After months of speculation Mayor Richard Ireland confirmed he will run for re-election if he is nominated. "I will inform you today that if I am nominated I will accept the nomination to run in the next election," said Ireland to a roomful of applause. Several councillors were quick to congratulate him after he made his statement at the end of a council meeting on Aug. 15. Ireland was first elected mayor i ...

A 46-year-old man faces charges under the Animal Protection Act after leaving his dog unattended in a hot truck on July 31. Around 6 p.m. police received multiple calls about a dog being locked in a hot truck on Connaught Drive. Upon arrival RCMP Const. Patrick Vallee saw that the windows were rolled up and the dog didn’t have access to any water. Noticing the sunroof was open he was able to use the opening ...

Several playgrounds and parks will be temporarily closed for maintenance, according the municipality’s website. Firemen’s Park will be closed until further notice and specific structures in other playgrounds will also be temporarily closed, including the climbing wall at Centennial Park. For more information visit the municipality’s website or contact the Operations Department at 780-852-3040. ...

In less than a month’s time some of the best cyclists in the world will descend on Jasper to compete in the first stage of the Tour of Alberta on Sept. 1. Organizers recently confirmed the race will begin in front of the Library and Cultural Centre before cyclists head out of town along Hazel Avenue and make their way along the Icefields Parkway south on Highway 93A to Athabasca Falls. From there cyclists w ...

Waterton Lakes National Park had to temporarily close its gates and turn visitors away after reaching capacity on Aug. 6. “We will limit traffic access into the park where and when needed this season to provide the safest possible experience for our visitors, wildlife and staff,” said Parks Canada in a news release. “We are monitoring and reviewing this process and will make adjustments as necessary.” The p ...

From serious contenders like Pyramid Park to tongue-in-cheek submissions like Wasted Opportunity Park, a recent contest to rename the exchange lands generated some rather creative responses from the public. Among some of the more unique submissions was Grassy McGrassy Place and Greeny McGreenSpace Park, a nod to a similar contest in the U.K. that went awry when the public overwhelmingly voted to name a new ...

The influx of visitors to Jasper this year is being felt by just about everyone, including the municipality’s bylaw enforcement unit. So far this year bylaw officers have issued 601 tickets through the first seven months of the year, compared to 576 tickets over the same period last year, representing a four per cent increase. Officers have also issued 697 warnings, a 15 per cent jump compared to this time ...

Marco Bulfon’s little sister Eliana was only two months old when a common cold put her life in jeopardy. “Because she was so little, she stopped eating and became lethargic,” mom Emma said. “We were in the city already so we spent several hours at Stollery Children’s Hospital, they unplugged her nose and fixed her up.” Marco, now eight, was only about five then. Last year, when he was seven and she about tw ...

Armed with their free park passes, Canadians are taking to the mountain parks in record numbers to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. Simultaneously, University of Alberta scientists are collecting a record number of samples from mountain lakes to measure their responses to climate change and past introductions of invasive sport fish. “People always look at mountain lakes like the ultimate pristine ecosy ...

Three non-profit organizations each received $4,166 from the municipality’s community and economic development fund, Aug. 1. The money was given to the Cottonwood Corrals Association, the Jasper Park Cycling Association and The Yellowhead Regional Arts Festival Society. To receive the money each organization had to submit an application form, meet a list of criteria and provide a financial statement. Each a ...