Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen says he hopes any costs that come with proposed changes to the Local Authorities Election Act and the Municipal Government Act don’t fall on Lethbridge residents.  

The proposed legislation from the province would eliminate electronic vote counting for municipal elections, allow the province to remove mayors and councillors from office and give power to the province to change municipal bylaws. 

“We are diving deep into this – it is a surprise to many of us,” Hyggen says, adding he was up late into the night trying to understand the many changes. “Lots of questions out there, lots of frustration. We do want to hear more. It is first reading...that gets it one the table however when second reading comes, we are hoping that there’s a lot of conversation prior to passing of a second or third reading.” 

The legislation also proposes allowing political parties on a municipal level. Hyggen says he and other mayors knew changes were coming, but he was surprised at how many are proposed. 

He says the changes could pose challenges for the city, which runs on a four-year budget cycle. “We haven’t budgeted for this so what this cost is going to be in 2025, when the municipal elections are in – we don’t know what that cost is going to be.” 

He adds he hopes the province would take on the cost associated with hand-counting votes. City clerk Bonnie Hilford says the city has used electronic tabulators for decades in elections.  

“The last time votes were hand counted here was in 1989. The proposed change back to this method would possibly require the production of an Electors’ Register, which may require another new municipal census, as well additional paid staff in the lead-up to and on Election Day,” Hilford says. “The potential costs and extra staff that may be associated with these proposed changes is something that will need to be explored and better understood,” says Hilford. “Our aim is to understand how these changes by the province could have a direct impact to the local taxpayer.” 

Hyggen says he wants the province to stay in its lane when it comes to bylaws and leave decision making to people who are on the community. 

“A land use bylaw should be municipal jurisdiction,” he says. “That is something that our community, the input for the community – the people that live here should have that input into a land use bylaw. Tougher to have it from a provincial level is those folks are not part of the community, so I think as we are all aware municipalities – we are closest to the people.” 

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The City of Lethbridge will host the annual Jane’s Walk festival this weekend and next. It is a global movement of neighbour-led walking tours inspired by urbanist Jane Jacobs. 

“The purpose of the walk is to encourage people to get out on the streets of their neighbourhoods to discover unseen, under-celebrated and unique stories about their city. Through the simple act of walking together and discussing what makes a neighborhood, Jane’s Walk helps knit people together into stronger and more resourceful communities,” reads a news release from the city. 

The free event will feature walks and bike rides through the city, focused on various topics including birding, water, cycling, trees and history. 

This Saturday will kick off the event with a bike ride showcasing bike infrastructure downtown.  

A full list of events can be found on the Get involved Lethbridge website. 

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The Fort Macleod Health Centre emergency room will close overnight because of a lack of physician coverage.

Alberta Health Services says it will close at 8 p.m. on April 25 and will open again at 8 a.m. on April 26.

"During the temporary closure, nursing staff will remain on-site to provide care for long-term care residents," reads a news release from AHS. "AHS is working hard to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time."

During the closure, emergency calls will be rerouted to Lethbridge.

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A pair of University of Lethbridge awards will help educate the next generation of healthcare professionals in southern Alberta. 

A Pincher Creek family, along with physicians from a local clinic have established the awards. 

Drs. Beverly and Tracy Burton, both physicians practising in Pincher Creek, together with their mother Christine who is a retired science teacher, have created the Burton Family Bursary for Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). 

“It’s important we give women the opportunity,” says Christine. “Not everybody has the funding, and we don’t want that to be the barrier for someone to be able to go into the sciences, to find their passion and make a difference in the world and themselves.” 

Tracy and Beverly, along with fellow physicians at the Associate Clinic, have also established the Pincher Creek and Piikani Health and Medical Scholarship for a continuing ULethbridge undergraduate student from Pincher Creek or the Piikani Nation in any degree program who is intending to pursue a career in a health or medical field. 

“We hope that people from this area will decide to go into a medical field, whether that’s as a physician, a nurse or an allied health professional, and then say they want to come back to the community that supported them,” says Tracy. 

Both awards have been matched by the ULethbridge Board of Governors, doubling the impact of their investments. 

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After three consecutive years of drought in southern Alberta, reservoir levels are well below normal and the province remains in water shortage management stage four out of five. 

The economic standing policy committee heard a presentation on the city’s water conservation plan and strategy on April 11, which aims to cut water use by 20 per cent by 2030. 

