Central Alberta store clerk bear-sprayed during robbery.

From Camrose RCMP

Camrose RCMP Investigate Armed Robbery – Arrests

On September 3^rd, 2019 Camrose RCMP received a complaint of an Armed Robbery that occurred at Tempo gas station in Hay Lakes, Alberta. One male suspect wearing a balaclava demanding cash and cigarettes, robbed the Tempo gas station using bear spray stealing the cash register with an undisclosed amount of cash. A female store clerk was bear sprayed during the robbery. The suspect male left in a white diesel truck. Camrose, Wetaskiwin and Leduc RCMP members responded. The female store clerk was treated by EMS and transported to Camrose hospital with non life threatening injuries and received medical treatment. En Route Camrose RCMP members were advised of a vehicle fire on Range Road 213, a short distance from Hay Lakes. Camrose RCMP attended that location and a white Ford Diesel truck burning out of control. Witnesses advised a bald Caucasian male was observed in area operating the white Ford Diesel truck being followed by an older model dark colored GMC half ton truck with another bald Caucasian male driving and an unknown passenger. RCMP Air services assisted in the search. Camrose City Police assisted in locating the suspects inside the City of Camrose and all three suspects, two males and one female were arrested without incident. All three individuals are known to each other.

Camrose RCMP in conjunction with Wetaskiwin General Investigation Section completed an investigation and charged the following individuals:

Jason Aron OLTMANNS (37) of Athabasca is charged with the following:

Robbery with Offensive Weapon
Possession of Stolen Property Under $5000
Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
Possession of Break-in Instruments
Arson

Mitchell Curtis BITZER (34) of Rochester is charged with the following:

Robbery with Offensive Weapon
Possession of Stolen Property Under $5000
Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
Possession of Break-in Instruments
Arson

Natasha Anne KIDLARK (38) of Rochester is charged with the following:

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
Possession of Break-in Instruments
Possession of Stolen Property Under $5000
Breach of release condition

All 3 subjects were brought before a Justice of the Peace. Natasha KIDLARK was released on $1000 no cash recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court in Camrose on September 25, 2019. Both Mitchell BITZER and Jason OLTMANNS were released on $500 cash bail and scheduled to appear in court in Camrose on September 25, 2019.

Working directly in partnership with Camrose Police Department lead to the successful arrest of those involved in this serious event.

If anyone has information regarding these suspects, they are asked to contact the Wetaskiwin RCMP Detachment at 780-312-7267 or their local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.”

Duane Rolheiser

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Alberta

Province boosts development strategies at Regional Airports

Published on April 7, 2024

Government of Alberta

Proposed area for development at Red Deer Regional Airport highlighted by bright colours

Building Alberta’s regional airport network

Alberta’s government is investing $1.13 million to support the development of regional airports across the province.

Alberta’s regional airports connect people, create jobs and help local businesses reach new markets. This investment will facilitate the growth of the province’s regional airport network, enabling the seamless movement of people and goods, and creating more opportunities for municipalities and local industry to thrive.

“Alberta’s aviation industry plays an important role in strengthening and diversifying our economy by expanding access to markets and creating jobs in the province. Regional airports are key assets in supporting the air sector and the movement of people. This investment will support the growth of Alberta’s regional airports and help restore and develop connections between our regional and international airports.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

The grant funding will support 10 regional airports in developing business cases and feasibility studies for improved airport infrastructure and air transportation. The projects will allow the airports to identify, explore and prioritize improvements and opportunities to increase their economic competitiveness, such as increasing the number of air carriers or the efficiency of aircraft movement to bolster the economic output of regional airports.

“Regional airports play a critical role in keeping Alberta connected and our economy growing. We are working with our partners to ensure all corners of the province are in the best position to attract job-creating investment and opportunities from around the world for all Albertans.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

The grants include $120,000 to the Red Deer Regional Airport for a land development strategy, which will inform the airport about how it can leverage infrastructure and facility improvements, such as terminal expansion and airside land development, that will better position the airport as a hub for economic activity.

“The continued support from the province positions the Red Deer Regional Airport as a compelling and competitive location to do business. Now more than ever, we are primed to attract new investment opportunities, create jobs and strengthen central Alberta’s economic landscape.”

Jim Wood, mayor, Red Deer County

The funded projects vary in scope and size depending on the specific needs of each airport. They include exploring airport certification to support scheduled air services, airport commercial development, commercial air services, hangar development and development of strategic business cases to restore regional airports’ positions as primary transportation hubs.

