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Vol. 20, No. 25, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 www.LamontLeader.com
RCMP capture fleeing armed robbery suspects near EINP BY JANA SEMENIUK Three robbery suspects were apprehended near Elk Island National Park after a pursuit by at least three different RCMP units and three RCMP detachments on Sunday. According to a press release, the drama unfolded in Vegreville in the early morning hours when a suspect entered the Vegreville Petro Canada store and pointed a firearm at the employee. The suspect demanded money and fled after stealing the employee’s purse and vehicle. Vegreville RCMP received the report of a robbery at 5 a.m. and located the stolen vehicle travelling west on Hwy 16 towards Edmonton. When the RCMP attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled, prompting a pursuit by officers. The vehicle eventually lost control and struck a fence at Elk Island National Park where one suspect was arrested quickly with the vehicle, while two others fled on foot. Multiple RCMP units were deployed to help capture the remaining suspects including RCMP Air Services, RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, in
An armed robbery suspect was arrested when he crashed into EINP on Sunday, while two others ran into the woods. Police arrested all three. Crystal Moren photo. addition to help from Fort addition to Cold Lake resident 38-yearSaskatchewan and Sherwood Park old Dakota Masson. They have all been charged with robbery, RCMP detachments. intimidation, theft of a While the chase was motor vehicle, flight lengthy, police ultifrom police, and mately persevered and obstruction. arrested both suspects. The men were all After searching the taken before a Justice of vehicle, officers found a the Peace and remandblack revolver type peled into custody for let gun. future court dates at the Those arrested were Edmonton residents A pellet handgun was found Alberta Court of Justice Robert Cardinal, 29, by police in the stolen vehicle in Vegreville. Vegreville detachment Adam Coates, 29, in on March 23. Photo: supplied
Staff Sergeant Colin Folk said he is very proud of the RCMP members and emphasized the importance of having several units available within the RCMP. “This call for service is an example of the severity of calls that the Alberta RCMP deal with daily. I am extremely proud of my members in Vegreville. Their quick response and composure resulted in three individuals being arrested without injury to my members, the general public and the suspects,” he said. “This response also showcases the benefit of having the RCMP as the Province’s contract policing provider. The RCMP has access to many different sections that can deploy very quickly to calls for service like this to assist front line members in small communities. In this particular incident the Vegreville RCMP had assistance from the RCMP Air Services Helicopter, multiple Police Dog Services members, a drone, and front-line members from three different detachment areas. Having access to all these specific units greatly increases the ability for these situations to end with a positive outcome.”
Lamont hospital preparing for construction on new long term care centre BY JANA SEMENIUK The Lamont Health Care Centre paused admissions for long term care on Nov. 27 in preparation for construction on the new four-story long-term care centre this spring. A letter to municipalities, from LHCC Board Chair Kent Harrold dated Feb. 21, explained the process. “This is a joint effort between Alberta Health Services and LHCC to reduce occupancy ahead of an extensive modernization project starting in Spring 2025,” said Harrold in the letter. “Pausing admissions will help mitigate the potential that current residents
will need to be temporarily relocated away from Lamont Health Care Centre during construction.” LHCC Chief Executive Officer Shahad Bharmal said that in the event not all current residents can be accommodated at the site during construction some residents will be temporarily relocated to other facilities. Bharmal added, in an interview, that there are currently 70 residents occupying three buildings; the auxiliary wing, the continuing care wing, and the nursing home. “Auxiliary is the one that is going to be taken down, and then the new
building will come up,” he said. While the old facility held 105 beds, Bharmal said the new facility will house 93 beds with all private rooms in a four-story building. He said there are no dates yet for the beginning of construction. Plans for the new building were announced in Dec. 2023 with a $43.8 million grant from the provincial government. According to the Province’s website, one in five Albertans will be over the age of 65 by 2046 totalling more than 1.2 million people, pushing the need for continuing care. The government committed $310
million over three years in budget 2023 for the multiple grant streams within the Continuing Care Capital Program.
The current auxiliary wing of the Lamont Health Care Center, built in 1963, is slated for demolition to make way for the new four-story long-term care center this spring. No dates have been confirmed for the beginning of construction. Photo: Jana Semeniuk