Two local parks have been closed in the provincial government’s effort to find efficiencies.

 This means that the Bleriot Ferry Recreational area and the Little Fish Lake Provincial Park, both of which were overnight use, will be shuttered. Dry Island Buffalo Jump and Tolman Bridge Campground have also been partially closed.

 According to a release, the government will be closing or partially closing 20 sites after assessing all its parks and recreational areas. Partial/full closures support cost savings of $5 million identified under Budget 2020.

A further 164 sites were identified for proposed removal from the parks system. These are mainly small and under-utilized provincial recreation areas that would become vacant public land. Work is underway to determine if some of these facilities and areas could stay open under a public lands management model. 

 “Our government has a bold vision for the tourism industry, and opening up more facilities and areas for First Nations, non-profit and private sector operation is a great way to encourage private sector investment and create jobs across Alberta as we implement our 10-year tourism strategy,” said Tanya Fir, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism. 

Warrants have been issued for two suspected drug dealers after ALERT seized drugs, a firearm, and stolen property from a home in Three Hills.

Victor Foley, a 34-year-old man, and Jamie Ryan, a 36-year-old woman, are wanted by ALERT Red Deer’s organized crime and gang team for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking. Both suspects are from Three Hills, Alta., which is located southeast of Red Deer.

Foley and Ryan were the subject of an ALERT drug trafficking investigation that began earlier this year. On February 26, 2020, their Three Hills home was searched. One person was arrested at the time: Krista Rix, a 36-year-old woman from Cochrane, Alta.

After searching the home, with the help of the RCMP, investigators seized:

• 30 grams of methamphetamine;
• 25 milliliters of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB);
• 1 gram of fentanyl;
• several doses of suspected LSD;
• three stolen vehicles;
• various stolen property, including stolen identification; and
• one rifle.

All three suspects face various charges related to drugs, firearms, and possession of stolen property.

Anyone with information on Foley or Ryan’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact police. Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.