Untitled Document

Year in Review - 2002

JANUARY

Blood donor clinic at the RMH Centre draws 58 people.
Will Sinclair High School Senior Band wins CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" theme competition.
New Year's Baby, Rebecca Ariel DeRaadt, arrives at 8:03 a.m. January 1.
RCMP, Town dignitaries, cab companies meet to discuss problems in local taxi industry.
Town and Country curling bonspiel held, with A, B and C events.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation transports wildlife from Elk Island National Park to region west of Rocky.
Rocky EMS gets better equipped, large ambulance.
Mark Rowles, 32, of Rocky, involved in serious snowmobile accident.
New building permits in Rocky in 2001 said to exceed $20.5 million, according to Town management.
Good Neighbors: Bill Duhamel, Ruben Odenbach,
Local minor hockey product Ryley Layden named captain of WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Dovercourt bingo distributes funds raised to charities and non-profit societies.
Local pharmacist Pat Jacobsen lands job as shuttle driver at Salt Lake City Olympics.
Nazarene Church performance celebrates a Family Christmas.
Federation of REAs meets to discuss deregulation of retail electricity in Alberta.
Town Council votes down the south site proposed for new high school.
Two local men, Philip Mah and Dale Thompson, both die on same day in separate, unrelated car accidents.
Rocky Museum moves Forestry cabin from old building to new compound.
Died: Alexandria Bourke Gladwin-Pilon, 27: Carol Stel; Edna Irene Brown, 89; Barbara Jean Bysterveld, 43; Gertrude Zimmer, 86; Lauretta Fredine, 79; Saldo "Sal" Kolga; Virginia Belle; Helen Marie Gant, 77; Neil Alvin Cameron; Philip Mah, 23; Dale Arthur Thompson, 31; William Robert Vardy Laing, 87; Doreen Payne, 63; Helen Mannix; Gordon Gouda, 75; Opal Elizabeth Bechtel, 90; Betty Teasdale Bradshaw; Lynne Doreen Otteson; and Frank Alba Johnson, 92.
Teachers union members face mediation talks February 1.
RCMP say impaired driving incidents increasing in and around Rocky.
Eddie Shack's comedy hockey game for charity raises about $1,800 for local minor hockey.
Sundre RCMP ordered by judge to return Colin Foley's cannabis marijuana growing apparatus after he presents Health Canada permit for the equipment. Seized plants are not returned.
Catholic School Division faces strike action by teachers union.
Rolf's Grocery Store robbed at gunpoint, thief flees on foot down 54th Street.
Chamber Awards: Dick and Irene Howard, "Community Builders," Arie DeBruyn Family named ASB "Farm Family of the Year"; Shelley and Vance Curtis, Community Service Award; Betty Miller, Humanitarian Award; Mellisa Hollingsworth, Junior Achievement Aw ard; and R.L. Zengel, V.C., Branch No. 8 Royal Canadian Legion, Corporate Service Award.
Clearwater County turns down Merv Pidherney's request for industrial subdivision tax relief.
Junior curlers win "B" side in Lacombe bonspiel.
Nordegg Volunteer Fire Department gets a new rescue unit.
RCMP meet with Town Council, saying they need more people and more money to combat Rocky's serious drug problem.

