From left, Mary Lee Prior, Liese McIntyre, Robert Snow, and Aiyana Thompson. Photo Lorna Hamilton Town of Vermilion officials gathered on February 19 to celebrate the official ribbon cutting and plaque presentation for The Mane Lounge, a hair salon owned and operated by Liese McIntyre at 5105 – 50th Ave. The event welcomed Town of Vermilion Mayor Robert Snow, Town of Vermilion Economic Development Manager Mary Lee Prior, and Vermilion Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ai

From left, LIons Clulb members Peter Clark and Tyson Tschauner, Bobbi-jo Sweeney, and Lions member Sam Alhalabi. Photo Lorna Hamilton On February 20, Cornerstone Co-op Liquor Manager Bobbi-Jo Sweeney graciously presented a cheque in the amount of $274.65 to Vermilion Lions Club members Secretary/Treasurer Peter Clark, Tyson Tschauner, and Sam Alhalabi in support of the club’s Santa Anonymous project. “The Cornerstone Liquor Store has a strong tradition of supporting Santa’s A

On February 7th, at the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies (AAAS) Convention in Edmonton, the Wasylik family of Chatsworth Farm were one of the 2025 Northern Alberta Farm Family award recipients, nominated by the County of Vermilion River. For Rick and Johanna Wasylik, who started farming together in 1994 the year after Rick bought the land, and their children Charlotte, Nick, and Alex, who now farm with them, the Farm Family Award recognizing Chatsworth Farm is a

On February 17, Council for the Town of Vermilion held its regularly scheduled meeting in Council Chambers and via Zoom, addressing a wide range of governance updates, strategic initiatives, and community-focused decisions. A significant portion of the evening was dedicated to strengthening the Town’s emergency preparedness framework. Council gave first reading to the updated Emergency Management Bylaw No. 1-2026, a comprehensive modernization of the Town’s existing emergency

Owners of Reflections Funeral & Cremation Services, Candice and Josh Anderson, along with Alva and Harry Creech of Creech’s Lakeland Funeral Home (Vermilion), would like to share that we have entered into an agreement for a planned transition of Creech’s Lakeland Funeral Home’s Vermilion location, with an anticipated closing date of Monday, March 2, 2026. This transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of conditions and has not yet closed. Until closing occurs, owne

Sonya Lee Reporter The Vermilion Public Library will welcome the community for a special screening of The Jackie Shane Story on Friday, February 21 (honouring Black History Month), offering an evening of music, history, and reflection through the life of a truly groundbreaking performer. The documentary shares the remarkable journey of Jackie Shane, a trailblazing soul singer who rose to prominence during the 1960s. Celebrated for her powerful voice and magnetic stage presenc

On February 6, the Executive Director of the Vermilion & District Chamber, Aiyana Thompson, alongside the Town of Vermilion’s Economic Development Manager, Mary Lee Prior, officially welcomed a new local business to the community with a plaque presentation and ribbon cutting ceremony: Captain Sid’s Kitchen, located at 4915–50 Avenue. Owners Michele Palagayao and Isidro Ibias had lived in Edmonton for 11 years before making the move to Vermilion in November 2024. Drawn by both

The Vermilion Lions Club was once again living up to its long-standing tradition of service and community support during a series of meaningful presentations held in early February. On February 5, Vermilion Lions Club Secretary and Treasurer Peter Clark, along with Lions members Don Good and Tony Kaminski, met with members of the St. Jerome’s Senior Student Council to receive a cheque for $430. The donation will go toward the Lions Club Santa’s Anonymous project, helping to s

Sonya Lee Reporter Cindi Plant grew up in Saskatchewan, studied Interior Design in Manitoba, and worked in the private design sector before beginning a long career in design education within Alberta’s college system. While her formal training provided technical design skills, the process of creating art has remained a source of fascination, inspiration, and at times mystery. Working primarily through intuition, Plant draws from nature, pattern, texture, and colour, often inco

The Health and Wellness Symposium Speakers From left, Kerri Lorenson, Mike Cameron, and Chris Ekelson. Photo Sonya Lee On February 4, 2026, the Vermilion Regional Centre was filled with conversation, reflection, and a shared commitment to mental wellness as community members gathered for the tenth annual Vermilion Mental Health & Wellness Symposium. Running from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the full-day event welcomed participants from across the region for a meaningful exploratio

