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Ramsey County Board approves $6 million request for Green Line costs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted to approve their annual contribution to the operating budget for the Green Line light-rail on Tuesday, 7-0, without public discussion. This year’s price tag is $6 million.The county and Metro Transit have butted heads over the price tag in past years. The board tabled Metro Transit’s $5.8 million request in 2021, citing unexpected additional costs.Conflict over yearly payments raised uncertainties about continuing to fund the service long-term, especially considering the decline in ridership brought on by the onset of COVID-19.Riders have continued to cite safety concerns aboard the light-rail, with Metropolitan Council president Charlie Zelle acknowledging “pockets of bad behavior” last year. Metro Transit last month swore in former New York City police officer Ernesto Morales III as its new police chief.Related ArticlesNews | Developer sought for 40-acre section of Rice Creek Commons News | ...

Province approves $525k for Reservoir and Pump Station Engineering project in Coaldale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Town of Coaldale will see an accelerated timeline on a high-priority capital project thanks to provincial funding provided by the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) program.“In the next five to 10 years we are going to see massive growth in this area (…) so we’re going to need to get some of these projects done,” said MLA for Taber-Warner Grant Hunter during the public announcement at the Coaldale Civic building on April 18.Hunter said as the Town of Coaldale and southern Alberta more broadly continues to experience a “surge in investment and economic growth,” infrastructure must be in place to support that growth.During the announcement, MLA Hunter was joined by town staff and administration to speak on the provincial funding which will go towards the engineering costs of the Town’s potable water reservoir and pump station project. Approved funding of $525,045 through the AMWWP program will cover 36 per cent of the total...

Microgrid project will keep lights on in Waterton townsites

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsWaterton’s townsite will have reliable access to clean electricity, even during system maintenance, thanks to the completion of a micro-grid project.During the April 20 open house event at the new FortisAlberta operations facility in Coaldale, the company gave an overview of their first battery storage system which will provide backup power for Waterton Lakes National Park townsite which is served from one single main power line. The new Waterton Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will provide secure and reliable electricity to Waterton Lakes National Park and ensure grid access to the townsite during needed repairs or upgrades. This is FortisAlberta’s first battery storage system and will support the tourist destination in accommodating the massive influx of visitors during the busy travel season. According to 2021 census data, the Park is home to just 158 permanent residents, but sees a large influx of visitors, upwards of 400,000 during peak summ...

Taber working hard promoting success of agri-food corridor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

By Trevor BuschSunny South [email protected] the development of an agri-food corridor on Highway 3 in southern Alberta has become a key goal of Alberta’s UCP government, and the Town of Taber is working hand-in-hand to help make that dream a reality.“We already have a very welcoming business environment. We have strong infrastructure for agri-food and a skilled workforce,” said Amy Allred, economic development manager. “We have many people who have worked in agri-food or worked in agriculture here most of their lives, which is a great benefit to agri-food companies, to the whole supply chain and knowing and understanding how the product works and moves and can be produced. I think just building that infrastructure, still creating that welcoming environment with things like our tax incentive, is the way to help bring new producers and then, of course, the province’s investment into Canada’s Premier Food Corridor (CPFC) and into things like McCain’s is going to rea...

FortisAlberta holds open house at new net zero building in Coaldale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsOver 100 people gathered in Coaldale at the brand new FortisAlberta facility on April 20 to celebrate energy innovations in southern Alberta.In addition to the new Waterton Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project which will provide needed solutions for the Waterton townsite, FortisAlberta held a “wire cutting” ceremony to celebrate the brand new net-zero facility located on 6.7 acres of land in Coaldale’s industrial park.In February, FortisAlberta relocated its operations centre from Lethbridge to a more centralized location in Coaldale which serves an area of over 9,000 square kilometres and provides electrical distribution services across multiple counties and nearby municipalities of Picture Butte, Coaldale, Nobleford, Taber, Coalhurst, Barons and beyond. Of the 40 service areas in Alberta, the area serviced by the Coaldale site encompasses over 21,000 sites and 9,400 km. The service shop employs power line and metering technicians, designers,...

