Athabasca Advocate

Barrhead beekeepers join MP in Ottawa to raise honey industry concerns From subpar bee imports to potentially devastating mites, a delegation led by MP Arnold Viersen met with diplomats, politicians, and lobbied regulatory agencies to help address concerns

NEWS: Barrhead beekeepers join MP in Ottawa to raise honey industry concerns

Judge calls Alberta bill on referendum drives undemocratic, disrespect to rule of law An Alberta judge has delivered a stinging rebuke to Premier Danielle Smith's government, labelling a proposed bill as undemocratic and a threat to the rule of law.

BEYOND LOCAL: Judge calls Alberta bill on referendum drives undemocratic, disrespect to rule of law

QuickFacts on the Alberta politicians facing citizen recall petitions Political tensions are rising in Alberta as recall petitions gain traction against a significant number of MLAs, citing concerns over representation, policy decisions, and accountability.

BEYOND LOCAL: QuickFacts on the Alberta politicians facing citizen recall petitions

Former Athabasca resident facing charges of child luring Police are seeking additional victims in a minor exploitation case involving a former resident of Athabasca

NEWS: Former Athabasca resident facing charges of child luring

Opposition NDP now targeted as more Alberta politicians face recall petitions Elections Alberta says it has confirmed signature collecting can begin to try to recall NDP education critic Amanda Chapman from her role as the legislature representative for Calgary-Beddington.

BEYOND LOCAL: Opposition NDP now targeted as more Alberta politicians face recall petitions

Town of Barrhead faces expensive upgrades to wastewater system BARRHEAD - Doing nothing is not an option. That is what Town of Barrhead chief administrative officer Collin Steffes told councillors during their Nov.

NEWS: Town of Barrhead faces expensive upgrades to wastewater system

Serious bail reform required to address catch-and-release system, says Justice Minister Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery reiterated the province's demand for a comprehensive overhaul of Bill C-75, believing it has detrimental impact on efforts to curb repeat offending within the province.

BEYOND LOCAL: Serious bail reform required to address catch-and-release system, says Justice Minister

GALLERY: Westlock Thunderbirds football awards ceremony The Westlock Thunderbirds hosted an awards ceremony for their players at the Westlock Legion Hall on Nov. 28.

NEWS: GALLERY: Westlock Thunderbirds football awards ceremony

PHSD gets clean audit despite deficit in 2025 financial audit PHSD’s 2025 audit shows a $132K rise in sales from cafeteria growth and rentals, though the division continues to face an operating deficit.

NEWS: PHSD gets clean audit despite deficit in 2025 financial audit

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney says politician recall legislation being misused Along with the 14 members of Smith's United Conservative caucus facing recall, Smith herself is expected to soon be added to the list.

BEYOND LOCAL: Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney says politician recall legislation being misused

The First Festivals of the 2026 Season Are Out, & Here’s Where You Need to Be COOL WINTER GUIDE: The first lineup of festivals is out across the province, bringing art, sport, culture and some serious frosty fun together. Mark your calendars, folks, here’s what you can expect from the must-visit events happening this winter.

COOL WINTER GUIDE: The First Festivals of the 2026 Season Are Out, & Here’s Where You Need to Be #CoolWinterGuide #AdvertisingFeature #AlbertaTravel

NEWS: Dec. 5: Town and Country road conditions and cams

Calling Lake man arrested after threats to kill RCMP posted on social media A two-day series of posts led to the arrest of the man police believe was threatening to ambush and kill officers

NEWS: Calling Lake man arrested after threats to kill RCMP posted on social media

Rochester honours longstanding service of volunteer firefighters Firefighter gala showcases the men and women who volunteer to protect their community day in and day out

NEWS: Rochester honours longstanding service of volunteer firefighters

Alberta bill aims to clear further obstacles to citizen-driven referendum questions Justice Minister Mickey Amery says the legislation won't affect a duelling petition certified earlier this week that seeks to make it official policy the province will not leave Canada.

