Travel website Expedia.ca recently released its list of the top 20 friendliest Canadian cities and towns, and the Town of Drumheller was ranked fifth friendliest town in the country.

Expedia used traveller reviews which associated the words “friendly,” “friendliest,” and “amiable,” among others used between January 2019 and December 2020 to narrow down the list.

“It is an honour for Drumheller to be recognized as number five in the top 20 friendliest communities in Canada, and number one in Alberta,” says Drumheller Mayor Heather Colberg. “All the credit goes to the businesses and residents of our valley. It is great to see a major facet of our community visitation come to fruition, which is ‘To be the cleanest, friendliest, most sought after community in Alberta.’ Thank you again to the people of this great valley!”

While Drumheller was ranked fifth friendliest town in Canada, it was ranked as the number one friendliest town in Alberta with only two other Alberta towns making the list—Banff at number nine and Canmore at number 18.

Radium Hot Springs in B.C. was named the friendliest town in Canada.

Drumheller RCMP executed a search warrant after a nearly month-long investigation, which has led to the seizure of drugs and charges against a Drumheller woman.
In March 2021 the Drumheller RCMP Crime Reduction Unit began a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) investigation. The investigation led to the seizure of what is believed to be quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, as well as proceeds of crime.
In the early morning hours of Friday, March 26, the Drumheller RCMP, Drumheller Crime Reduction Unit, and Drumheller General Investigation Section, executed a CDSA search warrant at a house in the Red Deer Avenue area in the community of Nacmine.
Police seized what is believed to be 45.54 grams of fentanyl, 1.53 grams of methamphetamine, $2,120 in Canadian currency, and various drug trafficking paraphernalia.
As a result of the execution of the search warrant, Mandie Sarah Marie Manchuk, 44, of Drumheller is charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking as well as possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.
Manchuk was released from custody with conditions, and is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Drumheller on Friday, May 21.
“This was a significant seizure of fentanyl from within our small community. Our team is working hard and is committed to proactively identifying these drug traffickers and conducting investigations into their activities” says Staff Sergeant Ed Bourque, Drumheller RCMP Detachment Commander. “This investigation is a great example of that. We know opioids are a great concern in our community, and the province, and we will continue to target drug traffickers. We encourage the community to continue to report suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods. Reporting about these types of activities is a huge help to our team and to the success of these investigations.”
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call the Drumheller RCMP at 403-823-7590. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com, or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.