There is a map on the table in Edmonton that could soon change the political shape of southern Alberta.

If adopted, the Electoral Boundaries Commission’s final report will not eliminate Livingstone Macleod, but it will significantly redraw it. And this is not a minor adjustment. It is a real shift in which communities belong together and how this region is represented moving forward. 

Crowsnest Pass council, in a tie vote, defeated a motion that would have allowed administration to use up to $100,000 from the mill rate stabilization reserve to support hiring a municipal recruitment firm as the municipality continues efforts to fill two senior vacancies that have remained open, one for four months and one for up to six months.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada returned to Crowsnest Pass council on March 24 with an update on its local work, ranging from invasive species control to fire mitigation and wildlife connectivity monitoring along Highway 3.

Recently I posted an image on social media from a marvelous history book entitled “Michel Memories” that resonated really well within facebook land. That is to say; it drew out memories which people readily shared. I have discovered that this is a wonderful way to connect us all , on just about any subject.  A facebook post done on the old Crowsnest Lake dance hall (now gone) some time back drew almost a hundred responses and some lovely personal memories that I got to share in a column.

Sparwood council has awarded its 2026 paving program contract to Terrace Construction while also signalling it may skip a planned town hall later this spring as the current council nears the end of its term.

Sparwood council has adopted a zoning amendment that will formally allow farm animals on Michel Creek Road properties where that type of use has existed for years.

Sparwood’s planning and development department used a March 17 presentation to give council a closer look at the daily pressures facing the building department and the growing importance of geographic information systems, or GIS, across the municipality.

Sparwood council has approved the bylaw changes needed to launch its new district wide curbside recycling program and move ahead with a food waste diversion pilot this spring.

The decision by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to eliminate seasonal time changes may look minor on paper. No more switching clocks twice a year. Problem solved.

I love the month of March for its longer days, for the scent of spring in the air despite the snow, and, of course, for my favourite women’s holiday, which we celebrated on March 8th. Celebrating International Women’s Day at the beginning of spring is very symbolic. At this time, nature awakens, is reborn, and comes to life. So does feminine nature, which creates, decorates, and protects our world, making it brighter and undeniably better.

When a large group of municipal employees show up at a council meeting together, the public should pay attention.

In more than 26 years of covering council for the Pass Herald, I have never seen anything like what unfolded at the most recent Crowsnest Pass council meeting.

Crowsnest Pass council gave first reading to a rewritten procedure bylaw March 10, but only after a prolonged debate over how the document had been drafted and whether it went beyond what council originally asked administration to do.

Crowsnest Pass council has approved second and third reading of a borrowing bylaw authorizing up to $2.5 million for office upgrades tied to the municipality’s future move into its new administrative space at Crowsnest Commons.

Crowsnest Pass council heard March 10 that the community has been identified by Alberta as one of nine communities needing additional harvest planning and consultation under the province’s Community Hazardous Fuels Reduction program.

Union president says staff came to chambers over concerns that comments from council are being directed at employees instead of the CAO

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) has been supporting a provincial travelling exhibit program (TREX) for over 45 years now.  It provides every Albertan with the opportunity to enjoy visual art exhibitions in their community.  

On Monday evening I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion with fourth year journalism students at SAIT, many of whom are about to graduate and step into the workforce. The event, titled Next Steps: Moving from School to the Workplace, brought together students who are preparing to begin their final practicum placements and thinking seriously about where their careers might lead.

Crowsnest Pass Fire Rescue is bringing a successful cross border fundraiser home this weekend, with the Fire and Ice Charity Classic set for March 14 at the Coleman Sports Complex in support of STARS.

Sparwood residents will start receiving their new curbside recycling bins next week, with the community wide programme set to officially begin the week of April 6.

Sparwood council has authorised an application for $400,000 in Community Resiliency Investment funding to support the community’s 2026 to 2027 FireSmart program.