YEAR IN REVIEW
JANUARY-JUNE 2017
January University of Lethbridge’s 50th anniversary begins
On Jan. 13 and 14, celebrations for the University of Lethbridge’s 50th anniversary kicked off with the Founders’ Day Weekend.
“We’re very pleased and excited about the fact that the university has achieved half a century of success as an institution,” said Mike Mahon, the U of L’s president and vicechancellor.
Women march in solidarity
On Jan. 21, almost 600 people came together or the Women’s March on Washington Lethbridge Solidarity Gathering
“Women’s rights are human rights,” said Shannan Little, a facilitator for the gathering. “We’re here to say loudly and clearly that we will not tolerate discrimination.”
ATB Centre fire causes $100K damage
A leaky valve on a propane hose was been blamed for a Jan. 29 construction-site fire in the city’s new leisure centre.
Damage was initially estimated at $15,000, but after engineers inspected the project, the repair bill was increased to $100,000 as two steel beams were warped by the fire. The incident was considered accidental. There were no workers on site at the time, and no injuries to fire personnel.
Mosque vigil held for Quebec victims
On Jan. 30, hundreds of people gathered outside city hall for a vigil to remember those killed during a shooting at a Mosque in Quebec City the day before.
Among those present were representatives from the Lethbridge Muslim Association, Lethbridge City Council, the Alberta government, Lethbridge Family Services - Immigrant Services, the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination, and the Lethbridge Police Service.
February Police standoff in Pincher Creek
On Feb. 8, police were called to home in Pincher Creek after calls of what was thought to be a gunshot, which resulted in a lengthy standoff. During a search of the house police found a shotgun and spent shells in one of the bedrooms.
In October, Dewey Todd Starzyk was sentenced to 11 months in jail, but he was released after court determined he had already spent the equivalent amount of time in custody waiting for his charges to be resolved. Starzyk, 57, pleaded guilty to careless use of a weapon, two counts of breaching court orders and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
Police standoff in Lethbridge
On Feb. 10, a four-hour police standoff on the westside occurred after an officer went to a home on Dalhousie Court West to arrest a man on outstanding warrants.
According to police, the suspect was being placed under arrest when he began struggling with the officer. The man slid several knives across the floor to his friend, who said he was going to get a gun and ran into another room. Police cordoned the area off, and after four hours, took the two men into custody.
Brian Tarbet Fulljames, 28, and Forrest Jensen, 20, are set to stand trial on Feb. 6, 2018, on charges of assaulting a peace officer and resisting a peace officer.
$1.2 million drug bust largest in city’s history
ALERT Lethbridge’s organized crime and gang team seized more than $1.2 million in drugs, firearms and proceeds of crime from four homes, it was announced on Feb. 11.
The ALERT investigation began in December. Drugs seized included 8,054 ecstasy pills; 546 grams of cocaine; 305 grams of methamphetamine; 20.9 kilograms of marijuana; 4.5 kilograms of cannabis resin; 1,605 tabs of LSD; and 1,575 Xanax pills.
Teacher faces child porn charges
On Feb. 23, police searched a home and issued several charges to a Lethbridge teacher at École La Verendrye
In October, Dwayne Evan Schnell, 37, pleaded guilty to charges of distributing, publishing and making child pornography, which could net him as much as 10 years in prison for the distribution charge alone, and up to five years for each of the other charges.
Schnell remains free on bail with conditions that he live with his parents in Calgary and not access the internet or have any contact with children under the age of 16. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 15, 2018.
March Palliser fires Gietz following lengthy review
On March 1, Superintendent Kevin Gietz was fired from Palliser Regional Schools — the culmination of the board appointing a three-person panel to hold a division-wide review in response to widespread reports of bullying and other issues within the district.
The panel came up with 21 recommendations to resolve the issues, which the board accepted in full. In September, Dave Driscoll, an educator with 27 years of teaching and leadership experience in southern Alberta, was named Palliser’s new superintendent. He began on Oct. 1.
Missing sisters mystery solved
After a lengthy investigation that spanned decades and multiple detectives, the Lethbridge Police Service closed the book on a historic case on March 2.
The last time family members had seen Anna and Kym Hakze was in Edmonton in the mid1980s. Their mother reported them missing in 2003 as she hadn’t seen or heard from her daughters in more than a decade.
The sisters, originally from Lethbridge, disappeared together. The sisters were found living with new identities and not too far away from each other in the United States.
Greatness in Leadership hosts MLK III, Messier
On March 7, the Enmax Centre held the Greatness in Leadership Management Development Day with humanitarian Martin Luther King III, and six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier.
OHV rally in CNP
During a “Rally for the Castle,” hundreds of off-highway vehicles (OHV) flooded the streets of Blairmore on March 11 to protest the Alberta government’s proposal to phase them out of the Castle parks area.