The city says it has programs underway to install more water efficient fixtures in public buildings and it is working to centralize irrigation controls.
 

Scaling water rates are being considered to reduce usage. Households using more water would pay higher rates and the city says if this is enacted, it would be designed to minimize financial impacts of average consumers. 

“Other municipalities have scaled water rates. They have been successful in changing and managing water consumption behaviour,” says Joel Sanchez, director of infrastructure services. “Even with the adjusted rates, Lethbridge would remain among the lowest in Alberta and the lower percentile among municipalities in Canada.” 

The city may also look at rebates and incentives for things like rain barrels and water efficient and landscaping. 

Any changes to the city’s water bylaw will have to go through council. 

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The province has committed $550,000 annually to supplement Coaldale’s policing costs. The community is policed by RCMP and until this announcement, had to pay 100 per cent of the cost. 

Minister of public safety and emergency services Mike Ellis was in town to make the announcement on April 12. He said the federal government has refused to pay a share of the RCMP cost in Coaldale.  

Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn emphasized the problem was not with RCMP itself and the town is happy with its police, but the problem was in the funding agreement. 

“When the original contract was signed, we were treated as a new entrant so that means for a community between 5-15,000, if you are treated as a new entrant you have to pay 100 per cent of the policing costs. Whereas we have historically been policed by the RCMP, so we should have fairly been treated at the 70 per cent mark,” said Coaldale mayor Jack Van Rijn. 

Coaldale had its own police force from 1954-2003, then was policed by Lethbridge Regional Police from 2004-2015. In 2015, it reentered an agreement to be policed by RCMP. The community was denied federal funding because of new entrant guidelines created in 1992. 

“Coaldale has been required to pay the full amount of the policing bill for far too long. They are the only community in our country that has been forced to do this. The federal government has been petitioned multiple times to rectify this issue but have refused,” said Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter. "Today our provincial government has stepped up and done what the federal government should have done long ago — funded Coaldale’s policing needs.”  

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The Lethbridge Police Service is partnering with the local Slow Your Roll campaign for the annual initiative. LPS, along with other law enforcement agencies, focus on speeding and aggressive driving in April.

“We’re urging all drivers to slow down and always pay attention to the road,” said Sgt. Danny Lomness with the traffic response unit. “In Alberta, nearly one in four fatal collisions involves drivers traveling at excessive speeds. By slowing down, the extra few seconds it takes to get to your destination could mean the difference between life and death.”

Slow Your Roll was founded by Chris DiPasquale in 2020 to encourage safe driving after the death of 10-year-old Charles McIntyre, who was struck by a vehicle and killed while crossing in a crosswalk with his father and brother. The driver responsible was convicted of careless driving.

Lawn signs, decals and other merchandise are sold to raise money for the Charles McIntyre Fund, which supports children through YMCA programs.

All school zones and playground zones in the city have a 30 km/h speed limit year-round from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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A report from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows water used in the kitchen accounts for about 15 per cent of a household’s indoor usage. They City of Lethbridge is sharing tips to help residents conserve water in the kitchen and save money on utilities. 

The city says handwashing dishes can use a lot of water, but there are ways to use less. The number one tip is to use your dishwasher if you have one. 

“It might seem counterintuitive, but modern dishwashers are so efficient that they actually use less water than washing by hand, as long as you fill them up,” says Kathleen Sheppard, Executive Director of Environment Lethbridge. 

The city says older dishwashers use around 22 litres of water per load and newer ones are even more efficient. If you are handwashing dishes, the best way to use less water is to avoid letting the tap run continuously. 

Avoiding using your kitchen’s garburator can also save a lot of water. According to the city, a garburator uses about 8.5 litres of water per minute. 

“Garbage disposals use a lot of water,” says Sheppard. “The best thing you can do is put your food waste in your green bin, which saves water and turns your food waste into compost.” 

Other tips include installing a hot water dispenser, repairing any leaky plumbing, keeping a jug of cold water in the fridge and not using water when thawing frozen food.

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Raymond RCMP are asking the public to help find two missing teens. 13-year-old Jeffery Gardner and 14-year-old Sierra Nataucappo were both last seen in Stirling early on April 8 and police say there is concern for their well-being.

Gardner is described as five foot seven, with blonde hair, blue eyes and fair complexion.

Nataucappo is described as five foot five, about 110 pounds with black hair, brown eyes and medium complexion.

