STARS seeks standing $13,000 contribution
STARS is asking Crowsnest Pass council to establish a standing $13,000 contribution to the air ambulance service, which reports flying 68 missions within the municipality from 2021 through 2025.
Referendum special-ballot mailing deadline nears
Crowsnest Pass residents voting by mail in Alberta’s provincial referendum are being encouraged to return their completed ballots by Oct. 9 to ensure they arrive before the legislated deadline.
RCMP report: Assaults up, property crime down
Assault offences more than doubled in the Crowsnest Pass RCMP detachment’s April-to-June statistics, even as property crime fell and the overall Criminal Code total remained close to last year’s level.
Council advances fire-engine borrowing
Crowsnest Pass council has taken the first step toward borrowing up to $1.5 million to replace Fire Engine 3, a truck administration says is important for moving water to fires where hydrants are unavailable.
Six years in the saddle along the Great Divide
When a string of pack horses travelled through Coleman, children stopped to watch as though a parade were passing through town.
For Eric Muff, it was one memorable moment during a six-year horseback journey covering approximately 1,500 kilometres along the Great Divide, from the Montana border in Waterton Lakes National Park to Grande Cache.
RDEK eyes short-term rental density rules
The Regional District of East Kootenay board will consider potential changes to its short-term rental policy after concerns were raised about the concentration of rentals in parts of the region.
Native-plant project wins B.C. award
A native-plant restoration program at coal mines west of Crowsnest Pass has received provincial recognition for its approach to reclaiming disturbed land.
Council calls for Highway 3 safety review
Crowsnest Pass council approved a request for a provincial safety review of Highway 3 through Coleman and will invite Elk Valley Resources to discuss mine operations and their potential local effects.
Blairmore water upgrade may cost $6M
A major water-system upgrade planned for southeast Blairmore is now expected to cost between $5 million and $6 million, more than double the roughly $2.4-million estimate in Crowsnest Pass’s 2022 infrastructure master plan.
Council backs $1.71M Blairmore paving
Crowsnest Pass council has approved a $1.71-million paving project for a busy section of Blairmore, choosing the full scope over less expensive options expected to have shorter service lives.
Fireman’s Park plans $600,000 renewal
The Bellevue Fireman’s Park Society is asking the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass to support a major renewal of the municipally owned park, including a new mini-golf course, work on the cook shelter and landscaping improvements.
New clients add pressure at Crowsnest Food Bank
Overall use of the Crowsnest Pass Food Bank has remained relatively stable this year, but an increase in new clients and dwindling provincial supplies are creating added pressure ahead of the colder months.
Provincial funding mixed picture for LRSD
Livingstone Range School Division is receiving new provincial money for smaller classes and additional classroom supports, but its own budget shows the funding will not translate into an overall increase in teachers this school year.
Proposed elk draw dropped for Crowsnest Pass
Antlered elk hunters in the Crowsnest Pass will remain under general licence rules this fall after the province withdrew a proposed move to a special draw.
Alberta students rank near top nationally
Alberta’s 15-year-old students remain among Canada’s strongest performers in international testing, although the latest results also show a significant decline in reading and lower scores in all three subjects compared with earlier assessments.
Sparwood council seeks residential development charges
During its Sept. 1 meeting, council directed staff to revise the draft bylaw to cap the charge for a new low-density home at $10,000, delay implementation until six months after adoption and allow charges to be paid in instalments regardless of their value.
Sparwood considers urban-wildlife committee
Sparwood council reached consensus Sept. 1 that staff should draft terms of reference for a committee made up of council and community representatives. The proposal will return to a future committee-of-the-whole meeting before council decides whether to formally establish and fund it.
Sparwood council updates community projects
Plans for an outdoor stage and public washroom at Centennial Plaza are active again after the District of Sparwood secured a $650,000 grant.
Local Chamber rebuild
The Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce says it is rebuilding connections with local businesses after staffing turnover disrupted membership renewals and outreach through 2025 and early 2026.
Bellevue water project faces rising costs
Unexpected underground conditions have pushed the Bellevue water-main project behind schedule and could send its final cost significantly over its $2.825-million budget.