While many environmentalists have praised the idea, thousands of OHV enthusiasts and regular visitors to the Castle area have voiced their concerns.
100 dogs seized from westside home
On March 24, two SPCA peace officers, with assistance from City of Lethbridge animal services, removed 101 dogs from a residence in the Varsity Village West neighbourhood.
A 61-year-old man, David Michael Petiot, was charged under the Animal Protection Act. Later in the year, he was accepted into a mental health diversion program, which allows an accused person to receive treatment and counselling to reduce the likelihood of reoffending. His next court date is Jan. 24, 2018.
April New affordable child care spaces coming
On April 6, Premier Rachel Notley announced that 22 Early Learning and Child Care Centres will be added or expanded in locations across Alberta, including at one in the city.
The three-year, $10-million pilot program provides child care for children up to six years of age with maximum fees of $25 per day. Lethbridge families will benefit as 53 new, flexible and affordable licensed child-care spaces will soon be available through the Opokaa’sin Child Care program.
Historic water charter signed
On April 7, more than two dozen signatories participated in the ground-breaking Southern Alberta Water Charter.
Shannon Phillips, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Parks, joined Mayor Chris Spearman, University of Lethbridge president Mike Mahon and representatives from many communities for a signing ceremony at city hall, organized by the Oldman Watershed Council.
Church battle heads to Rome court
On April 27, the Save Our Churches Association had its annual general meeting and members voted to take their fight to save St. Patrick’s Church to the top court in Rome.
St. Patrick’s Church was shuttered by the bishop on Aug. 1, 2011. The Save Our Churches Association has been fighting ever since to have it reopened, even appealing to the Vatican. May
Council gives CIP OK
On May 23, Lethbridge City Council approved the projects to be included in the 2018-27 Capital Improvement Program, along with funding sources.
Council members, meeting as Finance Committee, spent five days deliberating which projects should be included in the first four-year funding window. More than 100 projects were proposed, including more than $284 million in community capital projects — but only $62.6 million was available for community projects.
Westside standoff leads to charges
On May 24, police responded to an apartment complex in the 2500 block of Walsh Drive West as a result of comments posted on social media sites.
A man refused to speak to the officers but continued to post comments online, so members of the Lethbridge Police Critical Incident Response Team were deployed. Police didn’t find any weapons during a search of the apartment unit, but they found body armour, which is prohibited by provincial legislation.
Charges to Daniel Crowder of threats to cause death, possession of body armour and breaching court orders, were later withdrawn on July 28 after he agreed to abide by conditions of a peace bond. The peace bond will be in effect for one year, during which Crowder must keep the peace and behave himself and not possess any firearms or weapons.
Grad party comes under scrutiny
In late May, a high school grad party received attention in the news because of its race-charged context.
Several social media posts on various sites alleged Chinook High School students held a “Cowboys and Indians” party.
“On behalf of the Chinook Graduating Class, we formally apologize for offending anyone by having a Grad party entitled ‘Cowboys and Indians,’” read a statement provided to The Herald by the Chinook High Class of 2017. The school later held an assembly addressing the inappropriateness of the party.
June Local actor appears in Wonder Woman
Eugene Brave Rock from the Blood Tribe plays “Chief” in the DC Comics superhero hit “Wonder Woman,” and on June 6, he spoke to 250 youth before a special screening of the movie at the Galaxy Theatre in Lethbridge.
“Dreams come true. I’m a living example,” he said.
Historic crossroad for Lethbridge, but crosswalks later vandalized
Two temporary crosswalks were painted on June 8 at the intersection of 3 Avenue and 6 Street South — one rainbow LGBTQ+ and one pink, blue and white transgender flag.
“The fact that Los Angeles is trying to get it and Lethbridge is the one that got it first, that’s a huge step for Canada,” said Lethbridge Pride Fest Chair Devon Hargreaves.
On June 13 and on June 15, skid marks and black paint appeared across the crosswalks in incidents of hate-motivated mischief. On June 23, the night before the Pride Parade, members of the University of Lethbridge track team, and friends, spent the night watching the crosswalks.
1,000 guns seized in Cardston weapons haul
On June 8, police announced the result of a five-month investigation by the ALERT Lethbridge organized crime and gang team and the RCMP National Weapons Enforcement Support Team
The entire inventory of K&D Implements in Cardston — 1,000 guns and one million rounds of ammunition — was seized. The seizure included 49 handguns, 972 long guns, 270 kilograms of gun powder, 446 kg of Tannerite, a binary explosive material, and 12,000 firearm primers. The estimated value of the seized items is between $1.2 and $1.4 million.
Dean Sommerfeldt, 58, and Todd Sommerfeldt, 31, are charged with trafficking a firearm, possession of a weapon for the purpose of trafficking, careless storage of a restricted weapon, and more. The matter will be back in Cardston court on Jan. 8, 2017.