Police ask anyone who can help find them to contact RCMP.

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A man is facing multiple charges connected to an armed bank robbery in Coaldale.

RCMP say officers were dispatched to a local bank around 11:15 a.m. on April 8.

"Investigation revealed that the male suspect presented a note to the teller at the bank requesting money. There was a threat that another suspect was outside with a firearm," reads a news release from RCMP.

The man was identified through the investigation and police arrested him at a home in Coaldale.

Jason Wieler, 28, a resident of Coaldale, faces charges of robbery with a firearm and possession of property obtained by crime.

He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 11 in Lethbridge.

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UPDATE: CompStat Subject, Tyler Johnson, has been arrested.

Lethbridge police are looking for a man wanted on multiple warrants and area asking the public for help.

Tyler Johnson, 36, has been identified as a prolific offender by CompStat and is wanted on warrants for drug possession, possession of the proceeds of crime and breaching release orders.

"CompStat is a data-driven model where analytics are used to identify prolific offenders, high-crime areas and the most effective deployment of police resources," reads a news release from the Lethbridge Police Service. "Each month LPS identifies the Top 5 most prolific offenders and officers are assigned to conduct and enforce release conditions or locate and apprehend those with outstanding warrants. As part of these efforts, photos of wanted subjects are released to the public to seek assistance in locating them."

Police ask anyone who has seen Johnson or can help find him to contact them or Crimestoppers.

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The city is starting its annual spring street sweeping program on residential roads.

Transportation operations manager, Juliane Ruck, says the operations could run into June or July, weather dependent. She says residents can do their part to help the program run smoothly by moving their vehicles out of the way when they are asked. 

“Many people are really excited about having their street cleaned. After several significant snow fall events and us applying lots of sand, sweeping helps take on a huge cleaning chore. When cars are left on the road, we can’t sweep that spot. We get a lot of complaints about people who didn’t move their car so we do issue parking fines to help get that message across. Pay attention to signs or set up reminders so you don’t park on sweeping day,” she says.

Residents can use the Lethbridge Loop app or check the city's website to know when their street is scheduled for cleaning. There will also be signs posted the day before to let people know to move their vehicles. Anyone who leaves their car in the way of the sweepers can get a $50 ticket.

This year, the campaign starts on the west side, followed by north then south. Sweeping is done between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Arterial roads, downtown and the industrial area will be swept overnight between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Sundays to Thursdays.

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Coalhurst is looking to residents to help carve out a new recreation master plan. It will guide how parks and recreation opportunities are delivered to the community over the next decade.  

“Having community members involved in the process to build a Recreation Master Plan is critical to its success,” said Coalhurst Mayor Lyndsay Montina. “We want to hear how residents currently spend their time in the community, what their vision is for recreation in the future, and what we could do to achieve that vision. By having residents involved in the planning process, Council will be better informed when it comes time to make decisions about what types of projects to pursue and how those projects may be funded.” 

An online survey is open to residents, which can be found on the town’s website. Postcards with a QR code linking to the survey will also be mailed out and paper copies can be picked up at the town office. The survey will close on May 1. 

There are also three open houses planned this month. One of them will be specifically for youth between 11 and 17. The youth open house will be on April 19 from 2-4 p.m. The other two will be for anyone, hosted on April 19 from 6-8 p.m. and in the morning on April 20. They will be hosted at the community centre. 

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The latest Lethbridge industrial market report from Avison Young predicts a landlord’s market by the end of 2024. It notes after a lag in new development, low vacancy and continued demand will create a competitive local market for industrial space.  

“2024 is already looking very different from previous years,” says Josh Marti, principal and senior associate in Avison Young’s Lethbridge office. “For example, we used to see large-format users at significantly lower rates; now we are not seeing any industrial leases at rates less than $9.50 per-square-foot.” 

Avison Young says tenants should start planning for renewals early and can expect higher rates. It notes lease rates for new builds are driven by inflated construction prices and the cost for tenants to build-out their space is more than double pre-pandemic levels. 

The report says investors acted conservatively in 2023 because of market uncertainty but pent-up demand and potential for an interest rate drop this year will likely prompt investors to re-enter the market. 

“While investors have started to adjust their cap rate expectations in light of current market conditions, there is a bit of a disconnect from buyers who are still expecting the kind of cap rates we saw in 2022,” says Doug Mereska, managing director in Avison Young’s Lethbridge office. 

