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Street Fight in Timberlea Leads to Two Arrests

Timberlea, Wood Buffalo RCMP
Timberlea, Wood Buffalo RCMP

 

Wood Buffalo RCMP needs the public’s help in order to locate persons of interest concerning a street fight in Timberlea. The fight caused two individuals to be arrested, both juveniles, but the Wood Buffalo RCMP are still looking for the other people who were involved in the brawl. The street fight occurred on August 30th, at around 4:30 am. When police responded at 4:40 am the report stated a fight involving numerous people on Ball Place. Numerous vehicles were damaged in the area, and some vehicles had items that were taken. Some of these items included golf clubs which police believe were used to damage the 5 vehicles as well as commit assaults against others in the fight. Two people were injured but they had non life threatening injuries as a result of the brawl.

According to the Wood Buffalo RCMP two juveniles were arrested on numerous charges, but there were other individuals involved in the Timberlea street brawl as well. A male juvenile from Fort MacMurray was charged with 5 separate counts of mischief over $5,000, a charge of assault with a weapon, and a count of theft in an amount under $5,000. The second male juvenile charged is also from Fort MacMurray, and he is charged with a single count of mischief over $5,000, a charge of aggravated assault, and a count of theft in an amount under $5,000. The Wood Buffalo RCMP are asking the public to come forward and identify the other individuals who took part in the Timberlea street fight.

 

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Fort MacMurray Residents Start Preparing for Winter

Fort MacMurray, preparing for winter
Fort MacMurray, preparing for winter

 

In the remote location of Fort MacMurray winter can be rough, and residents are already preparing for winter in many ways. The bitter cold, excessive snow, and other weather conditions in the colder months can be brutal, and if you are not fully prepared you could find yourself in a life threatening situation without the tools and supplies that you need. Part of preparing for winter means putting an emergency kit in your vehicle. This kit should include sand, rock salt, blankets, water, food, and a first aid kit. If you end up stranded in your vehicle in the Fort MacMurray area these may help you survive until help arrives. Adding extra layers of clothing to the kit is also a good idea, you never know when you may need to bundle up more.

Preparing for winter in Fort MacMurray does not just involve your vehicles. Experts recommend that additional fuel sources are stored for home use. A severe winter storm or blizzard could cause a loss of electricity, and this may mean that your furnace or other heating system can not kick on when the temperature drops. Keeping some seasoned firewood on hand can make a big difference in this situation and prevent you and your family from freezing to death. Keep your freezer and pantry stocked with staples, just in case you can not get to the store for a few days. Replace items as they are used so you always have a good supply of food and water on hand.

 

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Taxi Strike in Fort MacMurray Averted For Now

taxi strike, Fort MacMurray
taxi strike, Fort MacMurray

 

A Fort MacMurray taxi strike that was scheduled to occur over the weekend has been averted for now, but it is too soon to tell is all sides will reach an agreement in order to prevent further strike efforts or not. The taxi strike was averted only after the council put the concerns of the taxi drivers in the agenda for a meeting scheduled for today. The Fort MacMurray taxi drivers are angry that a representative had been removed from the Taxi Advisory Council. According to one of the protest leaders, Abdihanan Hussein, “We have decided to stop the strike. We have been placed on council’s agenda. That is what we wanted. Now we want to be heard.”

Hussein went on to say “Many are paid less than temporary foreign workers and have no benefits, but they are Canadian. I want justice for these drivers and I want the public to know. I was campaigning on behalf of the drivers and always looking out for their benefits. The drivers are so mad. This group can’t be trusted by the drivers. They will do more harm to us if we cannot trust they will guarantee our freedom of speech.” Taxi drivers in Fort MacMurray are angry over increased fees and costs, an dthe fact that EI benefits and workers compensation are not available. Another source of anger is over the fact that Abdihanan Hussein was removed from the Taxi Advisory Council, yet the council will not discuss the reason for his removal.

 

 

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Wood Buffalo RCMP Engage in Weekend Check Stops

Wood Buffalo RCMP, motorists
Wood Buffalo RCMP, motorists

 

Over the course of three weekends the Wood Buffalo RCMP engaged in check stops across the entire region, and this resulted in at least 100 charges against motorists in the area. The check stops were held as part of a National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, and police efforts really paid off. Some motorists received charges, and some had suspensions as a result of the check stops. Infractions by motorists ranged from speeding to drug possession charges to impaired driving. 13 motorists had their vehicles towed, and police seized 13 grams of cocaine with the help of the Police Dog Service Unit. The Wood Buffalo RCMP thanked residents for the patience that was shown during the check stops, and reminded everyone that they are only trying to make the roads safer for the entire community.

During the stop checks by Wood Buffalo RCMP 26 motorists were cited for speeding, and three of these motorists were caught doing well above the posted speed limit of 70km/hr. One was clocked at 142 km/h, one at 162 km/h, and one at 174 km/h. 60 motorists were cited for offenses that involved distracted driving or intersection infractions. In addition the Wood Buffalo RCMP caught 6 impaired driving, 4 suspensions of 72 hours, and 8 suspensions of 24 hours that were related to alcohol or drugs. The results show that the weekend check stops were effective at removing dangerous or impaired motorists from the road while minimizing any delays or hassles to law abiding residents and visitors.

 

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Ebola Vaccine Tested in Winnipeg, Canada Cures Monkeys in Medical Study

Ebola Vaccine, medical study, Canada
Ebola Vaccine, medical study, Canada

Ebola is making headlines around the world, and Canadians can be proud of a recent Ebola vaccine testing in Winnipeg, Canada, that has cured monkeys of this virus. The medical study showed that 18 of the monkeys who received the experimental Ebola vaccine were cured of their viral infection, although it is still too soon to know whether the same results can be achieved in human subjects. Researchers caution that the Zmapp vaccine for Ebola is still highly experimental, however it was recently used on 7 people who were infected with the Ebola virus. Two of these individuals were the American aid workers who were working overseas and contracted the disease while helping others, and both of these people have recovered an dare doing well now.

The medical study which was published in the medical journal Nature shows that Public Health Agency of Canada researchers partnered with US researchers, and this collaboration started back in 2011. The research group had the goal of creating an effective cocktail of antibodies that could effectively fight off the Ebola virus, and the results are the Zmapp Ebola vaccine. According to researcher Gary Kobinger “What’s quite remarkable to us is that we could rescue animals that were quite advanced. The level of improvement was beyond my own expectations.” There have been previous drugs which could be considered an Ebola vaccine with a cure rate of 100% but these must be given within 1 hour of the viral infection, and that does not leave much time. The newest Ebola vaccine that Canada partnered with the USA to create is highly effective even when the viral infection has been incubating for several days an dthe test monkeys showed symptoms of Ebola.

 

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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.