2020 YEAR IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER
THE HERALD’S TOP STORIES FROM SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
Schools welcome back students
Schools across Lethbridge opened their doors to students on Tuesday for the first time since March, with most families eager to return to school to bring some greater sense of normalcy to their lives after months of dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. And while going back to school was an exciting day for many, it certainly won’t be class as usual this year with complex re-entry plans in place, and masking required for all students Grades 4-12.
Good weather has helped with area harvest
Favourable weather conditions, particularly in the south and central regions, have allowed most Alberta farmers to start harvesting spring-seeded crops, with southern Alberta producers leading the way, according to the latest crop report from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.
Visitations increasing slowly at mobile OPS
While it has only been able to serve a limited number of clients since coming into operation on Aug. 17, according to Alberta Health Services the mobile overdose prevention unit is slowly gaining the trust of former clients of the ARCHES-run supervised consumption site. Between Aug. 17 and Aug. 31, AHS confirms the new mobile OPS was able to serve about an average of 11 clients per day.
Peaceful anti-mask protest delays start of city council meeting
About 80 people made a peaceful anti-masking protest at city hall just before Tuesday’s city council meeting. The group, led by Lee Mein, owner of Canadian Martial Arts in Lethbridge, began its action outside, but soon went inside where protesters briefly occupied the city council chamber, delaying the start of the public council meeting, before departing peacefully again.
‘Oasis of crime’ closed
The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit of the Alberta Sheriffs office shut down another alleged drug house on Lethbridge’s northside. While there are several suspected drug houses in Lethbridge, this one on the 300 block of 20 Street North may be a bigger win for the community than most, confirmed Lethbridge Police Service Downtown Crime Unit Cst. Ryan Darroch.
Ground is broken for Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre
The shovels went into the ground Friday afternoon at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden for a project that began six years ago. A special ceremony for the new Nikka Yuko Bunka [Culture] Centre took place in front of Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden with members of the Lethbridge & District Japanese Garden Society, City of Lethbridge and honoured dignitaries in attendance.
Raymond energy project
receives national award
The Town of Raymond has been selected as a winner of a 2020 Sustainable Communities Award for its work in energy, it was announced by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Raymond was recognized for its Electrical Net Zero Project as the first Canadian community to become operationally net-zero electrically.
Needle debris spreads in city
With still limited usage of the new mobile overdose prevention site by Lethbridge’s most vulnerable, Sage Clan Patrol leader Mark Brave Rock is warning local officials and residents that drug use and needle debris are proliferating around the city in a way his group, which does community outreach and needle and drug debris collection, hadn’t seen before the former supervised consumption site closed.
Terry Fox Run overcomes obstacles
Before a virtual lap was even run, the 40th annual Terry Fox Run was off and running. With pandemic protocol preaching social distancing and a lack of crowds, local organizers Lorien Johansen and Bobbie Fox delivered a live feed from the Lethbridge Terry Fox Run Facebook page to this year’s participants, who were doing their recreational activity live on video instead of the normal inperson format.
Pop-up OPS operators fined for no permit
The City of Lethbridge confirmed it gave the Lethbridge Overdose Prevention Society a $300 fine after the group failed to comply with a request to remove its unpermitted tent from Galt Gardens. The Lethbridge Police Service didn’t witness any criminal drug activity within or near the tent, so the City was acting under the provisions of local bylaws which require permits to set up any kind of structure or operation in public areas.
Orange Shirt Day ceremony honours residential school victims
Remembering children who died at the two Indian residential schools on the Blood Reserve — St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s and other residential schools — the Kainai Wellness Centre held an Orange Shirt Day ceremony at St Paul’s
Anglican Residential School. Each year on Sept. 30, First Nations and other communities coast to coast come together in a spirit of reconciliation and wear orange shirts in honour of residential school survivors and hope for a better future.
OCTOBER
OPS appears at Police Commission
Representatives of the Lethbridge Overdose Prevention Society made a brief presentation to the Lethbridge Police Commission about what their purposes are in the community, and what they intend to do going forward. Group spokesperson Kaley Ann Beaudoin told commissioners they have applied for a legal exemption from Health Canada to offer sanctioned overdose prevention services in Lethbridge, but in the meantime would continue to operate as an unsanctioned OPS site despite some community opposition.
LPS won’t support Phillips’ appeal
Lethbridge Chief of Police Shahin Mehdizadeh says the Lethbridge Police Service will not be supporting Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips’ appeal to the Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB), nor her request for a public hearing, on a discipline decision made against two LPS officers who admitted to undertaking an unauthorized surveillance of her in 2017 when she was Alberta’s Minister of Environment.
