Cougar returns to town
The town-wide cougar warning remains in effect after one of the two juvenile cougars that were relocated to the east end of the park made its way back into town.
The cougars, which were collared and moved following numerous sightings around town over the course of a few weeks, are believed to have recently been released from their mother’s care and are learning how to hunt.
To protect both the animals and the public, Parks Canada chose to relocate the animals after a close encounter between a cougar and a dog on Old Fort Point. The hope was that the cougars would disperse in their new location and establish their own territories.
According to Parks, it is not surprising that one of the young cougar made its way back to the community, as they have excellent homing instincts.
Parks is monitoring both cougars with the help of GPS collars and advises the community to be cautious travelling during dawn, dusk and at night, as those are the times when cougars are most active.
RCMP’s new digs delayed
Plans to build a new station for the Jasper RCMP have been put on hold, after money earmarked for the construction was used to fund a new detachment in Southern Alberta.
According to Cpl. Ryan Gardiner, while Jasper won’t be seeing a new building this year, the town is still on top of the priority list, and he hopes to see construction begin in 2016.
“[A new building] is in the works, but it has been put on hold for the year. So nothing will be happening this year, but hopefully next year we’ll be getting something.”
Gardiner said that right now the RCMP is looking at a piece of land north of the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre for the new building, but that he is not involved in the negotiations and can’t say if or when the final decision will be made.
He said that the current station, which was built in the 70s, is due for a replacement, and that the new one will meet the needs of the detachment much better.
“It does present challenges, the current building we have. It was designed for use back in the 70s ... and they had different needs back then, for policing.”
Festival registration open
Registration for the 30th annual Yellowhead Regional Arts Festival launched Jan. 15.
The adjudicated festival is for all ages and celebrates the arts from April 25 to May 2.
Adjudicators come from across the province to provide participants with feedback and to select the top students, who will then perform in the Grand Concert on May 7.
Categories include piano, guitar, recorder, voice, Lego and photography.
To register, visit www.yrafsociety.com. The deadline is March 15.
