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Water levels in the NWT are generally lower than average so far this April
according to the Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC)
levels in Great Slave Lake have been recovering slowly since record low levels were recorded during the summers of 2023 and 2024
the lake was about 30 cm higher than this time last year
"This is largely in response to water levels on the Slave River being close to average since December of 2024," stated ECC's Spring Water Outlook
"(The) Slave River water level is approximately 40 cm higher than this time last year."
As more snow and ice melt across the territory
the department says it will provide regular updates on current water levels and river ice conditions
the summer and fall of 2024 were warmer and drier than normal across most of the NWT
"These warm and dry conditions have resulted in continued low water levels that have persisted since the late summer of 2022," the territorial government states
It also says that river flows and lake water levels near Yellowknife are average or below average
flows on rivers draining into the eastern branch of Great Slave Lake are either above average or well above average
"Flows on rivers north of Yellowknife (e.g
Coppermine) are approximately average," ECC indicated
ECC advised that an average to above average snowpack will boost soil moisture levels
water levels on most local lakes and rivers should be higher than in 2024
so long as there is average rainfall this summer."
snowpack across the territory has generally been average
higher than normal in the eastern and southeastern portions of the territory
"Above-average snowpack was observed specifically for the Yellowknife River basin and the Taltson River basin
Snowpack for all other basins was approximately average to below average," according to ECC
Winter air temperatures in the NWT were warmer than average during the 2024-25 winter season
Parts of the NWT are still struggling with low water levels
water levels on the La Martre River and the Camsell River are the lowest on record
It also predicts that spring flows in Fort Liard and Jean Marie River will be lower than normal
but suggests the potential for flooding in Nahanni Butte will be average and highly dependent on rainfall events in mid-to-late June
ECC stressed that communities should prepare for spring flooding potential and be aware that water levels can rise quickly in response to ice jams
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damage to businessKevin Joseph Brezuk has been charged with operating a vehicle while prohibited
and failure to comply with probation order
Slave Lake RCMP arrested Kevin Joseph Brezuk
14 after he was reported for reckless driving
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentHe’s been charged with operating a vehicle while prohibited
police responded to a call about a vehicle that collided with a snowbank in the main street area
The Slave Lake crime reduction unity followed the vehicle from a distance to make sure the public was safe
He was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released on a release Order
9 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Slave Lake
Some of their goals include strengthening community ties and trust to make safer neighbourhoods, allocating resources by putting focus on high risk areas and repeat offenders, and working closely with other law enforcement agencies.
“The transition from a general investigations to a crime reduction unit represents a significant shift in policing philosophy, focusing on proactive crime prevention rather than solely on reactive investigations. By adopting a structured approach, focusing on strategic goals and fostering community collaboration, the CRU can effectively reduce crime, enhance public safety, and build stronger community relations,” said staff sergeant Casey Bruyns, detachment commander of the Slave Lake RCMP.
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transmission or republication strictly prohibited
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A northern Alberta MLA has been removed from the United Conservative caucus after he spoke out against the provincial budget introduced last month and indicated he was willing to vote against it
Scott Sinclair remains the MLA for Lesser Slave Lake but will no longer sit with government MLAs
The party announced his removal via an email statement on Friday
saying his removal takes effect immediately
It follows a vote held earlier in the day by fellow caucus members
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The failure of a budget to pass results in an immediate election
All government MLAs are expected to vote in favour of a tabled budget,” the statement reads
both in his social media posts and in his conversations with colleagues
that he intends to vote against the budget
but may not do so as a member of the government caucus.”
unacceptable for Albertans” and further described it as “indefensible.”
“I will not support or vote for it ‘as is’ without significant changes,” his statement reads
Sinclair took issue with what he characterized as too much spending devoted to Edmonton and Calgary and not enough for rural ridings like his
“It feels like we’re dealing with a provincial version of federal equalization payments
with rural communities footing the bill for the big cities.”
