BROOKS, AB - A 51-year old Brooks resident has died, following a house fire in that city early Saturday morning (Jan. 1).

Emergency crews arrived at the home on Greenbrook Road around 3:50 a.m., where two residents had already safely evacuated. However, a third resident was still missing.

Fire crews were able to find the man and remove him from the home, but he later died due to his injuries.

An investigation is currenlty underway by RCMP, fire investigators and the medical examiner, but the blaze is not believed to be suspicious.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, two different elections and a local doctor shortage… It might be hard to believe that all that and much more was jammed into the 365 days of 2021.

Taking a look back on the year that was, MyLethbridgeNow.com has compiled a list of our website’s top viewed local news headlines for 2021:

5.) Bigelow Fowler south clinic closing in November; 11 doctors leaving
Sep. 21, 2021; 4,899 total page views

There have been several reasons given over the past year to explain why doctors are leaving Lethbridge and the surrounding region at such a rapid pace. A group of local health representatives told City Council earlier in December that it’s a multi-faceted issue, with everything from early retirements and other life transitions to recent billing changes to financially unstable clinics.

This mass departure and subsequent closure of the south Bigelow Fowler Clinic only highlighted the dire need for more family physicians. In total, six doctors left the south Bigelow Fowler clinic, three from the west clinic and two from the east clinic.

Since then, City Council, Lethbridge’s two MLAs and other officials have said that they’re ready and willing to help recruitment efforts as much as they can.

4.) Cougar euthanized in north Lethbridge neighbourhood
Sep. 11, 2021; 5,607 total page views

It’s certainly not a normal encounter for the city, but it made for an exciting and scary day in north Lethbridge.

One witness told police that they saw the animal - which was about six feet in length - jump a six-foot high fence into the backyard of a home along Bluefox Boulevard. After a call to Alberta Fish and Wildlife to handle the aggressive animal went unanswered, the LPS stepped in to euthanize the cougar since it was an immediate risk to life or injury.

One shot killed the animal, and there were no other injuries reported.

3.) List of federal candidates confirmed for Lethbridge, surrounding ridings
Sep. 1, 2021; 6,133 total page views

After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for an early election in mid-August, the race was on for local nominees to secure their candidacy for their chosen party in their riding.

It ended up being another landslide victory for all four of this region’s incumbent Conservative MPs during the Sep. 20 vote. Rachael Thomas was re-elected for a third term in office for Lethbridge, Glen Motz was voted in again as the Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, John Barlow won another term in the Foothills riding and Martin Shields was re-elected to a third term as the MP for Bow River.

Nationally, the results went virtually unchanged, as well. The Liberals formed another minority government with 160 total seats, falling just ten seats short of what’s needed for a majority in the House of Commons.

2.) Mother demands answers from Lethbridge YWCA after daughter found dead in her room
Sep. 27, 2021; 8,969 total page views

In an eye-opening story first brought to local attention by MyLethbridgeNow.com, one mother alleged that a Lethbridge YWCA residency program that’s supposed to offer support to women in need is actually failing its clients.

Melody St. Pierre says she enrolled her 25-year old daughter, Krissy, in the program in February 2021 to help her get off drugs. However, Melody would come to find out in September that Krissy had passed away in her room, alleging that on-site staff and nurses failed to properly check in on her.

Acting CEO of the YWCA, Tracy James, says this permanent supportive housing program isn’t monitored 24 hours a day, also claiming that staff couldn’t see Krissy’s body when they did perform checks. Melody has vowed to get to the truth of what happened.

1.) 2021 Municipal Election results from rural southern Alberta communities
Oct. 18, 2021; 9,671 total page views

In first place for 2021, was local interest in southern Alberta’s municipal elections.

Here in Lethbridge, long-time councillor Blaine Hyggen beat former councillor Bridget Mearns by less than two-percent during the Oct. 18 vote to become mayor. Four incumbents - Belinda Crowson, Ryan Parker, Mark Campbell and Jeff Carlson - were all elected back to their council positions, while four others - Rajko Dodic, Jenn Schmidt-Rempel, John Middleton-Hope and Nick Paladino - joined them at the table.

