December 14/05 - Town Press Release - Representatives from Alberta Infrastructure met with Town Administration earlier this month to discuss the proposed traffic enhancements in the area of Highway 43 and Hospital Road. The proposed improvement involves moving the intersection of Hospital Road and Highway 43 to the east in order to create a larger staging area for vehicles and to enhance both traffic and pedestrian safety in the area. Alberta Infrastructure is continuing its review of this issue.

The Whitecourt Town Council approved an Economic Development Officer position for the Joint Economic Development Committee. The Economic Development Officer will direct the Joint Economic Development Department in the development of objectives, policies, plans and projects in the area of economic development for both the Town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County.

In response to concerns expressed at the December 12 Regular Meeting of Council, the Town of Whitecourt will be consulting an environmental testing firm to determine if hazardous materials are present at the Whitecourt Twin Arenas, RCMP Century Swimming Pool and Whitecourt Curling Rink facilities. Test results are expected to be received before the end of the month.

Whitecourt Town Council will be presented with the information at a Special Meeting of Council when the test results are available.

December 1/05 - The new Advisor is now out. Click on link at left to read online or to print off a copy. All Advisor archives are also available from the link at left.

November 25/05 - The 2005 Christmas Parade and Light Up were better than ever, with many businesses and organizations participating. If you missed the parade, you can see a slideshow by clicking here.

November 14/05 - Watch out for Curves!

An early morning mishap resulted in a new drive-thru gym for Whitecourt. Unfortunately, the gym had just moved there, with the building being empty for some time previously. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. At this point, it is not known if it was driver error or mechanical failure that was responsible. In any case, it's a reminder to drive carefully, especially now that the winter and holiday season are coming up.

November 11/05 - The people of Whitecourt really came out to pay their respects to Canadian veterans and current Canadian Armed Forces. It was standing room only in the Community Centre. For Remembrance Day slideshow, please click here.

November 1/05 - The November issue of the Whitecourt Advisor is now out, with Remembrance Day specials, Whitecourt history series and much more. Click on cover at left to read online.

October 17/05 - The unofficial election results, with first 2 people elected as town councillors, are: Larry McConnell 541, Nieta World 481, Bob Walker 412, Jim Ward 351, David McConnell 310, Jeanne MacMillan 247.

October 13/05 - Whitecourt Town Council discussed a number of issues regarding the indoor recreation facility projects. Council has decided to proceed with developing the projects by hiring a Construction Manager to manage the scheduling and tendering of
the projects.

October 4/05 - The Alberta Provincial Government recently approved the development of a casino establishment. The plans are currently being developed and the casino is expected to be operational by 2007.

October 4/05 - Look for your new Whitecourt Advisor in your mailbox. The issue includes a brief piece by each candidate in the upcoming by-election, to help you make your voting decision.

September 27/05 - Site work for the Rotary Park Water Feature Project began in early September. To date, the pond and water courses have been created, and placement of gravel for the liner base has been completed. Landscape grading and topsoiling will be completed in October. The channel and pond liner, which was expected to be supplied and installed by Layfield Plastics this fall, has been delayed until early spring. Despite this delay, the project is expected to be completed before June of next year for the enjoyment of residents.

September 19/05 - The Town of Whitecourt received the following unofficial nominations for the 2005 by-election: Jeanne MacMillan, David McConnell, Larry McConnell, Bob Walker, Jim Ward, Nieta World.
Names will be official on Tuesday, September 20, 2005, at 12:00 noon.

Sept 12/05 - Rumours that convict labour was used to upgrade Rotary Park are false. Right, Merv Hilland and Doug Malek of the Rotary Club help plant one of the 30 or so new trees going into Rotary Park. With the planned water feature and pavilion, this area of Whitecourt's river valley is developing nicely. A road through main street, into the park and around to 47 Street would also be a nice addition in the opinion of some.