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“I’m still the MLA for Lesser Slave Lake and I’m going to keep on fighting to make sure our voices are heard.”
His removal means there are now 48 government MLAs
MLAs have been away from the legislature this past week but are set to return on Monday
We should have core values and being against corruption should be one of those
Guthrie remains in government caucus but has been replaced as minister
“The whole situation is ridiculous and the UCP chaos will continue until Albertans get answers,” she said
“Sinclair confirmed what we already know: the UCP’s 2025 budget fails Albertans
the premier continues to approach the problem like she approaches all problems — by firing anyone who disagrees with her.”
mblack@postmedia.com
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A northern Alberta government MLA says he’s angry enough about last week’s provincial budget that he’s willing to go against the grain and vote against it in the legislature
he stated he found most of the budget “at best
But Sinclair — also the parliamentary secretary for Indigenous policing — described the fiscal plan as “indefensible” and something he is unwilling to support in its current form
“I will not support or vote for it ‘as is’ without significant changes.”
There is an historical expectation that government MLAs will support their party’s budget
“I’m furious at the amount of money being funnelled into Edmonton and Calgary (as usual) while northern Alberta and our riding are largely ignored,” it reads
later referring to the spending as “appalling.”
he cites $2.9 billion devoted to LRT projects in Calgary and Edmonton
$2.6 billion for schools that he says will mostly be in Calgary and Edmonton
and $106 million to Edmonton to demolish Northlands Coliseum and develop a recreation park
but I was elected to stand up for our region — and right now
this feels like the only option I have left,” he said
“The balance of power in cabinet remains in the big cities
and they continue to take ridings like Lesser Slave Lake for granted.”
Sinclair did not respond to messages seeking an interview Monday
A UCP caucus spokesperson said Sinclair remains one of its members
the premier’s office said the budgetary deficit reflects the need to plan for a worst-case scenario relative to trade
“We will continue working with all our MLAs
to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all Albertans across the province,” it reads
It also notes what it calls “significant investments” via the budget into rural Alberta
including funding to support Slave Lake’s development of an emergency medical services station
is non-status First Nations and was the UCP’s only Indigenous candidate in the 2023 election in which he won the constituency with nearly two-thirds of the vote
Opposition house leader Christina Gray called Sinclair’s criticism “unprecedented.”
“There’s chaos within the UCP and justifiably so
Last week’s UCP budget does little to support many Albertans,” she said
“What the budget does seem to provide is division within the UCP caucus and even more UCP MLAs standing up to the premier.”
A northern Alberta MLA ousted from government caucus says he does not regret his decision
and isn’t closing the door on returning to the United Conservative Party (UCP)
citing the fiscal deficit as well as what he believes was too much spending in urban areas and not enough in rural communities
Sinclair sat in the legislative assembly away from his former caucus colleagues as an independent MLA and told reporters he is disappointed with his removal
“I kept my promise to the people who voted for me
which was to try my best and to make sure I stand up for communities,” he said
“the feedback I’ve gotten is they’re happy with what I’ve said
“People told me this is not how you do things
and I did try through the regular streams that we have
and I just felt like my voice wasn’t being heard.”
and government MLAs are historically expected to vote in support
Sinclair said he had some “proactive” conversations with the caucus early on
“Those conversations started to go back towards ultimatums,” he said
to reverse my position completely and agree that I should be grateful.”