Vigil sheds light on missing and murdered Indigenous women
Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing and murdered were remembered in a vigil. The Sisters In Spirit Vigil honoured the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirited and brought awareness to the violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls in Canada.
U of L moves up to second in Maclean’s rankings
The University of Lethbridge has achieved its highest-ever position in the annual Maclean’s University Rankings Report, placing second overall in the primarily undergraduate classification. Moving up three spots from its fifth-place ranking a year ago, the U of L bettered its previous best standing, a thirdplace ranking that it occupied for six consecutive years, 2013-2017.
Morning fire damages westside apartment building
Residents of a large westside apartment complex on the 300 block of Highlands Boulevard West will be seeking temporary shelter this weekend after an early morning fire did substantial damage to their building. According to the Lethbridge fire department, the blaze began just before 8 a.m. on a second-storey outside balcony of one unit in the complex and quickly spread up to the third floor into the attic, eventually fully engulfing the roof of one whole section of the building.
Man charged in fatal highway crash back in custody
A Lethbridge man for whom police have been searching since he disappeared while on bail in June is back in jail after being arrested late last month. Wesley Brian Phillips, who is in custody at the Calgary Remand Centre, was wanted in connection with a fatal car collision last year. A warrant was issued June 12 when he failed to show up for court, even though he had, through his previous lawyer, been ordered to attend court after he was a noshow for a docket appearance the week before.
Shandro won’t overturn decision
Minister of Health Tyler Shandro will not intervene in an Alberta Health Services decision to end its local EMS dispatch contracts in Lethbridge, Calgary, Wood Buffalo and Red Deer. “My decision is not to overturn the AHS decision,” he writes, “and I look forward to supporting them and your municipalities during the transition to ensure that emergency health services can improve.
LPS chief makes pitch for programs
The Lethbridge Police Service presented its quarterly report to city council on Monday, but also took the opportunity to get in an extra pitch to retain three programs brought in over the past few years for trial runs: The Watch program; the Community Peace Officer program; and the PACT (Police and Crisis Team).
Versteeg set to do ‘Battle’ on the ice
Kris Versteeg is lacing up the skates to do battle again but this time it won’t be in front of 20,000 fans at a National Hockey League game. Instead, the retired 34year-old Stanley Cup champion and Lethbridge native will be skating for a televised audience in the CBC series “Battle of the Blades.” Versteeg and his professional skating partner Carlotta Edwards are among eight teams competing in the series for a $100,000 grand prize which will go to the winner’s charity of choice.
Alberta health-care workers walk off job to protest cuts during pandemic
Hospital and other health-care workers across Alberta, including Lethbridge, walked off the job Monday to protest recent cuts by the United Conservative government during the COVID19 pandemic. Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, said in a news release that members are trying to defend jobs and protect the public health-care system.
Vocal opposition against coal mine
Opposition is heating up against the proposed Benga mining company Grassy Mountain coal mine near Blairmore as the Joint Review panel starts to consider whether or not to approve the project with the opening of a public hearing.
Coaldale council rejects mask bylaw
Coaldale Town Council strongly suggested local residents and business owners should consider wearing a mask or face covering when out in public as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the region, but stopped short of implementing a mandatory face covering bylaw by a vote of 6-1.
City tops national crime index
Lethbridge once again ranked first in the annual Crime Severity Index (CSI) for Canada in 2019. Although the city did not have the highest score for violent crime in the country, and is ranked as the 26th-worst urban jurisdiction for crime in Canada, (down from 15th in 2018), Lethbridge did see an overall increase in crime of about 2.23 per cent in 2019 compared to 2018.
NOVEMBER
Claresholm mayor says town split over masks
The Town of Claresholm defeated a proposed face coverings bylaw during a special meeting of town council but is asking residents to continue to be diligent and follow all public health protocols in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Claresholm Mayor Doug MacPherson said the defeated bylaw has been greeted with a split reaction locally.
Ultimate act of kindness
Rhonda Dawes simply wanted to give someone a better 2020. So she gave a bit of herself. Dawes recently returned to Lethbridge following surgery to donate a kidney to an anonymous recipient in October.
Another alleged drug house shuttered by SCAN unit
The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit of the Alberta Sheriffs shut down another alleged crack house on the city’s northside. The house, located at 71 Stafford Rd. N., will be closed and locked up for 90 days, and the property will remain under supervision until October of next year.
Triple M fined $135,000 for workplace accident
A Lethbridge home manufacturing company has been fined $135,000 after one of its employees was struck and seriously injured while working more than three years ago. Triple M Housing was fined in Lethbridge provincial court, where the company’s lawyer pleaded guilty to one count under the Health and Safety Act of failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker.
Weekend blizzard brings closures, traffic chaos to local areas
Lethbridge and area continued to dig out from the weekend’s blizzard which dumped 24 centimetres of snow over the area, which was then blown into drifts by strong winds while causing whiteout conditions.