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The province is investing $43.2 million into a physician training clinic at the University of Lethbridge. It is part of a $224.8 million budget item for addressing physician shortages in rural areas. 

There is also a training clinic planned in Grande Prairie and $55.6 million is budgeted for operating costs in both cities. 

The province says students will train alongside healthcare professionals and will get practical hands-on experience serving rural patients. It adds the clinics will provide primary care in both cities and will operate after regular hours to help ease demand on emergency rooms.  

“Albertans deserve access to timely medical care in every corner of our province. Establishing the new training centres in Lethbridge and Grande Prairie is the first of many steps to solve the rural physician shortage,” says Rajan Sawhney, minister of advanced education. “Advanced Education is committed to increasing support for Alberta’s medical schools and providing significant support to encourage more physicians to live and practice in rural settings.” 

The province says the centres will contribute more than 100 practicing physicians every year. University of Lethbridge president Dr. Digvir Jayas says the first cohort of students will start in 2025 and will enter the work force in about six years. 

“Access to a family physician is an incredible challenge for many families in small- to mid-sized centres across southern Alberta – including rural and Indigenous communities. Investing in a program that recruits local students, and trains them in areas across southern Alberta, will lead to more doctors practicing in those areas for decades to come,” he says. 

The Rural Medical Education Program Training Centres will partner with local institutions to develop regional training campuses outside of cities, according to a news release from the province. 

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Lethbridge's city clerk will host an information session for people with little or no knowledge of municipal government.

Bonnie Hilford will teach attendees about the decision making process, including roles of council, administration, residents and boards, committees and commissions. She will also go over the meeting process and how council and committee meetings are related.

The session is designed for newcomers to the city, anyone who may want to run for council in 2025 or others who just want to better understand how the municipality works.

It is set for April 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m., just before the governance standing policy committee. Anyone who wants to go can reserve a spot by emailing CityClerk@lethbridge.ca.

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Graffiti, shopping carts and cleaning Galt Gardens were on the agenda for this week’s Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force.  

Sarah Amies, executive director of the Downtown BRZ and a member of the task force, gave a presentation on efforts to clean up graffiti. She pointed out the BRZ has removed significantly more in the past few years – going from fewer than 100 graffiti tags removed in 2022, to 405 in 2023. So far this year, the BRZ has removed about 132 tags downtown. 

Amies noted the BRZ is working to colour match when workers paint over graffiti to make a better finished product. She also told the task force the Clean Sweep program would require additional funds if it were to keep up on graffiti clean-up year-round.  

City councillor John Middleton-Hope sits on the task force and brought up shopping carts at the meeting, saying he wants the city to work with the BRZ on an information campaign targeting businesses that have carts stolen often. 

“This originated with a motion that I brought forward to council last June, almost a year ago, in regards to working with businesses, particularly in the 2A avenue north areas to lock up their shopping carts,” Middleton-Hope said. 

He said he received several complaints about shopping carts being abandoned after being stolen. The motion failed last summer but Middleton-Hope said he wanted to commend businesses that have since locked up their carts. 

“We have taken it upon ourselves both privately, as well as a corporation, to pick up shopping carts, to clean them, to try to return them back to business owners. These shopping carts are valued in excess of $750 per shopping carts – it is theft when people are taking them off the property and using it for a purpose other than for which they are designed,” Middleton-Hope said. 

The task force received Middleton-Hope's presentation on shopping carts for information. 

Middleton-Hope also wanted to discuss cleanup efforts at Galt Gardens. He mentioned plans to power wash surfaces, paint and repair damaged areas and possibly replacing mulch areas with rubberized surfaces. 

The task force also received a submission from the Lethbridge Police Service on its downtown policing resources. Lethbridge Fire and EMS provided an update on efforts to mitigate fires in alleyways. 

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Lethbridge police are asking for help identifying a man in connection to an assault at a cannabis store.

Police say two men refused to provide ID at the Twenty Four Karats Cannabis store along the 2200 block of 5 Avenue South on March 20. 

"They were subsequently refused service and asked to leave. An altercation ensued and an employee was assaulted in the parking lot," reads a news release from the Lethbridge Police Service.

Police ask anyone who recognizes the man in the photo or has information that could help identify him to contact them at 403-328-4444 and reference file 24005028. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online to Crime Stoppers.

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Three people are facing charges after a man was assaulted in a southside yard.

