A small stretch of Taylor Siding Road continues to slide. Alberta Transportation hopes to have a repair plan in place this season.

Alberta Transportation is still looking for a solution for a chronically sloughing Taylor Siding road.
    The Mail last reported on this problem on Highway 841, close to where it connects to Highway 569 in Wheatland County near Dalum, last September. At that time, it was reported that three seasons had passed with the problem continuing to rear its head.
    Since that time, area residents said there had been some attention given to the stretch of road, but again it has fallen into disrepair.
    The highway is classified as a resource road, there is a couple of oil and gas based installations along the road, making it relatively busy.
    Tony Chelick, operations manager for Alberta Transportation says they are aware of the problem.
    “We did do a project last fall, but it did fail again this spring,” said Chelick.
    They are now looking at a way to make a more lasting repair.
    “I did bring in a geotechnical consultant and he has been out there and done a review. He is putting a design together as we speak,” he said.
    Chelick said they are hoping to put together a project in the near future, but it is dependent on a few factors.
    “So far we are planning to do it if we get the design done, get a contractor lined up and it is within budget,” said Chelick.
    Last season one of the difficulties with getting the road repaired in a timely manner was the lack of contractors following the flood that were available. He said the highway maintenance contractor Carillion will have a better handle on how available contractors are for such a project,
    “We hope to deliver a project this year,” said Chelick.

    A small town girl takes on Germany as she strives to make a difference with only Jesus and a basketball.
    Darby Andrus, 20, has had a passion for two things all her life: competing in the sport of basketball is one, and her love for Christianity the other.
    Andrus explains how her faith for God is a major part of her life.
    “I grew up Catholic. I went to a Catholic high school, and now I’m attending a Christian university.” Andrus states.
    After graduation, Andrus had the opportunity to play  on the women’s basketball team for King’s University College  in Edmonton, but never had the chance to share her other passion of God. When Andrus caught wind of News Release Basketball, a Christian  camp based out of the United States, she immediately started to contemplate attending the mission trip.
    Andrus sent her application in during January, received acceptance in March, and now, after all the stress, fundraising, and waiting, is looking forward to taking action.
    Starting on July 27, Andrus will be in Portland, United States, for a three day training camp.        The team’s  first destination in its month long adventure is Wundstorf, Germany, where they will host their first camp for interested youth. From there,  her team will travel to three other locations, including the nation’s capital, Munich.        The mission of News Release Basketball is to spread their message of Christ through the sport of basketball, and Andrus hopes that achieving the group’s goals will help  complete her own personal mission: to  enrich herself for further growth of  her own gratitude and perspective.
    “I hope that this experience will shape me to become more selfless,” says Andrus, “I want to make a change. I’m not expecting it to be drastic, but I’m hoping for something big enough to make a difference in their lives.”
    After four weeks of camps and mission work,  Andrus’ group mission will wrap up in Basel, Germany on August 17.