Sinclair said he is not crossing the floor to join the Opposition New Democrats and did not rule out a possible return to the UCP caucus
“I’ve certainly kept the lines of communication open,” he said
“If this gets better for (backbench MLAs) going forward and they make changes internally so that people don’t get to this point where they feel like they have to do this
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said the case of Sinclair illustrated how the government caucus is in disarray
“It’s very clear she didn’t engage her caucus at all in the priorities in this budget,” he said of Premier Danielle Smith
A man is dead after a head-on collision with a semi-truck near Slave Lake on Monday night
Mounties responded to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 2 at Township Road 710A
Police said a Chevrolet Suburban towing a dual axle flat deck trailer crossed the eastbound lane and collided with a semi-truck carrying a loaded trailer
The driver of the Suburban died on scene and the semi-truck driver was treated for minor injuries
“There’s no indication of what the catalyst was for what caused the SUV to cross the centre line,” said Alberta RCMP Cpl
Slave Lake is 255 kilometres northwest of Edmonton
The United Conservative Party have booted an MLA who promised to vote against the provincial budget out of the party
UCP caucus voted to remove Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair on Friday
"Budget votes are confidence votes," said a statement from Chief Government Whip The failure of a budget to pass results in an immediate election
All government MLAs are expected to vote in favour of a tabled budget
but may not do so as a member of the government caucus
"We have informed the Speaker of the Assembly of this decision which is effective immediately."
unacceptable for Albertans," his post began "I don’t know who it’s meant to serve
He pointed out the budget projected a $5 billion deficit and deficits in the following two years
While he was relieved the budget included a tax cut "I’m furious at the amount of money being funnelled into Edmonton and Calgary (as usual) while Northern Alberta and our riding are largely ignored
"The continuous flow of our GDP to urban centers while rural Alberta— the backbone of this province— gets left behind is appalling
It feels like we’re dealing with a provincial version of federal equalization payments
with rural communities footing the bill for the big cities."
He criticized the funding of sports arenas in big cities while Highway 88 in his riding remains unfinished
If the province intends on running deficit – to which he objects – it should go towards investment in one-time infrastructure projects in northern Alberta
"And if we’re going to continue pouring billions into health care
maybe we should stop closing our hospitals
and finally build the heli-pad in High Prairie
Health care in Northern Alberta has hit rock bottom
and while I hear about positive changes happening elsewhere
He listed a number of big ticket budget items
such as $2.9 billion for rapid transit projects in Calgary and Edmonton
mostly in Calgary and Edmonton; $106 million to demolish Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton and $9 million for 50 more police officers in Edmonton
"This budget is indefensible for the Lesser Slave Lake Constituency
and I will not support or vote for it 'as is' without significant changes."
Sinclair is the second UCP members to voice displeasure with the party's direction in recent days
Infrastructure Minister Peter Guthrie resigned from Cabinet following allegations of how Alberta Health Services was handling procurement contracts
He remains Airdrie-Cochrane MLA but has been barred from attending UCP caucus meetings as part of a 30-day probation period.
Saturday after a father and son who had set out on a kayak trip failed to return on time
The pair were paddling in the same boat and had provided a planned route and estimated time of arrival
RCMP along with Slave Lake Fire and conservation officers launched a search with boats
They eventually found the overturned kayak
The father was spotted a short distance from the boat and rescued around 9 p.m
the young boy was found deceased,” RCMP said in a Tuesday news release
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking event.”
Both were wearing life jackets but could not swim
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The safety of all individuals on the water remains our highest priority," RCMP Public Information officer
When a father and son from Edmonton ventured out for a Saturday kayaking trip on the Lesser Slave Lake
they had a plan to launch from Devonshire Beach and return at an arranged time
Hours after their missed deadline RCMP would find the father alive and the son deceased
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentAt approximately 6:19 p.m
Slave Lake RCMP were told of two overdue boaters
Along with Slave Lake Fire Department and Alberta Conservation officers they immediately mounted an integrated search and rescue operation using boats
Following an hours-long search they found the overturned kayak
Both kayakers were wearing lifejackets at the time
Lesser Slave Lake, at 1,160 km2, is 100 kilometres long and a maximum of 15 kilometres wide. Its depth runs approximately 11 metres deep. It’s a popular tourist spot in the Peace Country attracting boaters, campers, sailors, fishers and more.
