamed Ahmed is facing drug and firearm charges and 24 year old Feisal Yasir Ali is facing firearm charges.

48 year old Ivan Gary Harris will also be appearing, he was allegedly found with 70 tablets of Oxycontin and is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

A contracting company has doubled a reward offered to to anyone who can help solve a series of attacks on its employees.

Compass Group Canada is now offering 100-thousand dollars in hopes of catching a man who attacked three employees in Fort McMurray.

The federal government has voted to conduct a thorough review and revision surrounding development of unconventional sources of oil and gas.

A motion, tabled by Edmonton-Stratcona MP Linda Duncan passed unanimously last week, it calls for the government to look into all relevant laws, regulations and policies regarding unconventional sources of oil and gas, including oil sands.

Fort McMurray - Athabasca MP Brian Jean.

"I think it compliments what the Federal Government is doing in relation to current exploration in oil and gas regulations and policies across Canada. But let's be clear, we are all shocked, I think and horrified by what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico, I mean it's an ecological disaster and we want to make sure that, that does not happen in Canada."

Jean also says the Gulf Coast disaster shows how safe oil sands development is, compared to off shore drilling.

During the last seven days some residents have been working hard to make Fort McMurray a cleaner place to live.

Volunteers and city workers wrapped up Environment Week with a barbecue at Borealis Park after cleaning up Clearwater River, yesterday.

Beautification Coordinator for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Kiran Puga says this year's event tops last years...

"We were working with a lot more groups and a lot more organizations and we had a lot more events on our calendar, so it was really great."

Actions taken during Environment Week included the cleaning of Tower Road and Highway 63 as well as the Household Hazardous Waste and E-waste Round-up.

Despite a little rain, the Keyano Foundation's First North Catering Annual Golf Classic pulled in 248 participants yesterday.

In keeping with the tournaments Tool Time theme, golfers came face to face with college's departments as they made their way through the course.

Annual Giving Manager Melane LeBlanc says the theme of the tournament is fitting....

"We provide tools and it could be tools of trade, tools of learning, tools of skills. Everything from nursing, sports, the heavy hauler truck program. We have everything at Keyano and we wanted to showcase our tools to the community ."

Participants also got a chance to win prizes that ranged from dinner for 10 at the Sawridge Inn to a trip to a trip to British Columbia on a private jet, thanks to the event's 73 sponsors.

An exhausting workload has forced the Wandering River volunteer fire department to suspend its services.

Acting Fire Chief Sheri Johnson made the call yesterday, leaving the hamlet, around 200 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, without fire or emergency response services.

The seven volunteers had been working around the clock covering both Wandering River and a 128-kilometre stretch of Highway 63, where they were often first on the scene of accidents.

For now the Grassland volunteer fire department will take over the Wandering River area.

An exhausting workload has forced the Wandering River volunteer fire department to suspend its services.

Acting Fire Chief Sheri Johnson made the call yesterday, leaving the hamlet, around 200 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, without fire or emergency response services.

The seven volunteers had been working around the clock covering both Wandering River and a 128-kilometre stretch of Highway 63, where they were often first on the scene of accidents.

For now the Grassland volunteer fire department will take over the Wandering River area.

An exhausting workload has forced the Wandering River volunteer fire department to suspend its services.

Acting Fire Chief Sheri Johnson made the call yesterday, leaving the hamlet, around 200 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, without fire or emergency response services.

The seven volunteers had been working around the clock covering both Wandering River and a 128-kilometre stretch of Highway 63, where they were often first on the scene of accidents.

For now the Grassland volunteer fire department will take over the Wandering River area.

For nearly the next four months, motorists will experience minor traffic disruptions from the Athabasca Bridge to Thickwood Boulevard.

Alberta Transportation says from Thursday until September 30th, northbound traffic will be detoured using temporary lanes as work continues on the Confederation Way and Thickwood Boulevard interchanges.

At a cost of nearly 75 million dollars, work on the second phase of the interchanges is scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2012.

YMCA Youth Connections is hosting a Career and Summer Job Fair today.

The event is being held at their location on Tundra Drive from noon until 5 o clock and is geared towards kids in Grades 7 to 12.

Many local businesses will be there to conduct interviews on the spot and accept applications for both paid and volunteer positions.

Prizes will be available for attendees such as Barenaked Ladies tickets sponsored by Quality Dewatering.

For more information, give them a call at 780-791-7520.

Suncor's May production figures are out.

The Federal Government is upping their committment to First Nations communities across the country.

The Feds have announced Bill S-11, also called the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act, along with a two-year extension of the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan.

The plan aims to provide First Nation communities with drinking water and wastewater standards comparable to those in areas off reserve.

Drugs and a loaded hand gun were seized in a police raid Thursday morning.

Wood Buffalo RCMP along with the Edmonton K Division Emergency Response Team executed search warrants at an apartment on Alberta Drive and a Chevy Malibu.

Police say they seized 280 grams of cocaine and a 9 millimetre.

The investigation continues and police have not released the name of the individuals arrested, or what charges have been laid.

A 25-year old Fort McMurray man is dead after apparently driving straight into the back of a tractor trailer.

Police say the victim hit the semi while it was parked at a road side turnoff on Highway 881, just south of Conklin Wednesday night.

The driver of the tractor trailer was not seriously injured.

The name of the deceased has not been released.

Ecole Dickensfield held a celebration to honor the infants that took part in their Roots of Empathy Program, Wednesday.

Children learned about empathy and citizenship by observing the infants development.

ROE Provincial Manager Sandy Vigrass says the program has extended across the map in all provinces except Saskatchewan, and the program has reached about 700 children in 25 classrooms across the region.

24 infants and their parents were involved with the Roots of Empathy program at Ecole Dickensfield, including Mayor Melissa Blake and her son Jason.

The oil sands industry must undergo significant hiring to replace workers that will soon retire.

That's according to a new report released by the Calgary-based Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada.

The council forecasts that the oil and gas industry needs 100-thousand new employees over the next decade, to support industry activity and replace retiring workers, 13-thousand workers alone will be needed for new oil sands projects.

The report also says the three factors posing significant threats to oil sands industry attracting workers, are the geographic location of developments, the high cost of living in Fort McMurray, and the perceived negative image of the industry.

Fort McMurray's United Way is the most successful in Canada, and last night they thanked their partners.

They handed out their Community Building Awards.

Executive Director Dianne Shannon says it is great to give back to those who supported them.

Last year the Fort McMurray United Way raised over five million dollars.

The Keyano College Foundation is launching the Huskies Athletics Endowment during their Golf Tournament this Saturday.

This year the foundation's fundraising goal is half a million dollars and Fort McMurray's Reality Kings have already stepped forward and donated $50,000.

When the goal is reached it will provide about 25 thousand dollars in annual awards to student athletes.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Keyano Huskies athletics.

A 2.2 percent decrease in housing prices in 2011 is being forecast by the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Fort McMurray Real Estate Board President Colin Hartigan says we are not completely insulated from these types of fluctuations, however the market remains strong now.

Hartigan says locally Fort McMurray is in a real estate bubble because of the economic status of the oilsands.

Officials with Air Mikisew say Transport Canada has ordered them to cease all operations.

In late April the airline was told to ground all of it's planes, when Transport became aware and concerned with irregularities in reporting related to Air Mikisew's Quality Assurance Program.

The company did however work with a charter to continue service, up until yesterday.

Mikisew Group of Companies COO Dale Monaghan says all Air Mikisew management is working on rectifying the issue, but can't say when planes will be back in the air.

Fort McMurray is already a hotbed for mining oilsands, but it could soon be known for also mining metal.

DNI Metals says there are metal deposits in the Birch Mountains, 100 kilometers north of the city.

President and CEO Shahe Sabag says a lot of work has already gone into the discovery including numerous tests.

The type of metals contained in the mineralized shale which exists are nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, uranium, gold and silver.

More underground work is being done downtown.

The intersection at Hospital Street and Manning Avenue will be closed from June 1 to June 16, accesses to all businesses will be maintained.

Cornwall Drive will be closed at the intersection of Thickwood Boulevard from June 2 to June 16.

Through traffic on Thickwood Boulevard will be maintained.

Sections of Manning Avenue and Cornwall Drive will be closed starting next week until the June 16.

Manning will be closed at the intersection of Hospital Street.

Cornwall Drive will be closed at the intersection of Thickwood Boulevard.

Drivers are being asked to follow detours and used alternate routes until the roads are re-opened.

CNRL says a planned maintenance outage at its Horizon project will result in lower production.

Canada's largest independent oil explorer expects production of between 75,000 and 80,000 barrels per day in May, down from 101,000 barrels in April.

CNRL is targeting production of between 90,000 and 105.000 bpd for the year.

Three people charged in one of the longest drug investigations in Fort McMurray history will be in court in Edmonton today.

Jeffrey Caines, who's last trial ended in a mistrial in April, is back in court to face three charges including trafficking a controlled substance.

In court with him are two members of the Hells Angels, who, as it was revealed in Caines' last trial, were paid $20,000 a week by him for protection and to ensure he was the only distributor in the region.

Caines last trial ended in a mistrial because there was some evidence which was destroyed and wiretap calls were improperly seized.

While one regional councillor has already announced his candidacy for mayor, the current mayor won't be so quick in her decision.

Mayor Melissa Blake told Mix News her decision likely won't come until later this summer.

Blake is currently serving her second term as Mayor.

Councillor John Vyboh recently announced he's seeking her chair.

The magic of 2000 won't be experienced again in 2012.

As Fort McMurray has lost its bid to host the Royal Bank Cup in two years.

Our city was one of four finalists to host the national Junior A hockey championship, along with Port Alberni, B.C and Kingston, Ontario.

10 years ago the Oil Barons hosted and won the tournament.

Whether you ride your bike to work, or start a compost, your action counts.