Bon Jovi has Skype session with Lethbridge class
After months of lobbying with a persuasive writing project, students in teacher Ana Rebolone Morrison’s Grade 4/5 class at École Agnes Davidson Elementary School had an extra special Skype call with Jon Bon Jovi on June 14.
During the call, Bon Jovi encouraged the class to believe in “the power of we. They were then featured on NBC’s TODAY Show, which featured photos and video of the Skype call, and a video of the class singing “Livin’ on a Prayer” with the star, shot by Herald reporter Melissa Villeneuve.
July Earthquake felt in city
Nearly 400 kilometres south of Lethbridge, in Montana, the Earth’s crust crunched a little on July 6. But the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that followed was felt by many residents of southern Alberta.
No injuries or significant damage were reported from the quake, centred in the Rocky Mountains between Helena and Lincoln. In Lethbridge, though, residents said the rolling sensation lasted several seconds.
No injuries in seniors complex fire
On July 11, more than three dozen firefighters were called to a large fire at The Gardens at West Highlands that caused an estimated $2.5 million in damage and forced 140 seniors to evacuate from their homes.
No charges were laid as it was considered accidental, due to an improper disposal of a cigarette, and no injuries were reported. About 80 LDS missionaries, and scores of other volunteers, also helped evacuate residents before the first responders arrived on scene.
Japanese Royal visit to city
On July 14, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden formally celebrated its 50th anniversary with a full day ceremonies that included a member of the Japanese royal family — Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako of Takamado.
On a private tour of the facility, Her Imperial Highness took time to read on the history of the garden, hear stories about the different features and even taking part in ringing the Friendship Bell.
Air show returns after taking off 2016
Between July 14-16, about 16,000 people attended to Lethbridge International Air Show — the first since 2015.
Thousands of people had to be evacuated from the airfield due to concerns about lightning on the Saturday, however, but the static display was one of the largest in 25 years with 14 planes from many areas of military. The next Lethbridge International Air Show will occur in 2019.
August Campfire started blaze
Lethbridge fire investigators determined a makeshift campfire built in the coulees at Alexander Wilderness Park was the source of a 10-acre grass fire on the city’s northside on Aug. 2.
Seventeen firefighters from four stations responded and contained the blaze to the river valley area. No one was injured and no property was lost.
Mother taken into custody on child abduction charges
On Aug. 10, a woman accused of abducting her son and fleeing to Central America more than three years ago was taken into custody by Lethbridge police at the Calgary International Airport.
The mother of the four-yearold boy was later released following a bail hearing in Lethbridge provincial court, in which she was ordered to surrender her passport and remain in the province. The case will return to court on Jan. 3, 2018.
Whoop-Up Days takes over city
Whoop-Up Days 2017 took place from Aug. 22-26. The honorary parade marshals were Lethbridge’s 2016 Rio Olympians: Ashley Steacy, Heather Steacy, Rachel Nicol and Zack McAllister. Theory of a Deadman, The Trews, 38 Special, April Wine, Finger Eleven, The Glorious Sons and Jess Moskaluke headlined the five nights of concerts as part of 120th Anniversary Concert Series.
Fire at northside apartment complex
Lethbridge fire officials say the improper disposal of a cigarette was the cause behind a Aug. 31 fire at the Winston Villa apartment complex.
All 46 residents were safely evacuated before flames tore through several units. One person was taken to hospital with injuries related to smoke inhalation.
September Guilty plea in sex assault, sentencing in 2018
On Sept. 8, Denzel Dre Bird pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault and admitted in an agreed statement of facts read to the court that in September 2016 he attacked a woman with a metal pipe and sexually assaulted her before dragging her into an alley and putting her body into a garbage can.
A sentencing hearing, in which defence and the Crown will present their recommendations for a jail term, is set for March 28, 2018.
Sex assault nets prison term
On Sept. 8, Darral Courtoreille was sentenced seven-and-a-half years in prison. He pleaded guilty in January to one count of break and enter and commit sexual assault from an incident in November 2016 when he assaulted a girl in her home.
Uber launches in Lethbridge
On Sept. 8, rideshare service Uber, which connects passengers with drivers through a smartphone app, officially launched in the city.
Doors open on new elementary school
The new westside Coalbanks Elementary School celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 8.
The $13.3-million school was completed on time and on budget.
Murder charges filed
On Sept. 16, an assault downtown led to the first murder in Lethbridge in 2017.
Rodney Yellow Old Woman is charged with second-degree murder. His case has been adjourned to Jan. 4, 2018.
