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High school football: New St. Thomas Academy coach Travis Walch brings different ideas to Cadets’ program

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

Travis Walch took over a St. Thomas Academy football program that was wildly successful under his predecessor, Dan O’Brien.And then, in Walch’s first game as head coach two weeks ago, the Cadets lost 55-29 to Andover.Travis WalchNot exactly a dream start.“I gotta tell you, I was sitting there last Monday, after we lost to Andover, I’m thinking to myself going, ‘Am I really doing this right?’ ” Walch said over the phone this week.But the early bump in the road proved to be a good test for Walch taking on an ambitious operation in Mendota Heights.Walch is deeply rooted in college football. The Elgin, Minn., native was a first-team, Division II All-American running back at Winona State before embarking on a 20-plus year college coaching career that featured stops at Winona State, Carleton, Macalester and St. Thomas.Walch was a coordinator at St. Thomas, working under his mentor and the officiant at his wedding, Glenn Caruso, in a gig he called ”a dream come true,” before he and his wif...

FCSS offering autism and down syndrome support groups

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

By Garrett SimmonsFCSS CommunicationsThere are very few opportunities for rural families of children with disabilities, including Autism or Down Syndrome, to access community resources. In most cases, in fact, the resources simply do not exist.With that in mind, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is offering Autism and Down Syndrome Support Groups in communities throughout its coverage area.“The idea to have Support Groups came from working one on one with families with children with disabilities, including Autism and Down Syndrome. It was clear that families would benefit from the connection and support that accompanies a support group environment,” said Jackie Fiorino, FCSS Family Support Worker.  As a result, Fiorino established two supports groups, one for families with children diagnosed with Autism, and one for families with children diagnosed with Down Syndrome.The support groups started in March 2023.  The preferred structure for families was an online setting, as ...

Copperheads begin exhibition play Sept. 16

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

By Garrett SimmonsSunny South NewsMain camp has kicked off for the Coaldale Copperheads as the team prepares for the 2023/2024 Heritage Junior Hockey League season.Things get underway on Saturday, Sept. 16 at The Snake Pit arena, as the Copperheads are set to face off against the Medicine Hat Cubs in exhibition action. On Sept. 17, the teams will back at it in exhibition play, this time in the Hat at the Kinplex at 3 p.m.Coaldale is coming off a 2022/2023 campaign where the team finished with a 13-20 record, with five overtime points, which resulted in a 31-point season. The Copperheads finished fifth overall in the South Division and lost in game three in overtime against Strathmore in the playoffs.The Okotoks Bisons return as the back-to-back HJHL champions, as the team is coming off a 4-0 sweep of the Cubs in the league final.Coaldale’s quest for the playoffs begins Saturday, Sept. 23, when the Copperheads begin the regular season with a two-game homestand. Saturday’s game at 7 p...

Lethbridge County Council Sept. 7 briefs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe following are selected briefs from the Sept. 7 council meeting:Bridge File 79589 Lethbridge County has approved a $100,000 budget increase for galvanized culverts.County Council heard from the County’s Director of Municipal Development & Infrastructure, Devon Thiele during the Sept. 5 regular council meeting for an update on Bridge File 79589.The bridge is located at the intersection of Howe Road and Brown Road and was previously scheduled for replacement in 2023-2024. Initially, the project was expected to cost $300,000, and would include the installation of two 2.5 metre galvanized culverts.Thiele said during the design phase, it was determined two 2.5m culverts would not sufficiently accommodate water flows.It was determined two 2.7m culverts would be a more appropriate solution. The design process also revealed for an additional $30,000 the County would be able to invest in polymer-coated culverts which would add an extra 25 years to their...

Feds should cut spending, but don’t hold your breath

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

Cutting back on Big Macs so you can spend more on beef Wellingtons isn’t saving money.Taxpayers want to be optimistic as Treasury Board President Anita Anand orders ministers to find $15 billion in savings. Only one problem: saving money means something different in Ottawa than in the rest of Canada.“The budget … includes that $15 billion of savings so we could fund the programs outlined in the budget,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said. “It is not new savings.”In other words, the savings will be spent – and then some.Budget 2023 shows spending was $470 billion in 2022. By 2027, Ottawa plans to spend almost $556 billion. When you increase spending by $85 billion, you’re saving money wrong.The Trudeau government was spending all-time highs before the pandemic, even after accounting for inflation and population differences. The 2019 budget then projected spending this year at $402 billion. The Trudeau government now plans to spend $491 billion this year.After years of embarking ...

