Residents gathered at Wallace Park in Wainwright on Thursday, October 22, for the Coming Together Concert, an evening of live music and fundraising in support of those affected by the tragic October 17 incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright. Spearheaded by country music artist and Wainwright native Ryan Lindsay, the concert drew a strong turnout from the community despite chilly temperatures. The weather remained pleasant enough for the outdoor event, allowing residents

Lloydminster Comprehensive High School (LCHS) welcomed the University of Alberta Golden Bears and University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s volleyball teams for two exciting pre-season matches on October 15 and 16, giving students and local sports fans an opportunity to experience university-level competition close to home. The two-day event brought impressive athleticism and competitive volleyball to the LCHS gymnasium while also raising $3,355 in support of the school’s Baro

Canadian Armed Forces officials provided significant new information about the deadly October 17 fire at CFB Wainwright during an October 22 press conference, confirming where the fire originated, correcting earlier statements about the soldiers’ training exercise and outlining the investigations underway. The fire claimed the lives of four Canadian soldiers and injured 39 others. As of October 22, 27 soldiers remained hospitalized across Alberta, including 13 in critical con

Rural and remote Alberta households struggling with limited internet access may qualify for financial assistance through a provincial rebate program designed to bring high-speed service to some of the province’s hardest-to-reach areas. The Government of Alberta is offering eligible households a one-time rebate of up to $1,000 to help cover the cost of satellite internet equipment and installation through the Alberta Satellite Rebate Program. The initiative is aimed at rural a

The Vermilion Jr. B Tigers picked up wins in Lloydminster and St. Paul, with a home loss to Killam between the two road victories. Hannah capped off the three-game stretch with a hat trick, scoring the overtime winner against the Canadiens on October 24. The Tigers visited the Lloydminster Bandits at the Cenovus Energy Hub on Sunday, October 18, earning a 3–1 win. After a scoreless opening period, Siewert put Vermilion on the board early in the second, assisted by Toutant and

For ranchers who have watered livestock on Crown grazing land for decades, gaps in old paperwork may have left that water use unrecognized. Alberta has reopened its Traditional Agricultural Registration Program to give eligible leaseholders a chance to correct those records. Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2028, for qualifying agricultural water use on unpatented Crown land. The province estimates about 6,800 registrations could be eligible for review. When t

Vermilion Town Council covered library funding, committee appointments, finances and future economic development during its regular meeting on Oct. 20. Vermilion Public Library Director Stuart Paul’s presented the library’s 2027 funding request, which included plans to eliminate membership fees and hire a new part-time staff member. Removing the fees would reduce financial barriers and bring Vermilion in line with the other four libraries in the County of Vermilion River. The

With Halloween just four days away, excitement is building as children throughout Vermilion prepare to transform into their favourite ghosts, goblins, superheroes, princesses, and everything in between. On October 31, neighbourhood streets will once again come alive with costumed trick-or-treaters, glowing jack-o’-lanterns, spooky decorations, and plenty of Halloween fun. Whether you’re young or young at heart, the evening promises excitement, laughter, and perhaps a few frie

The Royal Canadian Legion is marking a century of service to veterans, their families and communities across Canada in 2026, celebrating 100 years since the organization was officially incorporated on July 17, 1926. Locally, Vermilion’s Field Marshal Alexander Branch No. 11 reached its own 100th anniversary on October 8, 2026. According to the Royal Canadian Legion’s official centennial history, the organization’s roots date back to the First World War, when returning soldier

With the beautiful fall weather, it is a great time to get together with family and friends. It is always handy to have an easy dip recipe for entertaining or to take, when you have been invited to a get together. This one is good spooned onto crackers. Artichokes come from the same family as thistles. Artichokes are not a common food to eat on the prairies, but you can grow them in Alberta and Saskatchewan as annuals. Artichokes have numerous nutritional benefits. They are