Lethbridge police responded to the 100 block of 12 St. S at around 8 p.m. on March 26, to find a 35-year-old man seriously injured in the alley. Police say he was taken to the hospital by EMS with non-life threatening injuries.

"Subjects inside the home refused to exit and police subsequently obtained and executed a warrant to enter. Six people were taken into custody without incident and during a search, police seized a shovel and baseball bat believed to have been used in the assault," reads a news release from the Lethbridge Police Service.

Police say the people knew each other.

Tiffany Joy Hood, 45, of Lethbridge, faces aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and possession of an offensive weapon.

Jocko Slade Trotter, 36, of Lethbridge, faces aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and possession of an offensive weapon.

Jyi Mickell Trotter, 44, of Lethbridge, faces aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, possession of an offensive weapon and two counts of failing to comply with a release order.

All three subjects were remanded in custody to appear in court today.

Police add a 29-year-old woman was charged with matters unrelated to the assault and two other women were released without charges.

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Homeowners can still apply for the city’s Clean Energy improvement Program (CEIP), to get low-interest loans for green home upgrades. The city is also increasing its rebate amount for applicants to $1,350 from $800. 

“We have excess advertising dollars and have been able to find some administrative efficiencies and would like to pass that down to the homeowners rather than giving back grant money at the end of the program,” says Larry Laverty, assessment and taxation manager and local CEIP Program Manager. “Anyone enrolled in the CEIP program is eligible for the rebate on a first-come, first-served basis until the fund expires. The monies are coming out of the CEIP grant fund.” 

The program can help with upgrades such as new windows, doors, adding solar panels, increasing insulation and upgrading lighting fixtures. Last year, applications for the program filled up withing a week. City council amended it to remove the previous annual cap amount to allow for quicker delivery of the funds. 

“We are still encouraging homeowners to look into this option as we still have capacity to help more people in our city make clean energy improvements,” says Laverty. "This program remains a great opportunity for those homeowners thinking about renovations to consider choices for better energy performance and to lower their utility bills." 

Homeowners who are accepted for the program pay back the loan through property taxes and the balance can be transferred if the home sells. It can also be repaid in whole at anytime without penalty. 

Participants must install eligible upgrades with a minimum cost of $3,000 to qualify for financing and there is a maximum of $50,000 of eligible costs per property. The annual Clean Energy Improvement Tax cannot exceed the property's annual municipal property tax payment. 

The program is administered by Alberta Municipalities in partnership with the City of Lethbridge. The city got $3.2 million from the FCM Green Municipal Green Municipal Fund, an endowment created federal government.

During the pilot project, the program is expected to help an estimated 180 homeowners with the cost of upgrades.

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A Lethbridge political scientist has filed complaints against two members of city council, alleging they have violated council’s code of conduct bylaw. 

Dr. Yale Belanger, in a pair of letters shared with local media, said he believes Mayor Blaine Hyggen and Councillor John Middleton-Hope did not treat him with courtesy, dignity and respect after he spoke at a standing policy committee. 

The complaint against Middleton-Hope stems from the Feb. 22 Governance Standing Policy Committee, where Belanger said he was invited to present as a member of the public. He expressed concerns about the city’s procedure bylaw for boards, committees and commissions – asking council to reflect on its appointments to the Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force. 

BACKGROUND: City solicitor to review lawlessness task force 

He pointed out two anticipated members also sit on the police commission and procedure bylaw 6250 says public members "… may serve on only one board, commission, or committee at a time, unless council determines that conditions warrant the appointment to more than one board, commission, or committee." 

Middleton-Hope was quoted in an article published in the Lethbridge Herald, saying “it is frustrating that some pseudo intellectuals merely point fingers and assign blame but lack the experience and expertise of professionals dedicated to making this city a better place.” 

Belanger says he believes this comment violated the city’s council code of conduct bylaw and is “unbecoming of an elected official and not befitting of a person of authority or public trust.” 

The bylaw states “members shall treat one another, employees of the City and members of the public with courtesy, dignity and respect and without abuse, bullying or intimidation.” It also states “no Member shall use indecent, abusive, or insulting words or expressions toward another Member, any employees of the City or any member of the public.” 

Belanger also pointed to the section of the bylaw that states no member of council shall speak in a manner that is discriminatory to any individual referencing characterizations such as race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, physical or mental ability.  

