A teen who lived most of her life with an abusive mother has found a safe haven in Black Diamond and now she is paying it forward.
A year ago Erika Turner was living on the streets of Calgary after a fight with her mother. Turner said she often shouldered the blamed when things went wrong in her mother’s life, whether it was a breakup, losing a job or even when her brother decided to go live with his father.
It took a long time and some counseling for the teen to …

Sheriffs will be working with Mounties over the next two years to synthesize their efforts to stop dangerous drivers.
The Province held a six-month pilot project where four detachments tried different strategies of delivering traffic initiatives. At the conclusion of the project Solicitor General Frank Oberle said the Wetaskiwin model, where the Mounties and sheriffs worked in collaboration, was the most effective. As a result, RCMP traffic units will join forces with sheriffs at 19 locations across Alberta.
“We are using our best model going forward,” Oberle said.
Sheriffs were introduced into the …

Threatening and hitting a cab driver has landed an Eden Valley man a nine-month prison sentence.
Elvis Clayton Dixon was sentenced last week for verbally and physically attacking an Associated Cab driver who picked up Dixon, his wife and daughter in Calgary and drove them to the Eden Valley reserve west of Longview.
The sentence was reduced by six weeks because Dixon was given double credit for the three weeks he had already spent in the Calgary Remand Centre.
The driver was given a $50 deposit when he picked up the trio, but …

The Foothills School Division (FSD) said it will not fund a mandated increase to teachers’ salaries with their savings unless they are forced to.
Last week officials from the division determined they would not dip into their reserves to cover the additional $400,000 it would cost to cover an increase is salaries.
“We are going to run a deficit,” said FSD superintendent Jim McLellan. “We don’t have any reserves to speak of. Our board doesn’t support paying for ongoing costs out of our savings.”
He said the division’s philosophy is not to sock …

I am an Olympics junkie. Seriously, whether it is ski jumping or ski-cross, freestyle aerials or figure skating I am watching it all.
In fact, as I write this I am watching/listening to the ice dance freeskate on my computer. Yeah, I know ice dance.
I am as patriotic as anyone, perhaps moreso, but once the Olympics begin my patriotism goes into hyperdrive. I was wearing red all weekend in anticipation for some medals and a big win in men’s hockey.
To say the results of the weekend were disappointing would be an …

It is too bad the Winter Olympics come by only once every four years as they are indeed a pleasure to watch.
As I was down in Florida last week freezing to death it was great to watch all the events. The American coverage was warm to the Canadians and several times gave excellent accolades to our athletes. They didn’t even make rude comments when the fourth leg of the caldron would not come up.
Our medal count is a bit disappointing as we have come so close on several events. Oh …

The fate of a new community hall in the High Country area is in limbo, but successfully completing the
project will be a group effort not one of alienation.
The Diamond Valley Community Centre 78 Society has abandoned its initial plan to build the new facility in Turner Valley and have now formally approached the Town of Black Diamond about coming on board.
The relationship between the
Centre 78 Society and the Town of Turner Valley was rocky from the
beginning and when the two could not come to an agreement the
society, like a jilted …

Students at Dr. Morris Gibson Elementary School in Okotoks proved that two bits can buy you a lot more than a shave and a haircut. It turns out when that 25 cents comes from the heart, a quarter can raise thousands of dollars to help Haitian earthquake victims.

The students organized a Heart to Heart Flea Market on Feb. 12 in which they donated items ranging from cookies and cupcakes to used toys and books that were all sold for 25 cents. The market raised $2,700 for Haiti relief, but …

An Okotoks Junior A Oiler set a goal back in September of scoring 40 goals this season. It was a quite a lofty mark considering the Oilers’ team record was 34 goals in a season.

Turns out, Oiler John McInnis was selling himself short. The Oiler forward scored six goals in the Oilers’ final three games of the Alberta Junior Hockey League season to finish the year with 42 goals.
“I set my goal for 40,” McInnis said after scoring his 37th in the Oilers’ 5-0 victory over the Canmore Eagles …

Dear Editor,
As you know there are between 2,000 to 2,500 employers that Turner Valley town council is accountable to. I am just one of these. I deem it necessary to remind you of the salary we are providing to you, in return of which your employers expect the Town of Turner Valley to be uppermost in your minds.
We (your employers) put you into your positions with the understanding this town would be your top priority. I also will remind you that in October you will be having your job performance …