A group of children prepare to sing O Canada in English and French Sunday, part of the formal portion of this year’s Canada Day celebrations, held once again in St. Jean Baptiste Park. See Page 2 for more photos. – Stephen Dafoe PhotoMorinville Historical Society brings Canada Day to the park
The Morinville Historical and Cultural Society, together with local volunteers, once again put on Canada Day celebrations in St. Jean Baptiste Park. Overcast weather and a light rain did not prevent a display of true patriot love. In addition to the raising of the flag and the singing of the national anthem, the formal portion of the day’s events included a simulated 21-gun salute using pyrotechnics, and the cutting of the Canada Day cakes. Children’s games and live entertainment rounded out the family-focused day.
Two-year-old Colton Van Essen adds a box of cereal to the groceries in Big Al’s front end loader. Colton’s mom, Jodi, and brother Ryan look on. – Stephen Dafoe PhotoWeekend drive aids food bank
The Morinville Food Bank Society has a few more groceries on their shelves thanks to the efforts of a local businessman in drumming up support from other local businesses and his customers. Al Pangburn of Big Al’s Custom Hauling and Landscaping Supplies held his 2nd Annual Food Bank Drive July 14 in the hopes of surpassing last year’s total of 1,250 pounds of food. Holidays and heat seem to have put a damper on this year’s tally, but the hundreds of pounds of food collected Saturday afternoon will go a long way towards helping local families in need.
As was the case in 2011, Sal’s Famous Donairs and Pizza put up a pizza party for the business that brought in the most food.
Debris litters the road as firefighters work to free three occupants of a mid-size car Friday afternoon. A female occupant of the vehicle later died at hospital. – Stephen Dafoe PhotoCardiff Road collision claims life
A mid-afternoon collision Friday sent three to hospital where one of the patients, a 53-year-old Parkland County woman, later died.
Morinville RCMP, together with Alberta Health Services and the Morinville Fire Department, attended the scene of the two-vehicle collision just outside Morinville at Highway 2 and Township Road 554 around 3:10 p.m. July 20.
Morinville firefighters extract a man from a passenger vehicle Wednesday afternoon. Cardiff Corner was once again the scene of a two-vehicle collision, five days after another collision sent three to hospital where a 53-year-old Parkland County woman subsequently died. – Stephen Dafoe PhotoCardiff Corner sends more to hospital
Five days after a two-vehicle collision between a panel van and a passenger vehicle sent three to hospital, firefighters, RCMP and paramedics were once again called to the crossing at Highway 2 and Cardiff Road around 3:50 July 25. Corporal Bryce Tarzwell of the the Morinville RCMP Detachment said a westbound passenger vehicle crossed the highway at Cardiff Road and was struck by a northbound minivan. “The Toyota was coming across and the van hit them,” the officer said. “There were four people, two in each vehicle. Three were taken in just for observation and minor injuries.”
Approximately 700 cyclists depart from the Ray McDonald Sports Centre Sunday morning. A total of 1,200 riders participated in this year’s Tour de l’Alberta. – Stephen Dafoe PhotoTour de l’Alberta draws cyclists to Morinville
Cyclists in record numbers had perfect riding weather July 22 for the annual Tour de l’Alberta, the Edmonton Bicycle and Touring Club’s (EBTC) largest event of the year. For the past five years the event has started and ended in Morinville. This year’s event drew a solid number of riders to participate in the various lengths of ride.
Multiple vehicle thefts keep Morinville RCMP busy
An overnight crime spree in Morinville had RCMP phones ringing off the hook July 24. Sergeant Mark Mathias of the Morinville RCMP said in the previous 24 hours his detachment has dealt with six stolen vehicles, three of which had been recovered by Tuesday afternoon. Additionally, the sergeant said a boat was stolen from Gibbons Tuesday afternoon and subsequently recovered.
Morinville will hold by-election this fall
Veteran Morinville Town Councillor Ben Van de Walle stepped down after being diagnosed with leukemia, prompting a by-election to fill his vacant council seat. Council called a special meeting July 31 to decide if a by-election would be held to fill the seat. Van de Walle submitted his resignation July 16.
