Author: Shelly W

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Fort MacMurray Experiences ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Craze

Fort MacMurray, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Fort MacMurray, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been all over the web and news outlets, and this craze has finally reached Fort MacMurray. This challenge started to get attention at the end of June and no one can argue that it is not for a good cause. Thanks to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge the ALS Canada organization has gained more than $8 million, and United States ALS Association has gained over $88 million. When someone has been nominated for this challenge they only have 24 hours to take video of themselves completing the challenge, having ice cubes and freezing cold water poured over their heads. When someone completes this challenge then they nominate others, and if the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is not completed then the participant must contribute at least $100 to the ALS Association.

During Leonardo DiCaprio’s recent Fort MacMurray visit the actor took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and so did a number of Fort MacMurray residents and notable officials. Allen Adams accepted the challenge and so did the entire Parks Department, Don Scott, Mike Allen, McMurray Ringette coach Megan Jensen, and Steve Courtoreille to name just a few. Fort MacMurray has always been a giving community and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge craze to hit the area just proves this fact once again. Many participants not only accepted the challenge and performed it they also donate $100 or more to the ALS Association as well. Some celebrities have donated thousands of dollars after participating in this challenge.

 

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Fort MacMurray Receives Visit from Alberta Party Leader

Alberta party leader, Fort MacMurray
Alberta party leader, Fort MacMurray

Greg Clark, the Alberta party leader, recently stopped in Fort MacMurray and met with residents in the area. According to Clark the local real estate guide is a monument to a lack of government foresight and poor planning by officials. The Alberta party leader went even further, stating that the land release problem in Wood Buffalo is unparalleled. Clark affirmed that advance planning should have happened a decade ago. “It’s an understatement to say growth hasn’t been managed well by the province. There’s a real gap between social housing and what people can afford on a reasonable wage. That’s having a big impact on employers and people who provide those critical services, like your nurses and police officers.” Greg Clark left Fort MacMurray last Friday afternoon, and he was in town to meet with leaders in the community and local industries, as well as residents in the area.

Many people do not realize that Greg Clark, the Alberta party leader, has close ties to Fort MacMurray. Clark worked as a Suncor Energy consultant for many years, and he spent a considerable amount of time in Fort MacMurray during his consulting stint. From the very first day on his recent visit to Fort MacMurray the Alberta party leader heard numerous complaints about land prices in the area from residents and businesses both. According to Clark “It’s a huge paradox that never should have happened. I don’t think there is an easy answer, because if there was this problem would have been solved. The free market works so well, but they have artificially constrained the release of land. One group or another will get hurt by this, and right now it’s the buyer. I can’t give you a stock answer that will keep everybody happy, but I would rather see a strong and thriving community where people can afford a reasonable home and pay a reasonable rate of rent.”

 

 

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Fort MacMurray Transit System Changes Start to Take Effect

RMWB bus routes, Fort MacMurray transit system
RMWB bus routes, Fort MacMurray transit system

Changes to the Fort MacMurray transit system are underway, and residents who use the RMWB bus routes need to be aware of these changes so they do not find themselves on the wrong bus or the wrong route. The changes to the Fort MacMurray transit system include amending some of the existing routes and adding two new completely routes to make it easier for residents and visitors to get around. Officials are also hoping that the changes to the RMWB bus routes will help to streamline transportation through the area and improve the reliability of the bus schedules. The existing routes of 1A, 1B, and 2 will now be the route 1 Timberlea Express, the route 2 Thickwood Express, and the route 12 Timberlea Thickwood local route. The 91 Downtown West route is now dedicated to the Waterways, and this frees up some other routes.

According to municipal communications spokesperson Monica Booth the changes to the RMWB bus routes and the Fort MacMurray transit system resulted from user input that was provided by residents, and the municipality will be monitoring the changes to make sure these are effective. Booth stated “The changes are a result of a lot of community engagement,.They had engagement (sessions) traveling around town in a bus, so a lot of the changes were reflective of what residents were saying. Generally, they wanted to look at making connections smoother and also increasing efficiency … and we’re going to be monitoring feedback going forward as well … listening to what people are saying about the changes and going on from there.”

