City News

Premier Alison Redford’s Alberta Tories delivered a pre-election budget Feb. 9 that got thumbs up from many in the city.
The provincial budget not only included predictable funding for Lethbridge cabinet minister Greg Weadick’s advanced education ministry, but it also offered good news to plenty of his Lethbridge West constituents.
And there’s more to come, he says — sweeping changes to the province’s student loans system, with details released on Feb. 13, too late for publication in the Sun Times.
Premier Alison Redford’s first budget, he added during an interview with the Lethbridge Herald, shows the province is heading for a balanced budget — with a predicted $1 billion surplus in 2013-14. At the same time, it’s providing stable, predictable grants for the province’s colleges and universities. Post-secondary institutions will see a two per cent increase in operating grants in each of the next three years.
Weadick said the budget allows for $300 million to complete capital projects at Bow Valley College, SAIT and the University of Alberta but no new major capital projects for the next fiscal year are included. Weadick said a discussion is underway within government on how to fund infrastructure projects in the future, possibly through loans. The college is in the planning stages of revamping its aging trades building but that will have to wait.
The three-year budgeting cycle from Alberta Education was also greeted positively by local school districts.
“The board is appreciative that for the first time government has made a three-year commitment with respect to the amount that grants will be increased, albeit the increases are modest for the per pupil grant of one per cent this next year and then two per cent for each of the two subsequent years,” said Barry Litun, superintendent for the Lethbridge public school district.
“There are some welcome increases in the budget for sure,” said Sandra Dufresne, chairwoman of the Holy Spirit Catholic school division. “We’re certainly pleased they’re going to be funding us on a three-year model. We’ve been advocating for that for so long.”
That no new money for new schools or modernizing old ones was announced was disappointing to both local boards but increases to inclusive education and plant operations and maintenance were heralded as positive.
Provincial funds will continue to support such key projects as the new wing on Chinook Regional Hospital, said Weadick. And there are more funds for people living with a developmental disability, and for staff at the non-profit agencies which help them.
Speaking as a government supporter for her first budget — after seven years in Opposition ranks — Lethbridge East MLA Bridget Pastoor was also pleased by what she heard.
Long an advocate for disabled Albertans relying on an AISH cheque, she was happy to see the $400 per month increase announced Thursday. But there was good news for everyone, she said.
“People in Lethbridge will be happy there’s no tax increases,” despite rumoured hikes to the province’s beer, wine, liquor and tobacco “sin taxes.”
Members of city council — including her daughter, Bridget Mearns — should also be satisfied to see the province’s MSI grants to municipal governments remaining predictable and stable.
 “They’ll be on a three-year budget cycle,” just as city council is here.
At the University of Lethbridge, however, political scientist Geoffrey Hale was less hopeful.
Hale said history shows Alberta’s budgets, unlike most other provinces’, are seldom accurate beyond the current year.
To start with, he questioned the budget’s assumption that Alberta’s economy will grow by 3.8 per cent over the next year. Almost every calculation can be overturned by outside events, he warned.
If Israel attacked Iran, for example, the price of oil would spike. But further economic distress in Europe could have the opposite effect.
And natural gas, once the province’s most reliable source of income, shows no sign of recovering that position. Now, he said, the province relies very heavily on oilsands development.
“So much depends on what the province can get from its oilsands, without adequate pipelines to our major markets.”

Lethbridge continues to grow
New census data shows the population of Lethbridge outpaced the national growth rate over the last five years — a period of time that saw the country spiral into the most serious economic tailspin since the Great Depression.
Statistics Canada released the first batch of numbers from the 2011 census on Feb. 8 and the population of Lethbridge increased by 11.8 per cent since the last census in 2006.
When the 2011 census was taken last May 10, the population of Lethbridge was 83,517, compared with 74,685 from the 2006 census.
That increase in population is consistent with the growth rate shown in city censuses. Lethbridge has enjoyed slow but steady growth over the past few years, averaging between 1.5 and two per cent, said Mayor Rajko Dodic.