Cavendish breaks ground
On Sept. 18, a sod-turning event for the largest investment in the city’s history, a new $360-million Cavendish Farms facility in the Sherring Business and Industrial Park, took place with Premier Rachel Notley, Mayor Chris Spearman, and Robert Irving, Cavendish president.
Police respond to social media threat against high school
On Sept. 25, a photo was posted on the social media site Snapchat of a gun lying on a package of cigarettes and a pencil case filled with bullets — and the words “Chinook High School.” The 18-year-old, who no longer attends the school, was scheduled for trial June 14, 2018, but on Dec. 5, he was fined $2,000 after he pleaded guilty to one count under the School Act of disturbing or interrupting the proceeding of a school.
October Sherwin retiring as City manager
On Oct. 10, longterm City Manager Garth Sherwin announced his retirement.
“It’s the best job a person can ever ask for to be involved in civic works and public service,” Sherwin said.
Election yields four more years for Spearman, two new councillors
On. Oct. 16, Chris Spearman swept the Lethbridge municipal election race to hold his mayoral seat another four years. Spearman received 14,897 ballots for 73.72 per cent of the vote.
Second-place mayoral finisher, University of Lethbridge student Martin Heavy Head, received 3,342 votes, while retiree Bob Janzen, received 1,969 votes. Two new councillors were also elected: Mark Campbell and Belinda Crowson, replacing Bridget Mearns, who did not run for re-election, and Liz Iwaskiw, who was defeated.
All hell breaks loose in southern Alberta
On. Oct. 17, grassfire in the coulees near the Lethbridge Country Club and the Mountainview Cemetery prompted Lethbridge Police to ask for voluntary evacuations of Scenic Heights.
A separate wildfire began west of the city, near the tiny Hamlet of Moon River Estates in the Municipal District of Willow Creek, as did others across the province as high winds gusted between 100-130 kilometres an hour in southern Alberta.
Consumption site approved for Lethbridge
On Oct. 18, Health Canada approved the first supervised consumption facilities in Alberta, including a site near downtown Lethbridge where the former nightclub Pulse was.
The application process for Lethbridge moved quicker than most and Jill Manning, the managing director of ARCHES, feels that may be a result of the unique issues Lethbridge is facing around substance use.
November Shot fired in home invasion, man gets five years in prison
On Nov. 14, a man broke into a home, ordered a man and woman to give him cash and drugs and threatened to shoot the couple’s young child.
On Dec. 7, Jonathan Alexander Kogler, 29, pleaded guilty in Lethbridge provincial court to one count of robbery with a firearm and was sentenced to five years in prison.
University reinstates professor
On Nov. 23, University of Lethbridge professor Anthony Hall was reinstated by the institution.
Hall, a tenured professor in the university’s Globalization Studies program, was suspended without pay in late 2016 following an investigation by the university into his online activity. He has maintained the issue is academic freedom for tenured professors, and that he should be allowed to promote the work he does as he sees fit.
WestJet to fly to Lethbridge
On Nov. 24, Calgary-based airline WestJet announced that it will provide flights at the Lethbridge Airport beginning in March.
The airline will provide three daily flights between Lethbridge and Calgary under the “WestJet Link” program in a capacity purchase agreement with Pacific Coastal Airlines.
Two charged with murder
On Nov. 27, 45-year-old Kenrick Leonard First Rider was killed at his northside home in what police say was a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical altercation
Simon Danny Scout, 19, and Rylan James Twigg, 23, are charged with second-degree murder. Both Scout and Twigg will have their next court appearance’s on Jan. 12, 2018.
LPS officer rescues dog owners from Oldman River
On Nov. 21, police received a call about four dogs attacking an injured deer near an off-leash dog area in Peenaquim Park.
When Const. Denton Michelson arrived, he found two women in the Oldman River trying to stop their dogs attacking the deer. One of the owners pulled the dogs from the deer, but then the current started to sweep her away. Michelson helped the first dog owner out of the river and then went in to help the other woman and the dogs get back to shore.
December LPS opens doors to expanded HQ
On Dec. 7, the Lethbridge Police Service opened its $27.9million renovated headquarters.
Construction on the facility began in the spring of 2014, and it includes a 3,500-square-metre expansion on the north side of the station and a large renovation to the existing facility.
There is a new three-level addition at the rear of the existing building and a two-level parking structure. The City predicts that the expansion will extend the life of the facility by 25 years. It currently houses 243 staff, as well as nearly 60 volunteers.
Cocaine bust at Coutts
On Dec. 8, RCMP announced the largest ever drug bust at an Alberta border crossing.
Officers found 84 bricks of suspected cocaine weighing 99.5 kilograms and worth between $6.5 million and $8 million on the street. A husband and wife: Gurminder Singh Toor, 31, and Kirandeep Kaur Toor, 26, of California, are charged with two counts each of importing drugs, and drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. Their next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2018, in Lethbridge.