Jean Pare And Vermilion Craig Baird Columnist One of the most successful writers in Canadian history was Jean Paré. Over the course of her life, she wrote over 200 cookbooks, which sold 30 million copies. Her cookbooks, under the Company’s Coming brand, were found across the world and widely beloved by home chefs everywhere. She personally oversaw the publication of more than 17,000 kitchen-tested recipes that appeared in her books. Through her life, she collected 6,700 cookb

Happy Halloween Memories Doreen Flewell Klatt Columnist Celebrating Halloween for the candy, popcorn balls (my favourite), school parties, neighbourhood get-togethers, and community hall parties is exactly how many people around the country choose to share in the holiday. It is a beautiful tradition of community connection, with just enough mischief to keep everyone alert. Some people enjoy the “tricking” every bit as much as the “treating,” and in our neighborhood, they took

A small gift can mean a great deal, especially when it comes with the reminder that someone is thinking of you. Vermilion’s Shoppers Drug Mart is bringing back its Holiday Cheer Tree, giving residents an opportunity to brighten the Christmas season for local seniors. The program connects seniors with community members who would like to purchase a gift for them. A favourite chocolate, some nuts, warm mitts or another small item to enjoy over the holidays can leave a lasting im

In the days following the tragic October 17 fire at CFB Wainwright, residents of Wainwright and communities across Canada have demonstrated their support for the soldiers, their families and those affected by the devastating incident. From flowers placed at Wainwright’s cenotaph to hundreds of residents lining the roads as soldiers returned to Edmonton, the gestures have reflected the close bond between the military and the communities surrounding it. The fire claimed the liv

An evening with a country feel will help support student athletes when the Lakeland College Rodeo Gala takes place Thursday, November 5, at the Vermilion Regional Centre. Running from 5 to 11 p.m., the gala will bring supporters together to raise funds for the college’s rodeo program, helping provide students with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Proceeds will go towards several needs within the program, including new practice equipment, team travel expenses, e

The dirt was flying and college rodeo athletes were back in action as Lakeland College hosted its annual Fall Classic Rodeo Oct. 16 to 18 in Vermilion. Held at the college’s Livestock Learning Centre, the three-day event brought student athletes from across the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association circuit together for a weekend of competition, giving local rodeo fans an opportunity to watch some of the next generation of rodeo talent. For the Lakeland Rustlers, the Fall

Things really did go bump in the night at Weaver Heritage Park in Lloydminster on October 17, as Weaver Park After Dark brought an evening of screams, scares and spine-chilling surprises to those brave enough to venture through. As darkness settled over the park, the normally peaceful surroundings were transformed into a frightening experience, complete with creepy characters, terrifying costumes and unexpected encounters lurking throughout the grounds. Scare stations were st

The sounds of classic rock took centre stage at Lakeland College Alumni Hall on October 17 as the Vermilion Allied Arts Council kicked off its new season of live entertainment with Canadian musician El Niven. The evening’s performance, The Golden Era of Rock & Roll, brought the music of the 1960s and 1970s back into the spotlight, celebrating the legendary artists and unforgettable sounds that have entertained generations of music lovers. Niven, an Edmonton-based singer and g

Staff from the Vermilion and Mannville Credit Union branches came together at the Vermilion location on October 15 to celebrate International Credit Union Day, welcoming members and visitors for a day of treats, appreciation and community spirit. The celebration brought staff from both branches together under one roof, as the Mannville branch remains temporarily closed after sustaining significant damage during an attempted break-in. In the meantime, Mannville staff are opera

The Vermilion Jr. B Tigers continued their strong start to the 2026–27 North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League season, picking up two more victories on October 15 and 16, while also announcing their leadership team for the season. The Tigers welcomed the St. Paul Canadiens on Thursday, October 15, putting on an impressive offensive performance that ended in a 9–1 victory. Austin Siewert opened the scoring for Vermilion, assisted by Jaxson Toutant and Alex Hill. St. Paul