County of Lethbridge hoping to woo WestJet
County of Lethbridge officials aren’t going to wait for WestJet to come to them, they’re going to WestJet following the Feb. 8 announcement the airline will launch a regional service.
County Reeve Lorne Hickey said Feb. 9 that the announcement gives the county even more incentive to persuade WestJet to put Lethbridge on its list of new market destinations. So even though the county has been working to attract WestJet to the airport — and met with officials a few years ago — it plans to step up the pressure and be even more aggressive, rather than wait, and hope, WestJet comes to the county.
WestJet confirmed it will launch a low-fare, no-frills regional airline as part of the next “logical step” in the company’s evolution. There have been no announced market destinations or even a launch date.

YWCA names Women of Distinction
Five women have been named the YWCA Lethbridge and District’s Women of Distinction for 2012.
The award recognizes outstanding women who live and work in southern Alberta.
The honourees are chosen from the nominees for their accomplishments, commitment and leadership.
This year’s women of distinction include:
Sarah Amies in the social advocate category, Vicky Vannatta Miller in the community commitment category, Berga J. Moen, LL. B. in the YWCA champion category, Mary Runte in the Spirit of Women category, and Edith M. Stewart in the wise woman achievement category.
The Women of Distinction awards ceremony takes place March 23 at 5 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge. Guest speaker is Leela Gilday, aboriginal singer/songwriter and a winner at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.
Tickets are $100 with a $50 tax receipt, and can be purchased by phoning 403-329-0088 and at the YWCA.

Exhibition names its 2012 board
The Lethbridge and District Exhibition named its 2012 board at an annual general meeting held Feb. 9.
There were three board positions available. Incumbent Andy Cumming was re-elected for an additional three-year term. Joining him for three-year terms are newly elected board members Max G. Gibb and Mike Davis.
Returning board members include: president Gord Scheurman, first vice-president Don Young, Ken Benson, Dennis Carrier, Herman Elfring, Hazel Hart, Rick Neudorf, Bob Simonton, Kai Yip and past-president Georgina Knitel.
Ald. Tom Wickersham will continue to represent the City of Lethbridge and Morris Zeinstra will continue as the County of Lethbridge representative.

Some Elton John fans shut out of ticket sales

Elton John sang “I Want Love” and he certainly got it when tickets to see the musical icon in Lethbridge went on sale Feb. 11.
However, some disappointed fans left the Enmax Centre empty-handed Saturday morning after tickets to the April 24 concert sold out in 61 minutes — the fastest sell-out ever at the venue. Most of the total 6,300 tickets sold went to online buyers and not all of the 120 people who waited in freezing temperatures outside the ticket centre were able to get tickets.
“It was who got there first,” said Lana Barlow, sales and marketing manager at Enmax Centre. “Internet sales did take a huge portion.”
The Enmax Centre opened up more phone lines and increased its website bandwidth to accommodate a barrage of calls and clicks, Barlow said, but even so the phone lines and the web server still temporarily crashed.
But for those who set up camp to guarantee their spot in spite of chilling winds and, in some cases, a lack of legitimate sick days, the wait was well worth it.
Lethbridge resident Joyce Chambers and five of her friends were the first in line when tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, having been camped out the ticket centre since Thursday at 3 p.m., armed with serious-looking schedules divided into shifts for each of them.
“Even if we’re not diehard fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “This is the one way we’re actually guaranteed to get some tickets.”
Joe Poirier spent more than 24 hours waiting fourth in line, most of that time without even a tent.
“I’ve got frostbite on both my feet,” he said minutes before the ticket windows opened. “I’m actually going to the hospital after this.”
He did it as a surprise for his mother, who listens to Elton John’s albums “religiously.”
“It’s her birthday coming up and we just lost my dad recently so I figured this might put a smile on her face,” he said. “This is one small sacrifice to make to get her tickets to something she can’t afford.”
Those still desperate for tickets looked to online classifieds websites including Kijiji.ca, where at least a dozen posts appeared minutes after the show sold out offering tickets for up to $350 each, nearly double the $167 original ticket price. But there were twice as many wanted ads begging for tickets, some to give as birthday and wedding anniversary gifts — willing to pay hundreds more than the face value of the ticket.
The show is set for 8 p.m. April 24 at the Enmax Centre. Elton John is also set to play in Red Deer and Grande Prairie the following two nights before jetting off to Germany. Tickets for the Red Deer show sold out completely in 45 minutes, with all of the tickets available at the Red Deer Enmax Centrium going in fewer than 10 minutes.

