Local News
Utility rate formula changes explained
By COLLIN GALLANT on November 23rd, 2022
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Hatters with annual fixed-rate utility contracts saved about $550 each compared to those with default market rates this year, analysis by the News suggests. That comes after heavy criticism from ratepayers about the city-owned utility doing little to shield Hatters from runaway utility bills this year, and major changes Monday to avoid further losses. ... Read More »
1 responseCouncil opts to wait on scope of provincial utility relief
By COLLIN GALLANT on November 23rd, 2022
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant A proposal to offer a local utility relief program in Medicine Hat is on hold until after city council and staff see what the province proposes to take the edge off high utility bills. Two weeks ago council called for options to help “the most disadvantaged” Hatters during expected record high utility prices this ... Read More »
1 responseCity budget process requires more talks in early December
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 23rd, 2022
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews City council’s new budget process lurched forward Monday, but after councillors sat until 11 p.m. on Monday, more discussions will be needed early next month before a vote. Council members heard presentations this week and asked questions about budget requests from the Medicine Hat Public Library and Medicine Hat Police Service (which both develop ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!No alarming absentee rates yet, outside public school division
By Samantha Johnson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 23rd, 2022
reporter@medicinehatnews.com The Medicine Hat Public School Division has seen a significant increase in absences this week, with five schools reporting 10% or higher rates. Alberta Health Services provided letters for each of the schools, while enhanced cleaning measures and other safety precautions have been implemented. Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education issued the following statement ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Alberta Party leader optimistic for future following byelection
By Samantha Johnson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 23rd, 2022
reporter@medicinehatnews.com Leader of the Alberta Party Barry Morishita knows there is still lots of work to do before the provincial election in May but he is optimistic moving forward. “I’m positive we’ll have a candidate in all 87 ridings. We’ve had lots of people reach out to us during the byelection and subsequently about being ... Read More »
1 responseMedication shortage causing local ripple effect
By KENDALL KING on November 23rd, 2022
kking@medicinehatnews.com The shelves are bare of children’s pain medication in most Medicine Hat pharmacies, evidence of the ongoing, nation-wide acetaminophen and ibuprofen shortage. Attributed to an earlier and more severe flu season than expected, the shortage was declared by the Government of Canada on Oct. 26. In the weeks since, the government has secured foreign ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Elected officials among regional recipients of Queen’s Jubilee medals
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 22nd, 2022
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Elected officials and longtime civic volunteers in the region and across Alberta will receive Queen’s Jubilee medals at ceremonies next weekend through Alberta Municipalities. The medals, created to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II this year, denote outstanding service to community and country. The association that co-ordinates policy and ... Read More »
4 responsesPublic schools seeing high level of absences
By Samantha Johnson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 22nd, 2022
reporter@medicinehatnews.com Five schools in the Medicine Hat Public School Division are reporting greater than 10% absence rates – George Davison, Medicine Hat Christian, Ross Glen, Southview Community and Vincent Massey. The division is working with Alberta Health Services to get letters out. All students had a midterm break during the week of Nov. 7 and ... Read More »
5 responsesAladdin Jr. at Crescent Heights a massive production
By SAMANTHA JOHNSON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 22nd, 2022
reporter@medicinehatnews.com More than 50 junior high students, Grades 7 – 9, at Crescent Heights have been busy practising for the past eight weeks for this year’s junior musical, Aladdin Jr. “For many of them this is their first time in a major musical,” said director and drama teacher Jennifer Davies. “We had a musical last ... Read More »
5 responsesCouncil approves utility rate formula changes
By COLLIN GALLANT on November 22nd, 2022
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Changes are coming to how utility rates are set for the City of Medicine Hat. It ties them more closely to prices the city pays for natural gas it buys on the open market, and which has shot up much higher this year than rates set last January predicted. The surprise move, approved by ... Read More »
2 responsesNDP’s Dirk will run again, plans to reach all voters in the riding
By KENDALL KING on November 22nd, 2022
kking@medicinehatnews.com Now more than a week past the Brooks-Medicine Hat byelection in which she came second, NDP candidate Gwendoline Dirk remains firm on her election-night promise to run again in May 2023. “It was always my plan to run in May,” said Dirk, a resident of Medicine Hat. “No one knew that this byelection would ... Read More »
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