An inmate, whose statutory release from the Drumheller Institution was less than a month away, was given an extra five months for brandishing a cleaver.
    Daniel O’Hara appeared in provincial court in Drumheller on August 14 charged with a five-count information. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a weapon.

    On July 4 at about 5 p.m.  a group of inmates was gathered at the Minimum Security Unit. Institution staff observed the inmates who appeared to be intoxicated and approached to search the inmates.
    O’Hara became agitated and grabbed a cleaver and brandished it when guards attempted to take him from the Minimum Security Unit to the regular institution. He expressed he wanted to finished his smoke. Eventually he was calmed down and taken into custody. While he made no contact with the weapon, he brandished it in such a way, it was considered an assault.
    While his statutory release was scheduled for the beginning of August, his warrant does not expire until January 2010.  He was sentenced to a further six months in custody, and was given one-month credit for time served awaiting his day in court. His sentence is to be served consecutive to his existing sentences.

    'Jungle' Jack Hanna is on his way through Drumheller as he tours Alberta for season three of “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild.”

Hanna, who has gained worldwide notoriety for his work with wildlife, and for making David Letterman squirm with his appearances on the Late Show, is on a weeklong swing through the province. He will be in Drumheller on August 19 to shoot at Reptile World, and visit the Tyrell Museum.
    Dave Bethel of Reptile World says he has had appearances by different television crews over the years, highlighting Reptile World’s work.
    “Basically we will give them a tour of the facility and talk about who we are, what we do and what we have,” said Bethel.
    He adds Hanna will be filming a piece on rattlesnakes with a researcher at Dinosaur Provincial Park earlier in the day.
    Reptile World is primarily an educational facility, dispelling myths about reptiles, and has more than 200 species of replies and amphibians. It practices captive reproduction of endangered species and innovative husbandry techniques.
    Bethel says the exposure for Reptile Word is valuable, however at this point in time, “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild” is not broadcast in Canada.
    “Any publicity is good publicity,” said Bethel.
    Bethel has been familiar with Hanna’s work for years with his appearances on television shows including Ellen and the Oprah Winfrey Show.
    Hanna is Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo in Ohio and was previously the host of “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures” as well as the creator and host of “Into the Wild” which will begin its second season in syndication this fall. “Into the Wild” won an Emmy for outstanding Children’s Series in 2008.
    Other stops planned along the route in Alberta include Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, the Calgary Zoo, the Kananaskis, Waterton and Dinosaur Provincial Park.
    His topics will include first nations people’s relationship with wildlife, using dogs to educate bears in human avoidance, how wildlife thrives with humans in areas such as Banff, and showcasing fossils at Dinosaur Provincial Park.