Leisure centre study continues online
Didn’t attend either public open house concerning the city’s leisure centre study? Don’t sweat it. Residents have until noon Feb. 24 to fill out a questionnaire posted on the city’s website, www.lethbridge.ca, under Things To Do.
The answers will be reviewed by the study’s consultants before they move forward in the next part of their research.
The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a need in the city for a future leisure centre, and to examine what components could be included as a part of this type of facility.
The study comes at the request of city council after hearing from residents that there is a desire for such a centre. 
“We envision a facility that would have the potential to be the community hub with programming and activities available for all citizens of our community,” Ashley Matthews, the city’s recreation and culture manager, said in a news release.
While this is only a study, the city says, the work done now will help guide the process should the city move forward in the future to build such a complex.
The final report from this study is expected to be presented to city council in May.
The centre, planned for a site close to the city’s new westside high schools near Whoop-Up Drive, will begin with a 10-sheet curling rink and two side-by-side hockey arenas with NHL-sized ice. A $10-million federal grant, announced in January, signalled a go-ahead for plans on hold since last summer.
 

It’s not a tax bill — not yet. But owners of income-producing property in Lethbridge are getting an estimate of what they may be paying.
Assessment notices have been mailed covering about 2,100 revenue-generating properties, city officials say. They include stores, offices, apartment buildings and industry.
Owners are being asked to check them, and call city taxation officials soon if there are any questions or concerns. The valuations are based on an estimate of what the property could have sold for on the open market last July, they point out.
“We are asking owners of these properties to review their assessment valuations,” says Stan Dilworth, the city’s assessment and taxation manager.
The notice also includes an estimate of this year’s property tax, based on the assessment. But Dilworth said those figures won’t be firm until the city receives requisitions for the provincial education tax as well as the Green Acres Foundation levy.
Later in spring, he adds, the city’s 36,000 residential owners will receive a combined assessment and tax notice. Along with the business property taxes, they’ll be due on June 29.

Unapproved tattoo shop closed
Alberta Health Services is urging anyone who got a tattoo at an unapproved home operation in southern Alberta to be tested for hepatitis and HIV.
The province has shut down Sandra Wiltzen’s tattoo parlour in Lethbridge.
Health officials say the shop did not have proper sterilization equipment.
Individuals may have been exposed to the hepatitis and AIDS viruses.
Officials say the operator was given 30 days to provide Alberta Health Services with a complete list of clients, but has not done so.

Cancer awareness night with the ’Canes
It’s time to face-off in the fight against cancer with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Relay for Life.
The puck drops Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. as the Lethbridge Hurricanes take on the Regina Pats in Western Hockey League action. Come out and show your continued support for Relay for Life by participating in the Chuck-a-Puck and raffle. Proceeds benefit the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society and the fight against cancer.
Pre-tickets can be purchased at the Canadian Cancer Society Office at 317 10 St. S. at a price of $15 for adults, $10 for students and $9 for youth.

Jeans for Teens campaign at Park Place
Park Place Shopping Centre is giving shoppers a chance to save money by donating to charity.
Park Place’s Jeans for Teens sale continues until Feb. 12, giving shoppers the opportunity to donate their gently used jeans to receive deals and coupons at participating stores for new jeans. Shoppers can drop the jeans off at the denim wrapped box across from Guest Services. Once they do that, they can pick up coupons from Guest Services for deals on new jeans at participating stores. (Aeropostale, Sears, Hot Gossip, Bluenotes) Each person that donates will receive one set of coupons during the sale.
All of the jeans that are donated will be given to local charity.
Park Place marketing manager Jarod Neithercut said in a news release, “The idea originally came from Aeropostale; they did this last year. We wanted to jump on the opportunity to make it a much bigger event and to get as many pairs of jeans for donation as we possibly could. Our best chance to do this was to include more tenants and give shoppers a chance to get something new at a discounted price. We were stunned with how well our E-Waste round-up was received so we’re hoping people have just as many old jeans as old electronics.”