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of Lesser Slave wasted little time in coming out in support of Lesser Slave MLA Scott Sinclair last week
Sinclair had made it known how unhappy he is with the new provincial budget
unacceptable.”Whatever Sinclair expected or hoped from the budget
it didn’t deliver.“The balance of power in cabinet remains in the big cities,” he said in his statement
“and they continue to take ridings like Lesser Slave Lake for granted.”At least three of the municipalities in the area agree with those sentiments
in the form of a letter to Premier Danielle Smith
she said: “We urge your government to reconsider this budget and make the necessary adjustments to equitably support northern Alberta.”
Lesser Slave River Reeve Murray Kerik says he and his council colleagues agree wholeheartedly with Sinclair and are proud of him for standing up for his constituents
rather than toeing the party line.The budget as presented
“is basically a slap in the face to majority of northern Alberta.”Kerik says the M.D
will be sending its own budget response letter to the government generally and to the premier in particular
He says he has also contacted the MLA for the southern part of the M.D
asking for his support on the budget issue.The M.D
letter to the premier was referred to in a public statement by the M.D
It offers ‘key points’ for Premier Danielle Smith’s consideration
including ‘disparity in infrastructure funding
economic impact,’ and ‘fairness and equity.’The letter “calls on the province to prioritize a policy framework that better aligns a given region’s infrastructure needs with its contributions to Alberta’s Gross Domestic Product.”A day or two later
Reeve Tyler Airth of Big Lakes County issued his own letter in response to Sinclair’s statement.“Big Lakes County is committed to standing with Mr
Sinclair as he speaks out against a budget that does not reflect the priorities of our region,” Airth said
“We ask that our government reconsider the budget
so everyone has access to the services and infrastructure they deserve.”
So is High Prairie’s mayor on another holiday
The whole council crew has had a week to tell us all where they stand on this important matter
last I heard he was trying to drum up some buyers for the tourist booth in High Prairie
Why should council bother with a tourist booth when they already joined up with a tourist group in Slave Lake to promote High Prairie
Environment Canada Forecast
Alberta Wildfire Status Map
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Interesting Links from Stories
(CSE: STGX) ("StrategX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of high-grade copper mineralization at its East Arm Copper Project ("East Arm")
Recent surface sampling has returned copper values ranging from 1% to 10%
underscoring significant exploration potential within a 2-km corridor of sedimentary-hosted mineralization accessible from the Great Slave Lake
the Company has expanded its property position by staking an additional 6,425 hectares in the area
StrategX's copper targets at East Arm are situated along a major continental-scale craton margin
and occur on trend with the Pine Point Zinc mine
currently being developed by Osisko Metals
A summary of the recent high-grade copper assay results from the Company's sampling program is presented in Table 1
The East Arm Copper Project is easily accessible
located 315 km northeast of Hay River Harbour
a major transportation hub connecting to Alberta via highway
StrategX's mineral claims can be reached by boat
accessible via a 45-minute scheduled flight from Yellowknife (see Figure 1)
Recent fieldwork on the westernmost area of East Arm has confirmed high-grade copper hosted in brecciated sediments
expanding the known footprint of copper showings (Figures 2 & 3)
The area has not been explored since the 1970s
when isolated historical blasted trenches revealed highly anomalous copper values
Historical reports also describe extensive chalcopyrite
Figure 4 provides photos of high-grade copper mineralization observed in recent surface rock samples collected by the Company
Figure 1: Location of the East Arm Copper Project and recent staking completed in the Murky Channel high-grade copper target area
Figure 2: Location of high-grade copper showings at Murky Channel area
Figure 3: A view to the northeast of the East Arm Copper showings along the Murky Channel Fault
Figure 4: Photos 1
3a-b are referenced in Figure 2 as to their location in the field
StrategX is excited to advance field exploration at East Arm in the coming months
