The Badlands Community Facility fundraising campaign gained some more steam on thanks to the Drumheller Kinsmen Club.
    The Kinsmen donated $10,000 to the BCF on Tuesday, December 4. The money is part of their $50,000 commitment to the BCF and so far, they have made good on $15,000 of that pledge.
    The BCF fundraising cabinet has been ramping up efforts to reach their $6 million fundraising goal.
    “We’ve got commitments in place,” said Jeff Hall, chair of the fundraising cabinet. “We sent out reminder letters to put us back on people’s radars and to follow-up with them. We’re really happy the Kinsmen stepped up to fulfill part of their commitment.”
    Fundraising plans for the near future will include promoting the BCF brick campaign, where residents can purchase and inscribe a brick to be placed in the patio on the north side of the buildng, facing the river.
    The Drumheller Town Council has identified the BCF fundraising strategy as a top priority for the coming year.
    The BCF is accepting donations and anyone wishing to do so can contact Heather Little, marketing & events officer for the BCF, at 403-823-1333.

Ashley Wright (left), representing the Drumheller Kinsmen Club hands Jeff Hall, chair of the Badlands Community fundraising cabinet, a donation of $10,000. The Kinsmen had pledged to donate $50,000 to the facility. So far, they have fulfilled $15,000 of that commitment.

    After receiving numerous complaints from residents, the Town of Drumheller will be working to reduce the number of coyotes that are running wild through parts of Drumheller.
    Community Bylaw Enforcement will be trapping and relocating coyotes for the foreseeable future.
    Greg Peters, supervisor for Community Bylaw Enforcement, has received complaints of the animals coming into their yards. However, it is difficult to ascertain if the local coyote population is increasing.
    “There are a lot of coyotes and people have been noticing them. It’s been that way for several years,” said Peters. “People have been concerned and have reported seeing a lot of coyotes.”
    Normally, Fish and Wildlife would handle the wild animals, but since the local officer retired, Community Bylaw Enforcement has been given a permit and tasked with trapping and relocating the coyotes.
    “It came to our attention that it is an issue and we contacted Fish and Wildlife. They’re tied up and there’s no [Fish and Wildlife] officer posted in Drumheller right now. There’s a fellow out of Strathmore, but he’s busy with hunting season. We were issued a permit from the province to trap coyotes to get them to manageable numbers and see if there is a bump in their numbers,” said Peters.
    Peters has experience dealing with wild animals.
    “I was an RCMP officer and I spent some time in the north. During my time there, I helped Fish and Wildlife with bears, wolf trapping, and others,” said Peters. “It’s not a normal function for us, we’re attempting to assist Fish and Wildlife and report everything we do to them.”
    Residents are asked to be on  the lookout for coyotes within town limits. Areas they have already been spotted include Midland, North Drumheller, and Riverside.
    Signs that a coyote has been in the area include footprints, feces, and raided garbage.
    Residents are encouraged to contact Community Bylaw Enforcement should they suspect coyotes are frequenting the area. Pet owners should also supervise when their animals are outside.
    “People can call bylaw enforcement if they have a concern, report coyotes, or if they want to have a trap on their property,” said Peters. “If someone notices any traffic or large numbers of coyotes let us know.”
    Community Bylaw Enforcement can be reached at 403-823-1363.