May 29th thru June 6th marks Environment Week across the Wood Buffalo Region.

Fort McMurray - Athabasca MP Brian Jean has announced over $40-thousand in funding for Celebrate Canada festivities.

Celebrate Canada runs from June 21st to July 1st, beginning with National Aboriginal Day, and ending with Canada Day.

As part of the funding, the RMWB will receive 10-thousand dollars, three-thousand will go to both the Fort McMurray Historical Society and the Mikisew Cree First Nation.

The search is officially on for a new Keyano College president.

Current president Jim Foote recently announced he will be leaving the school next summer.

Keyano Board of Governors Public Member John Rhind, presented the plan to launch the search for a new president at Wednesday's board meeting.

The board has hired Davies Park, executive search consultants to lead the search.

An email survey will also be sent out to Keyano staff to gain feedback.

Syncrude has donated over $2 million dollars to health care in Fort McMurray.

At the company's community reception last night, outgoing President and CEO Tom Katinas announced $150,000 will be given to the Alberta Cancer Foundation to establish a local nurse navigator, to help guide new cancer patients through treatment.

Syncrude has also committed to providing the Northern Lights Health Foundation with $2 million over five years, the majority of which will go towards women's health.

With some of the money earmarked for the hospital's maternity ward.

Local motorists now have additional access to the lower townsite.

As the $10 million Hangingstone River Bridge officially opened to traffic today.

The bridge in located off the King Street Traffic Circle and provides an alternate route into the lower townsite via the East Loop Road.

Some convictions in a drug case from last year.

On March 3rd, 2009 police executed a search warrant in Timberlea. Three people were arrested and two of them have had their cases spoken to.

Chad Ackerman was convicted on two counts of possession and received eight months in jail.

Kevin White was also in court and he will appear for sentencing on August 24th.

Kathryn Thomas was also picked up in the bust and will also appear on August 24th to speak to her charges.

The Rotary Club of Fort McMurray brought their plans before Council for an update earlier this week.

They have the land and they have also contacted designer Les Furber who has designed Predator Ridge in Kelowna and Silvertip in Canmore.

Chairman of the Lease Planning Committee Byron Bailey hopes golf could commence on the course as early as 2014.

The Rotary still has to get a formal development permit from Council, which they anticipate to apply for this summer.

A night long on debate, but short on solutions.

Regional Council met for five and a half hours Tuesday night.

They had to table a couple of bylaws until the next council meeting including one that would see flashing lights on all school buses in the coming school year.

They did pass a three land use bylaw amendments however.

One for Parsons Creek which will see work begin on the north end of that subdivision.

The other allows for the potential for an RV Campground along highway 69, and the final land use bylaw is for the Stonecreek subdivision, which will see a change in lot size there to allow for more affordibility.

The discovery of mould has kept students and staff out of the Athabasca Delta Community School in Fort Chipewyan.

Although local seniors probably won't believe it until they see it.

Work on a long term care facility could begin early next year.

Speaking after a Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports, said a grant is in place, now the province just needs a partner.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are on the hunt for a 25-year old man after a serious assault in Conklin.

Police say a 24-year old man was transported to the Fort McMurray hospital with serious head and upper body injuries and later airlifted to an Edmonton Hospital - he has since been discharged.

43-year old Neil Guidry and 50-year old Donald Thom have been arrested and charged with one count each of aggravated assault and forcible confinement.

An arrest warrant has also been issued for a third male in relation to the assault.

Police are looking for Damion Troy Quintal from Fort McMurray. He is described as a Metis male, with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 foot 9 inches tall and 210 pounds.

He is also wanted on one count of aggravated assault and forcible confinement.

If you have any information that could lead to the discovery of Damion Troy Quintal, call police at 780-788-4000 or call crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Engine trouble forced the emergency landing of a plane carrying oil sands workers from St. John's to Fort McMurray today.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was held today for the Municipality's new wastewater treatment facility.

The facility was announced back in 2006 when the former plant was reaching its 62 thousand population capacity.

The province did contribute to this facility through a 136 million dollar interest free loan and a 100 million dollar grant from the minstry of transportation.

Six tory cabinet ministers who are on a tour of the city were on hand for the cutting.

The new facilty will serve Fort McMurray to a capacity of 133 thousand people.

Additional twinning of Highway 63 was announced today.

The province says 18 kilometres of grading, at a cost of 17.8 million dollars is scheduled to be completed by fall 2011.

Only 10 kilometres of work is underway, as the remaining area falls under the local Caribou Protection Zone, and work has been suspended in that area until July 15th due to calving season.

Her family said she asked for a cigarette and it cost her her life.

The woman shot and killed at the Stadium LRT Station in Edmonton Friday was a mother of two.

She is being identified by family as 23 year old Heather Rae Thurier.

Her family says the argument started when she asked the alleged shooter for a cigarette.

Other witnesses at the scene have said the shooting was gang related.

The suspect is still at large.

A shocking arrest in an Edmonton murder from earlier this week.

25 year old Daniel Thomas was found dead on Monday.

Yesterday police announced they have arrested a 15 year old youth.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday

Police in Edmonton are looking for a suspect in the city's third murder in a week.

 A 23 year old woman was found late last night with significant head trauma after police were called to the Stadium LRT Station after reports of gunfire.

The station was crowded at the time of the alleged shooting and police say they have at least a half dozen witnesses.

This is Edmonton's seventh homicide this year.

A major breakthrough for fire crews near Edmonton.

The wildfire that has been burning for over a week in Thorhild County is now considered under control.

That means there are no hot spots within 30 meters of the perimeter.

Firefighters are now able to move from outside the perimeter to inside and begin extinguishing those hot spots they find.

In spite of the efforts of 300 firefighters and wet conditions, they don't expect the blaze to be completely extinguished anytime soon.

The municipality is reminding residents that permits are required for the use of residential fire pits.

There are five main criteria before a fire permit can be issued to a household.

Including fire pits being at least two meters away from any combustible materials, and that pits have enclosed sides made of bricks, concrete, or heavy-gauge metal.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are investigating a suspicious incident where a child was approached by an unknown man at a Timberlea park.
Police say a four-year old was playing while at daycare on Wednesday around 10 am, when the man approached the child holding a ball.
The incident was observed by the daycare operator who approached the man, who then promptly walked away.
The man is described as Asian, approximately 50 to 60 years old, standing roughly six-feet tall, he was wearing glasses, a navy blue and beige hat with a Canadian flag on the back, a navy blue jacket and dress pants.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 780-788-4000.

Meanwhile, Wood Buffalo RCMP encourage all parents to speak to their children about safety and what steps to take should they be approached by a stranger.

- When possible, supervise and monitor your child's activities both inside and outside the home.

- When possible, children should travel or play in groups

- Have a password that is only known between you and your child. Should a stranger approach your child suggesting that you have sent for them, the stranger should also have the proper password.

- Report any suspicious strangers by calling 911 immediately

- Review with your child where the Block Parent houses are in your neighbourhood

Safety tips to discuss with your child:

- Always check with a parent or care giver before going anywhere

- Use the "buddy system", never walk or play alone or in unsafe places

- Anyone that you do not know should be viewed as a stranger

- Never get into a strangers vehicle

- Report any suspicious strangers or other persons to a parent or trusted adult as soon as possible.

- While not every stranger poses a risk, a safe distance should be maintained at all times between you and strangers.

- Practice describing different people (hair, eye color, height, weight, clothing, older, younger, etc...)

- If you are in danger, alert others by yelling and running away

Under a banner with the slogan, "Together we will make the difference"; municipal councillor John Vyboh announced his candidacy for Mayor Thursday night.

About 60 local residents attended the announcement at MacDonald Island; a few even spoke out in support of the announcement, including councillors Mila Byron and David Blair.

In his speech, Vyboh also said he isn't running to oppose any one person, but instead is running to bring in new policies.

He said his platform will show the differences between himself and others who choose to run for Mayor - and then local residents can decide.

Vyboh also spoke of greater democratic transparency among regional council, and creating new and more powerful partnerships with industry and business.

The municipal election date is set for October 18th.

The Canadian Cancer Society has released it's 2010 statistics.

The report says almost 174-thousand new cases of cancer will be discovered across Canada this year, and that more than 76-thousand deaths will occur.

It also states that more men than women are diagnosed with cancer, but the gap between the two sexes has narrowed in recent years.

An estimated 15-thousand-900 new cases of cancer will e diagnosed in Alberta this year, with more than six-thousand people expected to loose their battle with the disease.

A local author has been short-listed for the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award.

Blair Hemstock was selected for the Unhanged Arthur Award in the category of Best Unpublished Crime Novel, for his book A Bait of Pleasure.

Hemstock says this is his first crime-writing fiction of any kind.

The protagonist is a freelance journalist who encounters an exiled Mexican priest.

The Arthur Ellis award ceremony will take place on May 27th in Toronto.

Questions flooded Municipal officials last night about the single use shopping bag bylaw.

Business owners had concerns over costs, why certain businesses are exempt, why paper bags are also banned and several had very specific needs that they wanted addressed.

Kevin Scoble, Director of Environmental Services, says they will continue to work with businesses ahead of the September 1st implementation.

This meeting was for business owners, the public education campaign will begin in June.

A storyvideo called "Crime Soars in Oil Boomtown" is ruffling the feathers of some Fort McMurray residents.

The piece was produced by Al Jazeera English, who visited the region last month.

The broadcast states that strip clubs in Fort McMurray are always packed and that the city has one of the highest crime rates in the country.

Mayor Melissa Blake was  interviewed by the Middle East based TV station, and says shes disappointed in the finished product.

Mayor Blake also states that crime in fact decreased last year by 18 % compared to 2008.

Michael Ignatieff says the oil sands environmental impact is not just a public relations problem, but a real problem, for a great industry.