Open house showcases cadet opportunities
Even in landlocked southern Alberta, there are “Oceans of Opportunity” for youth ages 9-18 in the Navy League of Canada, Lethbridge Branch.
The Navy League will hold its Youth Agency Open House Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at “The Ship,” 1708 10 Ave. S. Keynote speaker will be Mayor Rajko Dodic. It’s also an opportunity to learn about the Navy League’s cadet programs.
Those who plan to attend the open house are asked to RSVP by calling Mrs. Jessie Mason at 403-394-3331.
The Navy League Cadets for youth ages 9-13 uses a naval theme as the platform to help participants develop self-discipline, respect for others, leadership skills and being part of a team, among other characteristics. While the program introduces cadets to what the Navy is all about, cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces.

City hiring census takers

It’s that time of year again.
The city is starting to hire census-takers to help chart the yearly growth.
“Residents of Lethbridge who enjoy walking are invited to apply,” says Aleta Neufeld, the acting city clerk. Application forms are available online at www.lethbridge.ca/census.
Successful applicants will be required to attend a two-hour training session in March, then start knocking on doors over a three-week period starting April 1.
City residents 18 and older are eligible to apply until Feb. 17. Forms are also available at the service counter on the second floor of City Hall.
Last spring, the city reported a population of 87,882.

Hybrid buses offer passenger comforts
Lethbridge Transit rolls out five hybrid-drive coaches on the road this month, representing the latest in energy-efficient vehicle technology. Not only will they save on fuel as they pull away from passenger stops, but they'll recharge their batteries as they brake.
"It's a parallel hybrid system," explains Richard Reron, maintenance manager for the city's transit, school bus and Access-a-Ride services.
The five New Flyer hybrids, which arrived over the holiday period, were purchased through the province's "Green Trip" incentive plan. During his last visit here as premier, Ed Stelmach announced a $6.1-million grant which will cover 10 full-sized transit buses and five Access-a-Ride vehicles — all using hybrid technology.
While their prime mover is a diesel engine, the "EP 40" technology promises fuel economy of up to 60 per cent, compared with a conventional drivetrain — and exhaust emissions cuts up to 90 per cent. The 280-horsepower General Motors engine is linked to an Allison electric drive system, with the torque and infinitely variable gear ratios of a traction motor in a trolley bus or an LRT vehicle.
Reron says riders will appreciate some inside-the-bus improvements as well. There's high-backed seating — and more seats — as well as more headroom in the back of the bus. For drivers, there are some added protection and comfort features as well.
Transit plans to retire most of the remaining high-floor GM "Classic" buses and sideline two of its four small "community buses," noted for their rough ride and uncomfortable seating. Later this year, there are also plans to add hybrid-powered Access-a-Ride buses.

Public school district approves calendar
Planning a vacation? It may get a little easier now that Lethbridge public school district has approved its 2012-13 school calendar.
Students in the Lethbridge public school district will start the 2012-13 school year on Sept. 4 after the Labour Day weekend.
The Christmas vacation will go from Dec. 24, 2012 to Jan. 4, 2013 with classes resuming on Jan. 7. The Easter break is scheduled from March 29 to April 5, 2013 with classes starting again on April 8. School will end for students on June 27, 2013 and on June 28 for staff.
Other parts of the calendar, such as professional development days, will be posted on the district website once they’re finalized.

Community Foundation accepting grant applications
In continuing its support of charitable organizations, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta has announced that grant applications for the spring 2012 cycle are being accepted.
Applications will be accepted until Feb. 15.
Organizations must be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency, be in association with a municipality, or a school district. Grant applications, as well as more information on eligibility and funding criteria, can be found on the Community Foundation website (www.cflsa.ca). The Community Foundation staff is also available to assist organizations with their grant applications at 403-328-5297.
With two granting cycles per year, the Community Foundation focuses on awarding grants in four key areas: Arts, Culture and Heritage; Environment and Conservation; Health and Wellness; Human and Social Services; Recreation and Leisure. In 2011, 59 Community Impact Grants totalling $306,775 were awarded to deserving organizations in the areas served — from Nanton to Waterton and from Grassy Lake to Crowsnest Pass.
"The funding for our Community Impact Grants is generated from the investment income of permanent endowments established by generous donors over the past 45 years," board president Barb Cavers said in a news release.
"Through our annual grants program, donors can be confident that the Foundation is able to identify and support a wide range of community projects in southwestern Alberta."
Since 1966, more than $6 million in grants has been awarded to charitable organizations in southwestern Alberta.

