Bonnyville News

A local man who is alleged to have sprayed another man with animal repellent on the evening of July 15, won’t speak to assault charges before the courts until October.

An Ardmore man is facing multiple charges after allegedly being seen abandoning a stolen vehicle after RCMP attempted to initiate a traffic stop on July 15.

A 31-year-old Stony Plain man and a 22-year-old Cold Lake woman are facing numerous charges after allegedly fleeing from police at an Impaired Driving Check Stop on July 14 on Highway 28. The suspect reportedly led RCMP through a farmer’s crop during the pursuit, causing thousands of dollars of damage.

A Fort Kent property owner is on the hook for making a detached garage comply with the MD of Bonnyville’s Land Use Bylaw. The builder of the garage sought a development variance for the structure that had been built without a permit.

In the last five years, STARS has carried out a combined 655 missions to emergency calls within the MD of Bonnyville, Lac La Biche County, County of St. Paul, Smoky Lake County and County of Vermilion River. As a charity helicopter air ambulance service, STARS has become the best hope for patients in many worst-case scenarios.

Numerous recreational Alberta lakes are currently under a blue-green algae advisory with eight active advisories listed in the Lakeland area.

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for the Bonnyville, St. Paul, Cold Lake and Lac La Biche areas, which is attributed to wildfire smoke that is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. Much of western Canada is also under an air quality advisory.

Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, has been identified in the waters of Kehewin Lake, according to Alberta Health Services.

On July 12, Bonnyville firefighters from Station 5 responded to two separate structures fires. While one private residence was destroyed, a second structure fire was brought under control by staff prior to fire crews' arrival.

The cutting of a green ribbon signalled the grand opening of the MD of Bonnyville's Shaw House Visitor Information and Interpretive Centre. The newly upgraded facility will house the M.D. Trading Post - an artisan market, an interpretive centre, a tourist information centre, a summertime concession, a community boardroom and the offices for the municipality's Parks, Recreation and Culture Department.