with the goal of defining drill targets and potentially discovering a significant high-grade copper deposit in the Northwest Territories
Key to the Green Energy Transition - Copper is essential for electric vehicles
playing a crucial role in building a sustainable future
Limited Supply - Global demand for copper is projected to significantly exceed supply
Aging Mines & the Need for New Discoveries - Many of the world's largest copper mines are reaching depletion
increasing the urgency for new high-grade deposits
Scarcity of High-Grade Copper - Industry experts highlight that high-grade copper deposits are becoming increasingly rare
Market Growth & Investment Potential - Copper prices have trended upward again
above US$4 per lb (the record all-time high was $5.20 per lb in May of 2024)
and its critical role in the global economy
The geological and technical data contained in this press release were reviewed and approved by the Vice President - Exploration for StrategX
a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
are selected samples and may not be indicative of underlying mineralization
The analytical work reported herein was performed by ALS Global ("ALS")
ALS is an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited geochemistry laboratory and is independent of the Company and the QP
Samples were crushed entirely to 70% passing - 2mm
250g split off and pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns
Multi-Element Ultra Trace uses a four-acid digestion performed on 0.25g sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials
culminating in analytical analysis performed with a combination of ICP-AES and ICP-MS (method ME-MS61)
Overlimit samples (> 10,000 ppm Cu) were then subjected to Cu-OG62 method
which uses a four-acid digestion and an ICP finish on a 0.4g sample
No external QA/QC samples were inserted because of the relatively small program size and the fact that these were field grab samples
For further information about the Company, please visit our website at www.strategXcorp.com
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
All statements included in this press release that address activities
or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements
These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience
expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances
these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions
and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate
certain of which are beyond the Company's control
Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements
the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events
Eagle Royalties holds a diverse portfolio of more than 35 royalty interests in western Canada. Target commodities subject to royalties include a broad spectrum including critical metals, precious metals, industrial minerals and diamonds... LEARN MORE
EdmontonNewsFormer Slave Lake mayor discusses the emotional toll of the wildfire on JasperitesBy CTV News EdmontonPublished: August 16, 2024 at 3:01PM EDT
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weapons and ammunitionIt concluded a seven month long investigation on a suspected drug house in the southwest quadrant of town
Officers seized drugs believed to be cocaine
has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (x4)
fail to comply with release order condition (x2)
and possession of a weapon contrary to order (x6)
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentA search warrant on a residence was carried out on Jul. 19 by Slave Lake general investigation section, Slave Lake RCMP, Faust RCMP, Lakeshore regional police service, and the Alberta RCMP roving traffic unit north with the help of a narcotic detection dog.
It concluded a seven month long investigation on a suspected drug house in the southwest quadrant of town.
Officers seized drugs believed to be cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and psilocybin. They also found ammunition, weapons, drug trafficking paraphernalia, unstamped cigarettes, electronics, and a large amount of Canadian currency.
After a judicial hearing, Macdonald was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Slave Lake on Jul. 24.
“This joint operation shows the importance of strong working relationships in order to disrupt individuals that may have otherwise caused greater harm to our community. Should you notice any suspicious drug activity I encourage you to report to help with future investigations,” said staff sergeant Casey Bruyns, Slave Lake detachment commander.
