The Community
Press
COVID Activity 2nd Section INSIDE! Volume 112, Issue 42
Telling your story
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
$1 Including GST
Fire Dept. responds to bale blaze
KIM CANNADY PHOTO
Killam Fire Department members responded to a call northwest of the town on Saturday, April 18, where they dealt with a bale fire and hay trailer fire. Note that fire department members wore personal protection equipment as well as their regular firefighter gear. Once the fire was knocked down, the landowner was able to prevent any further spread of the fire.
Hardisty Emergency Department temporarily closed as COVID measure Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced the temporary closure of the Hardisty Health Centre Emergency Department effective Friday, April 17. AHS says, “Patients arriving at the emergency department will be redirected to other care options as appropriate.” That includes redirection to other nearby facilities, including Wainwright, Viking, Daysland, and Coronation. Heather Kipling, AHS Central Zone Communications Director says, “At this time, Killam may be an option for some patients, however referrals are being recommend to sites that don’t have large numbers of seniors in their patient populations to protect that high-risk group.
“Viking and Daysland don’t have long-term care beds on site while Killam does have a Campus of Care especially for seniors at the hospital.” AHS says that admission to acute care beds in Hardisty will also be temporarily paused. “The five existing acute care beds will temporarily be converted to support other services, including supporting patients waiting for continuing care placement, which do not require immediate access to a physician.” AHS says those people who do not require emergency care should continue to contact their physician’s clinic to book an appointment. “The Primary Care Clinic will continue to operate as usual at the site throughout the week.” The temporary closure will not impact the long-term care patients
in Hardisty, and other services in Hardisty, including diagnostic imaging and lab services will remain open. “No job losses will occur at the Hardisty Health Centre as a result of these changes.” AHS says the changes are part of its evolving response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Such changes are not made lightly, and are only done when absolutely necessary to protect vulnerable patients, staff and physicians.” Kipling added, “I can confirm that these closures are only a temporary measure as part of our COVID-19 pandemic response. “While we don’t yet have exact timelines as to when these services will resume given the evolving pandemic situation, we have plans See HARDISTY P22
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Serving Flagstaff County and Surrounding areas for over 111 years
Greenhouses announced as essential services Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Greenhouse owners throughout Flagstaff breathed a huge sigh of relief at the province’s announcement that they will be considered an essential business and able to open their doors this spring. Letters went out to greenhouse operators on April 8 with the good news. Joleen Blaeser, owner of Country Girl Greenhouse in Killam, says she hopes that greenhouse operators through the province follow the rules so that everyone can stay open. Greenhouses typically place their orders for next year’s season in the summer and late fall, and had already put in considerable work and expense before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. There is a strong sense afoot that more people will be looking to gardening as not only a way to get out of See GREENHOUSES P22 Funded by the Government of Canada
Page 12 - The Community Press, Wednesday, April 22, 2020
April 2020 Meetings
C Council ouncil M Meetings eetings
FFlagstaff lagstaff C ounty C ouncil M eetings County Council Meetings aare re cconducted onducted the 2nd and 4th W ednesday of each month Wednesday a.m.. unless ccommencing ommencing at 9 a.m otherwise planned. C ouncil and Committee Committee meeting Council agendas are are aavailable vailable at the County’s C ounty’s website website at: flflagstaff.ab.ca/council/meetings-andagstafff.a . b.ca/council/meeetings-andminutes minu tes
780-384-4100 1-877-387-4100 Email: St ay C onnected with Us: Us: Stay Connected
M Monday onday to to Friday Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 pp.m. .m. ((Closed Closed Noon - 1 pp.m.) .m.)
A Address: ddress:
12435 TTownship ownship Road 442 P.O. BBox P.O. ox 358 358 SSedgewick, edgewick, AB T0B 4C0
Flagstaff.ab.ca Our Endless Thanks to Healthcare workers, Emergency workers, Law Enforcement, and all Essential Services that remain open and risk their own health to keep the world turning.
The Community Press, Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - Page 13
Churches team up for drive-in Easter service Leslie Cholowsky Editor
There are drive in restaurants, and drive in movies, but last weekend in Killam there was also drive in church, as the Killam Pentecostal Church and Sedgewick Nazarene Church teamed up to put on an Easter celebration amidst COVID-19 social distancing rules. The event was the brainchild of Pastor Ben Kellert, who collaborated with Pastor Doug Webb. They were able to access an FM transmitter to enable the event to be broadcast through a car radio. The service was also live streamed. Kellert says beforehand, “There was such excitement about being able to do something like this, especially because it was Easter Sunday.” Also helping were Ryan and Becky Steel, with Darrell Holmstrom, who led the singing. Kellert sang and shared an Easter Message, and Pastor Webb led in communion, with
participants bringing their own elements from home for safety. Darlene Sorenson and Rev. Stephen Haughland also participated in the service, talking about the effects of COVID-19. Kellert says he also shared a letter from a local trucking company. “Then we took time to pray for each one of the affected area's: Healthcare, Small business, Essential Services, RCMP, Truckers and Oilfield workers, those who are unemployed and Municipal, County, Provincial and Federal leaders. “We also had a good sound system on hand to
make sure that people would be able to hear one way or the other. “Some people just listened to the radio, others had their windows partially open.” The parking lot was nicely filled with participants, who, after the service, drove over to the Killam Health Care Centre in a parade, as well as past the RCMP Detachment. Kellert says, “From the feed back we got from those who attended it will likely not be the last one we do together. “People have already asked when we are going to this again!!”
PHOTOS COURTESY PASTOR DOUG WEBB
Public Works Updates Please refer to our website at bit.ly/PWUpdates for the latest information. Road Closures: Please be advised of the following road closures due to spring flooding and related issues: • Rge Rd 115 south of Hwy 13 between Twp Rd 440 and 435 (west of Lougheed) • Rge Rd 170 between Twp Rd 463A and Hwy 26 (northwest corner of the County) • Twp Rd 452 between Hwy 13 and Rge Rd 164 (west of Daysland) • Twp Rd 452 between Rge Rd 150 and 145 (east of Wavy Lake) • Rge Rd 154 between Twp Rd 462 and 460 (northwest of Wavy Lake) • Rge Rd 161 between Twp Rd 440 and 434 (north of Heisler) (Note: Please keep in mind that our seasonal crews will be out working on our roadways and to use extreme caution while travelling on these roads while they are being maintained in any way. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.)
Page 24 - The Community Press, Wednesday, April 22, 2020
BeDevil
Section
COVID-19
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ACTIVITY SECTION >Updates from Local Businesses >Activities Inside for all ages stuck at home >Effective Hygiene & Social Distancing Tips
Mercury LEADER The Tofield
THE LAMONT
Campbell McLennan CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM
780-385-2121 Killam, AB
We are OPEN & here to serve you! Campbell McLennan Chrysler is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of everyone who visits us during these challenging times. In addition, we have changed the way we do business to provide the most stress-free experience possible. Our website (www.campbellmclennan.com) now has a “SHOP FROM HOME” option to allow you to do every part of the buying process from the comfort of home.
Both Sales and Service have pick-up and delivery options to allow our customers the greatest flexibility and show that you are our number one priority!
Take Care, Be Safe, Campbell McLennan Chrysler