A Stettler man is facing a string of child pornography-related charges after police wrapped up a joint investigation.
In Oct. 2023, ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit began an investigation into an individual in possession of child sexual abuse materials.
On Feb. 21, 2024, members of the Stettler RCMP Detachment, ALERT (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team) and ICE executed a search warrant at a residence in Stettler. During the search, police located and seized electronics and other storage devices that have provided evidence to support charges for transmitting, accessing and possession of child pornography as well as unauthorized possession of firearms and breach of a prohibition order.
Police have charged 36-year-old Stettler resident Daniel Benjamin Penner with transmitting child pornography, accessing child pornography, possession of child pornography, unauthorized possession of a firearm and breach of a probation order.
Penner who was on probation for similar charges from an investigation and conviction in 2020 has been taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for March 14, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Stettler.

At the Monday, February 20, 2024, Regular Council Meeting, Drumheller Town Council awarded a tender to Ruby Rock Asphalt Works Ltd. in the amount of $1,231,154.97 for the 2023 & 2024 New Trail Development, Roadway Rehabilitation, Sidewalk Rehabilitation and Other Work projects.
In 2023, money from the Capital Budget was spent on the engineering and design work for the projects, which were originally scheduled for last year.
A request for tender (RFT) was posted in 2023 on the Town’s bids&tenders and the Alberta Purchasing Connection websites, but no bids were received. Administration then postponed the 2023 work and proceeded with engineering and design works for 2024 projects.
A new RFT was posted on the websites and concluded on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, with a total of five bids received. The highest bid came from Aecon Transportation West Ltd. at $1.65 million, over $420,000 more than the lowest and awarded bid from Ruby Rock.
A portion of the road work will be taking place in Rosedale from the end of Centre Street to the highway. The highway intersection will not be a part of the rehabilitation project but will continue after the intersection to Roper Road, then 1st Avenue from Roper Road moving west to Highway 56. Out in Wayne, 1st Avenue from Highway 10X to the end and then from 1st Street to 1st Avenue will be done.
In Drumheller, the alleyway between 2nd Street E and 3rd Street E behind Maple Ridge Manor will see regrading and new gravel. The alleyway between 6th Avenue E and Riverside Drive behind Sunshine Lodge and the alleyway behind 1st Street W and Centre Street by the new Plaza and then Premier Close will all have maintenance done.
There will also be small sidewalk and road repairs done throughout the Valley. The bid also includes surfacing of the Rails to Trails path from the intersection of Highway 9 and South Railway Avenue to 2nd Street West.
“I’m just wondering if there’s any rehabilitation for the crumbling sidewalks?” councillor Tom Zariski asked Capital Project Manager Kelcie Wilson who presented the development and rehabilitation project to council. The previous contractor, Brooks Asphalt, is still responsible for the sidewalks Zariski questioned.
“At this time we are still in conversation with Brooks Asphalt because they are still under warranty, so right now we’re not touching any of those that are classified as defective,” responded Wilson.