Get out on Winter Walk Day
Lethbridge College’s Be Fit for Life will be among the thousands of Albertans participating in the Winter Walk Day on Feb. 8.
Step up and join Lethbridge’s community event Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Henderson Lake. Registration for the event starts at 5:45 p.m. in front of Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens.
Last year, more than 100,000 Albertans participated and collectively walked more than 2.4 million minutes. Participants are expected to reach over 120,000 this year.
If you are unable to participate in the event with the group, simply walk outside for at least 15 minutes and then visit www.shapeab.com to submit your walking minutes.
For more information, contact Chelsea Purves at the Lethbridge College Be Fit for Life Centre, 403-320-3202 ext. 5742.

Interesection closed
The Intersection of 2  Avenue North and 28 Street North will be closed to traffic until Feb. 21 at 5 p.m.
This closure is necessary to accommodate a watermain installation, according to a city news release.
Detour signs are in place to guide motorists around the closure, local traffic will be permitted with no thoroughfare. Motorists are asked to follow the posted detours and drive with caution.
Highway 3, 5 Avenue North, Mayor Magrath Drive North and 31 Street North serve as alternate routes.


 

Construction of a new curling rink and two NHL-sized ice arenas will begin next year in Lethbridge.
City officials confirmed plans for the two facilities, worth nearly $38 million, following announcement of a $10-million federal grant on Jan. 26. They said the new facilities — replacing the aging Civic Ice Centre downtown — should be complete by the summer of 2015.
A leisure centre is also expected to be part of the westside “recreation campus,” planned for a 25-acre site near the city’s new high schools and library. Two open house sessions will help determine what it will include. The final open house is Feb. 1 at City Hall from 7-9 p.m.
Speaking at a press conference held in the Nicholas Sheran Arena, the Mayor Rajko Dodic said the two new arenas would have the same full-sized ice sheets. But their 900-seat spectator capacity would be somewhat smaller.
With twin arenas, officials added, the city would also be in a better position to host figure skating competitions. They’ll also increase the hours of ice time available for leagues and public skating.
The adjacent curling club would contain 10 sheets of ice but could be expanded in the future. It would also have a lounge — and plenty of parking — and would continue to be operated for the city by the Lethbridge Curling Club.
Contractors for the hockey and curling rinks are expected to be commissioned through a request for proposal process, Dodic said. Architects will be hired to complete final design work before summer.
The city hopes to select a builder next winter, he added, so work could be completed by June 2015.
Officials say elements of the adjoining leisure centre — like food concessions — could link the curling and hockey arenas with other features like waterslides or a wave pool.
Lethbridge MP Jim Hillyer announced approval of the federal grant, first applied for in 2010. He said the money, from the “major infrastructure” section of the federal “Building Canada Fund,” will help provide facilities to serve the community for years to come.
Meanwhile, there’s been no decision yet to level the 62-year-old building downtown.
The present facilities, a 1950s-style hockey arena and a 10-sheet curling rink, will be maintained for the next few years. But engineers will be asked to report on their life expectancy, said Ashley Matthews, the city’s recreation and culture manager.

Bridget Pastoor wins Lethbridge East PC nomination
Bridget Pastoor won the nomination for the Lethbridge East Progressive Conservatives in a close vote announced shortly after 10 p.m. on Jan. 26.
The vote was close with 652 ballots cast and two spoiled votes. Pastoor and Lorne Hickey, the other nominee, decided they wouldn't reveal the exact number of votes each candidate received.
Pastoor was first elected to Lethbridge city council in 1998 and went on to provincial politics in 2004 when she was elected as the Liberal MLA for Lethbridge East. She was elected to a second term in March, 2008. Shortly after Alison Redford became premier last October, Pastoor crossed the floor.
Hickey has been reeve of the County of Lethbridge for the past seven years and has 14 years of experience serving on county council. Hickey told the Lethbridge Herald earlier he'd had political aspirations for some time but opted to serve another term as reeve to get more political experience.