Veterans honoured for their sacrifice
Despite smaller numbers, veterans were honoured at this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph at city hall. Due to COVID-19, people were urged to avoid crowds and instead view this year’s ceremony via the General Stewart Branch No. 4’s Facebook page, but little more than 100 socially distanced spectators gathered at the Cenotaph to pay their respects.
‘Jeopardy!’ contestant fondly remembers Trebek
Sharon Lawson’s appearance on the popular TV game show “Jeopardy!” last spring has become even more special to her since the death of the show’s longtime host, Alex Trebek. Lawson noted a Facebook page for former “Jeopardy!” contestants has been abuzz with reminiscences about the show’s well-loved host.
Family loses everything in fire
A family of four was left homeless following a house fire early Monday morning in the 3000 block of Blackfoot Road West which caused an estimated $400,000 damage. The sister of the tenant said the family lost everything and did not have renter insurance as it expired in September. A GoFundMe page has been established.
Soup Kitchen, Salvation Army teaming up to keep needy warm
The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen and the Lethbridge Salvation Army have teamed up to not only feed those in need, but clothe them for the winter months as well. The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, patrons not only got a hot meal, but were also sent away with a winter care package containing clothing essentials for the winter months ahead.
YWCA working at expanding shelter space
The Lethbridge YWCA is hoping to secure a new, larger space for its women’s shelter by December. While final negotiations on the real estate purchase have not yet been concluded, YWCA CEO Shannon Hansen says if all goes according to plan they will be able to more than double their current capacity to help women and families fleeing domestic violence and to secure permanent supportive housing for women in need in the community.
Council grants one-year grace period for condo recycling
City council will allow a oneyear grace period to local condominiums over 45 units before implementing mandatory recycling as long as they can meet the same recycling standards as the City’s blue bin program through alternate private recycling options.
Council, mayor to take 10% pay cut
The Finance Committee of city council unanimously passed a resolution to reduce city council and the mayor’s pay by 10 per cent in 2021 with a zero per cent increase to follow in 2022. The motion was brought forward by Coun. Blaine Hyggen during the Finance Committee meeting, and is expected to save the City about $77,000.
Poppy campaign exceeds goal
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lethbridge Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart Branch 2020 Poppy Campaign has exceeded expectations. While the final numbers are still trickling in, this year’s campaign has received $98,823.63, said Glenn Miller, cochair of public relations for General Stewart Branch 4.
Mission accomplished
After a difficult week of deliberations, the Finance Committee of city council was able to meet its target of a zeroper-cent municipal property tax increase for 2021 and 2022 while holding the line on fees and utility rates. While city council cannot guess what the provincial government may do in terms of its portion of the rate of taxation on local property taxes next year, at least from the City’s perspective, stated Deputy Mayor and Finance Committee chair Rob Miyashiro, councillors found ways to absorb previously budgeted municipal tax increases largely by finding spending cuts within City departments and the police service.
Roy Fox re-elected Chief of Blood Tribe
Roy Fox will return as Chief of the Blood Tribe, according to official results from the Blood Tribe election. Fox garnered 628 votes, according to chief electoral officer Wilton Good Striker, to outdistance runner-up
Vernon Chief Moon Jr., who received 551 votes. A total of eight people were in the running for chief.
Mask bylaw extended
City council has extended its temporary Mandatory Face Covering and Masking Bylaw until Feb. 23, and will hold a public consultation to debate the wisdom of extending the bylaw into even later in the new year at the Feb. 11 Community Safety Standing Policy Committee meeting.
DECEMBER
Charge against LPS officer withdrawn
A Lethbridge police officer is no longer facing a criminal charge in relation to an incident earlier this year at the police station. Const. David Easter was charged in August with one count of assault in relation to the incident in the short-term holding facility Feb. 9. The reason for withdrawing the charge was not provided during the brief hearing.
Mustard Seed to open sober shelter
Calgary-based The Mustard Seed will be opening a new 45bed sober shelter service in Lethbridge starting this month, and is looking to open a permanent supportive-housing facility in the community sometime in 2021. The new shelter will be open 24/7 to serve the needs of the local homeless community.
Province announces $11M in funding for airport upgrades
Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf announced Friday, on behalf of Minister of Municipal Affairs Tracy Allard, $11 million in provincial funding for airport upgrades, and $900,000 more for a facelift to Festival Square Market Plaza.
Lethbridge County passes temporary mask bylaw
Lethbridge County council passed a Temporary Mandatory Face Covering bylaw by a vote of 5-2 during a special meeting. Lethbridge County follows the example of the City of Lethbridge, the City of Medicine Hat, the MD of Taber and the Town of Taber in passing or reaffirming municipal temporary masking bylaws this past week.
