Tag: Fort McMurray

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Ft Mac Health

Bar None Bar Safety Program Finally Comes to Fort McMurray

The Bar None Bar Safety program is being launched in Wood Buffalo and Fort McMurray establishments can try to become accredited through the program. This program encourages having policies in place for weapons, designated drivers, head counts, and soft closings. The Best Bar None program offers accreditation for bars and clubs, and it has been in operation in Alberta for the last 5 years. Bars which comply with the numerous guidelines recommended can receive recognition and even awards from the program. The guidelines in place with the program have been established by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. According to AGLC head Bill Robinson “It’s not just a program that’s there so you can hang a plaque on the wall. This allows you to have the skills, and your people to have the skills, to allow folks in your community to go out and have a safe night out on the town.”

In order for a bar in Fort McMurray to be designated as a Best Bar None designation the establishment must meet at least 39 mandatory checks. Bars and clubs are also encouraged to comply with an additional 46 areas of criteria. Local business man Ross Garrett, a Canadian Brewhouse partner, said “It’s a great program, I know our locations in Edmonton have gotten involved with it. It just has everything set in stone for all your employees. So when you’re training, everyone can follow the proper guidelines. And whether you come in on Monday or a Friday, you’re gonna get the same service and the same quality. I know with the safety issues and concerns that people are having these days, they will go out and look (for this.)”

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Alberta Ft Mac

Animal Abuse Leads to Criminal Charges for Fort McMurray Resident

Animal abuse has landed a Fort McMurray resident in hot water. Criminal charges have been filed against 65 year old Gary Herbert Sparshu of Fort McMurray after officials found more than 80 horses and donkeys who were alleged to have been found in distressed condition. When the Alberta SPCA went with the RCMP on February 3, 2016 to perform a property inspection in the Wandering River region they found dozens of animals who had been neglected. The inspection was based on a court order that was issued because of 3 dead horses being found. According to the mounties there were 3 horse carcasses on the property, plus 52 more horses which were all in poor or neglected condition. The mounties also found 2 donkeys and 2 horses who were penned up on corrals and who did not have adequate food or water.

The Fort McMurray animal abuse case does not stop at this point either. When the RCMP and Alberta SPCA inspected a second property associated with the first property they found an additional 20 horses which were all also in distressed condition. A few days after the horses were found a vet confirmed that the animals were in poor shape. The total number of animals seized during the property inspections was 84, with the Alberta SPCA reporting that 82 horses were seized and so were 2 donkeys. Sparshu has been charged with causing injury to animals as well as breach of a court order. Hopefully any sentence will include a prohibition on owning any animals in the future.

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

Is Fort McMurray Ready for Uber? Some Councillors and Cab Drivers Not Convinced!

Is Fort McMurray prepared for Uber, a ride sharing program and app that was recently approved in Edmonton? Some councillors have doubts that the area is fully prepared after there were protests by cab drivers and other transportation professionals in other larger Canadian cities. According to Councillor Tyran Ault, who has a place on the Land, Planning and Transportation Committee, “Our preparedness for incoming ride-sharing programs has definitely come up during meetings. Edmonton has made some great steps forward in terms of this issue.” Uber drivers are private individuals who own a vehicle that is a 2010 or newer, and they must have a clean driving record. Unlike cab drivers Uber drivers do not have to pay costly fees for licensing and registration, and this has some cab drivers upset and angry.

According to one cab driver named Sam, who did not want to disclose his last name, Uber could cost cab drivers in Fort McMurray business. Sam explained that he makes a personal connection with passengers, giving out his priate number and business card so passengers can call him again when they need a ride. Sam told Today that “They know me and I get to know them. I’ve made friends this way. The other drivers aren’t doing so well these days. I’m not doing as good as I used to, but I still have some people still asking me for my service.” Sam also talked about Uber coming to Fort McMurray, saying “It’s probably going to happen. I can picture a guy at camp making extra money driving guys from site into town. There’s a lot of money for Uber here, so I hope I’m remembered.”

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Alberta Ft Mac

Are There Cougars in Fort McMurray? Alberta Fish and Wildlife are Investigating Reported Sightings.