Speaking in Calgary yesterday, the Federal Liberal leader said the end goal is to have a sustainable, energy-efficient industry, and that cannot be achieved by simply waging a publicity war with critics.

Ignatieff is calling on Stephen Harper's federal government to help clean up the oil sands.

There could be some very tough times ahead for the Fort McMurray Public School Division.

They passed a deficit budget for 2010/2011.

Board Chair Jeff Thompson says the biggest strain they have is staffing costs, which have gone up because of an adjustment to the collective bargaining agreement.  He adds that the Premier made a commitment to provide funding for the increase in staff wages, but they are now not doing so.

Superindendant Dennis Parsons said that this deficit budget is not a want budget, but is a hold the line budget.

The single use shopping bag bylaw goes into effect September 1st, and municipality wants business owners to be prepared.

They are holding an open house on the bylaw tonight at the MacDonald Island Fireside Room from 6 to 7.

All businesses with the exception of food services, liquor stores and pharmacies will not be allowed to provide single use shopping bags to customers.

The fines for businesses for not adhering to the bylaw range from 250 dollars for a first offence to one thousand dollars for a third offence.

There is a brochure available on the municipal website for business owners as well.

A big announcement is scheduled to come down tomorrow at MacDonald Island Park.

A release sent to the Mix Newsroom this morning states that Municipal Councillor John Vyboh will make an annoucement regarding the upcoming municipal election at 5 o clock.

The release says a public question period will follow the announcement, happening inside the Miskanaw Ball Room.

Due to flooding, the YMCA has been forced to close it's pool.

On Saturday the pool experienced a mechanical failure that led to flooding.

Access to the pool will resume following repairs and testing, which could take up to four weeks.

A new report suggests the oil sands present an equal risk to that of deepwater offshore drilling.

Commissioned by U.S-based Ceres the report even says the risks for companies investing in the industry are arguable greater than those in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ceres Director of Oil and Gas Andrew Logan spoke during a teleconference yesterday.

Police have laid charges against six people arrested in three separate drug busts last week.

Including 38-year old Frank Belding of Athabasca, who is already facing numerous drug charges after being arrested in January.

Two of the other six individuals arrested are from Fort McMurray.

Last Thursday police raided three homes, seizing cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and thousands of dollars in cash.

A favourable forecast may help firefighters get the upper hand on a blaze burning north of Edmonton today.

A new tool for air travellers going to or from Fort McMurray.

The Fort McMurray Airport launched their new website Friday.

The site contains up to date information on arrivals and departures, on-line check in, as well as in depth details on the airport's proposed expansion.

The website address is flyfortmac.ca

It is an institution in our region, and it may be getting a major facelift.

The new plans for the overhaul of the Fort McMurray Airport were revealed on Friday.

CEO Scott Clements says when he arrived there were some plans already in place and approved.

"I thought, I really want to have look and verify that we are building the right building, you only get to do this once every thirty years, and determine that we would be a lot better off by changing the plan. And the board and the commission and the new airport authority board allowed me to bring them a new plan and they've approved it now."

This is just a preliminary step for the renovation. 

Clements says there is a lot of money that needs to be borrowed, they have to assess all the risks and then it needs to be brought before the board for approval.

That is expected to happen in November. 

Thorhild County continues to be gripped in the clutches of a major brush fire.

The out of control blaze has now destroyed over 22-hundred hectares of brush, grass and forest and has claimed a house and a couple of barns as well.

Fire crews do have a solid perimeter around the fire but there are still some hot spots on the outside.

The good news for officials is that this is basically the only fire burning in the province right now, so they can dedicate all their available resources to fight it. 

Included in those resources are twelve bulldozers and six helicopters.

It is one of the more controvertial bylaws handed down by municipal council this session, no not the tax rate bylaw, we're talking about the single use shopping bag bylaw.

It goes into effect on September 1st.

The municipality is holding an open house for business owners on Wednesday.

The change will certainly have an impact on businesses as many of them will not be allowed to utilize plastic bags to give to customers.

Wood Buffalo RCMP have made 11 arrests in three separate drug busts.

Police say they executed two simultaneous raids on homes on Sirius Avenue and Cree Road late yesterday afternoon.

A third search warrant was executed around 8 pm at a residence on Powder Drive.

Police seized cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine, along with large amounts of cash believed to be proceeds of crime.

Police say yesterday's seizures resulted in about 2000 individual doses of drugs being taken off Fort McMurray streets. 

Increased oil sands revenues and a boost in crude oil prices are said to be the reason for the provinces' latest annoucement.

Premier Ed Stelmach announced this week Alberta roughly halved it's anticipated debt by about two-billion dollars.

About one year ago, the province anticipated it's debt to be about 4.7-billion dollars.

Stelmach said it's proof that "a measured approach during difficult times - does work."

At municipal council this week Councillor John Vyboh made a comment that big business may be making the decisions rather than council.

That comment has certainly ruffled some feathers.

Mayor Melissa Blake dismisses the suggestion, calling the comments shocking.

"We do all of our processes publicly; there's a lot of discussions that happen behind the scenes, but ultimately, council themselves are responsible for passing the budget and the tax rates as well," she told Mix News.

Vyboh's exact wording was "who is calling the shots?".

Wood Buffalo residents looking to find out more information about the Fort McMurray Airport will have their opportunity this evening.

The Airport Authority is holding it's first annual public meeting and trade show at MacDonald Island Park inside the Miskanaw Ball Room starting at 4:30.

The event will unveil their brand new website which will feature construction updates, photos of the design, and will allow you to check your flight status daily.

A phony Twitter account mocking a municipal councillor has been created.

Mix News was notified Tuesday that "Fake John Vyboh" was now following us on the popular social networking site.

Vyboh calls the account a politically motivated piece of fiction.

Adding that he is a little disappointed to see someone take that type of direction, but that with the internet, it's pretty easy to take cheap shots anonymously.

The verdict in the Syncrude dead duck trial will be read on June 25th.

Defence lawyer Robert White made his closing arguments in St. Albert court Wednesday.

Arguing again that the deaths of more than 16-hundred ducks in the Aurora tailings pond in April 2008 was a mistake, not a crime.

White also told the judge that a guilty ruling would threaten the very foundation of business in Alberta.

The Crown has argued that Syncrude failed to protect the ducks, by not having an adequate amount of sound cannons deployed in and around the pond.

Something White says was disrupted by a late spring snow storm.

Two notices of motion from Councillor Mila Byron was not approved by Wood Buffalo Council this week.

Byron was requesting reports from administration outlining the number of employees terminated since January 2008 as well as a report outlining the number of re-organizations the municipality has undergone since January 2008.

Council voted against the notice of motions by a 6-4 count.

Byron was not pleased following the meeting and said she was shocked and surprised they didn't go through, adding there is a stone wall in terms of getting information, saying "people who have nothing to hide, hide nothing".

Work will begin on highway 63 north, today.

Travel south of highway 69 to Beacon Hill Drive will be reduced to one lane for durable line marking repairs.

The work is expected to continue until May 17th.

Motorists are reminded to obey all posted signs and flag people, as speed fines are doubled through construction zones.

Keyano College announced Wednesday its president will step down next summer.

Jim Foote, who joined Keyano in 1993, will retire effective June 30th, 2011.

He told Mix News he began thinking about the move in December.

Foote joined Keyano as Dean of Academic and Career Programs before taking over as Acting Vice President of Instruction in 1997, and was finally elected President in 2003.

Home and business owners across the city can breathe a little sigh of relief today.

Municipal Council narrowly passed the zero increase tax rate bylaw last night by a 6-4 count.

At the last council meeting in April, Councillor Mike Allen had expressed concerns that if the bylaw were defeated, capital projects would have to be delayed.

Councillor John Vyboh, who voted in opposition, said he didn't see that as a concern when casting his vote and said amendments could have been put on the floor or a recess could have been taken.

He also suggested someone else may be pulling the strings, referring to a letter written by Don Thompson of the Oil Sands Developers Group on November 18th, 2009.

"(The letter suggested) that we (council) look at an operating and capital reserve of a certain dollar figure and also, I guess an approach to, just having a budget built we can achieve," he said.

"I found it intriguing that those words were echoed six days later by the Mayor; furthermore, our capital budget was what; two hundred and seventy-six million?" he questioned.

"That's not awful far from the two hundred and fifty million that the OSDG and Mr. Thompson were looking for."

Vyboh, Mila Byron, Sheldon Germain and David Blair were the Councillors who voted in opposition.

After more than two months, the Syncrude trial will come to a close today when defence lawyer Robert White delivers his closing arguments.

The oil sands giant is facing provincial and federal environmental charges, following the deaths of more than 16-hundred ducks in a tailings pond in April 2008.

If found guilty, Syncrude could be fined close to one-million dollars.

In April, lawyer Robert White had his request to have the charges thrown out rejected, arguing the Crown has not substantiated the charges.

Judge Ken Tjosvold said Syncrude is obligated to ensure ducks don't land on the toxic tailings ponds.

Fort Chipewyan's Water Treatment Plant will provide a better quality of water, under new and better standards of testing.

That's according to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, who announced Tuesday that Alberta Environment will test the community's water four times a year.

That's twice more than the standard amount.

Conditions of a licence renewal for the facility includes screening water samples from the Fort Chip Water Treatment Plant for 84 parameters; 12 more than the standard.

The author of a book critical of the oilsands is cautioning Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice.

Author of "Tarsands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent"; Andrew Nikiforuk, says Prentice's comments that the oilsands are less risky than offshore drilling could come back to haunt him someday.

"Well, I hope that Mr. Prentice doesn't have to eat his words if one of these impoundment dams breaks or if we find extensive groundwater contamination in the region," he said.

Nikiforuk told Mix News the comments from Prentice aren't even accurate, saying there are risks associated with both offshore drilling and the oilsands; different risks, but equally extreme.

