A partnership between the Drumheller Scotiabank and Continuing Care is giving seniors a chance to have a merry Christmas through the Adopt a Grandparent program.
    Valley residents are asked to stop by the Scotiabank and pick a card from their tree. Inside, the card contains the wish list of a continuing care resident. Those participating would then buy from the list and bring the gift to Scotiabank.
    “They wish for socks, sweaters, blankets, perfume, or even shampoo,” said Patti Rishce-Cole. “With continuing care, they have to pay for their own shampoo for example, so this helps them out.”
    As of Monday, December 12, there were roughly forty continuing care residents awaiting adoption.
     “We’re off to a slow start this year,” said Rische-Cole. “We’ve only got a week to get them adopted.”
    The program started in 2000 to help continuing care residents, who were felt would not receive any gifts, get something for the holidays. Continuing care staff bought gifts initially, but the need became so great that they started the Adopt a Grandparent program.
    All of the gifts will be taken to continuing care on Christmas Eve and given to the recipients.

    Foul play is not suspected in what appears to be a sudden death at the Drumheller Institution Monday night.
    Drumheller RCMP was called to the Drumheller Institution on December 12. Shortly after 7 p.m. during cell checks, inmate Dang Akays Dang, 27, who was serving time for drug charges, did not respond to the correctional officers making the rounds.
    Officers entered the cell and found Dang unresponsive. He was treated by EMS and transported to the Drumheller Health Centre where he was pronounced dead.
    Dang was housed in a single cell prior to this incident. The investigation is ongoing, however foul play is not suspected.
    Corporal Black of the RCMP said with all in-custody deaths a fatality inquiry would be held. These are scheduled after all investigations and criminal matters have been completed.
    An inquiry is limited to establishing identity of the deceased, the manner, time, place and circumstances of death. The judge presiding may make recommendations on changes to possibly prevent a similar occurrence but cannot determine legal responsibility.