Coaldale, Coalhurst, Lethbridge County and Claresholm were only a few of the rural communities to elect new mayors, while incumbents were elected in Taber, Fort Macleod and Cardston.

A final note to our loyal readers, our team thanks you for trusting us to be one of your credible local news sources. We look forward to working hard and serving you once again in 2022.

The post Elections, a cougar and doctors, oh my! Our top 5 news headlines of 2021 appeared first on My Lethbridge Now.

LETHBRIDGE, AB - Two suspects have been charged and Lethbridge police are still searching for a third, following a break and enter at a downtown business on Christmas Day.

Officers responded to King of Trade, along the 300 block of 5 St S, around 4:10 a.m. on Saturday (Dec. 25), where three people had allegedly smashed the window out of the front door. While inside, the suspects took headphones and jewelry.

James Lee Morning Bird, 20, and Dacota Bruce Ray Oka, 30, both of Lethbridge, were arrested later that same day. The third suspect still has not been located.

Both Morning Bird and Oka have been charged with shopbreaking and theft, and remain in custody at this time.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - After being forced to go online last year, Lethbridge's Polar Plunge is back in-person this winter in support of Special Olympics athletes.

You're being encouraged by the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) to collect donations for the cause, then take the icy dip yourself on Feb. 5 over at Henderson Lake. All participants must agree to comply with the Alberta Restrictions Exemption Program and health measures will be in place.

If you'd rather participate from home, you can also sign up for the virtual option to come up with your own creative plunge ideas on your own time.

Registration and donations are being accepted now on the LETR for Special Olympics website.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) says the hearts of its Angel Tree volunteers are full after the community rallied to support kids in need this holiday season.

LFS made a plea last week for any last-minute donations when the Angel Tree shelves were essentially empty, but there were still more than 800 kids in need of gift bundles.

Community members graciously answered that call.

"Children brought in their piggy bank savings, companies dug deep and gave with generosity, families came into the Angel Tree room bearing gifts chosen by their children and family members," said Michelle Gallucci, who's with LFS. "People offered everything they could, and the result was magical."

Gallucci notes that they're down to about the last 60 kids now.

In total, more than 3,200 kids were served this year by the Angel Tree campaign, as well as 99 families through the "Adopt-A-Family" program.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - Another seven immediate roadside sanctions and a dozen tickets resulting from Lethbridge Police Service Check Stops this past weekend.

In all, police checked 525 vehicles with three breathalyzer fails, one warning for blood-alcohol content over .05, and three zero tolerance sanctions for those with graduated licences.

Those kinds of sanctions can come with licence suspensions, vehicle seizures and hefty fines.

The LPS took another two suspended drivers off the road, there were 25 Traffic Safety Act or Liqour and Cannabis Act tickets handed out, and nine vehicles were towed away.

Local Holiday Check Stops will be continuing for the rest of this month.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - Rapid testing kits are available for free right across Alberta, as of Friday (Dec. 17).

However, you're going to have a hard time finding them here in Lethbridge. The local health unit, which is the only place in the city giving out the free tests, ran out of stock less than ten minutes after opening at 8:00 a.m. on Friday (Dec. 17).

A Tweet posted by @AHS_SouthZone says rapid tests are also out of stock in Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek and Coaldale, with more than 400 kits given out in each community.

There may be more supplies coming next week, but officials are uncertain about how many at this point.

Lisa Glover is the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Engagement at Alberta Health. She tells MyLethbridgeNow.com that the South Zone of Alberta Health Services initially received 4,000 kits.

"All zones received initial shipments to ensure there would be some available in 140+ geographic locations across the province today. In addition to kits that are already on location at AHS and pharmacy sites across the province, another 50,000 kits are being shipped to AHS sites today, and pharmacies will receive more early next week."

Glover adds that if a specific location is out of kits, Albertans can visit Rapid Testing at Home to look for additional locations.

Hundreds of pharmacies in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer, and another 140 Alberta Health Services sites in other communities, are handing out the nasal swab kits, which can deliver results in under 20 minutes.