"He (Prentice) sees an opportunity here to capitalize on somebody else's misfortune... and is trying to do some PR work for the tarsands industry, which is really not Mr. Prentice's job," Nikiforuk added.

"As environment minister, he should really be saying, 'it's really unfortunate what has happened on the Gulf Coast, and we've got to liabilities in the tar sands to make sure nothing similar happens here in Canada'," he said.

Nikiforuk says that Prentice is sounding more like the Energy Minister than the Environment Minister.

For more information on Andrew Nikiforuk, click here http://www.andrewnikiforuk.com/

An upgrade and widening of the Highway 63 rest stop near Boyle began today.

Alberta Transportation says once complete, the site will better accommodate oversized loads, and continue to provide motorists with a safe space to pull over.

Construction on phase one of the renovation of the Jubilee Centre is nearing completion.

Director of Community Services with the Municipality, Carol Theberge, says the redesign includes renovating the former Fort McMurray Pubic Lbrary location to house the Community Services Department.

She says when Planning and Development moved out of the fourth floor and into Timberlea Landing they began renovating it as well.

"We're putting in furniture and our finance department is going to be able to occupy that nice, new and well appointed ergonomic space," she said.

Theberge says this is a three phase project with phase two including construction of the seventh floor and the re-design the fifth and sixth floor.

Often referred to as the economic engine of Canada, Alberta will lag behind a bit this year.

That's according to the Conference Board of Canada.

The Ottawa-based think tank says Alberta will benefit from a revival in drilling activity and stronger capital investment in the oil sands, but continued weakness in job creation will limit economic growth to 3.3 per cent this year.

The Spring 2010 Provincial Outlook says BC and Ontario will lead the country in economic recovery.

When Enerplus bought the interest in 2007, they said production would be expected in 2012.

Laughs, hugs, and a few tears were shared yesterday at Keyano College's 44th annual convocation.

Student and faculty celibrated their collective achievements.

Felicia Dion and Randy Roy were the co-valedictorians and Brennan Conroy was the recipient of the Governor General's Medal with a GPA of 3.92.

In addition to the student awards being handed out, Mayor Melissa Blake was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award and Dave Kirschner was given the Distinguished Citizen Award.

Premier Stelmach called him "an amazing Albertan with a unique courage and commitment to this province."

Celebrated disabled advocate Gary McPherson died yesterday.

McPherson was the chairman of the Steadward Centre for Personal and Physical Achievement and as vice-chairman of the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation.

He also ran for the Provincial PC Party Leadership in 2006, a race eventually won by Premier Stelmach

McPherson also recieved the Order of Canada and honory doctorate from the U of A.

He was 63 years old.

Police have arrested two people in connection to an armed robbery.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say a man armed with a knife and wearing a homemade mask stole cash and cigarettes from the Gregoire Food Store early Thursday morning.

Police say they linked 47-year old Saviour Micallef from BC, and 35-year old Tilley Powder of Fort McMurray to the crime through a discarded object, and items found in the vehicle.

Both remain behind bars.

How do develop the oil sands in a way that is sustainable for employment, the economy and the environment.

That question brought world renowned scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster Dr. David Suzuki to Fort McMurray this week.

Suzuki has been conducting interviews for a 10-part CBC radio series set to air this summer.

Suzuki says he's not against utilizing the oil sands, but opposes the way it's taken from the ground.

"We're smart enough to figure out a different way to get it. It's just that there's this urgency, my God we've invested a lot of money, we want to get our money out. I say hold on here, if we really say that the environment is important, then we've got to sit down and take some time and develop a different way."

Suzuki has met with industry leaders, oil sands workers, aboriginal elders and government.

The Fort McMurray Oil Barons held their Annual General Meeting last night.

The 18 member board of directors was elected, as well as the executive staff that sees Andrew Boutilier returning as president, and Dave Britt replacing Willie Holflin as vice-president.

Boutilier says fans can expect a newer looking arena this fall.

"We're just really trying to, you know, create an atmosphere of modernization. I think, you know what, we've allowed our facility to maybe date itself a little bit and, you know what, one way of getting around that is obviously coming in with a color scheme that suites sort of the new look Oil Barons and that was part and partial the release of the third jersey last year."

The team also announced that a deep run in the playoffs, hosting the 2010 AJHL All-Star Game and an increase is souvenir sales led to a successful year financially.

The Cumulative Environmental Management Association has undergone some changes.

As a new structure and operational mode was approved by its board.

CEMA will now have four caucuses: Aboriginal, Industry, Government & Non-Governmental Organizations.

CEMA says the new structure will ensure that the concerns of Métis and First Nations People living in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo are heard and addressed.

A major shake is up looming for Syncrude.

As President and CEO Tom Katinas announced today he is leaving the company to move into a new role with Exxon Mobil.

Scott Sullivan, a fellow Exxon Mobil employee, currently working in China, will assume the role on July 1, 2010.

Katinas joined Syncrude in 2007.

Closing arguments in the Syncrude dead duck trial have been delayed.

After members of the defence, including lead lawyer Robert White became ill.

The case, being tried in St. Albert, has been adjourned until next Wednesday.

The oil sands giant has plead not guilty to both provincial and federal environmental charges, laid after more than 16-hundred ducks died in a company tailings pond in April 2008.

Last week, White had his request to have the charges thrown out, rejected.

Not getting the recommended six to eight hours of sleep a night, could do more than just make you grumpy in the morning.

It could shave time off your life.

Through 16 studies, that followed more than 1.3 million people for up to 25 years using sleep questionnaires, British and Italian doctors have discovered that inadequate zzz's was associated with a 1.12 times greater risk of premature death.

Sleep experts say in general adults need about seven hours of sleep a night, children and adolescents need nine or 10.

The world's largest beaver dam has been found in Wood Buffalo National Park.

The dam can be seen via satellite, stretching about 850 meters across boggy wetlands.

External Relations Manager for the South West North West territories field unit Mike Keizer says the dam is being analyzed...

"From the air, what it looks like to us is a combination of natural flooding and deadfalls blocking an area off with trees and then the beavers possibly filling in opportunistically the areas. So, we're not sure that the beavers actually built the entire dam and we would not be able to determine that until we got on the ground and actually surveyed."

Wood Buffalo National Park is about 190 kilometers north of Fort McMurray.

Wood Buffalo RCMP have taken more drugs of local streets.

The number of cases of scabies in work camps north of Fort McMurray has gone down significantly.

Dr. Brent Friesen with Alberta Health Services says however the risk still exists.

"There is medication that's available over the counter, through pharmacies. It's also available for people that are in the camps, it's available through their health and safety offices, through the first-aid offices.

Friesen says they are conducting routine inspections and are constantly on the lookout for the mites which cause the disease.

The Municipality has announced that programming at Centennial Pool is going to be taken over by MacDonald Island starting next week.

The move is being made to allow newly hired staff to familiarize themselves with community members and be thoroughly trained.

The pool is currently closed for maintenance but will re-open May 15th.

There is a spring registration being held at MacDonald Island May 9th.

It may be one of the most controversial issues facing the oilsands, and the community of Fort Chipewyan feels they have won a major victory.

On Monday they played host to Dr. Gina Solomon, Senior Scientist with the Natural Resource Defense Council in Washington DC.

George Poitras of the Mikisew Cree First Nation says Solomon confirmed high rates of cancer, and that wasn't all.

"The NRDC through Dr. Gina Solomon have confirmed that many of the cancers are related to or caused by petroleum products, including oil and gas and we expect much more specifically to the tar sand petroleum products." 

Poitras says they have filed a motion with Health Canada to ask them to apologize to the community.

The Rahim Jaffer affair has been the hot topic in Ottawa of late, and our MP Brian Jean has been mentioned a few times.

Jean received e-mails from Jaffer sent from his wife, Helena Guergis', parliamentary e-mail account.

Political Science Professor at Keyano College Dennis Westergaard says Jean did nothing wrong.

"It seems pretty clear that Rahim Jaffer should't have done that, but looking at it from Brian Jean's point of view I don't think that him getting an e-mail from her office, from Rahim, would have necessarily struck him as strange in anyway."

Jaffer did not receive funding for any of the projects he proposed to Jean and the Infrastructure Ministry.

Mix News did contact the office of Brian Jean to get his comments, but he declined our interview request.

Thickwood Boulevard could potentially be a traffic nightmare for the next couple of weeks.

A water valve is being replaced in front of A & W.

Kelly Borody with B.E.L Contracting explains how they will be directing traffic.

"We'll be merging the traffic from probably around Mary Browns and M&M Meats. You can still get access into the shopping center to go to Sobeys, but there will be a merge to try and get everyone into that one left hand lane coming up."

Borody expects the work to take two weeks, but it could take longer.

It was the biggest for sure, and it may have been the best.

The Fort McMurray Tourism Spring Trade Show wrapped up yesterday.

Friday and Saturday saw more than 14 thousand people come through the gates to take in the more than 250 exhibits, and the lines were out the door Sunday as well.

Events and Tour Co-ordinator with Fort McMurray Tourism Katie Coleman says exhibitors were very pleased.

"They've been loving it. The crowds were moving and they're selling stuff and they're really happy about having it back at Mac Island."

Coleman says there is some room to make the event even bigger in the future.

Investors in Canada's largest energy trust have approved its conversion to a corporation.

Canadian Oilsands Trust, which holds a 36 percent share of Syncrude, will have the switch completed by the end of 2010.

The benefit of the move in the short term is a 30 percent increase in distributions to unit holders in the second quarter.

In the long term this will allow the company to have a larger investor base, including foreign investments.

It was revealed late this week that Fort McMurray MP Brian Jean received emails from disgraced former Torie MP Rahim Jaffer sent from Jaffer's wife, Helena Guergis', parlimentary email account.