FEBRUARY

Catholic teachers settle with division for 11.5 per cent salary increase.
Agreement reached for high school construction at current rodeo grounds.
Stampede board states rodeo will move to new North Saskatchewan River Park.
Ruth Peterson was a good neighbor of the week.
Died: Hilda Johnson, 64; Kent Howard Maxwell; Ken O'Toole, 41; Ivy Wright, 84; Helen Petersen, 82; Bob Cleveland Bugbee, 84; Susan May Banks; Alleen Esther Garnett, 83; Joseph Louis Chevallier, 82; Donna Marie Lundy, 63; Howard Wilson Park; and John Henry Winchester, 84.
Motorcycle club held ice races at Cow Lake
Rocky Titans boxers win big at Silver Gloves tournament
Safety Depot rink wins 17th annual Farmers' Bonspiel
Dogsled racers Reitz, Kathan win medals in B.C.
Leslieville artist Gisele Petersen donates large sum to Friends of Extended Care.
RCMP say quick thinking by Stewart Enterprises employees may have saved a life after man injured at logging site.
Wild Rose School Division teachers say they're prepared to strike.
Kamikawa High School students experience Rocky Mountain House area, a visit delayed by last September's terrorist attacks.
Rocky Rams men's hockey team wins last game of season, but finishes dead last in standings.
Rocky Flipz Gymnastic Club brings back gold medals from Red Deer Exalta Cup.
Barracuda Swim Club having money problems as pool renovations start late.
Family Services funding cuts said to have large impact on Rocky, Caroline and area.
Queen's Bench judge throws out sexual assault charge against Cst. John Hudak.
Annual Festival of Culture held at RMH Centre, featuring food, dancing and entertainment.
Alberta Teachers Association's strike vote was delayed.
Pidherney's Light Industrial subdivision gets early registration by County Council.
Charges were laid against several in Rolf's Grocery store armed robbery.
Nordegg Mine Site gains recognition as a National Historic Site.
Local soldier Capt. Alex Watson was doing high-profile work in Afghanistan.
Will Sinclair High School students earn up to $3,000 in scholarships.
Global television adventure comes to a close for local woman Asia Nelson.
Daniel Kostuch, 27, sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to arrange the murder of his mother.
Bishop Victoria Matthews speaks at International Women's Day banquet.
Canadian Forces recruits in Rocky area for Canadian Rangers program.
Town Council forbids bus parking on 47th Avenue after petition and complaints from local residents.

MARCH

Vast majority of Wild Rose School Division teachers favor strike action.
Missing" Rocky resident Sydney Sabine returns from B.C. vacation.
Clearwater County announces three major projects in Nordegg this year.
Boys and Girls Club to open Rocky Chapter Mar. 8.
Died: Edwin Roy Kubik, 52; Dorothy Lamar, 93; Aldrich Leslie Larson, 60; Donald Albert LaCount, Mabel Virginia DeBoer, 73; Alvin Edward Parenteau, 61; Harold Allan Hankinson, 80; Tom Coulridge Wickins; Barbara Wadman, 99; and Laura Kuzio, 65.
Nordegg area ice climbing challenge was held.
Lord's Food Bank stats indicated heavy use.
Town Council rejects cab driver application on grounds of criminal record.
Bighorn access planners held an open house in Rocky.
Phil Lacerte named Rocky Fish and Game "member of the year."
Rocky Figure Skating Club hosted "The Groovy Sixties" skating Carnival.
EUB says Husky Energy not to blame for 2001 underground explosion.
Four Rocky Minor Hockey teams made provincial play-offs this month.
Town Council spent more time in private than in regular meeting.
Good Neighbors: Debbie and Dwayne Hammel, Doug and Elaine Reay.
Residents, energy companies, local governments began to form a stakeholders group.
Real estate agents say land is at a premium in and around Rocky, hoteliers say business is slow.
Chamber of Commerce presented a three-year Main Street revitalization plan.
Bighorn access meeting finds only common ground is that "change necessary."
Cross-country skier Alison Madlung places third at national championships in Camrose.
Clearwater County passes new policy tightening funds to community groups.
Local volunteer groups shocked by demise of Community Lottery Board funding.
Resident angry about Town cutting garbage bag limit from five to three.
Both Town and County see modest population growth, states Stats Canada census.
Provincial government sponsors Water workshop in RMH Centre.

