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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.
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