An inmate serving time for second-degree murder at the Drumheller Institution, confined, bound and assaulted a corrections officer during an escorted absence, but was quickly apprehended by RCMP.
    On Tuesday, October 18, shortly after 6 p.m., the Drumheller Institution was notified that an inmate escaped from an escorted temporary absence while returning from Buck Lake, Alberta. Three Hills RCMP received a report that the officer had been taken hostage on Highway 587, west of Huxley.
    According to a release from Three Hills RCMP, the inmate, being escorted by a lone female officer, was not handcuffed or secured. He feigned sickness while travelling on Highway 42, west of Highway 21, and overpowered the corrections officer by choking her with his hands and seatbelt. He bound the officer in the backseat of the minivan that was being used to transport the prisoner and let her out on Highway 587. Members of Olds RCMP located the minivan and took the suspect into custody without incident. The corrections officer was taken to the Three Hills Hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries and released.
    Donald Fowler, 32, has been charged with escaping lawful custody, assaulting a peace officer, kidnapping, forcible confinement, theft
and dangerous driving. He  will appear in provincial court in Drumheller on October 21.
    Fowler is a first time federal offender serving an indeterminate sentence for second degree murder and possession of a schedule I substance. His sentence commenced on July 2, 1997.
    The Correctional Service of Canada says, in a release, it will review the circumstances surrounding the escape and will take necessary measures to address any safety and security issues stemming from this incident.

    The Royal Tyrrell Museum is following up a stellar year with another award nomination. This time on a national stage.
    The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a finalist for a Tourism Industry Association of Canada, 2011 Tourism Award.
    Executive director of the Royal Tyrrell Museum Andrew Neuman said this is the first time the museum has been up for the award. He said the nomination is valuable to the museum, and reflective of the hard work of the staff at the museum.
    “It is a wonderful opportunity because there is marketing prestige surrounding it,” said Neuman.
    The Tyrrell has been nominated as one of three finalists in the National Cultural Tourism Award category.  It is in recognition of an organization demonstrating commitment to authentic, innovative and enriched cultural visitor experience. It can also recognize a tourism organization that has demonstrated a commitment to culture as a key aspect of encouraging and promoting tourism growth in their region.
    The awards have been around since 2003 and are presented by the Toronto Star. There are 43 finalists in 14 categories from across Canada.
     “We are very pleased to once again recognize the hard working and innovative organizations and individuals that continue to make Canada a world-class destination,” said TIAC President and CEO David Goldstein. “We are extremely proud of this impressive collection of finalists who endeavour each and every day to create the very best visitor experiences in the world.”
    The awards will be presented at a gala dinner in Ottawa on November 24 at the Château Laurier as part of the Tourism Congress, the associations’ annual convention. Also nominated in the National Cultural Tourism Award  category are the Celtic Colours International Festival in Cape Breton Island, NS and the Festival de la chanson de Tadoussac in Quebec.
    This nomination comes on the heels of the Tyrrell's nomination for a 2011 Alto Award as part of a marketing group. Last year the museum won an Alto Alberta Pride Award.