The Dragons had a strong week picking up six points with a home and away stand.
     The Dragons hosted the Camrose Kodiaks on Tuesday, January 28. The Dragons outshot the Kodiaks 10-5 in the first period, but they weren’t able to score. It took until the 17:07 mark of the second period for Kaden Hanas to put the Dragons on the scoreboard. Kobe Mohr scored again 50 seconds later to put the Dragons up 2-0.
     The Kodiaks opened the scoring in the third period, but the Dragons took over with Peyton McKenzie scoring. Brady Risk added two more as the Dragons cruised to a 5-1 win. Goalie Chris Curr earned the Viterra Star of the Game, stopping 26 shots.
    The Dragons hit the road and were in Fort McMurray on Friday, January 31 to take on the Oil Barons. The Dragons scored first as Shane Ott connected on the powerplay 12 minutes in. The Oil Barons answered back to end the first period tied at 1.
    In the second period, Hanas scored just 42 seconds in, and Adam Heindel followed it up six minutes later. Fort McMurray answered back, making 3-2 after two periods. Hanas added an empty netter with 26 seconds left to seal the game. Dragons win 4-2.
    They kept up their winning ways on Saturday, February 1 as they took on the Bonnyville Pontiacs. Bonnyville scored 4:11 in and it took until the second period before Hanas, tied up the game. This one was not decided in regulation, but it only took 35 seconds of overtime before defenseman Kiano Robinson scored the winner.
    The Dragons are home Saturday, to the take on the Kodiaks, and then on Sunday, they host the Olds Grizzlys in a matinee.

    Council approved the 2020 tax-supported operating budget, with a focus on youth, poverty reduction and summer events.
    The budget, approved by council at its Monday, February 3 meeting, supports new initiatives and key priorities identified by Council and Administration while demonstrating continued fiscal responsibility.
    The operational budget includes a 2 per cent increase in the municipal portion of property tax.
Administration initially presented Council with a $199,000 deficit budget that would have been financed by taking money from reserves, but instead, after Council’s direction, came back with a balanced budget.
    “These are challenging economic times for Alberta however Council was determined to keep the property tax increase as low as possible,” said Deputy Mayor Tom Zariski.  “We want to thank administration as they have continued to manage the budget. We feel this budget offers the best options to provide the highest levels of service possible to the residents of Drumheller.
    “This rate would mean an approximate additional yearly cost of $28.40 for a house that was assessed at $200,000 last year; which equates to $2.40 per month.”
    The budgeting process was challenged by reductions and cuts made by the provincial government.
    The town did find some areas to invest in the community. These include pilot projects for a youth centre and programming, as well as poverty reduction efforts. They are continuing to expand community events programs with the engagement of a full-time coordinator and enhanced events budget, and an increased provision for the communications strategy and community engagement.
     Work will continue on enhancing economic development and downtown revitalization, the hoodoos parking pilot, and the continued funding provision for the Community Assistance Program.
     Each year as Administration and Council work to develop and refine the budget, the goals are to minimize the year over year financial impact to ratepayers, maintain previously established levels of service that meets or exceeds the expectations of ratepayers, regulators, and other stakeholders, maintain a standard of repair and upkeep in order to safeguard assets and ensure their full life cycle is realized wherever possible and review current strategic plans and new initiatives that Council has identified and have deemed a high priority for the Town.
    “I am proud of our administration finding efficiencies in our operations and budget so that we can maintain existing services in our community while funding Council’s priorities that are outlined in the 2020 Strategic Plan,” said Drumheller CAO Darryl Drohomerski.