TC Energy has announced that they will proceed with construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, a 1,210-mile (1,947-km) pipeline capable of safely delivering 830,000 barrels per day (Bbl/day) of crude oil from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City, Nebraska, where it will connect with TC Energy’s existing facilities to reach U.S. Gulf Coast refiners to meet critical needs for transportation fuel and useful manufactured products. The pipeline project will invest US$8.0 billion into the North American

A glance at events happening in Flagstaff County.

While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has halted much of the world’s economy, the farming industry is continuing unabated.

We are grateful for your resilience and steadfast adaptability during these uncertain times, and we want you to know that although our office and shop are closed to the public, we endeavour to continue to support your agricultural needs in a manner that is safe for both you and our staff.

Effective immediately, the Ag-Info Centre will focus on providing information about Agriculture and Forestry programs and services and connecting producers with the many non-government resources available to them. The centre will no longer offer crop, livestock or other one-to-one specialist services.

Flagstaff County Council is asking residents to nominate a deserving farm family from within Flagstaff County for the prestigious 2020 BMO Farm Family Awards.

It’s probably the last thing on your mind right now. But when infestations of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels are wreaking havoc on crops and farmland in a few months, eradicating the irksome varmints will be top of mind.

Congratulations to Flagstaff County Peace Officer Skyler Zelinski on receiving his 12-year Alberta Emergency Services medal.

Looking for budget highlights? Watch as Flagstaff County Reeve Don Kroetch summarizes the 2020-22 Business Plan and 2020 Budget.

Please be advised of the following three bridge maintenance projects.

The Flagstaff Inter-Municipal Assessment Review Board is seeking new board members.

From Facebook and Twitter to YouTube and Instagram, Flagstaff County takes pride in having a strong and engaging social media presence.

While these are all open forums, they are also family-friendly and we ask that you follow our general posting guidelines.

Still using Google Maps to view your property in Flagstaff County? That's so 2016. Been there, done that.

FIP (the Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership) was established in 2003 to explore and identify areas and opportunities for increased intermunicipal collaboration, all aimed at one overriding goal:

Providing effective and efficient delivery of the highest-quality municipal services and infrastructure across the region and delivering this standard of service at fair, reasonable and affordable levels of taxation.

From Africa to Australia, Flagstaff County has received some positive interest from around the world in recent months.

Tanzania’s ambassador to Canada paid the County a visit over the summer to see first-hand the use of Gravelock, a soil stabilization product used to strengthen road subgrade.

Looking for office space for business meetings? High-speed WiFi and other technology? Check out this free offer from the Battle River Innovation Centres in Forestburg and Castor.

Small business is a big part of the success and sustainability of the Flagstaff Region and this week (October 20^th through to October 26^th) it is being celebrated across the country in the form of Small Business Week. This is an annual event that is intended to shine a spotlight on small business as a significant contributor to our local, provincial, and even national economies.

Discover a valuable piece of the Flagstaff Region's rich agricultural heritage with Heritage Barns of Flagstaff: Volume II!

Read about October's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Safety First Muirhead's Ltd. And be sure to watch the following video, too!

Congratulations to Flagstaff County Clr. Jeff Eckstrand and his family on their recent Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award.

Looking for an up-to-date Flagstaff County ownership map?

Read about September's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: The James Insurance Group. And be sure to watch the following video, too!

The Flagstaff County Economic Development department has formed a Steering Committee and is working with Lochaven Consulting and Urban Systems to collaboratively seek the County’s engagement towards creating their new “5-year Economic and Community Development Strategic Plan”.

Read about August's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Iron Creek Veterinary Hospital. And be sure to watch the following video, too!

Look to the skies over Flagstaff this summer for an exhilarating appearance by Canada’s iconic Air Demonstration Team – the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. Enjoy the dazzling performance of one of Canada’s national treasures from Flagstaff Regional Airport – the smallest, most rural airfield on the Snowbirds’ 60 stop annual tour. Due to the available runway length and services, the Snowbirds CT-114 Tutor aircraft will base from Camrose Airport.

Read about July's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Greasy D's Rod & Kustom. And be sure to watch the following video, too!

Canadian pride was on full display throughout the Flagstaff Region during the Canada Day Long Weekend! Here's a 90-second highlight reel we compiled from the action-packed 2019 Sedgewick Ag Society Alberta Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Races!