BEYOND LOCAL: Alberta bill aims to clear further obstacles to citizen-driven referendum questions

No charges will be laid against civilian pilot who violated G7 airspace during summit During the G7 Summit in Alberta, no-fly zones were in place over Kananaskis Village and the Calgary International Airport.

BEYOND LOCAL: No charges will be laid against civilian pilot who violated G7 airspace during summit

Fight erupts at Alberta Costco over Pokémon cards The ongoing Pokémon card craze reached a boiling point at an Alberta Costco when a fight erupted amidst a crowd eager to purchase the latest set.

BEYOND LOCAL: Fight erupts at Alberta Costco over Pokémon cards

NEWS: Barrhead’s new bike skills park opens under budget and ahead of schedule

Calgary researchers help shed light on gaps in sport injury prevention for women 109 researchers, including three from the University of Calgary, have made 56 recommendations for injury prevention specific to women and girls.

BEYOND LOCAL: Calgary researchers help shed light on gaps in sport injury prevention for women

Alberta man charged with sexual exploitation, child luring RCMP seized firearms from a residence in an Alberta county, and laid several charges against a 41-year-old man from the same town.

BEYOND LOCAL: Alberta man charged with sexual exploitation, child luring

Westlock prepares to host annual Gord Smith U18 Hockey Tournament Westlock is preparing to host the 20th anniversary Gord Smith U18 Memorial Tournament from Dec. 12-14 at the Rotary Spirit Centre.

NEWS: Westlock prepares to host annual Gord Smith U18 Hockey Tournament

Alberta RCMP provides tips to help avoid mail theft For those traveling this December, ensure there is no mail left on doorsteps or in mailboxes, as this can indicate that nobody is around.

BEYOND LOCAL: Alberta RCMP provides tips to help avoid mail theft

Community gala marks 60 years for Tawatinaw Ski Hill A 60th-anniversary gala at Tawatinaw Valley Ski Hill celebrated its growth, community spirit and the volunteers who’ve shaped the hill since 1965.

NEWS: Community gala marks 60 years for Tawatinaw Ski Hill

Alberta government awarded PR firm sole-source contract to run education campaign Communications and Public Engagement (CPE), a department overseen by the premier’s office, gave Mash Strategy Inc. a $200,000 contract to run the “Supporting Alberta’s Education System Campaign” between Sept. 17 and Dec. 31.

BEYOND LOCAL: Alberta government awarded PR firm sole-source contract to run education campaign

Alberta health authority CEO on leave of absence, interim replacement named Alberta Health Services says the government has appointed a senior official within the agency as a temporary replacement.

BEYOND LOCAL: Alberta health authority CEO on leave of absence, interim replacement named

Nikka Yuko Winter Light Festival Shines from November 29 – February 28 Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Winter Light Festival at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. This year’s theme honours Alberta's sister province, Hokkaidō.

COOL WINTER GUIDE: Nikka Yuko Winter Light Festival Shines from November 29 – February 28 #CoolWinterGuide #AdvertisingFeature #AlbertaTravel

DEC. 4 ROAD REPORT: Town and Country road conditions and cams Get a look at your commute - click for up-to-date conditions map and road cameras

NEWS: DEC. 4 ROAD REPORT: Town and Country road conditions and cams

Two cabinet ministers say money a key factor in using Charter override on teachers Alberta's infrastructure minister says the government could not risk allowing the labour dispute to go to arbitration and put the province at risk of paying out hundreds of millions of dollars.

BEYOND LOCAL: Two cabinet ministers say money a key factor in using Charter override on teachers

Westlock Healthcare Auxiliary Society donates new EKG machine to hospital The Westlock Healthcare Auxiliary Society have donated a new $18,000 electrocardiogram (EKG) machine to the Westlock Healthcare Centre.

NEWS: Westlock Healthcare Auxiliary Society donates new EKG machine to hospital

Petitioner looking to recall Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says application approved An Alberta woman says she has received a letter from Elections Alberta saying she will be getting the go-ahead to start the petition drive against Smith.

BEYOND LOCAL: Petitioner looking to recall Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says application approved