APRIL

Died: Mary Wilson, 67; Myrtle Esther Garlock, 87; Peter Koples, 90; Tom Killian, 91; Anne Margaret Fletcher, 78; William Graham, 84; Phillip Wilson, 66; John Pollitt, 85; Clarence Wren, 89; Kent Robert Summerson Moffit, 52; Donald Leslie Chamberla in, 34; and Robert Theodore Hammond, 80.
The Rocky Rural Electrification Association celebrated their 50th anniversary.
An electrical fire destroyed a trailer in the Stauffer area.
The Lord's Food Bank charity joined "Think Food," a national program that pays for ink cartridges being dropped off as donations.
The construction of the new swimming pool was in progress.
Donald Mark Clague was named Petro-Canada's Vice President.
The Rocky Mountain House Alberta Agriculture Office was closed because of cutbacks.
Clearwater County hired Special Constable Terry Miller.
The Alberta Cancer Board's Screen Test program to detect breast cancer was brought to Rocky (the David Thompson Health Region) for the first time.
Members of the Nazarene Church shaved their heads for cancer, raising over $4000.
The Chamber of Commerce planned to spruce up Main Street by planting more trees and flowers.
A vehicle smashed through the front window of Guardian Drugs because the driver hit the gas when intending to hit the brakes.
Bob Mills met with Clearwater County councilors to discuss the Kyoto Protocol and the proposed Species at Risk legislation.
A man from Olds formed a society to protect the wild horses of Alberta.
The Nitchi Creek band performed a final concert in Rocky.
Two men survived after their helicopter crashed 40 km southwest of Rocky. The men were rescued by Rocky's emergency rescue teams and they each suffered minor injuries.
The Town met to discuss ways to turn the old post office into a shelter for the homeless.
Local pilot, Brian Hilbert, was honored and given the St. John Award of Merit.
Rocky Co-op reported a record year, making over $31 million.
World class speed skater, Beorn Nijenhuis, joined a professional Dutch team after winning junior championships and setting world records.
A 34-year-old male was found dead at a well site near Caroline.
Students from local high schools protested against Bill 12 (teachers withdrawing their voluntary services).
RCMP investigated a home invasion robbery and three masked males were arrested and charged.
The Northern Crossing Music and Drama Society performed Lil' Abner at RMH Centre.
The Ram River Gas Plant achieved a record annual production volume of 195 billion cubic feet.

MAY

Died: Henri LeCerf, 71; Kenneth Lemley, 78; Arthur Nichols, 86; Lawrence Thompson, 61; Clarice Sinclair, 86; Marjorie Phyllis Williams, 86; Wilbert Norman Oja, 77; and Robert Smith, 67.
Matthew Smith of Winnipeg set off from the North Saskatchewan River by canoe, hoping to reach Nova Scotia by November (he stopped in Oct. on Lake Superior).
Local bands excelled at Kiwanis Festival in Red Deer.
The Will Sinclair, David Thompson High School, Caroline and St. Matthew Catholic School's classes of 2002 graduated.
Regan Long, a teacher from Ecole Rocky Elementary, was awarded the provincial government's Excellence in Teaching award.
A by-law was passed, raising the pay of members of Town Council.
Good conditions and a great crowd made Caroline's Bighorn Rodeo a success.
Pioneer Middle School celebrated 25 years in operation.
Foothills Mechanical celebrated 20 years in operation.
An application for a pig barn near Frisco frustrated local residents.
Over 200 local students visited the Agricultural Theme Park at the Rocky arena where local farmers brought livestock and did presentations.
Police investigated after campsites at Twin Lakes were trashed. Police believed that several teens who had been drinking were the culprits.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society's Super Cities Walk in Rocky, Red Deer and Stettler raised $95,000.
The Will Sinclair Gr. 9 band won gold at MusicFest Canada.
Flipz marked 20 years of gymnastics.
Carsten Reubeling, former student of Will Sinclair High School, won a $27,000 scholarship to use for his education in music.