Looking for something to do this Canada Day? Check out Cars in the Park hosted by Greasy D's Rod & Kustom in Daysland.

For other Canada Day festivities, visit our events page at: bit.ly/FlagstaffEvents.

MetroCount, an Australian-based company specializing in traffic data, has featured Flagstaff County in an online article.

Read about June's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Griffy's Antiques. And be sure to watch the following video, too!

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Businesses, as part of our Flagstaff Crafted launch. And be sure to watch the following video, too!

From the outset of their mandate in October 2017, Flagstaff County Council has focused on a number of priorities for landowners. Among those priorities, Council identified the need to conduct a review of the Arterial Road Network and road surface type.

It takes investment to build community. The citizens of Flagstaff County — the “Community of communities” — contributed nearly $6 million last year in support of a variety of activities and services.

Here is a breakdown of regional funding the County provided in 2018.

Read about May's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: MANTL. And be sure to watch the following video, too!

Flagstaff County Council would like to find out which programs and services are most important to you.

In preparation for the development of the Business Plan and Budget for each of the next three years, you are invited to provide your feedback on the following survey.

Just a friendly reminder that a penalty of 6% will be levied on all unpaid taxes on May 1, 2019.

To avoid the penalty, payments made by mail must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2019, and payments made by Internet Banking or TelPay must be received no later than April 30, 2019.

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Forster's Greenhouses. And be sure to watch the following video, too!

Eight months after their fire hall caught fire in a freak Friday-the-13th lightning strike, the Strome Fire Department is back in service.

You're home here. Experience the salt-of-the-earth way of life. The Flagstaff Region is home to an abundance of family farms and strong-willed entrepreneurs. Together, we're a community committed to building a welcoming destination renowned for its hospitality and recreation.

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Benchmark Hearing Centre. And be sure to watch the following video, too!

Watch as Reeve Don Kroetch presents the highlights of Flagstaff County's 2019 Business Plan and Budget.

Flagstaff County hosted councils and staff from municipalities around the area on March 11 for the 2019 R.H. Hume Curling Bonspiel at the Sedgewick Curling Club.

The annual event, in its 58th year, is named after former Camrose Mayor R.H. Hume. This year's event included teams from Beaver County, Camrose County, Lacombe County, Leduc County, the County of Stettler and the County of Wetaskiwin, as well as host Flagstaff County.

The latest aerial photos of Flagstaff County are now available through Web Map, our interactive, online mapping application.

Web Map, which offers access to a wide range of useful municipal land information, including detailed aerial photography, can be accessed by logging in as a guest HERE.

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Tee & Co. Salon.

And be sure to watch the following video, too!

The Government of Alberta has published a handbook that introduces the fundamental rights and responsibilities employers and workers have when it comes to occupational health and safety on Alberta farms and ranches.

Missed our Shelterbelt Workshop? Luke Wonneck, Agroforestry Specialist with the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society, discusses the highlights of his information-packed presentation in the following video.

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Budding Ideas and Paw Prints.

And be sure to watch the following video, too!

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Daysland and Forestburg Dental Clinics.

And be sure to watch the following video, too!

As part of the application process for the 2018 Flagstaff County Educational Scholarship Program, student applicants had the option of either submitting a video promoting the Flagstaff Region or providing a written response to an essay question and completing a S.W.O.T. analysis of the region.

In 2017 and 2018, infrastructure upgrades totaling approximately $2.4 million were completed in both hamlets. These upgrades were in response to the infrastructure assessment reports completed during the viability review prior to the dissolution of the two villages.

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Dallas Oberg Auto.

And be sure to watch the following video, too!

In response to the changes in the region’s economic makeup, local governments have created the Battle River Economic Opportunities Committee (BREOC).

BREOC is a collaborative partnership representing the County of Paintearth No. 18 as the managing partner, Flagstaff County, the Towns of Castor and Coronation, the Villages of Forestburg, Halkirk, and Heisler, and the greater region.

Flagstaff County’s Economic Development department has won four national marketing awards from the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC), including the coveted EDAC Cup, the national organization’s top honour.

The awards were announced Sept. 11, 2018 at EDAC’s 50th annual conference in Fredericton, N.B.

The Alberta RCMP supports community engagement by providing the public with the tools, resources and information they need to uphold public safety – for themselves and for their communities.

