Four people were arrested and are facing firearms charges after RCMP executed a search warrant Tuesday morning in upper Newcastle.

Corporal Gerald Sherk tells the Mail that between 7:30 and 8 a.m., January 15, RCMP executed a search warrant on a home in the 1400 block of 4th Avenue South West. They were assisted by an Emergency Response Team from Airdrie with a canine unit. A drone was used to monitor the situation.

“We had the Emergency Response Team and negotiator help us out this morning just because we are dealing with firearms, we wanted to take extra caution,” said Sherk.

“Sometimes they will use things (like drones) or people in high points just to get a good idea on who is moving around the residence so when they approach they have a good idea what is going on and the lay of the property.”

Police remained on scene continuing their search of the property into Tuesday afternoon.

“Our investigation is still underway,” said Sherk.”There are going to be several charges coming out of this. There are four people in custody.”

He adds that some of the suspects are known to police.

The East Coulee School Museum is celebrating all things Scottish at the 4th annual Highland Gala.

The gala, slated for Saturday, January 19, has grown in the event’s short history and has become an important fundraiser for the museum, as well as great way to shake off the midwinter blues.

The event has outgrown the school. This year the gala kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 19 at the Badlands Community Facility. It features a roast beef dinner, silent auction, a traditional Piping of the Haggis, a highland dancer and great music from local band the Wayfaring Fiddlers and features the Derina Harvey Band.

“We had the Derina Harvey Band last year and they were very popular. We had them at Springfest one year too. That’s where we recruited them to come to the Highland Gala,” said Barb Steeves, Executive Director of the East Coulee School Museum.

Also for a small fee, Marcel Augey of the Drumheller Scotch Club will be hosting a scotch tasting.

This year the funds from the gala go towards repairs to the foundation of the school, as well as replace a couple of the building's heritage windows that are in disrepair. This comes after extensive repairs to the museum over the last few years including replacing roof, boiler and water damage.

“We are going to be doing some monitoring because one of the corners of the building has dropped… so we want to see if it has shifted more, and then there are some cracks that need to be addressed,” explains Steeves.

For tickets or more information call 403-822-3970.