JUNE

Died: Leslie Bradshaw, 48; Elizabeth Oastrom, 99; Rose Duncan, 36; Jim Winchester, 82.
The Rocky Motorcycle Club hosted a motocross race at the Table-Top race track.
The Bighorn Heritage ATV society hosted a meeting and 300 people attended who were concerned about the fate of the ATV trails within the Bighorn region.
Town Council approved a new site for the rodeo park and recreation area.
A 1,670 hectare fire was out of control, 50 km northwest of Rocky. The fire extended onto the Sunchild Reserve and some of the residents had to be evacuated.
The Rocky Stampede was held for the last time inside the Town of Rocky Mountain House.
Ontario students who toured Rocky were hosted by students from Pioneer Middle School.
The 22nd annual Ride for Sight was a huge success. The ride raised $110,000.
A Gr. 12 class from the O'Chiese School graduated for the first time in the school's history.
A 28-year-old male was flown by STARS Air Ambulance to the University Hospital in Edmonton after he crashed his motorcycle into a street light in Rocky.
Rocky hosted mountain bike races at Baseline Mountain in a race that determined which riders would go on to the Alberta Summer Games.
Aboriginal Day was celebrated at the National Historic Site with native dancers and food from native culture.
A walk for Crohn's Disease raised over $11,000.
Whitewater Kayakers competed in the first of four ATS slalom freestyle aquabatics at the Brierley Rapids in the North Saskatchewan River.
Ecole Rocky Elementary Students participated in the Fish in Schools program. The students raised rainbow trout and released them in Twin Lakes.
Over 20 competitors brought their horses and wagons to Heritage and Harness Day.
Special Constable Brent Craig received a new patrol cruiser, a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria.

JULY

Stop signs were introduced and removed at several intersections in Rocky.
Joan McDonald was named citizen of the day during Canada Day Celebrations at the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site.
An on again/off again fire ban was reinstated in the West Country including Clearwater County. The ban resulted in the cancellation of fireworks for Canada Day.
Leslieville-area farmer Greg Brownlee publicly complained about his beef with seismic companies. He alleged a company ruined his water well and its quality from the explosive charges used near his property.
Lochearn School's Lynda Currie was recognized for 30 years of teaching.
Charissa Pinnell was awarded a national scholarship worth $1,000 from the Miller Thomson LLP law firm.
The Caroline Ambulance Board bid farewell and a happy retirement to founding member Andrew Moffat.
Rocky's Super 8 Motel had its grand opening.
The Rocky Volunteer Fire Department rescued five stranded boaters along the North Saskatchewan River.
Principal Lee Tipman said good-bye to the David Thompson High School to take a job in Sylvan Lake.
About 500 people attended a free mammography screening hosted by the Church of the Nazarene.
Demolition Derby winners were Dave Mitchler, Colleen Spongberg, Shelby Cross and Amanda Van Gelderen.
Thieves stole an older model computer from the Elks Youth Hall in Caroline.
The local Mosquito girls' baseball team won silver at the provincial championships held in Rocky.
Clearwater County began numbering its roads.
The Leslieville Hotel escaped serious damage in a fire caused by electrical complications. The bar was closed for several days.
Rocky Town Council passed a bylaw prohibiting the planting of flowers at the Pine Grove Cemetery.
The Rocky Red Dogs baseball team lost in the second round of playoffs, ending their season with a 11-7 record.
The Rocky Wranglers riding team placed second at the Buck Lake Rodeo.
Lack of feed and high feed prices for cattle becomes an increasing concern for ranchers in the area.