“You did not treat a member of the public (me) with courtesy, dignity, and respect and without abuse, bullying, or intimidation. Nor did you refrain from using abusive or insulting words or expressions toward a member of the public (me). Finally, you spoke in a manner that was discriminatory to an individual (me), referencing characterizations such as mental ability,” Belanger wrote in his complaint letter to Middleton-Hope. 

The city provided a written statement responding to the complaints.  

“City Council is self-governing meaning under the current City Council Code of Conduct Bylaw, other members of Council would bring forward complaints. From the City bylaw perspective, a member of the public does not have the standing to make a complaint related to this bylaw. While we appreciate and respect community feedback, there is no legal obligation, unless these complaints are presented by another member of Council,” it said. 

Belanger’s complaint also calls out other “troubling behaviour” from Middleton-Hope, including an email where Belanger says he was criticized for his public statements and an incident at Belanger’s Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs talk in April 2023, which he called a “blatant attempt at intimidation.” 

Belanger said Middleton-Hope told him, in front of about 150 people at the event, he has been invited to speak at committee meetings by council to talk about solutions – but Belanger claimed he had no record of the invites. 

“Your request had nothing to do with my talk, and from my vantage point, you were trying to embarrass me,” Belanger said. “Your behaviour has escalated from unsolicited emails to dressing me down in public and acting childishly at public events to engaging in personal and professional attacks and insults.” 

As well as a public apology, Belanger requested Middleton-Hope refrain from any future unsolicited communication. 

“Any direct or indirect communications from this point will be judged harassment by a public official, and I will seek legal and/or other remedies,” he said. 

Belanger is seeking a public apology from the mayor for comments made after the meeting, also quoted in the Lethbridge Herald article. 

“Today it kind of comes to a pause because those that want to stop the good work that’s being done don’t want to be part of the solution but want to remain part of the problem by sitting behind a keyboard and complaining about the great work that’s being done by this committee. That’s the biggest frustration because it’s going to take forever to try to get anything done because of those who are creating roadblocks,” Hyggen told The Herald. 

“It’s already tough to find people to sit on committees and yet the ones that volunteer their times to sit on the committees get ridiculed by the ones that want to sit on their keyboards and complain. And we’re going to end up losing the good volunteers that we have because of that.” 

Belanger believes he was accused of creating roadblocks and [felt] he was blamed for the city’s lack of progress on social issues. 

"As an unelected official and a member of the public, I hold no position of power that would permit me to influence any decisions City Councillors may or may not make. It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that the City’s lack of progress (in any regard) is my fault or that I possess the authority to fashion roadblocks to that success,” Belanger wrote in his letter. “Yet, I have been publicly accused. This raises significant concerns regarding the dangers associated with politicians targeting public members. Instilling fear and intimidation can potentially jeopardize my safety and well-being and undermine the democratic process.” 

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UPDATE: Haley-Anne Trennery has been located. 

Lethbridge police are seeking help from the public to find a missing 23-year-old woman.

Haley-Anne Trennery last spoke to a family member on March 13 and police say they are concerned for her wellbeing. 

Anyone who has seen Haley-Anne Trennery, or has information on her whereabouts, is asked to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 24005215.

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The city is reminding residents there is a province-wide ban on pruning elm trees between April 1 and Sept. 30.

"Pruning elm trees during this time exposes wounds that could provide entry sites for Elm Bark Beetles, a carrier of the DED (Dutch Elm Disease) fungus. Provincial regulations prohibit the storage, sale or transport of elm wood."

The city also encourages residents to watch for symptoms of the disease on elm trees in their neighbourhoods. Trees infected last year may not leaf out this spring and from mid-June through July, they will wilt, curl and turn brown. The leaves on infected trees will also turn yellow and drop earlier than other leaves.

Residents can report elm trees displaying these symptoms to the city by contacting Lethbridge 311 or call the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease hotline: 1-877-837-ELMS (3567).

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UPDATE: Prakash Suryavanshi has been located. 

Lethbridge police are asking the public to help locate a 74-year-old man who has dementia.

Prakash Suryavanshi was reported missing around 11 a.m. and was last seen in the area of Chinook Regional Hospital. Police say efforts to locate him are ongoing.

Prakash is described as around 5’5” tall, 150 lbs, with grey hair. He has reading glasses and was last seen wearing a two-tone grey jacket, black pants and black shoes.

Anyone who has seen Prakash Suryavanshi, or has information on his whereabouts, is asked to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 24005383.

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