Recent cougar sightings within the Fort McMurray area have Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials investigating whether the cats are a threat in the area. So far sightings of cougars in the Fort McMurray vicinity have all been unconfirmed but it is possible given the remote location of the town and the natural habitat in the surrounding area that would provide everything the wild cats would need to thrive. The latest sighting about cougars was reported on Thursday in the afternoon, and the location of the sighting was a little disturbing. Apparently the cat was spotted close to the Thickwood Heights School on the Birchwood Trails. Residents have been warned to keep their guard up and to kep an eye out for any suspicious animals in the area but the sighting has not been confirmed by officials yet. When police responded there was no sign of any cougars in the area.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Brendan Cox discussed the Fort McMurray sightings of cougars and explained that “The cougar was reported to be on the playground that’s shared by Thickwood Heights and the adjacent school. The officer attended the scene, but did not find any sign of the cougar. Our officer is going to continue to monitor the situation, and if anyone does see a cougar please report it.” It is not unusual for cougars to be sighted in Northern Alberta. Brendan Cox said “In recent years we’ve seen cougars in a lot of places where they typically hadn’t been seen in years past. That would, I guess, indicate a healthy cougar population.”

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Alberta Ft Mac Health

Fentanyl Responsible for 18 Deaths in Fort McMurray in the Last Year

Fentanyl, a powerful opioid pain medication, has been found at a number of recent raids in the Fort McMurray area, and unfortunately the drug is not new to the region. This commonly abused drug is well established already and it has caused a number of Fort McMurray deaths over the last year according to the Chief Medical Examiner. Wood Buffalo RCMP detachment spokesperson Cpl. George Cameron stated “It seems to be the topic of the day. Years ago, for instance, you’d hear about hash oil and hash…now we’re hearing (fentanyl) more. If there’s an influx of a certain type of drug, it’s going to make its way to anywhere eventually.” The ALERT unit for Alberta, a specialized drug crimes unit, seized close to 3,000 fentanyl pills in Fort McMurray in the 2015 year.

The Fentanyl crisis in Fort McMurray is not over yet either. In recent weeks police have conducted raids on residences where this drug has been found, and Fort McMurray has seen a higher than typical number of overdoses in the last 12 months related to the illegal use of fentanyl. HIV North Society executive director Susan Belcourt-Rothe explained the dangers and stated “If it’s manufactured in some street lab, you’re not going to be as clear as to what you’re actually taking. You’re not going to know the product, you’re not going to know the dosage of fentanyl within that pill.” Naloxene kits are available in Fort McMurray but so far the demand has been low. Belcourt-Rothe said “I think we’ve handed out eight kits to date in Fort McMurray, so it’s a lot slower there than it is in Grande Prairie for sure.”

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Ft Mac

Fort McMurray Driver Arrested for Road Rage and Pointing a Shotgun at Motorists

A Fort McMurray driver has been arrested after a road rage incident that involved a shotgun. Police reported that the driver of a black pick-up truck was arrested after he pointed a sawed off shotgun at another motorist. According to the RCMP the incident occurred on Highway 63, and the driver was stopped a short time later on Franklin Avenue where police determined that the shotgun was loaded in the vehicle. The 34 year old Fort McMurray resident was arrested at the scene. A press release from the RCMP stated “No shots were fired and no one was injured. The investigation into the events leading up to and surrounding this incident is ongoing.” Police reports state that the gun was a sawed off double barrel shotgun and it was taken into police custody when the driver was arrested at the scene.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. George Cameron said that the victim in the road rage incident contacted police and reported the threat with the shotgun. This call led police to pull over the Fort McMurray man and discover the loaded shotgun in the truck. Cameron explained “It appears like it’s a random thing. There’s nothing solid to say why this guy did that, at this point, but hopefully we’ll find that out over the next day or so.” The Fort McMurray driver has charges pending. Police did say that the driver of the pick up truck voluntarily pulled over when police tried to stop him. The road rage incident occurred on Highway 63 at the Hardin Street intersection.