AUGUST

Clearwater County declared the county as a drought disaster area.
Work began on the Good Samaritan Society's continuing care and supportive housing facility.
Dreamkeeper Productions began filming at Beaver Lake near Caroline for a made-for-TV movie.
Debate began on the new federal electoral boundaries proposed by the Federal Electoral Commission. Rocky Mountain House would be excluded in the Red Deer constituency and added to the newly-formed Banff-Cochrane constituency.
The Fury III mountain bike competition at Baseline Mountain hosted almost 100 riders from all over Alberta.
Twenty-one area athletes competed at the Alberta Summer Games in Camrose, bringing home a silver (Zone 4 baseball) and a bronze (mountain biking).
A herd of bison, owned by Randy McKenzie, broke free and stampeded through the Arbutus area.
Three alleged thieves from Calgary were caught during flight by Sylvan Lake RCMP after breaking into Ram River Sports. They were in possession of the store's merchandise, including 10 handguns.
A three-year infrastructure study was completed by Town of Rocky Mountain House staff to act as a guideline in future development and capital improvement projects.
Five athletes from the Sunchild and O'Chiese reserves returned with three medals from the Indigenous Games in Winnipeg.
About 600 Northern Leopard frogs were released near Crimson Lake for Alberta Conservation Association's reintroduction program.
Fifteen local students returned from an exchange trip to Japan to visit Rocky's sister town, Kamikawa.
Clearwater County announced to an AEUB member that they are concerned about abandoned wells in the area, especially older ones that may not be registered with Alberta First Call.
The Western Wheels Classic Car show attracted 92 entries, their most ever.
County councillors approved a request to seek permission from the Solicitor General to equip special constables with rifles.
Town of Rocky received a $298,000 grant from Municipal Sponsorship Program to go toward a fire truck with aerial apparatus (ladder truck).
Patrick Mandelin (piano), Nathan Sytsma (violin) and Jamie Meyers (voice) performed at the Rocky Community Centre.
Dallas Raudebaugh and Roberta Babcock won the David Thompson 10 km Trail Run in their respective categories at Crimson Lake.
The Rocky Mountain Lumberjack Association held a lumberjack competition and Loggers Sports Show.
Rural beautification winners were: Farm-Dolores and Albert Lucas, Acreage-Pat and Svend Storm.
Trunnell House opens at Caroline Museum.
Francis Strawberry was sentenced to two years in prison for impaired driving causing death.
A canoe and kayak race was held for the first time on the North Saskatchewan River during David Thompson Days.
The Rocky swimming pool unofficially opened its doors after a year of renovations costing $2.7 million.
Alberta Supernet made its provincial debut at St. Matthew Catholic School.
Four missing rafters were found alive and well by RCMP and Rocky Search and Rescue along the Ram River.
RMH Centre had $26,000 worth of sidewalks installed.
The Wheels of Time Museum in Caroline celebrated its 10th Anniversary.

SEPTEMBER

Speed limits on the Oras and Arbutus roads were increased to 100 km/h and 90 km/h respectively.
County Council denied a proposed 125-unit Manufactured Home Park on 20 ha (50 acres) along the Angle Road across from the Law subdivision.
Bradley Kraychy won a new bike when he participated in the Rocky Library's Summer Reading Program.
The Rocky Mountain House Food Grains Project raised money for worldwide work-for-food programs, seed and tools with donated equipment, seed, manpower and land for a barley crop.
The Medicine River Wildlife Centre cancelled their raffle for an African Safari, blaming loss of interest in travel, slow economy and drought.
Seven Caroline youths replaced the sidewalk at the Elks Youth Hall through a joint venture with the village and HRDC in Red Deer.
School is back in session, introducing a new principal for the David Thompson High School, Kevin Wood.
Kindergarten classes were moved from the DTHS to the Condor Elementary School.
Lochearn School opens its doors after a renovation and gets some new staff \endash Cory Hall and Darla Houghton.
Ecole Rocky Elementary got a new bilingual sign for the school and welcomed six new staff members.
The remains of 14 individuals from the 1800s, stored at the University of Alberta for more than 30 years after their discovery during the construction of a gas plant in 1969, were reburied at the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site in a traditional Metis funeral.
Rocky Search and Rescue and the RMH Volunteer Fire Department dive team helped in the recovery of a drowning victim, a 34-year-old Benalto man, at Gosling Lake.
Next to New donated $24,000 to local charities and programs.
The Will Sinclair High school Rebels football team lost its season opener 10-7 to Sylvan Lake.
Two hole-in-ones were reported at Rocky's Victim's Services Unit's annual charity golf tournament where Randy Johannesson won a $20,000 prize from Rocky Credit Union and Ryan Shaw won a $5,000 prize from Bauer Flooring.
Rocky Christian School begins year without a principal.
St. Matthew Catholic School reports lack of space with 576 enrolled students, and two new staff members, Vesna Bos and Augusta Mosher, were introduced.
KMS Maverick, a shorthorn bull owned by Katie Songer, won the Supreme Grand Champion Bull title at the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong, B.C., as well as Julia Ann winning the Interclub Champion Yearling Female.
The Rocky Community Learning Council celebrated 25 years of service.
The Alberta Foundation of the Arts held one of its board meetings in Rocky Mountain House.
Caroline was named 2002 champions for Provincial Communities in Bloom.
The Rocky Flying Club dedicated its refurbished and newly mounted Canadair T-33 Silverstar to our freedom and Canadian pilots who flew during wartime, in front of the Rocky Mountain House Airport.
The Rocky Air Show at the Rocky Mountain House Airport was touted as a huge success, with 5,000 spectators and 150 visiting pilots from all over western Canada in attendance to watch top aerobatics pilots \endash including Rocky's Ken Fowler \endash and military aircraft perform spectacular feats.
Clearwater County council voted in favour of a deadline extension of three months for farmers and ranchers to pay their municipal taxes.
The clean up of coal slag in Nordegg began this month.
Earl Atwater, 76, received a Canada Post Literacy award for learning to read at the age of 70.
Dick Sommerville was appointed as Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of Caroline.
Two trees were planted in Caroline's Little Green Park to commemorate the first anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks in Manhattan, New York, and Washington, D.C.
Rocky Mountain House town councillors dedicated a plaque commemorating the walking trail and the perseverance of the councillors for sticking with its development in the face of opposition.
Students at St. Matthew Catholic School raised $12,155 for the 21st Annual Terry Fox Run.
Rocky Mountain House town council voted in favour of joining the Rocky Riparian Group.
The Butler family from Leslieville took 10 miniature donkeys with them to the 2002 Great Donkey and Mule Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
The annual corn roast in Nordegg went well with about 170 people in attendance.