The North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance released its 2025 State of the Watershed executive summary as a snapshot of the current health of the North Saskatchewan River watershed and a baseline for future action. This assessment is the first comprehensive update since 2005 and reflects nearly two decades of new data, monitoring techniques, and collaborative planning. Rather than presenting a single verdict on watershed health, the report emphasizes understanding strengths, pr

On February 6, students in Grades 1 through 6 at Vermilion Elementary School had the opportunity to demonstrate their scientific knowledge and creativity at the school’s 27th annual Science Fair. The event, held in the school gymnasium from 12 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., featured a wide variety of research-based and experimental projects presented to judges, teachers, fellow students, and family members. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as 55 students proudly showcased 32 unique

From left, Mary Lee Prior, Kellsey, Vincent and Ellie Pilon, and Aiyana Thompson. Photo Lorna Hamilton On February 2, representatives from the Town of Vermilion and the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce gathered at 4545 46 Avenue to mark the opening of 100% Welding with a ribbon cutting and plaque presentation alongside owner Vincent Pilon. 100% Welding is a local welding and fabrication company with more than 10 years of experience working across Alberta. Pilon said the business

On Thursday, January 29, community members gathered for an engaging Warhammer and Mini Figure Painting workshop designed to introduce beginners to the world of tabletop gaming and miniature art. The afternoon event welcomed participants of all ages and experience levels, offering a hands-on opportunity to explore a creative hobby in a relaxed and supportive setting. Led by Caleb, an experienced Warhammer enthusiast, the workshop provided an accessible introduction to the Warh

From left, Olena and Angela from McFrugal’s with Vermilion Fire Chief Anton Krys with the Teddy Bears. Photos submitted More than 150 teddy bears are heading into the hands of local first responders, thanks to a donation from McFrugal’s aimed at bringing comfort to children during some of their most difficult moments. On January 26, Town of Vermilion Fire Chief Anton Krys met with McFrugal’s staff at the store’s new Lakeland Mall location to accept the donation. The teddy bea

In the heart of the local arts scene, Artisans Cornerstone Collective is redefining what it means to create, collaborate, and connect. The collective is a thoughtfully curated community of artists, each bringing their own discipline, story, and vision into a unified creative space that celebrates craftsmanship and meaningful expression. Designed to foster both artistic excellence and genuine connection, Artisans Cornerstone Collective brings together local makers working acro

Families gathered at the Vermilion Public Library on January 21 for a winter storytime event that combined books, baking, and hands-on fun as part of the library’s seasonal programming. The event drew a great turnout, with moms, children, and grandmothers filling the space and settling in for a cozy morning together. Laughter and quiet chatter echoed through the library as participants gathered for storytime before moving on to the creative activity. Amanda led the storytime

Vermilion, Alta. – On Jan. 21, 2026, around 12:12 p.m., Vermilion RCMP were called to a residence on 52 Avenue in Vermilion where a 30-year-old male resident was located deceased. Vermilion RCMP secured the scene and spoke to the person who had found the body. Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit was called in and took carriage of the investigation. Lloydminster RCMP Forensic Identification Section also attended the scene to assist. An autopsy is scheduled on Jan. 23, 2026, at the

Representatives from the Vermilion Rotary Club, and the Friends of Vermilion Health Centre holding the $40,000 cheque presented from the Vermilion Rotary Club. From left, Eugene Wasylik, Elise Rayment, Laurel Wynnychuk, David Bates, Scott Webb, Wilna Krueger, Barbara Watling, Kimberly Thompson, Brooke Fadden, Alison Betz, Stephanie Webb, Arlene Felt and Lesia Sywenky. Photo Lorna Hamilton On January 15, the Friends of Vermilion Health Centre welcomed members of the Vermilion

The Vermilion Ukrainian Cultural Association celebrated the new year with colour, culture, and community during its Malanka 2026 celebration, held on January 10 at the Vermilion Regional Centre. The annual event welcomed residents for an evening filled with Ukrainian tradition, beginning with a delicious supper and continuing with lively entertainment and dancing late into the night. Guests were treated to a vibrant performance by the Samotsvit dancers, whose energetic routin