I apologize for not having any Oyen Briefs last week. Being part of the Big Country Agricultural Society, I was fully immersed in organizing and helping pull things together, following all COVID restrictions, for the 19th Annual Crossroads Beef Expo held at the Crossroads Centre February 20.

Tonight (Sunday) as I write this, the chinook wind is blowing so hopefully the snow will leave us without leftover ice. Thankfully the temperatures have moderated nicely.

Oyen Home Hardware, formerly ACE Hardware, opened its doors Monday morning, February 22—same building, same friendly staff but operating under a new name.

I need to start this weeks news with a bit of a retraction. On February 10th I reported well wishes for Betty Benson who had finished her chemo treatments and is now cancer free.

Our condolences are extended as well to the family of Maxine Westerlund who died February 18 at the Extended Care in Oyen.

You never know what unexpected information will show up on Facebook. It certainly was the case for Maple Creek resident Shirley Jans when she read a recent post that said, “Hello! I am a Canadian WWII military collector from the Netherlands.

Alberta’s government has always prioritized treating those suffering from addiction and mental health concerns with care and compassion.

Alberta’s government has always prioritized treating those suffering from addiction and mental health concerns with care and compassion.

Alberta’s government has always prioritized treating those suffering from addiction and mental health concerns with care and compassion.

Suits & Boots is a grassroots non-profit organization founded in 2018 by a group of investment community colleagues and working families of all sectors in Western Canada.

Drumheller, Alta. – Drumheller RCMP’s investigation into the sudden deaths of three individuals at a residence in Drumheller on Feb. 20, 2021, continues, along with the assistance of the Drumheller RCMP General Investigation Section and Crime Reduction Unit.

Edmonton - On Feb. 22, in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the Alberta RCMP is working to educate Albertans on the dangers of human trafficking and exploitation – serious crimes that occur across Canada, including in our own province, everyday.

Happy birthday to Carrie Madge, Cheryl Howie, Kim Stief, Braxton Thornton, Cree Shadlock, Keaton Duque, Nate Leslie, Shaylynn Hayworth, Warren Dziatkewich, Winston Smith, Everleigh Adam, Jordyn Seemann…

Bring a taste of the world into your diet this winter. The Mediterranean Diet is a style of eating that includes foods often eaten in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Some of these countries are Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Morocco.

Drumheller RCMP attended the residence, along with emergency medical services. It is known at this time that three individuals are deceased as a result of what is believed to be suspected drug overdoses.

As part of its $32 million Capacity Initiative, Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) is pleased to announce a $266,942 infrastructure investment for field equipment at the Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA) located at Oyen, AB.

There will be some construction taking place in Cereal, Alberta in the upcoming months, thanks to a Municipal Stimulus Program (MSP) Grant.

I would like to send out my condolences to the family and friends of Wendy Dafoe of the Coronation area who has recently died.

Phase 2 vaccinations will be offered in a staged approach and once completed, will have vaccinated anyone aged 50 to 74 years, anyone with high-risk underlying health conditions, First Nations and Métis people aged 35 and older, residents and staff in congregate living settings, and eligible caregivers.

For many Albertans, the Alberta RCMP continues to focus on its Crime Reduction Strategy – an intelligence-led approach to policing that enables RCMP to identify repeat offenders and crime trends, as well as conduct targeted enforcement and prevention initiatives.