OCTOBER

Work began at North Saskatchewan River Park, the site of the new rodeo grounds.
The logger sport climbing polls were removed from the rodeo grounds.
RCMP were investigating counterfeit money with 23 phony bills having been found so far in 2002.
LeCerf III subdivision lots went on sale with five selling immediately.
A Leduc hunter was attacked and robbed at his campsite south of the Brazeau Reservoir, and four men were arrested.
Jeannette Brouwer was a good neighbour of the week.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation raised $10,000 at their local banquet.
Died: Don Belcourt, 64; John Charles Lee, 56; Marion Bohning, 96; Ada Roberts, 91; Jeffrey Dingman, 39; Ivan Korth, 63; Annie Hansel, 92; and Susan Willigar, 31.
Five high school students and a teacher from Kamikawa, Hokkaido, visited Rocky.
County councillors were concerned violation of development rules in rural subdivisions.
Boxer Nigel Daychief won a club card match and is looking to take part in the Canada Games.
Jalena Bertagnolli won bronze in an Edmonton skating competition.
Clearwater County dedicated help in kind to N. Sask. River Park construction.
Leslieville Elks gave $6,500 to the hospital bus fund and $10,000 to the Purple Cross Fund.
The Chamber hosted a discussion on electoral boundaries and MP Bob Mills discussed Kyoto.
Lisa Szymanek won the Governor General's Medal for top marks in the David Thompson High School Class of 2002.
Village of Caroline appointed Dick Sommerville as their new manager.
Niki Danis won the Governor General's Medal for highest marks in Caroline School's Class of 2002.
During a cell phone conversation, one man reported the other had a car accident, and the crash site was found by RCMP the next day after a long search.
RCMP report increased use of seatbelts.
Regulations for the Bighorn Backcountry were released.
Melanie Black was elected to Caroline Council in a by-election.
Impaired driving statistics were up 16 per cent over 2001 in just the first nine months of 2002.
Town Council increased handicapped parking violation fines.
St. Matt's School runners raised $12,586 for the Terry Fox Fund.
Work began to dismantle the old school division office and museum building.
CIBC manager Cliff Drader went bald when his staff raised $4500 for breast cancer research.
Town Council gave $2500 to the Parade of Lights which must be self-sufficient next year.
The Town received $533,000 in Canada-Alberta infrastructure money for subdivision construction.
Caroline Fire Dept. received a new rapid response unit.
Mayor's Awards went to Donna Reid, hospital gift shop committee, Connie LeCerf, Alison Madlung, Anne Emery, Jim and Annie Anderson, Alan King and Agnes Bowersock.
Fire destroyed one of the oldest buildings at Terratima Lodge.
Lochearn student Jared Neville was fire chief for a day.
Chamber's small business of the year award went to Bauer's Countrywide Home Furnishings.
A parked police car was involved in an icy crash.
Town Council authorized borrowing to pay a portion of the pool's geothermal heating system.
Volunteers made almost 1,700 apple pies as a Christian School fund-raiser.
Rocky's pool was officially opened and the town's 90th anniversary was marked.
West Central High School will be the new building's name.
Rocky Whirlaways Square and Round Dance Club marked its 50th anniversary.
A video crew stopped in Rocky to film as part of a documentary on David Thompson.
Town Council advised groups to find their own insurance.
Pidherneys cut the ribbon to their new facility on Hwy. 11.
Rocky earned four blooms and third place nationally in Communities in Bloom.
A truck inspection passed only 37 per cent of vehicles.
Caroline's ambulance association elected a new board.
Caroline drilled an additional water well.
John and Millie Boake's shorthorn cattle did well in competition.
Allison Frisky received the Governor General's medal for highest Gr. 12 marks at Will Sinclair's awards night.
Dwight Oliver was selected as reeve of Clearwater County.
Chloe Brown earned two fastball scholarships.
Weyerhaeuser Canada officials told Clearwater County they felt spending $8,000 on Sunchild Road was enough compared to the County's spending of $200,000 despite hauling more than 12,000 loads of wood a year.
Bev Weber was given the Foster Family of the Year Award. Leigh Pattison was social worker of the year.
Women's history month dinner honoured local athletes Phyllis Loewen, Kaitlan Titford and Red Deer Olympic skiing bronze medalist Deidra Dionne.
A woman was charged with perjury, forgery and other charges when her testimony against an RCMP constable didn't stand up in court.