August 29/05 - The September issue of the Advisor has been mailed. Call 78-5577 or drop into K & C Graphics at 4907 52 Ave if you didn't get your copy. Check the center spread for detailed listings of the town centennial events, and a handy tear-off list of Whitecourt September community events.

August 27/05 - The first Tournament of Aces event held at the Whitecourt Golf and Country Club was a great success. Two hole-in-ones were scored for prizes of a minivan and a home theatre system. Organizers are looking forward to repeating this event next year.

August 26 /05 - Preserving Whitecourt’s History - Do you have stories or photographs that you’d like to share with the writers of Whitecourt’s history book? To complete the continuation of Whitecourt and Area’s history book “The Sagitawah Saga,” the Town of Whitecourt requests your contributions. The book will focus on Whitecourt’s history from 1975 to the present.

Bring your Whitecourt memorabilia to the history book writers during theCentennial Celebration Festival from 1:00 – 5:00 on Sunday,
September 4th. Call Peter or Karen McFarlane at 706-3560 for more
information.

August 15/05 - The riverboat races, held on August 13 & 14, were well attended by mostly local residents. For next year, this event and others could be promoted in the city. With the highway almost twinned, it could be well worthwhile for the town to buy space on a billboard and/or in an ad in an Edmonton paper. Click on the Sports and Recreation tab above to view some short clips of last year's races.

August 10/05 - Whitecourt Town Council was presented with an update on the Rotary Park Water Feature Project. Construction of the water feature is scheduled to start August 15th and the project is expected to be completed by the end of September.

August 9/05 - The Town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County are proud to announce that a decision has been made in regards to recreational facilities in Whitecourt.

July 26/05 - Please click here if you are able to volunteer for Whitecourt's Centennial celebration.

July 25/05 - A concert will be part of the Centennial Celebrations on September 4. Wide Mouth Mason will be featured. Click here for details.

July 10/05 - The Rodeo and Demolition Derby was a great success over the weekend, with the weather cooperating nicely. The parade was the biggest and best yet. Left, a chuckwagon team shows off their rig, before Sunday's races. Click here for more parade photos, including the real rodeo competitors.

July 6/05 > Whitecourt Town Council has approved the date for the by-election. Nomination Day Monday, September 19, 2005; By-Election Advance Vote Thursday, October 13, 2005; By-Election Monday, October 17, 2005.

July 5/05 > The Town of Whitecourt would like to inform residents of construction taking place along 55th Avenue and Dahl Drive. The projects, which are part of the 2005 Street Improvement Program, involve milling and paving 55th Avenue, and paving Dahl Drive from the 52nd Avenue intersection south to the railroad tracks.

July 5/05 - New issue of the Advisor is now out. Whitecourt history, town council issue, an in-depth look at the Kyoto Protocol and bad jokes. Call 778-3949 if you didn't receive a copy in the mail.

June 26 - The weather held up to make a successful day of kid's fishing at the stocked pond at Rotary park. Additional features planned for this area include a large pavilion and an innovative water slide construction.

June 16 > Town Press Release - Harold Eglinski submitted his resignation from Whitecourt Town Council, which was accepted with regret. The Town of Whitecourt has requested a time extension from the Minister of Municipal Affairs to hold a by-election in the third week of October.

June 14/05 > Town Press Release - Whitecourt Town Council discussed the Multi-Use Facility at its June 13, 2005, Regular Meeting of Council. Council is continuing to research and review possible site locations.
A Public Hearing was held June 13 regarding the proposed development of the Old Forestry Site at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and 47th Street.

May 31/05 - June edition of the Whitecourt Advisor is now out. Read about the launch of a local currency test, Shannon Rosnau's resignation, Whitecourt history and the world's worst jokes by clicking on the Advisor cover at left.

May 25/05 > Town Press Release - Shannon Rosnau submitted her resignation from Whitecourt Town Council; Council accepted her resignation with regret. Administration will bring information back to Council at its next Regular Meeting with respect to a by-election.

