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Vol. 21, No. 33, Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Glider pilot killed near Chipman BY JOHN MATHER A pilot is dead after a glider crash near Chipman on Monday afternoon. Mounties from the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP detachment were called to respond to a glider crash in Lamont County at 3:10 p.m. Police said the pilot was declared dead at the scene when officers arrived. They said there were no other victims. Police are not releasing details about the pilot because Howell says next-ofkin had not yet been notified. The Transportation Safety Board of
Canada says in a statement that the accident involved a privately regis-
tered Schleicher ASW 20. The TSB says it is deploying a team of
Schleicher ASW 20
investigators to determine the cause of the accident. Weather conditions, pilot or mechanical error are typical reasons for glider accidents which are as a whole fairly uncommon although two were killed in a crash with a tow plane near Black Diamond, Alberta in a 2019. It is unknown if the pilot was a member of the Edmonton Soaring Club but the group operates out of Chipman “from Spring thaw to Winter freeze,” says its website which has no mention of the accident.
Bruderheim volunteers help solve gopher infestation problems BY MELISSA MACINTOSH-YOUNG A recent act of community support is helping shine a spotlight on an ongoing issue affecting sports fields, playgrounds and green spaces in Bruderheim — a growing infestation of gophers. This week, the Bruderheim Minor Sports Association raised concerns about the number of gopher holes scattered throughout local soccer and Tball fields, creating a potential safety hazard for children during games and practices. “With kids running full speed during games and practices, the risk of injuries was very real,” the association shared. Community businesses quickly stepped in to help address the issue. Deadbolt Storage Ltd. donated topsoil, while BM Services Outdoors volunteered to deliver it, allowing a team of volunteers to immediately begin filling holes and repairing damaged areas on the fields. The association said the support highlights the importance of local businesses giving back to the community and investing in youth recreation. “Your support helps create a safer
environment for every child who steps onto our fields,” the association stated.
“We are incredibly grateful for businesses that continue to invest back into
A Gopher infestation is causing major damage and safety concerns at Bruderheim playgrounds and sports fields. - Melissa MacIntosh-Young photo.
our community and our youth.” The field repairs come as Bruderheim experiences a noticeable increase in gopher activity this spring. Bruderheim COO, Dennis Tomushcat stated at a recent council meeting, “More traps have been acquired by the Town, we now have 60 traps. The Town is actively trapping the rodents”. He also added that a quote from an exterminator was over $50,000, just for the AG grounds, and there was no guarantee. Despite the common name, Alberta “gophers” are actually most often Richardson’s ground squirrels — a native rodent species that lives in colonies throughout the Prairies. While they serve as an important food source for predators, they are also considered a major agricultural pest due to the damage they can cause to crops, pastures, and recreational areas. Their populations are known to rise in cycles, with periodic population booms occurring across the province. For local sports groups, the concern is less about nuisance and more about safety, as the holes left behind can create dangerous conditions for children participating in outdoor activities.