This summer Flagstaff County sponsored 12 students to attend a seven-day ACCA youth camp at Goldeye Centre as part of the 2018 ACCA Co-operative Youth Program. During a recent Council meeting, five of those students presented to councillors their camp experiences, relating how much they learned and how much fun they had, and expressing thanks for the County sponsorship.

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: BeDevil.

And be sure to watch the following video, too!

Watch video highlights from our 2018 Country Roots Tour!

The fourth annual event featured tours of the Jackson barn, Ray Jackson’s farm and the Diplomat Mine, as well as a locally sourced long-table supper and a presentation on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur by Graham Sherman, co-owner of Calgary-based Tool Shed Brewing Company.

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Main Street Medley.

And be sure to watch the following video, too!

With harvest just around the corner, Flagstaff County Regional Fire Chief Kim Cannady has a fire safety reminder for farmers.

Congratulations to the following Flagstaff farm families recently honoured in Camrose with Century Farm and Ranch awards!

Local businesses are the lifeblood of any community and the Flagstaff Region is no exception. Residents here are fortunate to have a number of personal and professional services provided by a variety of locally owned gems.

To help promote and celebrate these businesses, we have partnered with The Community Press to present a monthly business profile in print and online called "Flagstaff Region Featured Business."

In case you missed it, read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Williams Custom Bikes.

And be sure to watch the following video, too!

Take notice that, the Council of Flagstaff County, under the authority of Section 22 of the Municipal Government Act, Chapter M-26, Revised Statutes 2000 (MGA), and amendments thereto, intends to consider Bylaw 06/18 to close a road in accordance with Section 24 of the MGA, and intends to consider Bylaw 07/18 to remove the Municipal Reserve (MR) Dedication in accordance with Section 674 and 675 of the MGA, as indicated on the sketch below.

Happy Day of the Honey Bee!

As the world's most important plant pollinator, the bee plays a critical role in our food system.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gerald Kuefler, former Reeve of Flagstaff County.

Gerald served on Flagstaff County Council for 13 years, from 2004 until 2017.

Under the Water Act, landowners are NOT permitted to drain any wetland without first obtaining provincial authorization.

This spring, we have received several complaints about landowners draining water from fields to adjacent land. This practice is becoming all too common.

Move over, Connor! The Edmonton Oilers' No. 97 isn’t the only star attraction gracing billboards in the Alberta capital.

Take a moment for yourself and read about this month's Flagstaff Region Featured Business: Tamina Miller Meditation. And be sure to watch the accompanying video, too!

Tamina is hosting an amazing lineup of presenters as part of A Weekend with Sarah McLean and Friends on June 8 to 10 at the Battle River Crossing Resort near Alliance.

Just three days after their new wildland fire gear arrived, Galahad firefighters had the opportunity to put it into action.

The new gear was made possible through a $7,200 grant from Enbridge to Flagstaff County Regional Emergency Services.

Reeve Don Kroetch joined more than 50 medical, nursing, physiotherapy, respiratory, and paramedic students from the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, and SAIT for a Medical Skills Weekend sponsored by Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP), Covenant Health and Flagstaff County.

Did you miss our Build-a-bee-box Workshop? We can only imagine how much that must've stung! That's why we've put together the following video demonstrating how to build your own bumble bee house at home.

Since 2015, Flagstaff County has been providing $750,000 annually in recreation grant funding to the Agricultural Societies throughout our municipality. We are appreciative of the Ag Societies for their efforts in distributing this funding within our region.

Connie Prendergast, Flagstaff County's Records Management Clerk, has been recognized with an AIIM 2018 Leadership Award in the Social Buzz category!

Connie received her award last week (Friday, April 13, 2018) at an awards banquet in San Antonio.

Routine maintenance on the bridge on Twp Rd 440, between Rge Rd 105 and 110 (east of Lougheed), has recently been completed.

The completion date for this project was delayed from mid-December due to issues with the girder manufacturing process.

Agriculture Canada has released the Cereal Aphid Manager, an easy-to-use mobile app that helps farmers and crop advisors control aphid populations in wheat, barley, oat or rye. The app predicts what the aphid population will be in seven days and the best time to apply insecticide.