May 18/05 > Town Press Release - The RCMP Fun Run was a huge success - $3,500 was raised for the Anthony Gordon Children’s Education Trust Fund! In appreciation of the community’s support, Kim Gordon, wife of the late Anthony Gordon, contributed the funds back to Whitecourt in the form of three, $1,000 scholarships.

May 14/05 - Saturday was BBQ day, with Mayor Trevor Thain, among others, doing double duty, at the both the firehall BBQ and the M & M meats BBQ. The more than 395 M&M Meat Shops across Canada fired up their grills for the 17th annual M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day,setting another record with $1.55 million raised in one day. Every cent raised will be used to support medical research to find the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

May 09/05 - There was a brief scare at the Whitecourt Trade Fair as an innocent girl wandered too close to the caged, hardened criminals on display there. OK, so it was actually a good cause, with local merchants and others donating their time, and sometimes their dignity, to raise funds for Whitecourt's victim services. Click here for more World of Whitecourt trade fair photos. Thanks to CyberVision Computers for help in collecting the photos.

May 02/05 - The May issue of the Advisor is now out. Click on cover at left, or on Whitecourt Advisor tab on top to read online. Don't forget the WOW Spring Trade Fair this weekend.

April 26/05 - At the April 25 Council Meeting, Whitecourt Town Council discussed the Multi-Use Facility Project and reaffirmed its commitment to developing a new indoor recreation facility. Council directed Management to prepare recommendations on possible site locations that would be viable for a new facility and that would accommodate future growth for additional facilities.

April 22/05 - A fire off Trestle Road belches smoke, while a copter hovers nearby. Early indications are that it is a railroad trestle on fire. Emergency vehicles blocked access to the road leading to the fire, while fire trucks from Woodlands and Whitecourt attended the blaze.

April 13/05 - The Centennial Celebration Committee welcomes and encourages other project or event ideas. If you or your community group would like to organize a Centennial Celebration event, contact the Centennial Celebration Committee.

April 12/05 - Yesteryears - The RCMP swimming pool back when it was uncovered. Photo courtesy of the Whitecourt Chamber of Commerce.

April 08/05 - At a meeting held on March 29, 2005, prior to the Regular Meeting of Council, Council discussed the pecuniary conflict of interest situation regarding Councillors Eglinski, Rosnau and Schlosser.

April 05/05 - The new Whitecourt Advisor is now out. Read up on new economics, town council, Whitecourt history and peruse some of the worst jokes in the world.

March 29/05 - Town Council voted to rescind the resignation requests for councillors Harold Eglinski, Shannon Rosneau and Derek Schlosser. The Town Council as a whole regained a positive business- like attitude that at times went missing during the last few weeks.

March 26/05 - There was a good turnout as usual for the Easter Egg Hunt at the Rodeo Grounds. Click here to see some photos of the event.

March 23/05 - The following is a slide show of the service held for the slain RCMP officers. It is making the rounds without accreditation by e-mail and is linked to here under the fair use policy. You can download the file by clicking Save, or watch it on a high-speed connection by clicking open. Click here to start.

March 15/05 - The Whitecourt Community Services Advisory Board has been directed by the Whitecourt Town Council to pursue project ideas for a permanent RCMP Monument to commemorate the life of Constable Anthony Gordon and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Community Services Advisory Board will bring its recommendation back to Town Council in April.

March 7/05 - Constables Gordon, Johnston, Myrol and Schiemann Condolence Books

To commemorate the lives of Constables Gordon, Johnston, Myrol and Schiemann, condolence books are now available for the public to sign and inscribe messages of sympathy. Condolence Books are located at the Whitecourt Town Office and at the Whitecourt Canada Post Office, and will be forwarded to the RCMP.

March 3, 2005 News Release
RCMP Mourn the Loss of Four Members - Update #2

Background
On March 2, 2005, members of the RCMP attended a rural residence outside of Mayerthorpe, in the County of St. Anne, to assist with a court order seizure of property, with the intent of keeping the peace. As a result of our members attendance evidence was obtained which resulted in a search warrant being sworn and secured for a marihuana grow operation.