More than 500,000 kits, taken from the Alberta government's stockpiled, are up for grabs on a first come, first served basis. You can get one box containing five tests every two weeks.

These rapid tests are intended for people who are symptom-free, and can be used by anyone 14 and older, and for children between 2 and 13-years old, if the test is done by an adult.

If the result comes back positive, or if you start to develop COVID-19 symptoms, you should book a PCR test and isolate for 10 day, or until you receive a negative PCR result.

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EDMONTON, AB - Albertans taken into police custody for any offence, who are suffering from opioid addiction, will now be able to get the treatment they need right in municipal jails.

This first-of-its-kind initiative in Canada is starting in Calgary and Edmonton as well as some rural RCMP detachments.

The Alberta government is spending $1.4 million to create a low-barrier harm reduction division within the AHS virtual opioid dependency program (VODP) which will offer rapid assessments and medication for those in police custody.

The VODP will also follow-up with those people upon their release to ensure they have on-going support.

All Albertans now have access to the newly-funded drug Sublocade, which lasts in a person’s system for 30 days providing stabilization, reduced craving and significantly enhanced protection against overdose. The provincial government says this has the potential to greatly reduce the rate of opioid-related fatalities after discharge from municipal jails.

Alberta RCMP Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki agrees that "addiction needs to be treated as a healthcare issue"while police continue to hold people accountable for their actions.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - Staff at Lethbridge's Wastewater Treatment Plant are doing everything they can to reduce the stinky smells that residents have been complaining about.

The plant's digester process was upset at the end of October, releasing excess material into the lagoons, which has caused odour problems ever since.

The City says staff are now monitoring the lagoons and the digester every day, and some new strategies are being implemented to reprocess, chemically treat and remove the stinky material.

As the digesters recover and the lagoons freeze over for the winter, residents should start to notice improvements in the air soon.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - It's down to crunch time now for the Lethbridge Family Services Angel Tree.

With just ten days left until Christmas, gift bundles still need to be put together for more than 800 kids in need. However, fewer than usual donations this holiday season have left the Angel Tree shelves fairly empty.

Trina Tymko, who's chairing this year's initiative, says it's unknown right now exactly why donations are so low. In discussions with the Angel Tree committee, she says the best guess is that people have lost their jobs and savings because of COVID, or they're still afraid of that possibility, so they aren't able to give, or they have to give less.

Volunteers are working long days to make ends meet, but Tymko stresses that they're still in dire need of toys for all ages.

"Our 0-24 months are bare, our Lego is bare, our dolls are bare."

If you can't get out to shop for toys yourself, you're still encouraged to donate money on the Lethbridge Family Services website. The sooner those donations come in, the better, according to Tymko, so families in need can have their gift bundles before Christmas Eve.

"These kiddos need us, they need us more now than ever. If a toy, or a book, or a game, or something soft is going to sustain them for the next year, then it's up to us to help these kiddos."

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - Police are currently on scene at Winston Churchill High School and students are being sent home for the day, following what appears to be some kind of threat received at the school Tuesday morning (Dec. 14).

The LPS says the truth of the threat is still being determined, so the Lethbridge School Division has decided to take the appropriate precautions.

Winston Churchill will be closed for the day, effective immediately, as officials continue to work with the police.

This story will be updated once more information is made available.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - It was still less busy throughout 2021 at Alberta's international border crossings, due to COVID-19 restrictions, but officers here in the southern part of the province still had quite a few notable exchanges.

There were two incidents at the Coutts land crossing.

In February, an American traveler - who was trying to get to Alaska - was arrested for having an undeclared handgun and 21 prohibited magazines in their vehicle. A few months later in July, officers found out that another American traveler had $10,000 in cash, despite them claiming that they didn't have any money on them. The cash was seized and the traveler was sent back to the US.

Also in July, officers at the Calgary International Airport repatriated and cleared a sacred Prairie Chicken Society Headdress and a Weather Dance Robe that were going back to the Siksika Nation.

Between January and the end of October, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers across the Prairie Region - which covers 34 land crossings, four marine reporting sites and 26 airports in parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories - processed nearly 500,000 commercial trucks, 8.9-million courier shipments and just shy of 1.1-million travelers.