Database connects local libraries and schools with books published in-province

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Book Publishers Association of Alberta has released its 2023-2024 Alberta Books for Schools catalogue, in addition to publishing updates to the digital database.The catalogue is intended to be used as a resource for libraries, schools, booksellers, and educators to help them discover books published in Alberta. Although the subject matter varies by genre and author, many of the titles on the list are set in or feature Alberta landscapes. The annual print catalogue now contains nearly 100 titles, and the digital database contains over 150 titles.Although it is a useful resource for bookworms looking to “read local”, staff at the Alberta Library have determined curriculum connections for all titles in both the digital database and the selected titles featured in the print catalogue, with accessibility/alternative formats, such as eBooks or audiobooks, noted in the catalogue’s description.Executive Director of the Book Publishers Association of Alber...

Local ag research continues to benefit from OFCAF funding

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsResults Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) has declared the first year distributing OFCAF funding to be a huge success.Last month, Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) announced the organization had distributed funding to over 1,200 projects on over one million acres of farm land since August 4, 2022.In 2022, RDAR was selected as the distribution partner of $33 million in federal funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF).The OFCAF facilitates funding to farmers giving them the supports to adopt best management practices which are geared towards sustainability. Just under one third of the $33 million in funding ($10 million) was been awarded by RDAR in 2022, with an additional $18 million to be distributed in 2023 with the program.While BMP’s (beneficial management practices) are often goals for producers, cost can be a barrier for farmers looking to adopt new techniques, especially in cases...

Coalhurst approves budget consultation plan

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsA plan to gain public feedback on upcoming budgets has been approved by Coalhurst town council.During their regular Sept. 5 meeting, Coalhurst town council discussed a consultation plan for the upcoming budget.As budget deliberations are soon to begin, administration proposed the following as a consultation plan for the 2024 Budget: first, administration puts out a survey where residents indicate how they would like levels of service to be impacted for the varying departments; second, the town holds an Open House for residents to attend and provide input directly with members of council; and that the results of the survey engagement be presented during a council meeting.“At this stage, it’s more of gaining an idea of where they’ll like to see the service levels, rather than a specific item,” said Mike Passey, director of corporate service for the town. “When you think of X,Y, Z, this gives you an idea of… where they’ll want to see the town go and pro...

RCMP encouraging citizens to register for CAPTURE camera database

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsAn RCMP delegation by the Coaldale and Picture Butte detachments during the Sept. 7 Lethbridge County council meeting, encouraged citizens with surveillance cameras on their property to opt into registering for the Alberta RCMP Rural Capture Program. CAPTURE stands for “community assisted policing through use of recorded evidence.”The RCMP-backed initiative was originally set to first be piloted in Coalhurst, but was launched across Alberta earlier this year.In addition to presenting the quarterly update and report to council, Sgt. Dave Marintette also provided council with an update on Project CAPTURE.“It is something (we) want to get out into the public and make them aware of it.”CAPTURE is an online program which allows anyone to go in, create an account and register that you have video cameras, either at the door or elsewhere on the property.Marintette said registering, “does not give the RCMP or any police access to your cameras. We are not able ...

Coaldale gears up for Fall Community Meetup & Registration night

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:59 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Town of Coaldale’s wildly successful community registration event is returning Sept. 12.Previously known as Fall Mass Registration, the Fall Community Meetup & Registration event is held annually and facilitates connection between various community groups, organizations, and committees in Coaldale.The event provides attendees with the opportunity to learn more about what is going on in their community and provides an opportunity and communal space for organizations seeking new membership to hold registration. In addition to registration opportunities, the event will include information booths, and activities for the duration of the event.The event will also include a Pickleball clinic, hosted by the Coaldale Pickleball Club where attendees can earn more about the fastest growing sport in North America.Once again in 2023, the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Coaldale will be sponsoring free pizza and refreshments for those in attendance.Community S...