 

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Fort MacMurray is Excited to be Headed Back to School

back to school, Fort MacMurray
back to school, Fort MacMurray

It is back to school time again and teens and kids in Fort MacMurray are excited to get back to their usual schedule and see old classmates and school friends again. With summer coming to an end parents and kids have been busy with school clothes shopping, getting the necessary supplies in order, and getting back on track for the right sleep and waking schedule for the school year. Parents are trying to shorten bedtimes after a summer of extended days and staying up late. Many parents are happy to see their little ones head off for the day but they may also be stressed because this time of year can be hectic and trying while also being exciting. The first week of school is one that is usually filled with excitement and apprehension for kids, while parents struggle to get their children back into the swing of things now that school is starting back up again.

Going back to school in Fort MacMurray is a time when the entire community gets involved. Parents pay special attention to students who are waiting to be transported, and extra caution is needed during this time. Children tend to get excited and they may not pay attention to traffic and other hazards as a result. It is important to remember that going back to school means that Fort MacMurray roads and neighborhoods will be full of kids who are up early and outside while it may still be dark out. Drivers need to pay attention and drive carefully to prevent any accidents. This is also the time to think about those less fortunate, and many parents are donating money or items to help provide school supplies for children who do not have these necessities.

 

 

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Wood Buffalo RCMP Searching for Indecent Exposure Suspect

indecent exposure, Wood Buffalo RCMP
indecent exposure, Wood Buffalo RCMP

The Wood Buffalo RCMP is searching for a suspect who is wanted for indecent exposure, and the police need the help of those in the local Wood Buffalo community to identify the suspect and provide further information. The male suspect exposed himself to a female employee at a local grocery store on august 17, 2014 shortly before 5 pm in the evening. Around 5 the Wood Buffalo RCMP received a report that the man walked into the Reidel Street Sobeys grocery store and exposed himself to the female clerk who was working. After the indecent exposure the suspect turned and left the establishment. No one was injured during the incident but the clerk was probably shaken after the man exposed himself, and she quickly called the police to file a complaint about the incident.

According to the Wood Buffalo RCMP the suspect is wanted for indecent exposure. The police description of the suspect is that he is a male who is in his early twenties or late teens, with an average build and a height of approximately five foot eight inches tall. During the indecent exposure incident the clerk reported to the Wood Buffalo RCMP that the suspect wore a beige hat, a white shirt, a large watch, black sunglasses, and khaki pants. The suspect also has facial hair and head hair that was black in color, and the clerk reported that his eyes were brown. The Wood Buffalo RCMP is asking that anyone who has information about this indecent exposure incident or the subject involved step forward.

 

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Parking Study on MacDonald Island Park Under Consideration

MacDonald Island Park, parking study
MacDonald Island Park, parking study

 

A parking study for MacDonald Island Park is being considered by the local council in order to develop a traffic strategy. Since MacDonald Island Park is the focus of expansion efforts a parking study is needed to ensure that there is adequate parking for residents and visitors both. According to Councillor Tyran Ault “We’ve seen time and time again the need for additional parking on MacDonald Island. When we were starting the construction for the softball diamonds at MacDonald Island Park, people were coming up and saying, ‘Hey, great job for adding more parking.’ We actually had to back up and say, ‘No, we’re adding more stuff to the island.’” The council member went on to say “The options are unlimited. Traffic at the island is a continuing issue and I think it’s only going to get worse as we build and expand out.”

Some of the MacDonald Island Park options that are being considered as part of the parking study include improvements to existing transit services and the possibility of parkades. The proposal that was put forward will be voted on at the next council meeting. With the official opening of the new Shell Place on MacDonald Island Park the capacity for 15,000 seats means that additional parking will be needed. Right now the park only has space for 1,300 parking spots, far less than what will be needed when Shell Place begins operations. The parking study will address this shortage and take steps to ensure that there is sufficient parking on MacDonald Island for everyone who wants to visit.