The e-mails were regarding a solar power project and was sent to Jean because he is the Parlimentary Secretary for Infrastucture Minister John Baird.

Jean did forward on two of Jaffer's proposals to Minister Baird, but neither received funding.

U of A Political Scientist Janine Brodie says while Jean was not legally bound to report that Jaffer was using Guergis' e-mail, he should have.

A man is in custody today after leading police on a high speed chase through downtown Fort McMurray.
Wood Buffalo RCMP say they observed a vehicle who's license plate did not match it around 2 am on Riedel Street.
With lights and sirens activated police attempted to pull the suspect over, but the driver fled, and at one point drove straight towards a police vehicle.

The vehicle was driven recklessly and at high speeds until a spike belt was deployed, causing the vehicle to crash into the Podollan Inn and Rez building.
The male driver was taken to hospital with unspecified injuries, it was also determined he was wanted on several outstanding warrants including being Unlawfully at Large.
Charges are now pending.

A trial date has been scheduled for both CNRL and SSEC.

The companies are two of three facing a combined 53 charges relating to the deaths of two foreign workers at the Horizon oil sands site more than three years ago.

The trial is scheduled to begin October 3rd 2011 in St. Albert.

Sinopec Shanghai Engineering Company is the third party involved, but has not yet been served a summons.

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety spokesman Chris Chodan told Mix News the crown is currently reviewing their options on how to proceed.

The case against Syncrude will proceed after a provincial judge denied it's request to have environmental charges dropped.

Judge Ken Tjosvold made the ruling today, saying despite the fact that ducks came in contact with a toxic tailings pond, as opposed to it leaking or spilling, the company is still obligated to prevent birds from landing on it.

Both provincial and federal Crown prosecutor's made their closing arguments today.

Syncrude lawyer Robert White is expected to wrap up his case next week. 

The trial is now in it's ninth week.

In spite of a 4.6 percent drop in government funding, Keyano College's Board of Governors approved a balanced budget last night.

Board Chair John Wilson says that is a big achievement.

"When you look at many other institutions around the province, how they've been impacted by the cut-backs in terms of having to reduce programs and reduce positions, I think Keyano comes out looking really good."

Wilson adds that through a review of vacant positions, natural staff turnover and job re-purposing, they were able to avoid layoffs and program cuts.

A significant blow to environmentalists could come tomorrow if the judge presiding over the Syncrude dead ducks trial agrees to dismiss the charges laid against the company.

Lawyer Robert White requested that both the provincial and federal charges be dropped because the Crown failed to prove that the deaths of more than 1,600 ducks in a tailings pond two years ago, was the result of a crime.

White told Principal Court Judge Ken Tjosvold that if Syncrude is guilty, the government is complicit and the industry is doomed.

White has argued that the charges relate to spills and leaks of hazardous material, not legal tailings ponds.

Judge Tjosvold will rule on the dismissal request tomorrow.

A snow storm in Southern Alberta may be hurting travel plans for Fort McMurrayites.

Air Canada has cancelled three flights today due to land in Calgary from Fort McMurray.

They have also cancelled two flights so far due to arrive here from Calgary.

There is a winter storm watch still in effect for many southern parts of the province.

They may get as much as 20 centimetres of snow.

It would appear as though at least one member of Council is concerned about human resources issues within the halls of the Municipal building.

Councillor Mila Byron attempted to table two notices of motion last night.

She is requesting that administration be directed to prepare a report advising the total number of municipal employees whose employment has been terminated since January 2008. 

As well she would like the total number of dollars this has cost the municipality, including legal fees.

The other notice of motion was for administration to prepare a report advising the total number of reorganizations the Municipality has undergone since January 2008. 

She also wants included in that report the total number of positions that have been created, how those positions have been advertised to the public, and the total cost to the municipality in salary increases including benefits.

Mix news did ask Councillor Byron what prompted her to bring this issue forward; she declined to comment. 

"Long time coming" was perhaps the most used phrase at Municipal Council last night, as The Rural Service Delivery Review got the stamp of approval.

The review was formally requested in 2008, however many have been saying this should have been in the works since amalgamation in 1995.

General Manager of Strategic Initiative Marcel Ulliac explained the delays to Mix News.

"Industrial development took off once again in 1997, and a lot of the focus ended up being on the urban service area; the most immediately impacted area because of the developments occuring," he said.

"Regrettably, it would appear that the rural area got held and left (out)."

The review has prioritized work to be done in rural communities in the municipality.

Meanwhile, there was one member of council that was especially happy with the Rural Service Delivery Review.

Councillor Gordon Janvier represents Ward 4 which includes Anzac, Conklin, Gregoire Lake, Janvier and Mariana Lake.

He says he is excited, and he's not the only one.

"I think the document that was presented in front of us tonight is very important," Janvier said.

"I'm very excited, and I'm pretty sure that the rural community members will be excited to hear this too."

Janvier hopes council can begin implementing some of the proposed work soon.

The case against Greenpeace demonstrators charged after an anti-oil sands protest last fall continues today in local court.

21 activists, from Canada, Europe and South America, face mischief charges after gaining access to Suncor in September.

Almost a dozen protesters attached themselves to large conveyor belts, forcing a stop to production.

All were released on bail.

Three men that were at the centre of a drug bust on Penhorwood Street earlier this year had their case heard in Fort McMurray Provincial Court today.

Ahmed Hassan, Rage Islow and Mohamed Yusuf were all charged with one count each of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. 

The three will appear again on May 11th.

Abdinasir Dirie, the man found dead last week in a downtown apartment, was also charged in relation to this case.

Police are calling his death a homicide and continue to investigate.

The public is invited to a pair of ceremonies Wednesday to honour the men and women killed or injured at the work place.

In recognition of National Day of Mourning, two ceremonies will take place at Howard Pew Park in Waterways, one at 11am and another at 8pm.

110 Alberta workers died of work related causes in 2009.

According to WCB, 22 people across the province lost their lives in the first two months of this year.

With the prosecutions case against Syncrude wrapped up as of yesterday, the defence has one more argument to be heard.

Syncrude lawyer, Robert White, says the charges facing the company are for corporations that dump toxic material into bodies of water and not companies who have legal tailings ponds.

Under the Alberta Environmental Protection Act and the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act, Syncrude could be liable for failing to protect the 16-hundred ducks that died in their tailings pond, two years ago.

White will ask that all charges against Syncrude be dropped when court resumes, today.

A few by-laws are on the agenda for tonight's municipal council meeting.

Councillors will debate and vote on the third reading for the 2010 General Election Nomination Bylaw.

The by-law wasn't passed last council meeting, after Councillor Mila Byron voiced her opinions against mandatory nomination fees.

Other by-laws include a 2010 Tax Rate by-law and an amendment to the Highway 63 North Water Supply Line Local Improvement by-law.

Council will also be voting for or against a potential guide for municipal service delivery in hamlets across the region.

Strong words from a leader in the Somali-Canadian community.

President of the Alberta Somali Community Centre Mohamed Accord is reacting to the alleged murder of yet another Somalian man in Fort McMurray last week.

Accord cautions people to not jump to conclusions about the individuals involvement in the drug trade.

Accord says they are circulating a petition calling on the government to form a task force to look into the killings.

The community of Edson can perhaps begin healing today.

The man responsible for the September 2008 murder of 14 year old Emily Stauffer today plead guilty to a lesser charge of second degree murder.

Ross Edward Kleman will spend life in prison for the crime which originally sparked shock and outrage in the small community of 8-thousand with RCMP urging residents not to take justice into their own hands.

An alleged local drug dealer has been identified as the man found dead in a downtown apartment.

Wood Buffalo RCMP discovered the body of 19-year old Abdinasir Dirie early Wednesday morning.

Police have now confirmed Dirie was the victim of a homicide.

Dirie was known to police, in January he was one of five men arrested and charged in relation to a drug bust at an apartment on Penhorwood Street, and was scheduled to appear in court tomorrow.

He was originally from the Toronto area, but moved to Fort McMurray sometime within the past year.

Some positive comments about the oilsands in a new book by a Canadian author.

Alastair Sweeny says the oilsands may be the key ingredient for world peace.

In his book "Black Bonanza" Sweeny argues that the oilsands will be a stabilizing force in the energy market during the economic downturn, and it means that North America cannot be held hostage.

He also says the oilsands will give researchers enough time to perfect solar energy.

A Toronto newspaper is reporting that the man found dead in an apartment building downtown Fort McMurray Wednesday, is of Somali-descent.

The Toronto Star released yesterday that a man, who knows the deceased, is identifying him as 19-year old Abdinasir Ali.

The man told The Star, Ali moved to Fort McMurray last summer, for job opportunities in the oil industry, but may have become involved in criminal activity.

The Star is reporting that Wood Buffalo RCMP is treating it as a homicide, but it's only been confirmed to Mix News as a suspicious death.

No further details were given and several calls to local police have not been returned at this time.

The Star reports that Ali is the 30th Somali-Canadian man killed in Alberta since 2005.

Charges are being considered after a fatal accident on highway 63 Friday night.

A truck travelling south bound veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a car just south of Mariana Lake.

The 21 year old driver of the north bound car was killed.

The driver of the truck was treated for non life threatening injuries.

It was discovered that the man did not have a drivers license and charges of criminal negligence causing death are being investigated.

People sharing gloves and coveralls are likely to blame for a scabies outbreak in a work camp north of Fort McMurray.

Alberta Health Services says a note was sent out on April 20th at the Suncor Voyageur Village on the Firebag site and suggested that six cases have been found.

The mites, which cause the disease, are generally killed in a normal wash cycle, so Alberta Health Services expects the outbreak to be over shortly.

Steps are being taken to address discarded drug paraphernalia that's littering Wood Buffalo.

Fort McMurray's Health Promotion Center has launched a region-wide needs assessment.