MLA pay review session nixed
A special commission created to examine MLAs’ pay and perks cancelled the Jan. 30 Lethbridge public hearing after no one from the area signed up to attend.
Similar sessions in Medicine Hat, Red Deer and points north were cancelled for similar reason.
The panel, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Jack Major, opened its hearings last week in Edmonton and will close with a session Feb. 2 in Calgary.
The base pay is just $52,000. That's what Albertans pay their Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Yes, they get an extra $26,000 in tax-free expense allowances. But it's almost the lowest in Canada. Only Prince Edward Island — with a population not much bigger than Lethbridge — pays its MLAs less.
Anyone can still send their comments by email at mlacompensationreview.ab.ca.

School trustee resigns
Lethbridge School District trustee Dennis Wickham resigned from the board, a day after he was sentenced in Lethbridge provincial court.
Board chairman Gary Bartlett said the board supported Wickham’s belief that his continued presence would be a distraction to the district’s operations. Wickham met with trustees before its Jan. 24 board meeting and then submitted his letter of resignation.
On Jan. 23, Wickham pleaded guilty to one count of forgery and was given a four-month conditional sentence during which time he must adhere to a curfew from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The charges stemmed from incidents in 2009 and 2010 when Wickham was president of the Lethbridge Minor Softball Association and wrote himself cheques using the signatures of two board members.
The most recent sentence runs concurrently with a six-month conditional sentence and house arrest Wickham received in October in connection with writing himself unauthorized cheques and stealing and altering other cheques totalling more than $4,000 from the Alberta Football Referees’ Association in 2009.
The school board trustees opted not to call a byelection and will continue for the balance of the term with six trustees. The next municipal election is scheduled for October 2013.

Intra-league derby bout Saturday
The Lethbridge Roller Dery Guild rolls out its two new house teams at its first intra-league bout, “High Level Hijinx” on Feb. 4 at the Lethbridge Exhibition Park North Pavilion.
Tickets are available from derby members and online by visiting www.lethbridgerollerderby.ca.
The guild created the house teams, the Coalbank Crushers and the Windy City Wenches, to accommodate the growing interest in the sport.
“That was our goal when we first started that we were just going to start small and build up on it, and we’re really happy that after playing a full season and then coming back, we're able to now expand,” said guild vice-president Martina Emard, a.k.a. Cherri Blaster, adding new skaters are always welcome.
Having three teams in the league means skaters now have more opportunities to play and gain bouting experience. The expansion also means more games for fans to attend.

London Road hopes to be home to Great Neighbourhood award
The London Road Neighbourhood is garnering national attention as one of best places to live in the Great Places in Canada contest.
“It’s great. It’s exciting,” said Sharon Hudemka, president of the London Road Neighbourhood Association (LRNA). “The more votes the better. We’re up against any of the neighbourhoods in Canada.”
The annual contest recognizes special places that Canadians love most. A panel of judges will view the most popular places and declare a winner in April. Visit www.greatplacesincanada.com to vote before midnight on Feb. 29.
The nomination comes just one year after London Road was named one of 12 Best Old House Neighbourhoods in Canada by “This Old House” magazine.
Hudemka said London Road in the spotlight will not only showcase the neighbourhood, but the city as well, which could help increase tourism and attract more people to move here.

5th on 5th launches fundraiser
5th on 5th launched its 16th annual Investing in Youth fundraiser Jan. 26 at Integra Air’s hangar, which will host a Taste of Lethbridge donors’ dinner when the fundraiser wraps up March 31.
5th on 5th president Jeff Meadows said the organization hopes to raise at least $45,000 this year for youth programs.
“They’re looking for, basically, anything and everything we can provide. Anything from our job postings to help with resumes, help getting prepared for interviews, things like that. A lot of our clientele really don’t know where to start when it comes to going out and trying to find a job. And we even help after they get jobs. We coach and help them keep the jobs they’ve managed to find.”
This year’s fundraising goal is up from a record $38,000 raised last year after the provincial government cancelled its Youth Connections program and cut $275,000 in funding.
“Despite losing that entire program funding, we’ve maintained our services and managed to tap into some other funding sources,” Meadows said, explaining the centre has had to expand its clientele age maximum to 30 to qualify for new funding.