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MEDICINE HAT, AB - The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) confirms that a man has died following a serious incident at the Walmart in that city.

According to the Medicine Hat News, emergency crews responded to the store's parking lot just before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 8), where witnesses say a car had exploded and was fully engulfed in flames.

It's believed that the man was inside the vehicle at the time and died due to his injuries. Police are not releasing any further details about the victim, out of respect for his friends and family.

No one else was hurt.

The MHPS Major Crimes Section is still investigating was caused the explosion, but it's not believed to be criminal in nature.

-with files from Medicine Hat News, James Tubb

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BLOOD RESERVE, AB - A recent spike in overdoses has prompted a drug alert on the Blood Reserve.

Officials are warning that there's a particularly poisonous batch of opioids making the rounds right now, and they're asking tribe members to check on their vulnerable friends and family.

Naloxone kits are available at the Blood Tribe fire hall, the Standoff Safe House and pharmacies in the area.

Those who are witness to a potential overdose are urged to call 911 immediately since Naloxone isn't effective for all drugs.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - Benga Mining, the Piikani Nation and the Stoney Nakoda Nation are seeking permission on Wednesday (Dec. 8) to appeal the rejection of the Grassy Mountain project.

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) denied a proposal this past spring to build and operate an open-pit coal mine near the Crowsnest Pass.

In a statement released by the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA), one law expert says, however, there aren't any grounds for appeal, from either the company or the First Nations.

Nigel Bankes, Professor Emeritus of Law at the University of Calgary, says Benga's legal case only demonstrates that it disagrees with the AER decision, but doesn't actually question the law itself.

He also says the two First Nations' counter-argument that the government failed to consult them is weak, as well, pointing to records that show the Piikani and Stoney Nakoda Nations didn't fully participate in the initial consultations.

Bankes doesn't think there's any reason for the Alberta Court of Appeal to grant leave in this case.

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EDMONTON, AB - The Alberta Government has not only fulfilled but doubled its promise to fund thousands of addiction treatment spaces.

A commitment was announced back in 2019 to provide 4,000 annual treatment spaces. Now, up to 8,000 publicly funded treatment, detox and recovery spaces are open to Albertans in need, at no cost to them.

Of the most recently announced annual spaces, there are 65 at McMan Youth - South Region, 48 at Alpha House and 44 at Southern Alcare Manor here in Lethbridge, 1251 at the Bringing the Spirit Home Safe Withdrawal Management Site in Standoff and 832 spaces at the Foothills Centre in Fort Macleod.

Starting next year, the “My Recovery Plan” software will also be implemented to allow for better wait-time management and treatment tracking. Users will be able to take their data with them from place to place, to avoid having to start from zero every time they have to move through the system.

"Recovery is possible," said Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Mike Ellis. "The opportunity to pursue recovery is something every Albertan deserves.”

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - About 22-percent of residents in Lethbridge and nearby communities will be without a family doctor by the end of this month, according to information gathered by six local healthcare representatives.

They made a presentation to City Council's Cultural and Social Standing Policy Committee on Wednesday (Dec. 1), outlining why doctors are leaving this area at such a rapid pace and possible solutions to that problem.

The reps point out that the departures are multi-faceted, with everything from early retirements and other life transitions to recent billing changes to financially unstable clinics.

Dr. Thulani Mtshali says Council's help will be crucial for recruitment efforts. "Because we don't have any plans in place, what I think you can do at this time is to be a part of what we're doing. As we brainstorm and put plans together, [council should] be a part of the planning process early on."

Dr. Garland Jonker, who is the South Zone Clinical Department Family Medicine Section Chief, also notes that job advertisements have already been put together, and the City's assistance could be useful to roll those out.

"I think the next step would be to target those materials to very specific programs, and then we would need some central location for any interested parties that are seeing those materials and wanting to follow-up on them. I feel like that's very close, we just need that next step and some collaboration, potentially with somebody from the City on that."

Council says it plans to do all it can and continue discussions. First and foremost, it has tasked the City Manager to bring an action plan to a future meeting.