Mustard Seed’s plans presented to CIC
The Community Issues Committee of city council heard a presentation from community group The Mustard Seed about the organization’s plans to open a 24-hour sober shelter and a separate permanent supportive housing facility in Lethbridge. A rezoning proposal letter obtained by The Herald from The Mustard Seed and architect Alvin
Reinhard Fritz to nearby residents confirms the location the group is looking at is 1303 Mayor Magrath Drive South: the current location of the Ramada by Wyndham.
Lethbridge Soup Kitchen to merge with The Mustard Seed
The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen will officially become part of The Mustard Seed as of next March, and will eventually discontinue food service at its current site when The Mustard Seed officially opens its sober shelter, drop-in site and community kitchen at its new downtown location.
Lakeview residents oppose Ramada location for The Mustard Seed facility
Lakeview resident and Lethbridge Lakeview
Community group member
Allan Jarvie says his group is not opposed to The Mustard Seed providing supportive housing for the city’s homeless community, but is opposed to the organization operating such a housing facility in its neighbourhood. “We feel the Ramada location is absolutely wrong,” he says, “and we’re not sure there is that much demand. They say they are going to turn it into 86 residences. That puts a strain on the immediate neighbourhood.”
Police ready to enforce facecovering bylaw
Lethbridge Chief of Police Shahin Mehdizadeh says the time for education on the masking issue is over as the Lethbridge Police Service moves toward a greater enforcement phase of the City’s temporary face-covering bylaw in conjunction with new public health measures announced by the province earlier this week.
New local bookstore finds a home in downtown Lethbridge
Starting a new business during a pandemic may not seem like the best investment, but for one southern Alberta family it was an adventure of a lifetime to a successful launch. At the start of 2020 Scott Warris, his wife Penny, their daughter Willow and their family cat Hugo were on their way to start their dream of opening Analog Books Inc., leaving their life behind in the Crowsnest Pass to start from scratch in Lethbridge.
Housing development to benefit city seniors
The federal and provincial governments have announced funding for a new 64-unit development to address the need for affordable seniors housing in Lethbridge. The mixed-income development will include 32 units with rent set at 20 per cent below market rates and the other 32 at market rental rates. More than 90 jobs will be created.
City council passes revised budget
City council passed the revised 2021 and 2022 budget without further amendment during Monday’s council, bringing to a close a lengthy process which began over three weeks ago in Finance Committee. On the final day of deliberations two proposed amendments were defeated. Coun. Blaine Hyggen’s motion to rescind a $1-million cut to the police budget was defeated 6-3, with only Councillors Hyggen, Ryan Parker and Mayor Chris Spearman opposed. Coun. Jeffrey Carlson’s amendment to reduce a proposed city council pay cut from 10 per cent to five per cent was defeated unanimously.
Police chief won’t cut number of LPS officers
Facing a $1-million cut in funding in 2021 and 2022 Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh said the LPS will have to do some tobe-determined trimming in certain departments, but would not be cutting the quality of police service to Lethbridge residents.
Shelter outbreak has some homeless fearful
Despite increasing cold, a lot of Lethbridge’s homeless community are opting to remain outside through the night as fear continues to grow after a recent COVID-19 outbreak at the Alpha House-run Lethbridge Homeless Shelter. Alberta Health said it was notified of 27 cases linked to the Alpha House outbreak. Of these, 17 are active and 10 recovered. The outbreak was declared on Nov. 26. However, Alpha House said it has effectively addressed the COVID-19 outbreak and continues to screen rigorously and provide quarantine options as needed, says the organization’s executive director Kathy Christiansen.
Ward Bros. awarded contract for Exhibition Park expansion
Lethbridge & District Exhibition has awarded Ward Bros. Construction Ltd. of Lethbridge the $62-million contract to manage construction of the new 268,000-square-foot Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre.
ARCHES will not face charges
The Lethbridge Police Service will not be laying charges against ARCHES after its forensic investigation of the former supervised consumption site operator accounted for $1.5 million in provincial funding dollars previously unaccounted for in the July audit of the organization. The province says it still has concerns and won’t be restoring funding.
Griffiths resigns as chair of Lethbridge Police Commission
In a surprise move, Lethbridge Police Commission chair Simon Griffiths has resigned from all his duties on the commission. Griffiths did not elaborate on what was behind his decision, but it has been a challenging year for commissioners.
Charges not warranted in ‘Storm Trooper’ incident: probe
The Lethbridge Police Service has received the findings of an external, criminal investigation into the “Storm Trooper” incident. The investigation by Medicine Hat Police Service, which included a review by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) and the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, has determined that criminal charges are not warranted.