News | DrumhellerMail - Page #558
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Last updateSat, 21 Sep 2024 12pm

COVID-19 cases on downward trend in Drumheller

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The number of active COVID-19 cases in the Town of Drumheller is showing a downward trend as cases continue to decrease.
Between late May and early August, the town reported few active daily cases, though cases began to rise in late August, spiking to a high of 47 active daily cases by mid-September.
Cases continued to remain steady through the remainder of September and into October with an average of 31 active daily cases for both months.
During this time, Drumheller also reported two new COVID-19 fatalities, bringing the town’s total number of COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic up to six.
Drumheller was not the only region that saw increased cases throughout the summer. The surrounding counties of Kneehill, Starland, and Wheatland also experienced increased case numbers.
While Starland County and Wheatland County saw peaks of 13 and 27 active cases respectively, Kneehill County reported a peak number of 157 active cases in early October.
With cases decreasing, there has also been an increase in vaccination within the Starland County-Drumheller region, which includes the southeast portion of Kneehill County.

As of Monday, November 15

A total of 8,896 residents aged 12 and older, or some 86.1 per cent, had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine; 8,123 residents, or 78.6 per cent, are fully vaccinated.
There are eight active cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Drumheller, six in Starland County, 14 in Wheatland County, and 21 in Kneehill County as of the same reporting date.


Area residents voice concerns over proposed mobile asphalt plant

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A virtual hearing was conducted by the Town of Drumheller’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) regarding a proposed mobile asphalt and aggregate facility along Highway 10, northwest of the community of Rosedale.
The town received the application for development from Brooks Asphalt in August 2021, which was approved as a discretionary use by the Municipal Planning Commission on September 23.
Five appeals were received from neighbouring affected landowners in the area, including one from a local business, citing noise, increased traffic along Highway 10 corridor, and health concerns from emissions produced by the proposed facility as concerns.
Brooks Asphalt previously operated a temporary facility approximately 10 years ago at the same location. One of the appellants noted in a letter to the town this facility “was vehemently opposed” at the time by area residents and caused “major air quality, noise, dust, and traffic issues” during its operation.
A decision will be provided in writing within 15 days of the hearing.

Fraudulent hay sales cost area farmers

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The cost of hay has risen in recent months due to high demand and short supply, and the Drumheller RCMP are warning area farmers and livestock producers to be wary of fraudulent ads for hay sales which have begun to crop up.
Earlier this summer extended high temperatures, and drought conditions prompted several municipalities across the province to declare states of agricultural emergencies--including Kneehill, Starland, and Wheatland County--and resulted in lower crop yields and stunted crop growth.
“It sounds like an individual saw hay for sale on Kijiji for a decent price and thought they would take advantage (of the low price), brokered a deal, and sent money,” Drumheller RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Ed Bourque tells the Mail.
Once the money was transferred, the seller stopped all communication with the buyer, and no goods were ever exchanged.
This incident is among several across the province, and S/Sgt Bourque says there is an ongoing investigation and “team effort” between the Drumheller detachment and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
“Fraudsters are trying to cut a fairly large swath, pardon the pun, to catch up as many people as they can,” S/Sgt Bourque says.
He adds, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
S/Sgt Bourque encourages any area farmers who may have been involved in a similar fraudulent transaction to reach out to the Drumheller RCMP detachment at 403-823-7590 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.


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