Local News

Budget debate not short on options

By Collin Gallant on June 20th, 2018

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com @CollinGallant A deeply divided city council will resume formal debate in early July on how to fund the 2019-2022 budget, but a wide-ranging discussion on Monday night shows an equally wide array of opinions. Eventually the matter was tabled after nine members first wrangled with the question in instituting new utility fees, or combining ... Read More »

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How we got here: Circumstances that led city to Financially Fit plan

By Collin Gallant on June 20th, 2018

Medicine Hat News For a century, Medicine Hat sold itself as the home of low utility prices and low taxes, thanks to city-owned utilities and a natural gas production business that raked in cash. In 2014 however, administrators told council that a dividend system that transferred $24 million from the energy division to support the ... Read More »

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Council OKs art buy for Police Point

By Collin Gallant on June 20th, 2018

Medicine Hat News A second try at purchasing a granite bison statue as a public art project left at least one city councillor feeling buffaloed, but all supported the project Monday night, though there’s a movement to re-evaluate art-buying procedures. Council heard a plan by the public art committee to spend $17,000 on a statue ... Read More »

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Chief librarian honoured for e-book effort

By Peggy Revell on June 20th, 2018

prevell@medicinehatnews.com @MHNprevell Medicine Hat’s new chief librarian was recognized this past weekend with the Premier’s Public Service Award for a project that’s provided people access to hundreds of Alberta e-books. “I was very proud that the team was recognized,” said Ken Feser of the recognition for the Read Alberta EBooks project, which he completed while ... Read More »

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Suicide numbers released: Anyone is at risk, but middle-aged men are extra vulnerable

By Gillian Slade on June 20th, 2018

gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade There were 11 suicide deaths in Medicine Hat last year. They ranged in age from 26 to 66, with the average age being 48 years. Of the 11 suicides, seven were male and four female, according to information from victims assistance Medicine Hat. They are sometimes called to meet with family members ... Read More »

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Rail terminal part of propane extraction facility near Empress

By Collin Gallant on June 20th, 2018

Medicine Hat News DUNMORE A new $120-million propane extraction facility near Empress will include a new rail terminal to ship the production west, Cypress County council heard on Tuesday. Pembina Pipelines announced this winter it would build a new facility near its straddle plant in northern Cypress County during an update to investors. A public ... Read More »

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New Liquor Depot location set to open doors at Strachan Corner

By Gillian Slade on June 20th, 2018

Medicine Hat News Strachan Corner will boast the opening of another business this week — Liquor Depot — next door to the planned supermarket. The old Walmart building was demolished on site. making room for the new retail complex by Brentwood Developments, and it is to include a Save-on-Foods supermarket. When Save-on-Foods will open its ... Read More »

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Fire alarm safety: Children may sleep through it, so have a plan

By Peggy Revell on June 20th, 2018

prevell@medicinehatnews.com @MHNprevell The fire alarm goes off and everyone evacuates — that’s the ideal plan. However, numerous studies have found that younger children will sleep through traditional fire alarms. “The important thing though, is mom and dad hearing the alarm,” said Grayson Smith, fire prevention officer with the Medicine Hat Fire Service, on how families ... Read More »

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Consent and access fee common in Alberta, but local councillors have varying ideas for alternatives

By Collin Gallant on June 19th, 2018

Medicine Hat News City councillors narrowly defeated the idea of adding a municipal consent and access fee to City of Medicine Hat power and gas customers, but it’s not the first time the idea has been raised, or defeated in Medicine Hat. The practice is common elsewhere in Alberta, and involves private sector utility providers ... Read More »

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Utility fee defeated. Now what?

By Collin Gallant on June 19th, 2018

cgallant@medicinehatnews @CollinGallant After a proposed major new utility fee failed at Monday night’s city council meeting, members approved a surprise amendment to nearly double a proposed tax increases to make up the difference, then tabled it. Tune in next time for the thrilling conclusion to Medicine Hat’s four-year city budget assumptions. It was a rolling ... Read More »

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