NOVEMBER

Clearwater County's choice of firearms for special constables to carry out animal control sparked a bit of controversy.
County Council withdrew from the North Saskatchewan River Park committee because of potential conflicts of interest.
Sod turning was held at the LeCerf III Residential Subdivision.
Good Neighbors: Earl Bradley and Doug Zeigler.
Died: Lawrence Biswanger, 87; Darren Isbister, 37; Nella Murray, 96; Elizabeth McArthur, 101; Dorothea Othen, 83; Margaret Dingman, 76; Neil Bertelsen, 61; Mabel Mandelin, 65; Eugene Muyres, 75; and Elsie Killick, 82.
Loyal Ma returned from coaching the Hong Kong mountain bike team at the 14th Asian Games.
Search and Rescue bought a rotary drill for inserting climbing rock anchors, thanks to the help of many.
Local participants on the Alberta Honour Band included Melissa Mannerfeldt, Melissa Davies, Alison Madlung, and Diana Zalasky.
Bentley and Spruce View teams win at the St. Matt's volleyball tournament.
The Bantam Chiefs won the B side of a Thorsby hockey tournament.
Bob Ross, one of two people with "Prairie Grange, Alberta," on his birth certificate, marked his 90th birthday.
Work began on the Leslieville bridge replacement on Hwy. 761.
Miranda Bruns won the Gov. General's Medal for highest marks at St. Matt's School Class of 2002.
The Town's 90th anniversary celebrations were under budget.
Red Deer's 78 Field Battery fired artillery at Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Town Council set rental for communications equipment on the water tower.
U of C football player Blake Machan was named to the western All-Star team.
The Rams won their first hockey game of the season against Drayton Valley.
The Rebels were knocked out of the provincial football playoffs by Grand Centre.
Town Council voted to oppose the Kyoto Protocol.
Pioneer School took delivery of a 25th anniversary banner, quilted by volunteers.
Caroline Fire Dept. named Tanner Noad as chief for a day, and Axel Larsen as deputy.
The Hwy. 22 and 54 intersection at Ricinus had three accidents in two weeks.
A group at the west end of the County of Mountainview wanted to join Clearwater, but their chances were judged as remote.
Queen's jubilee medals were presented by MP Bob Mills to Bernie Butterwick, Dan Nykiforuk and Jean Graham.
Clearwater County began planning office renovations.
Licenced Practical Nurses and care attendants voted to accept a new contract.
Rocky Christian School teacher Bettie Van't Bosch won honorable mention for the award of distinction by the Christian Educators Association.
Rocky Credit Union hosted a credit officer from Ghana for a week.
Alpine Value Drug Mart raised almost $4,300 for Doctors Without Borders.
The Atom Warriors won their division at a local tournament.
Shell installed a "green power" turbine at its Caroline Gas Plant.
RCMP busted a "pretty significant" marijuana grow operation S.E. of Rocky.
Town utility deposits were criticized for being too much.
McHappy Day raised more than $4,500 for local and McDonald's charities.
Inventor Kevin Hobmaier tested his moving rotary mulcher.
A highway property owner sought to delay Town Council's consideration of the new transportation plan because of access problems for highway businesses.
Council grants re-zoning of Laebon Developments' proposed Creekside subdivision.
Caroline's Chamber of Commerce gave itself a shot in the arm for renewed activity.