credits her successful breastfeeding journey to the support she received from the AHS Slave Lake Public Health Breastfeeding Clinic and Slave Lake Dental
an AHS Public Health Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
SLAVE LAKE — A community-based approach to breastfeeding support is making a big difference for local families in Slave Lake and surrounding areas
credits the combined support of the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Slave Lake Public Health Breastfeeding Clinic and Slave Lake Dental for helping her and her baby achieve a successful breastfeeding journey — one that would have been more difficult without their expertise
but there are local resources available to help,” says Coutts
“My advice to new and expecting families is this: Don’t be afraid to ask for support
they received a visit from the Well Baby Clinic with Slave Lake Public Health
Coutts shared her feelings and struggles with breastfeeding
pumping and feeling disconnected from her baby
I just wasn’t connecting with Carter the way I wanted to,” she adds
Public Health helped by lending Coutts an extra pump
which made a huge difference in helping her to keep up with feeding
They also connected her with Katherine Owen
a registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with AHS Public Health in Slave Lake
Owen has been working with families in Slave Lake to overcome breastfeeding challenges since 2016
After seeing Owen at the breastfeeding clinic
Coutts and Carter were referred to Slave Lake Dental
where a dental assessment revealed Carter had a 75-per-cent tongue and lip restriction
The dental team performed the required procedure
and also provided Coutts with individual exercises to support Carter’s recovery at home
Coutts and Carter also continued to see Owen at the local breastfeeding clinic
and helped us every step of the way,” says Coutts
Owen assisted with breastfeeding techniques
and guided Coutts through breastfeeding and bottle-feeding
the family worked closely with Public Health to ensure continued progress
“Carter latched for the first time on Christmas-eve,” Coutts says
“It was the best Christmas gift ever.” Today
gaining weight and breastfeeding successfully
“The support we’ve received has made life so much easier,” says Coutts
“And I’m really glad we were able to receive the support we needed here in Slave Lake
instead of having to travel during winter with a newborn.” The collaboration between Slave Lake Public Health and Slave Lake Dental demonstrates the importance of community-driven care
families can receive the support they need
Public Health services in Slave Lake also provide follow-up care
Through ongoing support and collaboration with local health professionals
Slave Lake Public Health aims to help all families achieve their feeding goals and build strong
Owen takes pride in the work she does to give parents the resources they need to achieve their feeding goals
with a focus on what’s best for each individual family
We work with families to understand their needs — and help them find the best way forward.”
contact the Slave Lake Public Health Centre at 780-849-3947
Our work takes place on historical and contemporary Indigenous lands
Treaty 7 & Treaty 8 and the homeland of the Métis Nation of Alberta and 8 Métis Settlements
We also acknowledge the many Indigenous communities that have been forged in urban centres across Alberta
© Alberta Health Services 2025 Terms of UsePrivacy Statement
Yellowknifer columnist and houseboater Nancy Vail saw something highly unusual recently
It all started after putting her dogs in her car on July 16. According to Vail
she looked over at the bay and saw a head staring back at her
"My first thought wasn't 'What is it?' It was
Her encounter made its way to Facebook
sparking quite the discussion on the NWT Species page
"that was either the biggest otter I've ever seen in Yellowknife Bay or anywhere
or it was a seal." That speculation was met with dozens of replies
including others saying they saw a seal too
Vail said what she spotted must have been a seal
"There's lots of talk about it being a river otter or a big otter
Vail added she's familiar with how a seal swims and dives
it seems even less likely that it could have been an otter
considering they tend to frequent around houseboats instead
Can a seal make its way to Great Slave Lake
A seal would have to swim the length of the Mackenzie River, to Great Slave Lake from the Beaufort-Delta
the senior communications officer for Environment and Climate Change
Graf added she reached out to the government department's wildlife division and it's believed that this is likely a case of mistaken identity.
"We believe it is a large otter," said Graf
"The North American River Otter’s range would match up with this
A large otter could easily be 30lbs/15kg or more
so it could be mistaken for a small seal."
investigators saw a pickup truck rolled over
Slave Lake RCMP responded to a single vehicle accident on Nov
where a 52 year old male was declared deceased at the scene
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe incident occurred on Highway 2, near the entrance of Canyon Creek. At the scene, investigators saw a pickup truck rolled over.
RCMP haven’t released information on how the accident might have occurred.