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EDMONTON, AB - The Alberta Government is trying to make sure that photo radar is used for traffic safety - not revenue - by implementing some new rules in the spring.

Starting in April, communities will have to provide better data to the provincial government that clearly justifies the locations where automated photo radar is used, to ensure it's not just being used as a "cash cow".

"Albertans can be confident these new rules will put a stop to photo radar 'fishing holes', or 'speed traps'," said Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney. "This is about making sure photo radar will be used to improve traffic safety."

Some of the new rules coming next year will restrict photo radar in areas where the speed limit is under 50 km/h, ensure that enforcement vehicles are clearly visible and eliminate double-ticketing within five minutes.

The current freeze on purchasing or upgrading photo radar equipment, or adding new locations, is also being extended to the end of 2022 in order to give municipalities more time to put these new rules in place.

In the 2019-2020 fiscal year alone, the Alberta Government says $203-million in revenue was generated in 26 municipalities where automated photo radar is enforced.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - All animal welfare organizations in Lethbridge are at capacity right now.

That, from the Manager of the Lethbridge and District Humane Society, Barb Grodzicky, who says there's no space left for any other animals in need.

She says pets adopted after the first four months of the COVID-19 pandemic are now being abandoned and it's causing big problems.

Grodzicky says there are a few things you can do to help ease the burden.

First and foremost, she says spay and neuter your pets and make sure you can keep a pet for life if you do decide to adopt one.

Donations are also always welcome as fundraising events have been limited due to the pandemic.

Grodzicky notes that in her 18 years with the Humane Society, they've always been at 95-percent capacity or more but COVID has certainly been a factor in this current situation.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - A man who was allegedly threatening people with a knife in north Lethbridge was safely taken into custody Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 24).

Reports came in around 1:30 p.m., saying that the suspect was walking around the 1500-block of 4 Ave N, heading in the direction of Westminster Elementary School. Officers ensured that the school was put into lockdown to ensure all the students and staff were safe.

The man was located in the school's playground and arrested without incident by 2:00 p.m. The knife was found at his home nearby.

Christopher David Smith, 31 of Lethbridge, is now facing charges of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and possession of a dangerous weapon.

He's currently in custody waiting on a bail hearing.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - The University of Lethbridge is celebrating a huge success as its most ambitious fundraiser ever comes to a close.

Shine: The Campaign for the University of Lethbridge began back in 2018. It wraps up this week with more than $103-million from 11,000 unique donors.

That money has already been used for a number of large projects, like the state-of-the-art Science Commons building and the Mastercard Foundation in support of Indigenous youth. That said, the funds will also continue to support programming, research, scholarships and much more for years to come.

U of L President, Dr. Mike Mahon, says there was an "unwavering confidence in the University", the opportunities it provides for students and the impact it has on communities everywhere during this campaign.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - A new vaccine record is now available for Albertans planning to travel within Canada, or internationally.

This updated version - which you can access online to print or save to your smartphone - will feature your full legal name, your unique QR code and both official languages, in line with Canada's recommended standard.

If you already have your vaccination record with a QR code on it, there's no need to get this new one if you don't plan on traveling. The QR code scanning app that businesses use for verification will be able to recognize both versions.

If you don't have access to a printer, or don't own a smartphone, you can also visit a registry office or call 811 to get a printed copy of your record at no charge.

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LETHBRIDGE, AB - Six people were arrested in connection to yet another drug trafficking investigation at a local hotel, but only one 39 year old man has been charged.

Earlier this month, Lethbridge Police began investigating ongoing complaints of drug trafficking by tenants living in the Superlodge Hotel along 7 Ave S and Mayor Magrath Drive.

A search warrant was executed on Thursday (Nov. 18) in one specific room, where pellet guns, body armour and a small amount of fentanyl were seized and three people arrested.

Three more people were taken into custody when officers also stopped a vehicle associated with that hotel room. A search of the car turned up bear spray and a large machete.

39 year old Rodney Bottle of Lethbridge is charged with carrying a concealed weapon and knowingly possessing a prohibited weapon. He's set to appear in court in January.

The other five suspects were released without charges.

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