Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca During the early days of the pandemic, officials were urging the public to wait for the vaccine, because once it came, a return to normalcy would soon follow. Indeed, the vaccine has significantly improved the situation, with the lower death rates in continuing care centres more than enough evidence of this. And yet, the pandemic continues, and new regulations are coming d ...

Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca This time, it’s due to the surge in cases caused by the Omicron variant. The return to school was delayed by one week, events have been postponed or flat-out cancelled and, of course, people are getting sick. Not a great way to start out the New Year. I myself have been mainly working from home since the start of January, and it’s been going well for the most part, as I ha ...

Hello Jasper!  My name is Jason Stockfish, and I am proud to say that I have taken part-time employment as a reporter and as an advertising sales representative with the Fitzhugh. I have lived in Jasper for the better part of 23 years now, and it feels very much like home for me and my family.  Some of you may recognize my name from my recent run for town council in Jasper’s municipal election back in ...

Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca Contrary to what many commenters say on social media, browsing WebMD and listening to podcasts doesn’t make you a medical expert. In fact, while that type of education isn’t inherently bad, it seldom bestows expertise on most subjects—health care, policing, foreign affairs and so on. The most humbling fact of all is that it’s impossible to be an expert on everything. Much ...

Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca Here’s a controversial opinion: the government has been fairly reasonable with its COVID-19 restrictions, and most people have been good at following them. There are a hundred caveats to this opinion, of course. The authorities have not always handled the virus well, such as the ill-conceived quarantine hotels and the massive amount of public spending, much of this due to ...

Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca On Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005, the Jasper Fitzhugh published its first issue. We’ve now reached our 18th anniversary and wanted to extend a big thank-you to the community and all the businesses that have supported local news over the years. The history of newsprint in Jasper dates back to almost a century ago. In 1927, the Jasper Signal began to provide much-needed local news ...

Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca Jasper is preparing to have an election that is looking to be healthy in more ways than one. First, the sheer number of candidates running this election is pleasing to see. Three mayoral candidates will be on the ballot with long-time incumbent Richard Ireland up against Paul Butler and Basil Byrd. There will also be 11 candidates vying for six councillor positions. Whethe ...

Justin Trudeau and Andrew Weaver speak with media in Richmond. September 14, 2021. | Adam Scotti / Liberal Party of Canada The polls have closed, and what has changed? In terms of pure results, little if anything. The Liberals called this snap election in hopes of securing a majority, but despite the hopeful polls, they ended up only mirroring the results of 2019. Justin Trudeau’s Liberals got a third term ...

Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca There are few other places in the world that have such an abundance of lakes and rivers beautiful enough to illustrate postcards. But along with the fun and health benefits of recreation activities on water bodies, one must also consider the risk of injury, accidents and drownings. Since 2016, a total of 89 people have drowned in Alberta, with 80 per cent of the drowning f ...

Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca As we bear the brunt of a third wave of COVID-19, much like castaways clinging onto a raft as yet another wave crashes into them, we can take solace in the fact that an end to this pandemic is now within sight. The province also recently released a reopening plan that is dependent upon immunization rates. For all restrictions to be lifted, 70 per cent of Albertans age 12-p ...