EdmontonNewsEdmonton boy dies during father-son kayak trip near Slave LakeBy Amanda AndersonPublished: August 06, 2024 at 2:56PM EDT
There are many questions surrounding the 40-foot sunken steel vessel in Great Slave Lake
some of which the Canadian Coat Guard can answer
Here's a list of every response the Canadian Coast guard has given NNSL Media about this sunken vessel:
What is the known or suspected cause of it sinking
"The cause of the sinking is unknown at this time
but it may become apparent when the vessel is recovered."
but we have taken standard measures to address the potential threat of pollution
including recovering oiled debris from the ice
deploying 300 feet of containment boom and sorbents
the Canadian Coast Guard has observed minimal pollution
which was successfully contained and being recovered with sorbent materials
We will take additional actions if necessary
How many people were on board when it sank
"There were no people onboard during the sinking and no rescue was required
What's the timeline on getting the vessel out of the water
"We are now working to arrange for a contractor to remove the vessel. We remain optimistic that the vessel will be removed in the early summer."
What will that removal process involve?
the Canadian Coast Guard has been monitoring this incident and mitigating the risks posed to the environment and navigation
We are currently working to identify a contractor to salvage the vessel
but this is complex due to the limited availability of specialized resources in the area."
Who will cover the cost of recovering it?
"Vessel owners are responsible for costs relating to their problem vessel
repairs and any remediation action taken by the Canadian Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard works with vessel owners to address their problem vessels
but if the owner fails to comply to address the problem
we can take direct and immediate action to prevent
mitigate or eliminate the risks of pollution that the vessel poses."
it doesn't seem to be much of it. The GNWT notes that 0.15 litres of a spilled liquid was detected.]
we do not disclose information about the owner."
RCMP have charged a youth with assault and mischief after bear spray was deployed at the Slave Lake fairgrounds last Saturday
Police were notified of a disturbance at the fairgrounds around 10 p.m
Saturday in the town about 255 km northwest of Edmonton
Officers were told that a youth discharged bear spray among many of the fair patrons and then fled the scene
police were able to quickly apprehend a suspect
one youth has been charged with nine counts of assault with a weapon
possession of weapon for dangerous purpose and mischief
A 40-foot steel vessel has sunk in Great Slave Lake
according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada
As reported on the GNWT's online spill database
the sinking and spill occurred on May 12 at 7:15 p.m. in Yellowknife harbour
which means it falls outside of the jurisdiction of the City of Yellowknife
when it comes to recovering the vessel
the Canadian Coast Guard is still waiting on the needed services
The sunken boat has been sectioned off in the meantime
with an orange perimeter and a buoy in the middle
There's no indication of who owns the vessel or what caused it to sink
What has been spilled also remains a mystery. Within the boat's sectioned off quarters is a small circle of thin
Whatever the liquid is, the GNWT notes that it was 0.15 litres of it
"We currently can’t assess the quantity or type of pollutants that may still be onboard the sunken vessel
so 300 feet of containment boom and sorbent material have been deployed to absorb and contain any potential pollutants," writes Sam Di Lorenzo
the communications person for Fisheries and Oceans Canada
"We will continue to monitor the area and take appropriate actions as needed until the vessel can be safely remediated."
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentAshley Bigstone has been located safe.
Slave Lake RCMP have asked for public assistance in finding 17 year old Ashley Bigstone who was last seen during day time hours of Jul. 22.
It’s believed she’s headed towards Wabasca area and there’s concern for her.
She’s described as being female, has a fair complexion, brown hair and brown eyes, is is approximately 115 pounds, and five feet one inches tall.
If you have information on where she is, contact Slave Lake RCMP at (780) 849-3045. If you want to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available on the Apple App or Google Play Store.