County adopts updated commercial development strategy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLethbridge County has formalized an updated Industrial/Commercial Land Use Strategy, which aims to protect areas earmarked with potential or imminent future development from incompatible land uses.The previous strategy was approved by County Council in October 2016. The updated document guides Council and administration, developers, and landowners, providing an overview of development trends in Lethbridge County and is used to identify future locations for commercial and industrial development, and providing “preferred” development locations. Presenting the agenda item was Hilary Janzen, supervisor of planning and development for Lethbridge County. Janzen said the strategy also acknowledges the need for the County to be flexible at times, but said the document provides an economic analysis and legislative review to ensure the County’s strategy is aligned with provincial and federal legislation.“It doesn’t mean that it’s the only places, but it is reco...

Ricotta lemon Zucchini tart

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsSpring has sprung, officially. Aside from a few possible frosty evenings, we are finally on the upswing to longer, brighter days, and fresh seasonal produce. Although squash are typically associated with end of summer harvest, their fast production time of about two months makes them a valuable homegrown produce staple in the summer months. In my opinion, zucchini is the MVP of veggies. It’s suitable for beginners and even black thumbs, fast growing, container/small space-friendly, and versatile.This recipe is also perfect for a crowd and can be served alongside a protein or salad for an easy dinner, or on its own as a light lunch.Although there are not any real rules for how to prepare your tart, I do prefer to use a low-profile tart pan. You could also use mini tart pans or even a cupcake pan for individual servings which can be frozen and defrosted and heated in an oven or air fryer.This recipe uses 8-10 small zucchinis (for a 10 inch tart pan) but...

From the Archives of Western Newspapers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

By Samantha JohnsonSouthern Alberta NewspapersLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterSaturday, April 25, 1885 – The Illustrated War NewsGeneral Middleton’s scout exchanged fire with the enemy on Wednesday morning. His force, divided about equally, was to advance from Clark’s Crossing on both sides of the river to attack Riel’s position at Batouche.Colonel Otter’s Brigade, marching from Swift Current to Battleford, is making good progress and hopes to relive the garrison of that post on Monday.The vanguard of General Strange’s brigade, at present commanded by Colonel W. Osborne Smith, has already started from Calgary to Edmonton.The continued absence of Colonel Ouimet from the command of his battalion in Strange’s brigade, when they are setting out on an important expedition, is certainly unpleasant. The extraordinary variety of explanations advanced doesn’t mend the matter and if a leave of absence was granted, surely the fact would have been promptly reported to the Adjutant-General i...

Lethbridge County Council Briefs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe following are selected briefs from the April 20 meeting of Lethbridge County Council.2023 Q1 Planning and Development ReportThe department completed the Lethbridge County and Town of Coaldale Intermunicipal Development Plan which was approved by both municipalities in March 2023.Completed the update of the Industrial-Commercial Land Use Strategy and held a Council Workshop on March 9.The County’s Development Authority received  59 development permit applications from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2023. Administration said this figure is up slightly from 2022 when 50 development permit applications were submitted in the first quarter. As well, 49 development permits were issued, 15 of which were residential in nature. Additionally, 16 permits were for accessory structures, eight for commercial/industrial, and five permits which fell under agricultural were issued. The report also noted that acting as the subdivision authority, Council approved five subdivisi...

Coalhurst to consult Elder on land acknowledgement statement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:50 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsThe Town of Coalhurst has began work to customize their Land Acknowledgement Statement.During their regular April 18 meeting, Coalhurst Mayor Lyndsay Montina requested they consult an Indigenous Elder to develop a Land Acknowledgement Statement that will be used by the Town of Coalhurst.A Land Acknowledgement Statement is a formal declaration that an event is taking place on land that was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, and aims to raise awareness about Indigenous histories, perspectives, and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. The acknowledgements are given usually at the start of organized events, celebrations, activities or published in printed materials, as a way to show respect to the original people of the land where it is taking place.Coalhurst council meetings start with a Land Acknowledgement Statement. However, by consulting an Elder, Montina says they can create an acknowledgement that is more personalized to th...