Needle Exchange Program Coordinator Nor'Ali McDaniel said, residents can participate in the initiative, by taking a survey.

"There's a link on our website. Also, if they just wanted to contact the office, we can bring over paper copies to them. They can either fax them or call us back and we'll go and pick them up," McDaniel said.  

McDaniel said the survey will help determine the needs of residents in the community.

For more information, go to their website at www.wbhas.ca or call 780-743-9200.

Weeks before it goes to air in Canada, Al Jazeera English is filming in Fort McMurray.

Municipal Councillor Mike Allen met the crew Friday and said he likes the approach their taking.

"They toured Syncrude I believe yesterday [Thursday]. They're getting an environmental angle and trying to spin a positive note on that as well, so, I guess the results will be when it actually airs," Allen said.

Al Jazeera English received approval for distribution via satellites in Canada last fall.
Broadcasting is scheduled to begin next month.

More questions than answers still surround Fort McMurray's latest suspicious death.

Police say they found the body of a man inside the MacDonald Place Apartments, sometime early Wednesday morning.

While Police will only label the death as suspicious to Mix News, flyers have gone up in the downtown core stating RCMP is treating the death as a homicide.

It was only two months ago when two men, both in their 20's, one from Fort McMurray, the other Toronto, were found dead inside another downtown apartment building .

No charges have been laid in either instance.

Visiting Fort McMurray for the first time serving her new portfolio, Lisa Raitt spoke at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast today.

The former Natural Resources Minister was shuffled into the Labour Ministry in January.

"When I was here on Natural Resources, it was really about what is in the ground. Now as the Labour Minister it's about who's on the ground and what people are doing. That's the key, making sure they have healthy and safe work places", said Raitt.

During a Q and A following her speech, Raitt was made aware about the difficulty some businesses are having in hiring staff.

Someone the Minister said she would look into with her colleagues .

Alberta's Energy Regulator has give approval for the cleanup of some tailings ponds at Fort Hills and Syncrude's Aurora and Mildred Lake sites.

The plan for Fort Hills is to build, operate and then close their pond within 22 years.  That site is still in its construction phase with production expected to begin in 2016.

For Syncrude's Mildred Lake site, they will close five of their tailings areas in phases.  The fluid fine tailings area will all be returned to a trafficable surface by 2023 with the settling basin scheduled to close by 2060.

The Aurora site will return their pond to a trafficable surface by 2037. 

That is the location where 1600 ducks died in April 2008.

The identity of a man, found dead inside a downtown Fort McMurray apartment, remains unknown.

Police were called in sometime early Wednesday morning and are treating the death as suspicious.

An autopsy was performed yesterday in Edmonton.

No other details have been released.

Downtown business men and women came out in full force this morning to clean up around their workplaces.

About one hundred people came out to the Third Annual Mayor's Community Clean-up Block Challange, which was held in front of the Jubilee centre.

If you'd like to get involved, you can register a group for Community Clean up by calling 780-788-1489 or check them out online at www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca

Alberta's environment minister has invited a Canadian Hollywood heavyweight for a private screen of the oilsands.

Earlier this week, director James Cameron called Alberta's oil sands a black eye to Canada's image as a environmental leader, and questioned why Canada is spending billions of dollars on oil extraction, instead of pursing sustainable options.

Environment Minister Rob Renner says he invited Cameron because it's important for him to have a thorough understanding of their commitment to the oil sands.

Renner says he hasn't heard back from the Canadian-born film maker.

The Centennial Pool will close Saturday for routine maintainance .

Local mountaineer Al Hancock is set to embark on his second Everest expedition.

On his blog, Al wrote that he and his team are planning to begin their journey to the top of the world's tallest mountain early Thursday morning.

This climb is for charity, as Hancock is raising money for the Children's Wish Foundation.

Syncrude employee statements made to investigators looking into the deaths of hundreds of ducks will be made available to media.

A new policing model aimed at serious and organized crime has been launched in Fort McMurray.
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams investigate, disrupt and dismantle criminal activity, including drug trafficking and marijuana grow ops.
They also target street-level gang activity and probe larger organized crime groups both inside and outside Alberta.

Mayor Melissa Blake says it's a great addition to Wood Buffalo's current policing services.

"When we look at the crime statistics going down by 18 per cent in 2008-2009, were looking at more growth in the community," she says, "some of the acitivities that happen, are not certainly favoured by our residents and increasing security relation to how we manage these matters will be the real benifit."

Three officers will be added to the ALERT team in the region.

50 or so people took part in a town hall style meeting with the leader of the Wildrose Alliance last night.

Danielle Smith touched on many issues important to Fort McMurray, and listed what her priorities would be if she were Premier.

Smith said releasing more crown land, working on a funding model to give municipal council more control of revenue and completing the twinning of Highway 63 top her list.

Adding that while the announcement of 100 beds for seniors is encouraging, there are more concerns.

"There are other areas of infrastructure shortfall, there's a huge problem with the government not releasing enough land," she said.

"We're still going to end up with a lot of pressure in attracting new people to this community to be able to fill the jobs as the economy continues to grow."

Following Smith's speech, long time Progressive Conservative Willie Hoflin announced he's tearing up his membership to join the Wildrose Party.

Construction of the Holy Trinity Catholic High School is right on schedule.

Facilities Maintenance and Constructions Director Norena Hart presented an update to the Catholic School Board last night.

"We will see the site prepared by this fall," she said, "we are on schedule with the theatre portion as well as the school."

"We are in the middle of some of our steel construction, the pouring of our concrete, we have much of our building materials on site. So, we're progressing on schedule and we anticipate to have turn over of the keys somewhere around February of 2011."

The future site of the new school is located on Powder Drive in Timberlea.

Volunteer Wood Buffalo's Volunteer Appreciation Event and Barbeque was a huge success according to organizers and attendees alike.

Over three hundred people attended the event which was held at the Wood Buffalo Community Village in Gregoire.

Performances included songs from the Honey-Bees and the Social Dance Club.

The Bill Bloomfield Volunteer Appreciation Award was also given to Brian Hatfield, for his years of volunteerism in the Wood Buffalo region.

A grass fire broke out in Wood Buffalo late this afternoon.

Colin Jones was one his way to the Fort McMurray Golf Club, when he saw flames just off to the side of Real Martin Drive, prompting him to call 911.

"As the wind was blowing, literally it would climb the hill 10 yards in 10 seconds, in huge orange flames, going right up to the top of the hill and at the top of the hill there's tons of birch trees. If I didn't call, it would have definitely set all the trees on fire," Jones said.

Jones told Mix News just moments ago, that emergency crews were on the scene and appeared to have put out the fire.

The next step into an inquiry of Alberta's Northland School Division begins next week.

In January, Education Minister Dave Hancock disbanded the district's board of trustees, due to concern over student performance, high school graduation rates and other issues.

Volunteer Wood Buffalo will be recognizing members of the community who have had positive impact on the region.

The winner of the second annual Bill Bloomfield Award will be named during tonight's community dinner, that will include face painting, a photo booth and henna tattoos .

This year's nominees include Joanne Roberts from Victim Services, Mary Murowchuk from Big Brothers Big Sisters, and James McIlveen, a local mascot.

The event will go at 194 Grenfell Crescent up in Gregiore from four-thirty to seven-thirty; everyone is invited to attend.

Residents were out and about at MacDonald Island Park, to get more information on volunteer and recreational opportunities in town.

The first Get up and Go event yesterday, was a complete success, according to committee member Michelle Dooley.

"We were fortunate enough to have a couple of folks from MacDonald Island Park approached us about being on our planning committee. And it's something that they were interested in starting for next year. So they've actually offered to take it on as an annual event," Dooley said.

The Primary Care Network, the Multicultural Association and Stepping Stones Youth Centre were some of the many associations at the event.

It was a night of high class for the nearly 300 residents that showed up for the SPCA annual FurBall Gala.  

Last night's event was themed: James Bond Double-O-Canine Licensed to Run.

There was a silent and live auction for items including, tickets to a Lady Gaga concert in Edmonton, paintings and jewelery.

Executive Director Catherine Stevenson says they're hoping to exceed the $35-thousand amount they raised last year.

"All the funds go to the operations of the SPCA. And so it's, of course, extremely important to keep us running throughout the year. It pays for medical bills, dog food, cat food, cat litter - all that stuff," Stevenson said.

The total raised has not been released at this time.

Fort McMurray residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the upstart Wildrose Alliance Party, when leader Danielle Smith comes to town Monday.

Smith will be meeting with members of the local Progressive Conservative Association, seniors, the Chamber of Commerce and holding a public meet and greet at MacDonald Island.

Smith said her visit is also a recruiting mission.

"In Fort McMurray, we're in a unique position because of course there's a very strong independent there, Mr.[Guy] Boutilier. But there's also going to be a brand new riding. So I think that there's an opportunity. We've worked very well with Mr. Boutilier in the legislature and I think that there is an opportunity for us to field a strong Wildrose candidate in the riding beside him," Smith said.

Smith says the Wildrose has been a huge champion of the development in and around Fort McMurray, calling the city a "jewel".

Families and individuals, who want to participate in more social activities, should visit MacDonald Island Park this afternoon

Get up and Go is an exhibition of service groups and recreational activities that will run from 1 until 6 pm.

Get up and Go Committee member Brandi Gartner said it's a great place to profile your agency.

Admission is free and participants will get access to all of the programs offered in the region.

Residents will get the chance to have their martinis shaken not stirred in the SPCA's upcoming event tonight.

The SPCA is hosting their annual fundraising gala themed, James Bond Double O Canine: Licensed to Run.

Volunteer and Events Coordinator Colleen Baker said they're looking to raise about $60-thousand.

It will be held at the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre at 7 pm.

The Fellowship Baptist Church is having a live auction and banquet, to raise operational funds for it's soup kitchen.

