Canada turns 144

Canada is turning 144 this year, and as usual Jasper is ready to celebrate its birthday with a host of parties and events around town. 

The festivities will kick off with the ever-popular pancake breakfast at Centennial Park starting at 9 a.m. and running until 11 a.m. The breakfast is sponsored by the Municipality of Jasper. 

After Canada Day revellers are filled up from the delicious pancake breakfast, the party will head over to the information centre lawn, where a flag raising ceremony will be held between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. Be sure to get in line early for the birthday cake that will be served. 

At 1 p.m. the parade will leave from the activity centre and wind through town. There will be no parking on Patricia Street between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

The Friends of Jasper National Park are hosting a historical walk at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Registration is at the Friends’ store in the Info Centre. 

At 2:30 p.m. the party at Centennial Park will really get underway, with kids activities all afternoon and live music from some of Jasper’s favourite local musicians. The celebrations will continue until the fireworks finish off the day at approximately 11:15 p.m.

RCMP respond to fire

On June 14, at approximately 3:15 a.m., Hinton RCMP responded with the Hinton Fire Department to a vehicle on fire at a residence on Cheviot Dr. Upon arrival, police found a van on a driveway with its passenger door open and the interior on fire. The fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished by the fire department.

Police discovered three more vehicles along Cheviot Dr. had been entered. One of the vehicles had a lit cigarette left on a seat.

Three individuals were seen leaving the area when the owner of the van went outside to investigate the sounding vehicle horn.

The incidents are believed to be related and Hinton RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the suspect(s) responsible.

If you have any information regarding these incidents, please contact Hinton RCMP at 780-865-2455 or call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Bottle drive for arthritis

Stephanie Sophocleous is once again raising money for the Arthritis Society through a bottle drive on July 2. 

Last year, Sophocleous raised around $2,200 for the society, and is looking to continue her efforts this year. The arthritis advocate, who herself was diagnosed with Seronegative arthritis in 2004, will be going around town with door-knocker signs to raise awareness for her cause and request donations. 

Anyone interested in supporting Sophocleous can contact her through her email at steph_sophocleous@hotmail.com or by phone at 780-883-0628. A volunteer will pick up any bottles at your address.

RCMP thanks public for efforts

On June 15, 35-year-old Ryan Christopher McKercher appeared in Hinton Provincial Court to face numerous driving and stolen property charges from an incident that occurred on May 11, in Hinton.

McKercher was driving a stolen automobile erratically in the Hinton area. The vehicle eventually collided with a sign in the Holiday Inn parking lot on Gregg Ave. Thankfully, there were no injuries as a result of this incident. McKercher pled guilty to possession of stolen property, driving while disqualified and criminal flight from police. He was sentenced to serve two years in custody and was also given a three-year driving prohibition.

The Hinton RCMP would like to thank members of the public for their assistance with the investigation. Police would like to encourage the public to continue reporting suspicious and/or erratic driving behaviour to aid police’s diligent efforts in keeping our roadways safe for everyone.