Your news this week: Salute to the RCMP - 8/9 Support and changes at ARA - 10 Disc golf popular at Lamont - 14 OPINION: Summertime adventures - 4
Proud to be an Independent CANADIAN Publication
FREE
Vol. 20, No. 43, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 www.LamontLeader.com
Devastating loss Second death in 7 days at notorious Mundare intersection BY JANA SEMENIUK A vehicle collision between a pickup truck and a semi resulted in the death of 17-year-old Annya Palsitt from Mundare on July 23. The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 855 and Highway 16 where LCES (Lamont County Emergency Services) responded at 3:42 p.m. and left the scene at 10:15 p.m., according to Lamont County Communications Director Jay Zaal. Zaal added that Vegreville RCMP and EMS also attended. The intersection of Highway 855 and Highway 16 has been the scene of several accidents and fatalities over the years. The recent fatality is the second death, and third collision, at this intersection within only 12 days. Staff Sgt. Colin Folk from the Vegreville RCMP confirmed a non fatal accident happened on July 11 between
ing, in addition to a pick-up truck posting a tribute and a semi, while on social media to an accident on July the beloved young 16, between a pickgirl. up truck towing a “Annya was utility trailer and a truly one of a kind. car, resulted in the She brought an death of the car’s energy and leaderdriver; a 61-yearship that made a old man. lasting impact. Meanwhile tribAlways punctual, utes have been focused, and pouring over dependable, social media for Annya took initiaPalsitt who graduated from 17-year-old Annya Palsitt in a gradua- tive in every situation and built Vegreville High tion photo from high school, recently. meaningful conSchool only a few nections with the youth and her fellow months ago. Lamont County FCSS (Family and team members,” posted FCSS. “She was a natural leader, someone Community Support Services) cancelled summer programs for the rest of the younger participants looked up to the week where Palsitt had been work- and admired. There was little Annya
couldn’t do. Her many talents, drive, and compassion made her a shining light within our programs. She meant so much to our team, and her absence will be deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.” An online fundraising effort for the family, started by family friends Jessica Dmytryk and Lacey Levicki, collected over $45,000 in only four days. “Lacey and I discussed what we could do to try to help their family with funeral costs, time off work, and whatever is needed during this time,” said Dmytryk by email. “We are both completely and utterly blown away by how much has been raised. The way this community has come together to help support the Palsitt family, whom is a huge staple in our community, means everything.” A funeral for Palsitt is planned for July 31 at the Vegreville Social Centre.
County councillor frustrated at slow moving improvements to dangerous intersection BY JANA SEMENIUK Division 1 Lamont County Councillor Daniel Warawa does not understand why it’s taking so long for the intersection of Highway 855 and Highway 16 south of Mundare to undergo a meaningful safety redesign and improvement by the Province. Warawa’s increased frustration follows three collisions at the notorious intersection this month in the span of 12 days. Two of the accidents were fatal. On July 11, a non-fatal vehicle collision occurred at the intersection while a second on July 16 took the life of a 61year-old man. A third devastating acci-
“How many people have to die?” dent, only 7 days later, claimed the life of 17-year-old Annya Palisatt from Mundare. “I discussed this with (the minister of transportation) before. Apparently, there is a study (being done) but it’s going to take them many years before they do anything,” said Warawa. “I asked him how many people have to die before you do anything?” Warawa said he believes an increase to semi-truck traffic on the highway is to blame along with a hill on the east side, making it difficult to see west-
bound vehicles. And Warawa is not the only one looking for action from the Province. Nearly 4,000 signatures have been collected over the past four days through an online petition looking for “immediate action from local and provincial authorities to conduct a thorough review and implement the necessary changes to make this intersection safe”. According to the petition site, it was begun by Kyla Iwaskow. Requests for comment from Iwaskow were not
responded to by press time. Nearly 30 comments were made by petition signers with many sharing their own horrific tales of losing family and friends to collisions at this intersection. One poster wrote; “51 years ago we lost our brother Raymond at that same intersection. This corner has been a personal curse for many families over the years to try to pick up or try to fill the void left in their lives. The devastation has caused so much hurt to so many.” Continued on Page 2