Editorial

November is Family Violence Prevention Month, a time for us to raise awareness and recognize what we can do to help those experiencing it. Family violence is devastating and happens every day, and in many different ways.

Halloween: What was once a single night of chilling celebration now seems to last all month. Spooky season has grown, and I must admit, I love it.

Here we are, seven months later, with the highest active number of COVID-19 cases Jasper has seen yet. The rise, many would say, was inevitable. Doctors have been citing a probable ‘second wave’ since the early days of the pandemic.

Marking the occasion Two milestones are being noted this week. Not only was it Jasper National Park's 113th birthday on Monday, but it is also my anniversary as editor and publisher of the Fitz .

It has been a long battle for the Jasper Skatepark Committee, the group pushing for a new skatepark in town. Led by chairman Darrell Savage, the committee has worked hard to raise more than $100,000 through donations, grants and fundraising events.

When the pandemic hit five months ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long), working life changed for everyone.

So, council made the big decision: Wearing a mask or face covering is now mandatory in indoor public spaces in Jasper. If you have followed my editorials over the last few months, you will know I am an advocate for public mask-wearing.

Yikes. That hike in COVID-19 cases over the weekend was a little scary. On Friday, 858 active cases were reported in the province, on Monday, there were 1,116.

A grizzly bear eats dandelions on Maligne Lake Road, June 6, 2020. | F.Dragon photo The wildlife is one of the most enchanting elements of Jasper National Park. I fall in love with every critter, every black nose and furry butt I see.

Mini Mounties take part in Jasper's Canada Day Parade in 2017. | File photo Happy (belated) Canada Day! This year's July 1 was different to usual, with Jasper’s traditional activities and events cancelled due to the pandemic.