Bees promote spelling success
The Lethbridge Public Library offers a chance for students in Grades 1-3, who eventually hope to enter the national spelling bee, to participate in the library’s third annual mini bee taking place Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in the main branch’s Theatre Gallery.
Registration forms are available at the main branch, The Crossings branch and www.lethlib.ca.
The library is hosting Saturday study sessions where participants can play word games, learn how a spelling bee works, prepare and have fun. The remaining sessions are Feb. 4 at the main branch and Feb. 11 at The Crossings branch.

Alison Redford made her first visit to Lethbridge on Jan. 23 since being named premier last fall.
But no major events were planned when she kickd off a political tour of the province. Instead, according to Lethbridge MLAs, her visit consisted of a private dinner followed by a “mix and mingle” public reception.
While Redford was off to another city the next day, Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick welcomed two of his cabinet colleagues — Ron Leipert, the finance minister, and Heather Klimchuck, culture and community services — to a $20 business luncheon.
Weadick, minister of advanced education and technology, then headed north for appearances in Red Deer, Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray.
More cabinet ministers will visit Lethbridge and area later in the week, he said, as part of the Conservative government’s pre-election tour. Redford is expected to schedule a provincial election for mid-April.
But names, times and places have not been announced — a fact that disturbs the leader of the province’s Official Opposition. The Conservatives want to control who’s taking part, said Liberal leader Raj Sherman.

Car strikes crowd after bar fight
Four men face charges after a bar fight at Pulse Nightclub.
Police say bar staff were trying to evict several unruly patrons around 2:30 a.m. Saturday when a fight broke out.
During the fight, police say a man got in his car and drove into a crowd, causing minor injuries to three. He tried to leave the scene but hit two other vehicles which incapacitated his own. Police caught him when he tried to flee on foot.
Yannick Kalala Kanyungo, 25, of Calgary is charged with three counts of assault with a weapon, dangerous driving, impaired driving over .08 and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.
Vasco Mbuyi Kalala, 23, of Lethbridge has been charged with assault and resisting a police officer.
Tressor Louis Mputo Kamdu, 29, of Calgary has been charged with three counts of assault and resisting a police officer while Edgar Kidende Segasayo, 23, of Lethbridge was charged with one count of assault.

Lethbridge on the flight path of WestJet expansion?
WestJet recently announced it is considering the launch of a new short-haul, regional airline as early as 2013 using a fleet of approximately 40 smaller, turboprop aircraft.
Though WestJet officials came to Lethbridge with a similar idea several years ago, a company spokesperson was not able to confirm it’s one of the routes now proposed.
Currently, Air Canada flies only Calgary connectors, using its Central Mountain Air and Jazz affiliates. The city’s only other scheduled service is provided by Lethbridge-based Integra Air, offering executive-style flights daily to Edmonton.
If WestJet does add Lethbridge to its schedule, local officials hope competition with Air Canada could lead to lower fares as well as more route choices.

Poster blitz hopes for tips
Matthew Huszar, a 25-year-old geologist, left an office Christmas party on Dec. 16 just before midnight. He was walking in the Gastown area of Vancouver that connects to the city’s downtown eastside wearing black dress pants, a white and blue checked shirt, black shoes and a dark green tweed coat. His family and friends haven’t seen or heard from him since.
On Jan. 21, Matthew’s cousin Whitney Christensen and her mother Deb Bullock handed out 300 posters in front of her business at 1218 2 Ave. S., Suite 102 in Lethbridge and posted them around the city between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. along with anyone who wanted to help out.
Even though Matthew went missing in Vancouver, if there’s any chance someone in his hometown might know where he is or if he somehow finds his way back here, the posters will help, Christensen said.
“We can’t be there, but it’s important to show our support to the family,” she said. “This is something we can do.”
The Huszar family lived in Lethbridge for more than 30 years before Rod and his wife Danny moved to Vancouver Island last February. Matthew grew up here and graduated from Catholic Central High School before he moved to Vancouver to attend the University of British Columbia, from which he graduated in the spring. He now works as an exploration geologist for a mining company.
Desperate for new tips that could lead to Matthew, the Huszars announced last week week they will offer a $10,000 reward for information on his whereabouts.