March 1, 2005 - The new issue of the Advisor has been mailed. It is also available online by clicking Whitecourt Advisor Tab at top.

In late February of 2005, Town Administration received a written request to hold a special meeting of Council to discuss a possible pecuniary conflict of interest affecting Mayor Trevor Thain.

Feb 27, 2005 - There will be a town council meeting Monday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m., at the Forestry Interpretive Centre. As reported in the Whitecourt Star and Edmonton Journal, three of Whitecourt's six town councillors, who were allegedly involved in separate financial conflicts of interest, have been asked to resign. It is hoped that this unfortunate incident can be dealt with in a manner so as to be fair as possible to all the parties involved.

Click Here to See Full Details of Multi-Use Facility Options. You can send any comments you might have by clicking here.

Feb 21, 2005 - The weather was perfect for Family Day activities. Many Whitecourt residents turned out for Rotary Pond skating, Rotary Park horseback riding, a concert by acclaimed Canadian artist and Juno Award winner Charlotte Diamond, and many more events.

Feb 18, 2005 - A survey regarding Whitecourt's Multi-Use Facility Project will be conducted in early March. The Town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County have contracted Banister Research and Consulting Inc. to develop, conduct and analyze a telephone survey.

Feb 17, 2005 - 100 years ago today, attorney Paul Harris gathered 3 friends and planted the seeds of the world's oldest and most prestigious service club organization. The meetings they held rotated from business to business place, and the name Rotary was born.

Feb 14, 2005 - Happy Valentine's Day. Click here for a history of this day.

Feb 2, 2005 - February edition of the Whitecourt Advisor now out. Bad jokes and in-depth political analysis available at most mailboxes, restaurants and on the web. Click here to read (requires Acrobat Reader).

January 26, 2005 - Thursday, January 27 is Family Literacy Day. Library hours have been extended. Click here to see new hours. Town Councillors will also be reading children's stories on Saturday January 9. Selection for ages 2 - 4 at 1 p.m., ages 6 to 9 at 2 p.m. and ages 4 to 6 at 3 p.m.

January 25, 2005 - Whitecourt Town Council heard the recommendation from the Joint Issues Committee regarding the proposed Multi-Use Facility Project at the Town Council Meeting held Monday, January 24, 2005....

January 20, 2005 - The Whitecourt Chamber of Commerce did some brainstorming on promoting the town in the new year. Feel free to click on the link above to give your suggestions for downtown revitalization or other ideas.

January 14, 2005 - Woodlands County and the Town of Whitecourt are happy to announce that the Lac Ste. Anne Foundation has forwarded the Spruceview Lodge Expansion Project to Wilson Architects for working drawings in order for the project to proceed to tender....

January 12, 2005 - Whitecourt Town Council discussed the highly anticipated Multi-Use Facility project at the Council Meeting held on January 10, 2005. Council reviewed the most recent report produced by the Community Services Department and Barr Ryder Architects & Planners....

January 9, 2005 - Hundreds turned out to support the Rotary Fundraiser for Tsunami Relief. Over $43,000 was raised. Donations are still being accepted. Call 204-0635 or 778-4475 for details. You can click here for some photos of the event.

January 6, 2005 - Don't Miss the Rotary Fundraiser for Tsunami Relief, Sunday January 9, 4. p.m. to 7 p.m. Chili and buns for a good cause at the Whitecourt Community Centre, Downtown. $10 a plate.

January 5, 2005 - The Town of Whitecourt will organize Christmas tree pick-ups between January 10 and January 31. Town employees will periodically pick up trees across Town, Monday to Friday; there is no set schedule. Please place your tree where you would normally place your garbage for pick-up. Trees must be free of all decorations and tinsel. The Whitecourt Transfer Station will also have a drop off area for you to dispose of your tree.

January 1, 2005 - Happy 100 Alberta. You can click here for information on Alberta's Centennial celebrations.