The kitchen feeds over 100 people a day and costs about $150-thousand a year to maintain.

Trudy Mallone with the Fellowship said it's not just the homeless who come into the kitchen.

"We see a real variety of people. There's ones that are new to town, but there's also the people who are working but are spending all their money on rent,"  Mallone said.

She said they also service those that are physically and mentally handicapped.  

The event will be held at the Quality Inn and Conference Centre from 6 to 10 pm tonight.

Online forms can now be filled out for the 2010 municipal census.

With the snow hopefully behind us, summer is just around the corner.

And while most Fort McMurray residents are awaiting long sunny days, some are dreading what comes with the grass and flowers.

Local Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Brent Friesen, on how to treat allergies.

"If they know what the triggers are for their allergies, they should avoid those triggers; and there's certainly a number of medications that are available to help manage allergy symptioms that are available over the counter or through their physician," he said.

Friesen also advises using caution when spring cleaning as exposure to mouse droppings can cause illness.

Police are on the hunt for a woman with a history of drug abuse and are now asking for the public's help.

42-year old Linda Vermillion was reported missing by her family about a week ago after not being seen or heard from in the past three months.

RCMP say she is a homeless person, and is described as 5"4, 140 pounds, with brown eyes and short brown hair.

If you have any info on the whereabouts of Linda Vermillion, you are asked to call 780-788-4000 or call crimestoppers.

Despite what the calander says, winter doesn't really end in Fort McMurray until river break.

According to Alberta Environment, at 5:55 pm last night an ice run on the Athabasca River had passed through the urban service area.

The current risk of flooding remains normal and the only reported ice jam is 120 kilometres upstream of Fort McMurray.

Residents are reminded that it is unsafe to be near the river and are encouraged to view break up online, at www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca.

Some of Canada's most comprehensive distracted driving legislation was introduced by the province Wednesday.

Bill 16 proposes a ban on the use of hand-held cell phones and activities including texting, reading writing and personal grooming while behind the wheel.

A fine ranging from 172 to 402 dollars for violating the law has also been proposed.

Bill 16 is expected to be debated in the legislature this fall.

105 million dollars is going towards more than a thousand continuing care spaces for seniors across Alberta.

The province announced Wednesday 13 facilities in 11 Alberta communities will be renovated or constructed over the next two years.

Minister of Infrastructure Ray Danyluck says Fort McMurray is included in the projects, as we will receive one hundred care beds for seniors.

Danyluck says they will be coming to Fort McMurray at a later date to announce further details.

Two 16-year old males are facing a long list of charges.

Police and bylaw received numerous reports of the teens riding quads erratically and without helmets throughout Fort McMurray Tuesday afternoon.

They fled after being spotted in Timberlea, one was arrested in Thickwood, the other in Gregoire, after a police dog was called in.

The quads were recovered and were determined to have been stolen the day before.

Both teens are scheduled in court next week.

Another delay in the completion of MacDonald Island Park was discovered in council chambers last night.

Council passed a recommendation to have the aquatics services held at Centennial Pool until the construction of the pool at Mac Island is finished.

The aquatic centre is now expected to be finished by July 2010.

Council also passed various 2010 election by-laws that will include more voting stations and will extend voting hours in the region.

Four new police officer positions were also approved, and Keyano College will be re-locating and expanding their campus in Fort Chipewyan.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are reporting they've arrested four men in two separate drug busts.

On March 30th, police seized over 12-hundred grams of marijuana and cash after conducting a vehicle stop.

A 24-year old Fort McMurray was arrested but charges have not been formalized.

Then on April 2nd, police observed a group of 3 people in an alleyway near King Street and Franklin, who fled when they saw the police vehicle.

RCMP caught up to the men who were in possession of 25 grams of crack cocaine and cash.

All three, including a 20-year old local man were charged and released on bail.

Despite increasing industrial operations in and around Fort McMurray; air quality isn't suffering .

A study, lead by the Associate Professor of the University of Alberta's School of Public Health, Warren Kindzierski, showed most of the air pollutants that were observed did not show a lot of change between 1998 and 2007.

Kindzierski's research came after a request from the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association.

Four air monitoring stations in Fort McMurray, Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan were analyzed, plus eight others closer to oil sands projects.

The first reported bear sighting of the year took place at an oil sands site on Sunday.

No word on which site specifically, however Fish and Wildlife Officer Cameron Rowan says residents should begin taking precautions to avoid an encounter with a bear like keeping garbage stored in a garage, and not feeding pets outside.

Rowan adds that it is a bit early for bears and that the mild winter may be to blame. 

Municipal council is back around the table around tonight.

With a big part of the agenda focusing on the 2010 General Election.

Council will vote on a total of 10 reports and bylaws pertaining to this years election.

Including opening the polls an hour earlier, at 9 am, holding Advance Votes on October 6th, 8th, 9th and 13th, prior to the official election which is slated to be held on October 18th.

Also, staging institutional voting stations at the Northern Lights Health Centre and Rotary House.

The Municipality has joined forces with a number of Oil Sands companies to promote safer driving.

Conco Phillips and Total E&P; along with Nexen, sponsor the Coalition for a Safer 63 and 881.

Conco Phillips Senior Vice President Nick Olds said it important for more companies to participate.

"If you look at the participants in the oil sands industry; it's going to grow... there's going to be more and more activity on highway 63 and 881," he said.

"So, we need to make sure we take an integrated approach from industry, community, law inforcement, and the industry does bring funding."

Margaret Kool Marketing has developed creative advertising for the campaign, including posters and billboards.

A program that originated in British Columbia has made its way to the region.

The Safe Harbour Program offers sessions aimed at helping members of the community demonstrate respect to all cultures.

Mayor Melissa Blake says the program underscores the acceptance of all residents in the region.

"This is an action step; we're able to say we've taken the initiative that is going to bring some results back... in terms of how we engage residents of the Regional Municipality," she said.

For more information, log on to www.amssa.org.

A slow start to the year for home construction continued in March.

New numbers from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show a nearly 31% slide in total housing starts across Wood Buffalo last month, compared to March 2009.

Construction on the number of new homes across the region between January and March fell almost 25% compared to 2009.

Conoco Phillips has confirmed the sale of it's stake in Syncrude.
Chinese refining giant Sinopec paid $4.65 billion US for the 9% share
The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010, pending Canadian and Chinese government approvals.
The sale is part of a plan to shed $10 billion in assets to trim away at the company's debt.

Police are looking for the help of the public after a Prince Albert man has possibly gone missing.

The family of 55-year old Larry Dale Patterson reported him missing back in February.

RCMP aren't sure if he is actually missing, but would like him to contact his family or police to assure them he is in good health.

Patterson is described at 5-foot 11 inches tall, 166 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.

If you have any information on Larry Dale Patterson, you are asked to call RCMP at 780-788-4000 or call crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

An asian oil company could be making more appearances in the oil sands after showing interest in Syncrude.

China's Petroleum and Chemical Corporation has entered a four billion dollar offer for Conoco-Phillips nine per cent stake in Syncrude.

Conoco Phillips said last fall it is looking to sell off billions in assets over two years to cut debt.

Reports say the official announcement could come as early as today.

Oil sands operators say provincial documents showing dozens of animals deaths are being taken out of context.

The report, obtained by Kevin Timoney an Edmonton-area ecologist, through a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy request, examines three operators over eight years.

All companies have said they take a proactive approach to avoid animal mortalities.

Suncor spokesperson Sneh Seetal told Mix News, some of the animals deaths included in the report were actually relocations; and that hundreds of animals are killed in traffic collisions each year in Alberta's provincial parks.

Premier Ed Stelmach extended his condolences to the Polish community in Alberta, following a plane crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski.

The crash occurred in western Russia Saturday, that also killed Kaczynski's wife and other political officials.

Stelmach announced Saturday, he had strong Polish ties through his wife Marie, who has a Polish background.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has announced the unexpected winter snowfall this past weekend, has affected refuse collection services.

Access for residents to the Fort McMurray landfill has been temporarily suspended until about noon Monday.

The municipality also returned snowplow services to primary roads and bus routes throughout the weekend.

Residents are being asked to take extra precaution while driving around snow plows.

Both the snowfall warning and highway alerts have been lifted in the Wood Buffalo region for the most part.

According to AMA road reports, Highway 63 from Newbrook to Fort McMurray is in fair condition, where visibility is good but there are some strong winds and icy sections.

Drivers can also expect lanes covered in drifting snow.

For updated information on road conditions, click on the link: http://www.ama.ab.ca/road_report/Route.htm?link=tabnav

The man accused of holding hostages inside Edmonton's WCB building will return to court this summer.

A preliminary hearing for Patrick Clayton has been scheduled for July 26, 2010 and August 4, 2010, to determine if there is enough evidence to go trial.

Clayton faces numerous charges after nine hostages were held at gunpoint for close to 10 hours last fall.

No one was hurt.

Highway alerts have been issued for Northern Alberta.

According to AMA road reports, Highway 63 from Newbrook to Fort McMurray is in poor condition.

Visibility is also poor as drivers can expect drifting snow and icy sections.

A snowfall warning remains in effect for Fort McMurray, Fort Chipewyan and Fort MacKay.

Another 15 to 20 centimetres is expected by this evening.

 For updated information on road conditions, click on the link: http://www.ama.ab.ca/road_report/Route.htm?link=tabnav

(Photo supplied by Mix News: At the front of the Mix station)

Just when Wood Buffalo residents were ready to pack up the winter jackets, mittens and toques, we're reminded that winter is not over just yet.

Up to 30 centimeters of snow is expected over the next 24 hours, and Constable Karolina Malik with the RCMP says they've seen a number of fender-benders on our local roadways.

Malik told Mix News safe winter driving techniques are key in this weather.

