Local News
Mayor still hopes to avoid mask bylaw, but it’s close
By COLLIN GALLANT on November 18th, 2020
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Mayor Ted Clugston hoped for six months that the public’s adherence to coronavirus guidance would keep infections from rising in Medicine Hat, he told reporters late Monday. But he’s now contemplating his support for a local mask bylaw that he often argued might not be needed. A majority of councillors on Monday asked the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Hat’s new police chief named
By Medicine Hat News on November 17th, 2020
Medicine Hat’s new police chief will be Mike Worden, a Hat native who spent the past 25 years with the Calgary Police Service, it was announced at Monday’s council meeting. The hiring ends a six-month committee process to replace retiring chief Andy McGrogan. Worden, who is currently a superintendent covering Calgary’s southwest district, which has ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Doubled tax penalties will take three years to unfold
By Medicine Hat News on November 17th, 2020
A controversial proposal to double property tax penalties next year in Medicine Hat will instead be done over three. City council was prepared to debate a phased-in jump to default fees on Monday, two weeks after members sent the issue back to committee. The measure would see the penalty on unpaid tax accounts, which is ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!New online tool available for messaging close contacts of COVID-positive tests
By GILLIAN SLADE on November 17th, 2020
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade There is a new online tool to automatically send text messages to close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Anyone in Alberta who gets a positive COVID test result is asked by Alberta Health Services to immediately visit http://www.ahs.ca/closecontacts and click on the COVID-19 “close contact tool” and enter the names ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Mask bylaw could come in two weeks if case spike persists
By COLLIN GALLANT on November 17th, 2020
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant A majority of Medicine Hat city councillors say they will push for a mandatory mask bylaw in two weeks if they don’t see a major turnaround in rising coronavirus numbers across the area. The same number stressed that the public should heed a call from public health officials and do the responsible thing voluntarily ... Read More »
1 responseUtility service fees expected to rise
By Medicine Hat News on November 17th, 2020
Bills for utility service would rise $4.75 per month for the average household in 2021, according to budget amendments outlined at Monday’s city council meeting. The near 2.3 per cent increase is a little more than half the amount originally projected when budgets were passed two years ago, with the pullback attributed to a wage ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Local author honoured nationally for her Heroine Movement
By MO CRANKER on November 17th, 2020
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker A local woman was named one of the most inspiring people in the country this past weekend. Local author and business owner Blaise Hunter was named winner of a 2020 Women of Inspiration Award. This year she brought home the Influence Award for her work with her Heroine Movement. “I have friends here locally ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Thousands of international travellers have taken part in expedited COVID testing project
By GILLIAN SLADE on November 17th, 2020
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade A pilot program introduced to avoid the 14-day quarantine period has seen thousands participating. Since Nov. 2 international travellers arriving at Calgary International Airport or returning from the U.S. through the Coutts land border crossing there has been the option of taking a COVID-19 test at those locations. Those taking the test are required ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Clugston, Barnes say residents shouldn’t need government to keep them safe from COVID-19
By Medicine Hat News on November 14th, 2020
Local and regional political leaders in Medicine Hat are stressing the importance of personal responsibility over harsher government restriction to fight the surge in COVID-19 cases. Speaking Thursday before the Alberta government announced targeted measures in communities that have elevated infection rates, Mayor Ted Clugston said Medicine Hat’s approach has worked. Rates are rising here ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Humane Society lending a hand to rabbit rescue group
By MO CRANKER on November 14th, 2020
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker The Southern Alberta Humane Society is stepping up to help out Bunny Run Rabbit Rescue during difficult times. The rabbit rescue organization is feeding feral domestic animals and has about 30 bunnies in its care. It is trying to find fosters and adoptions for the rabbits, and the humane society is using its platform ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Aurora still mum on local plant startup
By COLLIN GALLANT on November 14th, 2020
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Some work has continued at the Aurora Sun cannabis growing facility in Medicine Hat, but financial releases this week again give no clues about when it could begin operating. They do state however, that no new major spending is planned until the end of the calendar year on the facility that was to be ... Read More »
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