a division of Opta Information Intelligence
has developed a new model for insurers to better understand the risk of wildfire-related losses
The model was developed after FUS studied the wildfire losses in Kelowna
Slave Lake and Fort McMurray and gained a deeper understanding of wildfire urban interface fire risk in Canada
Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS), a division of Opta Information Intelligence
FUS has published the Canadian Fire Insurance Grading Index
helping insurers understand and manage fire risk exposure
The new Wildfire Grading Index follows the same principal concept
The system provides standardized risk benchmarks for all areas of Canada using the best available technologies including GIS (Geographic Information System)
digital satellite imagery and advanced analytics tools
Local and provincial stakeholders can lower exposure by managing risk proactively
The new Canadian Wildfire Grading Index will be released in British Columbia and Alberta in mid-2017
with a full rollout nationwide by year’s end
Opta has reported that Canadian insurers have requested the creation of this index to help manage the wildfire peril in terms of the risk of large losses for insurers as well as helping communities better understand and manage their risk
FUS is working with Partners in Protection and will seek input from the provincial forest management agencies to establish the criteria for how mitigation and suppression capacities are scored
By creating an index in a format that the Canadian insurance community is already familiar with
“insurers can influence local communities to invest in effective mitigation practices
early detection systems and suppression capacity that will impact the resilience of the communities in the face of an increasing wildfire risk
and reduce the probability of catastrophic wildfire events in the future.”
“This is another example of the Fire Underwriters Survey and Opta providing crucial fire protection data for Canadians,” said Greg McCutcheon
“We take great pride in helping insurers and all Canadians prepare and combat fire risk exposure.”
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stolen property and firearm offencesProactive patrols in Slave Lake led to an arrest in late May
A complaint led to another arrest in early June
Slave Lake RCMP arrested Raymond James Foss
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe charges for the first arrest included possession of stolen property over $5000, firearm-related offences (x4), and possession of a controlled substance.
The second arrest charges were for failure to comply with release order x 2, possession of break in instruments, possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, and possession of a controlled substance.
Slave Lake RCMP were making proactive patrols on May 25 when they found a known offender who had been suspected of possessing stolen property in April. Before being arrested, a search of the suspected revealed 60 g of suspected meth, a hand gun, a rifle, and ammunition.
Foss was brought before a justice of the peace and released on conditions. “He appeared at the Alberta Court of Justice in Slave Lake on Jun. 5, 2024,” wrote Cpl. Mathew Howell.
The next day, Slave Lake RCMP heard report of a suspicious vehicle near an oil well site where Foss was found. The vehicle was identified as stolen. “Foss was arrested and search incidental to arrest revealed a small amount of meth as well as break and enter tools.”
He is to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Slave Lake on Jun. 12.
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The wildfire danger is very high in the Slave Lake Forest Area due to hot
Firefighters urge everyone to use caution when working or recreating in the outdoors
and a fire will spread rapidly under windy conditions
Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
A fire restriction is in effect for the Slave Lake Forest Area
Safe campfires are allowed in backyard fire rings as well as in designated rings at provincial and private campgrounds
All other forms of burning are not permitted
This afternoon, smoke is visible in the Buffalo Bay area located southwest of Grouard. Big Lakes County Fire Service is monitoring the situation. For updates visit the Big Lakes County Website.
3 new wildfires were reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area
Thanks to the swift response from local fire departments and wildland firefighters
Some of the recent wildfires have been caused by machinery such as off-highway vehicles and lawn mowers
Firefighters are reminding everyone that dry
dead grass can ignite easily from sparks or friction
Please use extreme caution when operating equipment in areas of dead grass
47 wildfires have been reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area
resulting in a total burned area of 35.59 hectares.
To view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire Status app or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard
Fire lookout observers are watching for smoke
aircraft and heavy equipment are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start
A fire restriction is now in effect for the central region of the Forest Protection Area
The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve or further escalation is required.
To view an up-to-date map of fire bans, restrictions, and advisories across Alberta, visit Alberta Fire Bans
Spring wildfires are almost always human-caused
Please do your part and follow these tips to help prevent wildfires:
We've updated the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard
This interactive map and display provides wildfire locations
statistics and more in one convenient location.
The AB Wildfire Status app remains the best option to view wildfire information on a mobile device. Apple Store Google Play
all burning activities in the Forest Protection Area
Prevent wildfires by checking on winter burn sites. Winter burns can smoulder underground and often reignite in the spring
780-420-1968[email protected]
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