Bonnyville News

The City of Cold Lake proposed a solution to its financial problems to the province last week that would transfer tax assessment on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range from Lac La Biche County to the City.

Principal of Holy Cross Elementary School, Will Baker, became one of Canada's Outstanding Principals for 2011, an award presented by The Learning Partnership. Two other Albertan principals and 28 Canadian principals also received the award.

MP for Westlock-St. Paul Brian Storseth was preaching fiscal restraint to local councillors during a visit to town last week. “We need to cut back, we need to say no to spending,” said Storseth at a meeting with MD of Bonnyville council on Jan. 11.

Members of the Bonnyville fire department voted to remove fire chief Steve Wojcik and deputy chief James Sharun in a non-confidence vote Dec. 21, in which details of who was present have not been made public.

The three municipalities that hosted the Alberta Winter Games last year sent a letter of intention to bid on the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games.

The community of Kehewin is mourning the loss of two young boys who were found dead in an Edmonton townhouse early on Dec. 20. Three-year-old Gabriel Justin J. Cardinal would have celebrated his fourth birthday on Dec. 28.

Bonnyville's first baby of 2011 was born to Cold Lake's Kody Cardinal and Angela (Angel) Janvier on Jan. 1 at the Bonnyville Healthcare Centre. Kennedy Mayanna Payton Janvier was born at 11:10 a.m. and weighed six pounds, 12 ounces.

On Dec. 22, the community of Bonnyville lost two prominent and generous citizens. Robert and Gisele Kleinmann died in a two-vehicle collision on Hwy. 881 south of Fort McMurray on their way to spend time with family for Christmas.

Sponsoring the 2010 Alberta Winter Games stands out as one of the best accomplishments of the year for Town of Bonnyville Mayor Ernie Isley.

“I always sang country music and I didn't know how to play so I thought, well I'll take some guitar lessons and see what happens,” says Christine Urchyshyn, reflecting on starting to play guitar at the age of 61.