City remains home to strong construction numbers
Buyers’ continued demand for new homes kept local builders busy in 2011 — and put Lethbridge and area ahead of Alberta’s other mid-sized cities yet again.
A total of 766 housing units were launched in the Lethbridge census area last year, including a growing number of multi-family spaces. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says that tally compares with 617 in Red Deer and area, 679 in the Grande Prairie market and just 150 in Medicine Hat.
But more than one-third of the Lethbridge-area homes were built outside the city, contributing to a $38 million drop — to $160.9 million — in the listed value of building projects started in the city during 2011. The city experienced a surge of commercial construction projects, however, partially offsetting dips in industrial and institutional work.
“Our commercial values were up 40 per cent,” said Kerry Crump, manager of the city’s building inspection services. “That was quite a nice surprise.”
New Save-on-Foods and Shoppers Drug Mart locations near the westside Safeway helped push the new construction total to $22 million, and so did a three-storey office building underway near Costco off Mayor Magrath Drive S. But owners also spent a further $18 million to renovate or add to existing facilities.
But home building remained the cornerstone of the city’s construction industry during 2011, with 341 single-family permits issued for a value of $41.3 million. Apartments, condos and townhouse projects (23 of them) added another $15.4 million, with 66 duplex projects contributing another $5.3 million.
Once again, says CMHC spokesperson Piche Kalyniuk, the Lethbridge market remained stable.
Last year’s were just four fewer than the year before, she noted.
Residential additions and renovations added another $14 million to the year’s tally.

Cornerstone case won’t go to trial
The owner of a Lethbridge funeral home charged with defrauding clients and the provincial government apologized Jan. 18 during a hearing in Lethbridge provincial court.
Ralph Zentner, co-owner of Cornerstone Funeral Home, pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud under $5,000. Crown prosecutor James Pickard from special prosecutions in Calgary, withdrew several other charges including fraud over $5,000, and offering an indignity to a dead body.
Related charges against Zentner’s wife, Faith — who had been fined in 2006 for embalming without a licence — were also withdrawn.
Zentner had been accused of defrauding the Alberta government and an unknown number of clients in about 55 transactions involving incidents between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2010. The charge stems from transactions regarding the cremation of people whose remains were the responsibility of the province, including incidents in which the Alberta government was billed for scattering or burying ashes when the service wasn’t requested.
The matter was adjourned to Feb. 7, at which time a date will be set for sentencing.

Fire ban removed
With the cold and snow of late the City of Lethbridge has lifted its fire ban in the river valley area.
Tinder-dry conditions recently saw firefighters battle several grass fires and prompted the ban. Chief fire marshal Ken Knox said those who are going to have fires in the river valley should use clean dry wood and make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving.
 

Volunteer Lethbridge seeks nominations for youth volunteer awards

Do you know a local youth who has contributed to the community through volunteerism?
Volunteer Lethbridge is accepting nominations for its annual youth recognition program, Leaders of Tomorrow.
The program recognizes young people ages five to 24 who have made outstanding contributions in the community through their volunteer efforts. Organizations or individuals can nominate anyone who volunteers within a 28-kilometre radius of Lethbridge and displays a dedication in any area of volunteerism. These include, but are not limited to school, community, humanitarian and social causes, sport, recreation, fine arts and culture.
The deadline for nominations is noon Friday, March 9. Nomination forms are available at www.volunteerlethbridge.com or can be picked up at the Volunteer Lethbridge office, 200 Deveta Place, 410 Stafford Dr. S.
All nominated volunteers will be honoured at the Leaders of Tomorrow event, April 18, during National Volunteer Week, and will receive a recognition award. Recipients who display an exceptional commitment will also be presented with the Volunteer Excellence Award.