"Make sure leave enough space between (your vehicle) and the vehicle in front of you so that you have enough room to break if you need to," she said.

Malik added that motorists should take the time to clean off all their windshield, back and side windows before getting on the road.

Meanwhile, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has issued a release, reminding residents to be ready for winter driving conditions throughout the weekend.

Being safe on the roadways would include bringing an emergency kit with you, which should include water and food items, extra clothing, candles and a tow rope with jumper cables.

Opinion survey results which were dubbed "overall, not good" by Alberta Health Services President Stephen Duckett are making headlines this week.

Of the doctors, nurses and admin staff who responded, only 41 per cent said they were proud to work for AHS; while just 29 per cent said they were optimistic for the future of the agency.

Duckett said they will be conducting focus groups for staff towards the end of May to work on improvements.

Fort McMurray - Wood Buffalo MLA Guy Boutilier said it's a little too late for that.

"Can you imagine asking people in Fort McMurray in a focus group what they think," he asked.

"When in actual fact, its the superboard trying to catch up on what we in Fort McMurray have known for years. So, good for them, but they're only two or three years behind."

Only 30 per cent of survey respondents said they felt senior leadership at AHS set ambitious yet realistic goals.

An Anzac-born actress who had a role in the Academy award winning Dances With Wolves, is featured in yet another award winning movie.

Older Than America, was produced and directed by Edmonton native, Georgina Lightning.

Lightning received the Enhancing Perceptions in Culture award for her roles in the film, Wednesday night in New York City.

Lightning also acted in the film, alongside Anzac's own, Tantoo Cardinal.

A mistrial has been declared in the case of a Fort McMurray man behind Project KOKER.

36-year old Jeffery Caines pleaded guilty back on September 14, 2009 to trafficking cocaine.

Court heard that Caines was the leader of a drug-dealing operation from July 2005 to March 2006 and earned as much as
$1.6 million in profits.

However, this week court heard that many of the police wiretap calls being used might have been improperly seized.

And some evidence in the case, that had been in custody of the RCMP, has since been destroyed.

The crown is opposing the mistrial, saying it will result in an unwarranted delay, the application will be heard in court on Monday.

While Syncrude stands trial, charged in the deaths of over 1600 ducks in a tailings pond.

Government documents obtained by Greenpeace, under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, show 164 other animals died on oil sands site operated by Syncrude, Suncor and Albian Sands between 2000 and 2008.

Including bears, wolves, foxes and moose.

Tension surrounding a lawsuit filed by Suncor against Greenpeace in 2009, has cut short informal talks between industry and environmentalists.

River break could happen any day now, and while it's exciting to watch, the municipality is reminding you to keep your distance.

A river break camera is now viewable online at www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca.

Brochures have also been mailed out to residents living in the Lower Townsite, Draper and Waterways advising them of evacuation plans in the event of a flood.

But at this point the Emergency Management Department says the risk of flood is "normal".

Calgary police are investigating two more cases of food tampering.

In the latest of 13 incidents dating back to January, police say metal objects were found embedded in an apple and a baked good.

Last week a 22-month old baby almost swallowed a smoothie made of fruit that had metal fragments in it.

Residents will soon have the chance to have their martinis shaken or stirred at an upcoming fundraiser.

On Saturday April 17th, the Fort McMurray SPCA is hosting their annual fundraising gala with a James Bond theme.

Volunteer and Events Coordinator Colleen Baker says they are looking for volunteers and corporate donations.

For more information call 780-743-8997.

Two people were taken to hospital following a serious collision at the intersection of Paquette and Rainbow Creek Drive this afternoon.

A witness told Mix News, a car ran a stop sign and collided with a truck at the intersection.

She said when she went to check on the driver of the car, he was convulsing and spitting up blood.

The driver of the truck was taken to hospital suffering from a minor neck injury.

Mix News was unable to reach the Wood Buffalo RCMP for comment at this time.

Four police vehicles blocked the corner of Franklin and Hardin, just outside the Mix Station.

Just before 1 pm today, Wood Buffalo RCMP pulled over two young men driving motorcycles.

One of the men driving a black honda was about to be arrested, when he began to resist police.

An officer physically restrained the man.

The other man told Mix News his friend was arrested for careless driving and resisting arrest.

A former junior hockey coach who served time for sex crimes was pardoned three years ago.

Calgary's police chief says the two new cases of food tampering, are likely the works of copycats.

Reports say police are currently investigating the incidents, which occurred at two Real Canadian Superstores.

One of the new cases involved a 22-month-child, who almost drank a smoothie with metal fragments in it.

This brings the count to 11 incidents since January.

The Alberta Health Ministry's capital plan announcement has been delayed for a few weeks.

Among those plans is the seniors drug plan rollout, that requires seniors with higher incomes to pay more for prescription drugs.

Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky announced the delay Wednesday, to order to make changes to regulations and legislation.

Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Guy Boutilier said it's not surprising.

"I think the former minister of health, Ron Liepert was just a walking disaster and it's my judgement that Gene is trying to repair a ship that's taking on water," Boutilier said.

The drug plan was supposed to take effect in July but has been delayed indefinitely.

Council meetings will be re-aired for residents who miss the chance to watch it live.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo announced, they will air at 9 am Wednesdays and Saturdays on SHAW TV, during the week of live meetings.

The meetings are also archived in the www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca

The next council meeting is scheduled for April 13.

As part of of the Good Friday celebration, the local Catholic community will partake in an outdoor Stations of the Cross at 10 am today.

To commemorate the path Jesus Christ took on his way to his crucifixion, the outdoor way of the cross will begin at Father Merc and end at St. Paul Church in Thickwood.

The Passion Narration is scheduled for 3 pm at both St. John and St. Paul Church.

A misunderstanding caused delays in traffic downtown Fort McMurray Thursday morning.

Wood Buffalo RCMP pulled over a Sun Taxi van around 9:30 am.

They say the vehicle was indicated as stolen in their system.

However, police confirmed that the van was not in fact stolen and the driver was a Sun Taxi employee.

Sun Taxi says the man was arrested and later released.

This incident occurred after police received a report of a hit and run involving the taxi driver and another vehicle.

Police say the incident is still under investigation and charges may be laid against the driver, for failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

(Photo supplied by Mix News)

A Fort McMurray gynecologist, convicted of sexual assault, had an appeal dismissed by the court of appeal on Tuesday March 30th.

In March 2008, Dr. Carl Nqumayo received three years of incarceration.

Nquamayo made the appeal on the grounds that the judge mishandled the defence's evidence of how patients may misinterpret an exam for sexual intercourse.

The judge dismissed the appeal by concluding that the evidence carried no value.

Nqumayo was convicted of four of six charges brought against him.

As the weather warms and the snow tires come off, statistics show drivers often get a little heavy footed in April.

Because of that the Wood Buffalo RCMP are joining a province-wide speed enforcement campaign.

Police say one out of every four fatal collisions in 2009 involved driving at a speed unsafe for the road conditions.

And that throughout the month police will conduct vehicle checks focusing on speeding.

The Fort McMurray Tourism Association raked in a major profit for 2009.

At last night's Annual General Meeting, the financial statements were released and showed a gross profit of over $482,000 - up from around $257,000 in 2008.

Newly elected Board Chair Paul Jones told Mix News the Spring Trade Show helped boost profits.

The Spring Trade Show is scheduled for April 30th to May 2nd.

The success of yesterday's Radio-thon added to the overall achievement of the Northern Lights Regional Health Foundation's fundraising efforts.

A total of $305,000 was raised through the "Tee-Off for Miracles", the Spring Fling and the Radio-thon.

The campaign has now raised $735,000 dollars towards six new up-to-date anesthesia machines for the hospital.

Commitment and hard work has paid off for aboriginal students from across the region.

Keyano College and Syncrude honoured the first graduating class of the Syncrude Trades Preparation program last night.

Syncrude has made a thee year commitment to the program.

Can the municipality count on you?

Well, they'll soon find out when the 2010 Census kicks off next month. 

From April 16th to June 30th, residents will be given a questionnaire through the mail or door to door enumerators.

The municipality says they're currently looking to recruit about 100 enumerators .

For more information call 780-793-1105. 

Wood Buffalo RCMP are looking to the public for help in solving a recent theft.
Around 5:00 am on March 9 2010, McMurray Computer Experts on Franklin Avenue was broken into.
Two LCD monitors and a computer cooling system valued at around $600 were taken.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 780-788-4000.

(Suspect caught on surveillance)

Fort McMurray's Radio stations have joined forces for just one day to raise as much money as possible for a very worthy cause.

Mix 103.7 has partnered with the Northern Lights Regional Health Foundation for their first annual Radio-a-thon today in support of Operation Miracle.

There are many ways to help us to get our financial goal; you can phone in your donation at 780-793-7293.

You can also check out www.nlhf.ca/donate; or head down to the hospital to go through the donation drive-thru in the main parking lot of the hospital to get in and out quickly.

There is free parking at the hospital today in order to accomodate those who want to come down to the Northern Lights Regional Health Center to make their contribution.

Dubbed a "miniature Commonwealth Stadium" by the Chief Operating Officer of MacDonald Island Park; a new synthetic field is in the works.

Tim Reid says the field would seat between four and 10-thousand people and be home to outdoor sports and concerts, but will first need the communities input in the form of community input sessions; coming soon.

Reid says council has approved 200-thousand dollars to study the business case of the field.

A local school is still by the side of one of their students during his time of need.

Good Shepherd held a Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction for Clyde in February.

Clyde is and early entry program student and was diagnosed with cancer over the Christmas break.

Principal Lou-Anne Demers-Noble said that the family is putting the money raised to good use as they are leasing an apartment in Edmonton while they are visiting the hospital.

Demers-Noble says Clyde is feeling a little bit better and he and his family will be going back and forth from Fort McMurray to Edmonton during his chemotherapy.