“CAEP is proud to showcase the importance of the Red Deer Regional Airport as a true ’hub‘ in the Central Alberta Region. Transportation is critical to a thriving region that leads to sophisticated manufacturing, technological innovation and investment attraction to enhance and support our economic corridors. Continued growth at the RDRA is proof that the region is thriving and a ’destination of choice‘ for investment.”

Tracy Gardner, executive director, Central Alberta Economic Partnership

The projects will also support the creation of an air service business case to attract new airlines, analyzing highest-need routes, determining baseline capacities of airport infrastructure, and identifying capital asset rehabilitation and replacement requirements.

“Regional airports support economic development and serve as a hub for emergency services for rural Alberta. The funding provided today will benefit many rural communities and represents a strong step in maintaining Alberta’s rural transportation network.”

Kara Westerlund, vice president, Rural Municipalities of Alberta

This investment demonstrates Alberta’s commitment to growing the aviation sector and diversifying the economy. Alberta’s government will continue working closely with regional airports to ensure they are drivers of economic growth in the province.

Quick facts

A total of $1,129,424 is being provided to support 10 regional airports:

Cold Lake Regional Airport

Feasibility Study for Airport Certification to Support Scheduled Air Services – $144,000

Whitecourt Airport

Commercial Development Feasibility Study – $78,684

Lloydminster Municipal Airport

Commercial Air Services Feasibility Study – $113,988

Peace River Regional Airport

Peace River Airport Master Plan – $57,552

Lethbridge Airport

Hangar Development Feasibility Study and Business Case – $150,000

High Level Airport

High Level Airport Master Plan – $56,000

Red Deer Regional Airport

Land Development Strategy and Implementation Plan – $120,000

Medicine Hat Regional Airport

Feasibility and Business Case for Airport Growth and Development – $150,000

Grande Prairie Airport

Canadian Border Services Agency Facilities Study – $140,000

Fort McMurray International Airport

Business Case to Recapture Lost Passenger Traffic – $119,200

Alberta

Doubling surgical capacity in Rocky Mountain House

Published on April 7, 2024

Government of Alberta

Rural Albertans will be able to access surgeries quicker and closer to home now that the expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre is complete.

The Rocky Mountain House Health Centre has been providing residents with health care since 1971, including surgical services. Alberta Infrastructure has completed an addition to the facility, which includes a new operating room. This will enable approximately 120 Albertans per month to receive surgery, doubling the number of monthly surgeries. This additional, brand-new operating room is also expected to decrease the wait lists for surgeries.

The expanded Rocky Mountain House Health Centre provides an additional 440 square metres (4,736 square feet) and includes:

a new operating room,
6 additional recovery beds,
a patient support area, and
an updated medical device reprocessing department.

The new spaces can be accessed from the existing site thanks to the addition of an upgraded hallway that connects the two buildings.

“Completing the expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre is a significant step forward in delivering Alberta Surgical Initiative projects province wide. This investment into health care infrastructure will increase surgical capacity, helping Albertans get treatment when and where they need it.”

Pete Guthrie, Minister of Infrastructure

The Rocky Mountain House Health Centre upgrade is part of the Alberta Surgical Initiative (ASI), which aims to enhance surgical capacity across the province by expanding and maximizing existing health care space. Over the next three years, the 2024 Capital Plan is providing $313 million for ASI projects throughout the province.

Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Health Services share the responsibility for delivering ASI projects. Alberta Health Services leads the delivery of smaller projects, while Alberta Infrastructure delivers capital projects over $5 million.

“Albertans deserve timely access to surgeries, and they should be able to get them close to home. The expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will increase its capacity so more Albertans can get the surgeries they need when they need them. Through the Alberta Surgical Initiative, we are improving access to surgical care and funding projects across the province, including in rural communities like Rocky Mountain House.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

Alberta Infrastructure is working on 20 ASI projects in communities across Alberta, including Brooks, Calgary, Camrose, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Innisfail, Lethbridge, Olds, Ponoka, St. Albert and Stettler. Lethbridge will be the next community to benefit from a completed ASI project. The expansion of two operating rooms and more surgical inpatient rooms at the Chinook Regional Hospital is anticipated to be completed later this fall.

“The expanded Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will help ensure more residents can access surgeries and receive the care they need in a timely manner. Investments like these in rural Alberta matter and I’d like to thank Minister Guthrie and Minister LaGrange for delivering on this project that will double our surgical capacity in Rocky Mountain House.”

Jason Nixon, MLA, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre

Quick facts

The total budget for the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre ASI project was $15 million.
This Alberta Infrastructure project was completed on time and on budget. Approximately 85 construction-related jobs were created during the project.
In addition to the new building, other renovations include new mechanical and electrical building systems.
Alberta Infrastructure is managing other ASI projects at the following locations: