Drumheller RCMP are upping highway patrols, particularly in construction zones, after the tragedy near Oyen earlier this month where a child was killed and four others injured in a multi-vehicle collision.
    The collision on August 7 near Oyen caused the death of 11-year-old Zachary Jeffreys and sent four others, two adults and two children, to the hospital with significant injuries. The minivan involved in the collision was stopped in a construction zone. A semi collided with the vehicle, sending it colliding into a parked tractor-trailer in front of them.
    Drumheller RCMP detachment commander Corporal Edmond Bourque says the RCMP will be increasing their patrols on area highways to ensure drivers are travelling safely and to help mitigate “terrible” accidents like what happened near Oyen from occurring here.
    “We want to make sure people are aware they need to slow down in construction zones,” he said.
    Drivers are required to obey posted reduced speeds in construction zones even though workers may not be present at the time. Fines double for those caught speeding in construction zones. Demerit points will also be applied to the driver’s record if convicted, but will not be doubled.
    AMA says drivers risk a collision involving themselves and other road users. There can be workers on or near the road operating heavy equipment, working with hand tools on the ground or acting as flag persons. Road workers could also be hidden behind equipment, materials, and vehicles. The faster you drive, the longer it will take to stop. Even when it seems there is no activity in a construction zone, there may be other less obvious/hidden hazards such as fresh oil, loose gravel chips and uneven pavement. These conditions can be dangerous and cause damage to vehicles travelling at high rates of speed.

Two young girls will see their Dreams Take Flight as they take off for a whirlwind trip to Disneyland.
    Remy, 9, and Addison, 7 Isley of Drumheller have been selected, along with about 150 kids to spend a day in Disneyland thanks to the charity Dreams Take Flight.
    Remy and Addison are the sisters of Ethan Isley, 5. He has had a long journey dealing with spina bifida. Their Mother Nikki Isley says their family was nominated by three different individuals for the experience.
    Dreams Take Flight is a charity started by Air Canada employees and since 1989 they have brought children from families with special needs for the trips. President Jan Caveney helped to set up the charity in Calgary, which has been sending children since 1993. There are eight chapters in Canada.
    “This is a national charity that takes kids to either Disneyland or Disney World depending on which side of the country you are on, for one magical day,” said Caveney. “We leave first thing in the morning and we come back last thing at night.”
    She explains Air Canada donates the airplane and the charity raises funds for admission, food, spending money, clothes, and fuel for the plane.
    On November 7, 156 children will be flying out from Calgary with just as many volunteers.
    “We take 170 volunteers to look after these children because we take them without the benefit of their parents or caregivers. We have four doctors with us and then a host of support staff,” said Caveney.
    The charity offers the opportunity for the siblings of the children with special needs for their own adventure.
    She says that often the siblings might not get as much attention because there is so much going on with the child with special needs.
    Nikki says in their case her two daughters are great supporters and very good caregivers for their brother, so for them, to get this opportunity is well deserved.
    “We like to let these children be children for a day,” said Caveney.
    It will be a whirlwind tour. The family will be at the airport at 4 a.m. on the day of the flight and return to Calgary around midnight.
    For more information on the charity, go to www.dreamstakeflight.ca