A strong spirit of cooperation amongst neighbouring municipalities and the provincial government was commemorated in February as part of an historical groundbreaking for the new McLennan to Peavine connector road.

February 6, 2008
McLennan arena evacuated
Unconfirmed reports of unusually high levels of carbon monoxide inside H.W. Fish Arena marked an abrupt halt to an atom minor hockey tournament on the weekend of Jan. 26 to 27. The incident, which occurred on Jan. 26, led to a full-scale evacuation of the seasonal recreation facility in the afternoon after a number of players and parents reported feeling ill. Ian Fox, director of protective services for the Municipal District of Smoky River was immediately dispatched to the arena and requested assistance from Peace Country Health Emergency Medical Services. Barb Mader, director of health services at the Sacred Heart Health Care Centre, says approximately 15 individuals were treated by staff through out-patient services using oxygen therapy prior to being released later in the day. The incident led to the immediate purchase of a carbon monoxide detection monitor by the Town of McLennan.
February 13, 2008
New physician welcomed in region
Falher Medical Clinic welcomed a new physician. Dr. Shaun Butcher started working at the Falher clinic last with Dr. John Loge. Coming from South Africa, Dr. Butcher originally signed on to work in Grande Cache. He moved into the area with his wife Luanne and their two children, son Skye, 3, and daughter Ila, 2, with another child on the way.
Tourism plan launched in McLennan
A strategy to promote and build McLennan as a tourist destination was launched Feb. 6 as McLennan tourism committee was officially formed. Initiating a plan, local physician Dr. Pieter de Wet was the elected to chair the committee, with Chris Jones as vice-chair, secretary Lela McArthur, treasurer Anne Trotter, and members at-large Mark Heckbert, Ross McArthur, Grant Mann, and Eckhard Christen, while Town of McLennan Councillor Lawrence McNeill was appointed by council as the liaison.
Stelmach announces provincial election date
Completing his second term Dunvegan-Central Peace MLA Hector Goudreau of Falher would face three challengers in the provincial election called for March 3. Representing the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta, Goudreau is facing Dale Lueken of Whitelaw who represents the Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta, Nathan Macklin of Debolt for the New Democratic Party of Alberta, and Bob Woken of Rycroft for the Liberal Party of Alberta.
Falher Log Cabin on life support
Falher’s once-popular Log Cabin remained on life support. At its regular meeting Feb. 4, Town of Falher council postponed a decision on the future of the Log Cabin to this spring after a group of men couldn’t recruit any support to preserve the 30-year-old building used for meetings and special activities. “We didn’t get enough community support to maintain the Log Cabin, so we decided as a group to leave the log cabin to any other groups who may want to operate it,” said Gilles Mencke, who led a group with John Nicolet, Stephen Carter, and Gene Plihal in an attempt to maintain the Log Cabin that they were involved in building as members of Smoky River Fish and Game Association in 1979.
February 20, 2008
McLennan to Peavine connector road ground-breaking
A strong spirit of cooperation amongst neighbouring municipalities and the provincial government was commemorated in February as part of an historical groundbreaking for the new McLennan to Peavine connector road. “We are extremely pleased to be part of this historic event,” said Municipal District of Smoky River Reeve Donald Dumont during the Feb. 11th ceremony just east of McLennan. Dumont was one of approximately 30 municipal representatives from around the greater Smoky River region on hand during the late morning groundbreaking, which also attracted Dunvegan-Central Peace MLA Hector Goudreau and Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen. Funding for the roadway infrastructure project, which carries an estimated price tag of $6 million, was derived from a 4.5 million dollar resource road grant through the province. The remaining expense was to be cost-shared by partnering municipalities including McLennan ($150,000), the Municipal District of Smoky River ($650,000), and the Peavine Metis Settlement ($750,000) over a three-year time frame with the M.D. of Big Lakes agreeing to maintain the all-season road.
Falher Alfalfa goes into receivership
Falher Alfalfa closed its doors after going into receivership, financially struggling with rising costs and Canadian dollar over the past two years. Receivers took over the ownership on Feb. 1, says Paulette Carrier, general manager since 2004 who was employed with the company since 1988. “They’re going to try to sell the plant, property, and equipment at the best possible price,” says Carrier. Under normal circumstances, Falher Alfalfa employs a staff of about 35 full-time in the spring and 110 at the busiest time of the season.
February 27, 2008
Falher chamber elects new president
Falher and Area Chamber of Commerce elected a new president and vice-president at its annual general meeting Feb. 20. Paula Guindon became the new president while Brad Lussier was elected the new vice-president.
Lakeland Eagles up 2-0 in NPHL playoffs
The Lakeland Eagles of the North Peace Hockey League were off to a good start in their best-of-five quarterfinal playoff series with the Valleyview Jets after winning the first two games.
Affordable housing project proposed in Falher
A major affordable housing complex for the disabled and seniors proposed for Falher in the next years has been offered a 4.2-acre prime parcel of land on Main Street by the Town of Falher. At its regular meeting Feb. 19, Falher council agreed to offer the property on Main Street south of the Chevaliers Community Centre to Falher Friendship Corner Association. Accommodating the 38,000-square-foot facility, the municipality agreed to sell the property at lot 4 block 18, plan 862-2713 until Dec. 31, 2009, subject to a development approval by the Town of Falher and Municipal Government Act taxation regulations, for $10. The project cost was estimated between $6 and $10 million.