Local News
Childcare agreement welcomed in the Hat
By LAUREN THOMSON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 23rd, 2021
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com On Nov. 15, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Jason Kenney announced both governments had reached an agreement to support $10-a-day care for children under six years old. In an email to the News, Glen Motz, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, said he was satisfied to learn that Alberta and the federal government ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Local businesses adapt to QR scanning
By LAUREN THOMSON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 23rd, 2021
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com Local businesses continue to manage the challenges of the pandemic. A few businesses reported that the transition to QR codes for the restriction exemptions program has gone quite well, thanks to accommodating customers and understanding staff. Mike Waskalik, owner and operator of Local, said he made sure his staff was fully aware of expectations. ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!More sex charges for man awaiting sentencing
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19th, 2021
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews A man awaiting sentencing in Medicine Hat has been charged with more sexual offences. Claudio Tovar Aguilar, 55, pled guilty to several counts of sexual assault last January, but recently argued the pleas should be withdrawn because legal advice was not properly translated into Spanish. Justice Eric Brooks ruled against him and upheld the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City suffers highest drug poisoning death toll ever
By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 19th, 2021
kking@medicinehatnews.com Medicine Hat’s drug poisoning deaths have reached an all-time high since the beginning of 2021, and the year’s not over yet. Data from Alberta’s Substance Use Surveillance System shows as of August, 23 people died by drug poisoning in the city. The previous year’s total was 15 deaths. Medicine Hat’s chief of police, Mike ... Read More »
1 responseThree men face charges following downtown street fight
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19th, 2021
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Three men have been charged after a fight between them on a downtown street put two of them in hospital earlier this month. Police say an argument broke out on the 300 block of Sixth Avenue downtown at about 11 p.m. on Nov. 7 and “several” weapons were produced as it escalated. By the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Saskatchewan’s childcare deal will cut costs for parents by half
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19th, 2021
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews A federal-provincial childcare partnership in Saskatchewan will cut daycare costs to parents by about half, retroactive to last July, it was announced on Friday. The reduction of fees paid for children aged five and younger will range between $306 to $395 per month and be provided directly to licensed childcare providers to reduce cost ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City’s power, gas profits could spike next year
By COLLIN GALLANT on November 19th, 2021
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Medicine Hat’s power and gas divisions could record a bonanza in 2022 due to high and still rising commodity rates, but budget forecasters warn that even a two-year outlook is not clear. Amended budget forecasts for next year were presented to city council Monday, which predict profits rising by 50% above original forecasts in ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Municipalities group rebrands, introduces its new president
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19th, 2021
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association has a new name and a new president as the group that lobbies the province on behalf of cities and towns concludes its annual convention this week.. Going forward it will call itself “Alberta Municipalities,” and new president Cathy Heron, the mayor of St. Albert, takes over from former ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Vaccines OK’d for kids 5-11
By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 19th, 2021
kking@medicinehatnews.com Health Canada announced Friday the approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11. The approval comes a month after the vaccine was submitted to Health Canada for review on Oct. 18. While certain parents may have apprehension about the pediatric vaccine, health experts say it has undergone extensive testing and is ... Read More »
1 responsePrograms put focus on child mental health
By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 19th, 2021
kking@medicinehatnews.com Medicine Hat Public School Division is working to promote student mental health through its H.U.G. and MyPlace programs. The programs, which are two out of 37 in the province, are funded through Alberta Health Services and contracted through the division. H.U.G. works with elementary school students and MyPlace operates in local junior high and ... Read More »
1 responseCOVID cases in SW Sask. starting to come down from record highs
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19th, 2021
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews COVID-19 cases are trending down in southwest Saskatchewan, but the area including Maple Creek and Swift Current recorded another death on Thursday. Active cases in the health zone totalled 35 that day, essentially maintaining a plateau that has held this month after falling from an all-time high of 282 active cases on Oct. 2. ... Read More »
1 response