DECEMBER

Provincial ministers Lund and Woloshyn reacted positively to plans to redevelop the old post office into low income housing.
The new census prompts ward boundary changes in Clearwater County.
Rocky RCMP go on a wild hog chase in town.
Blood donors surpass the target at the November clinic.
Environmentalist Tooker Gomberg spoke in Rocky about the Kyoto Accord.
Died: Dorreen Bailey, 67; Withrow Weaver, 71; and James Ankle, 81.
Work began on the new high school site with clearing of the campground and rodeo grounds.
A rezoning application for a corporate retreat in Everdell drew strong reaction from neighbors. Councillors later approved the rezoning by a narrow margin.
The swimming pool's geothermal heating system had some problems to be fixed by the contractor at no cost.
RCMP warned about a scam involving teens collecting for Operation Christmas Child (the shoebox program).
MP Bob Mills set a parliamentary record with an 11.5 hour speech on the Kyoto Protocol.
Clearwater County tighted its dog control bylaw.
The Parade of Lights had 55 floats and a huge crowd to enjoy it.
Good Neighbors: Denis Piers, Margaret and Neil Anderson, and Carolyn Richardson.
Died: Lin Schafer, 78; Amanda Emmons, 13; Jacob Askes, 80; Ted Rahko, 85; Albert Lund, 76; Roy Sorvisto, 65; and Esther Lindgren, 61.
Shawn Renneberg won the Western Canadian boxing title in his class.
Ray Weber was installed as Branch President and Celine Reynaud was installed as Auxiliary President at the Royal Canadian Legion.
The Next to New distributed $89,000 to local health and social causes in 2002.
Darren Whitford was elected Chief of the O'Chiese First Nation.
Immanuel Lutheran Church's annual Pageant of Christ's Birth had tremendous weather and large crowds.
The Rams hockey team beat a team from Harbin Province, China.
Scottie McLeod, Ryan Fink and Shawn Renneberg each won their classes at the provincial boxing championships.
A worker was slightly injured when his earth-mover rolled over at a County worksite.
EPCOR offered to fund a surface water quality study covering much of the county area.
DTHS students collected goods for Calgary homeless people.
Town Council accepted the transportation study which included redesign of Highway 11 through town, despite objections from some property owners along the way.
Northern Crossing's Christmas Show raised nearly $2400 for the hospital and their scholarship fund.
Postal staff helped find a young letter writer for Santa.
Wild Rose School Division begins considering a proposal to incorporate Rocky Christian School.
Loyal Ma became Canadian Cycling Association director at large responsible for BMX.
Rocky's RCMP detachment asked Town Council for funding for an additional constable.
The County received Canada-Alberta Infrastructure funds to help with the Nordegg water system upgrade.
Caroline School set a record in the food drive for the Nazarene Church hamper program.