Thank you to the Etty, Leslie-VanDewark, Marcinkoski, Martin, Pfeffer, Prichard, Roth, Ruzicka and Zimmer families for attending Flagstaff County's Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Awards last night in Killam! The awards dinner was an opportunity for Flagstaff County to honour these local families – each of whom has been recognized by the province for continuously owning and actively operating the same land for a minimum of 100 years.

We have partnered with The Community Press to present a monthly business profile in print and online called "Flagstaff Region Featured Business."

The feature continues this month with a Flagstaff County-produced video and story on the Wooden Spoon in Sedgewick.

Daysland-area resident Brian Spiller is the winner of our 2018 Public Input Session draw. Reeve Don Kroetch presented him with a Flagstaff County swag bag at our Administration Building in Sedgewick.

Congratulations, Brian!

Effective April 1, 2018, producers will need to have an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) completion letter dated within the last 10 years to be considered current and eligible for cost-share funding with the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change programs of the Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP).

The Battle River Economic Opportunities Committee (a unique collaborative partnership consisting of Flagstaff County, the County of Paintearth, the Towns of Castor and Coronation, and the Villages of Forestburg, Halkirk and Heisler) will receive $1.75 million from the the Coal Community Transition Fund (CCTF) stream of the Alberta Government's Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) Program.

Kim Cannady, Flagstaff County Regional Emergency Services Coordinator, hosted the 2018 East Central Chief Officer Meeting on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

We have partnered with The Community Press to present a monthly business profile in print and online called "Flagstaff Region Featured Business."

At the root of the Flagstaff Region's rich farming heritage lies one million acres of fertile farmland. This arable land forms the bedrock of our very existence. Our purpose-driven forefathers toiled this same soil for decades, plowing a path to prosperity through sheer resilience and resourcefulness for generations of farming families.

There are literally hordes of unpaid workers in your field. They are the quiet, unheralded beneficial insects that work tirelessly to control crop insect pests for you. If it wasn’t for them, we would have poorer crops to harvest in the fall. There are legions of them out there and they are the unsung heroes that keep insects and other pests under control.

Flagstaff County landowners should be aware of several important factors when it comes to drainage and brush removal.

Did you know that provincial legislation is in place to deal with unauthorized drainage on private property? Did you also know that municipal bylaws and policies exist to address brush removal on right-of-ways?

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our promotional booth during the Edmonton RV Show!

The four-day expo presented an amazing opportunity to meet countless camping enthusiasts from throughout the Edmonton area and extol the virtues of venturing off the beaten path and visiting the Flagstaff Region!

Flagstaff County has partnered with The Community Press to present a monthly business profile in print and online called "Flagstaff Region Featured Business."

Flagstaff County is confident Phoenix Gas will meet the needs for natural gas services to Galahad residents. 

Small business is the economic lifeblood of virtually every community in Canada – and the Flagstaff Region is no exception.

Flagstaff County has partnered with The Community Press to present a monthly business profile in print and online called "Flagstaff Region Featured Business."

With the new year upon us, construction of the new Flagstaff County Maintenance Shop is progressing towards a projected completion date of mid-June. 

Christmas has come early for pilots at Flagstaff Regional Airport.

A new energy-efficient runway lighting system is now in place and fully operational at the Flagstaff County-owned airport.

If you’ve driven on Twp Rd 442 just west of 50th Street in Sedgewick lately, chances are you’ve noticed that the new Flagstaff County Maintenance Shop is starting to take shape!

Just in time for Christmas, the Battle River Watershed Alliance is launching a new hardcover coffee table book in which the Flagstaff Region is featured prominently.

Titled the Traversing Terrain & Experience Atlas, this publication is composed of a compilation of stories, art, photography, geography, and interesting facts.

The former Flagstaff County Council was recently recognized for their years of service to county ratepayers.

Flagstaff County has partnered with The Community Press to present a monthly business profile in print and online called "Flagstaff Region Featured Business."

Darrell Szott, Flagstaff County Public Works Superintendent, won the 2017 Peer Recognition Award at the recent Alberta Municipal Supervisors Association's fall convention in Edmonton.

The Alberta Municipal Supervisors Association recognizes one member for their long-standing commitment not only to AMSA, but to the enhancement of the field of municipal public works.

Don’t let the disarming charm of its pink, funnel-shaped flower fool you.

Himalayan Balsam is an aggressive invader of wetlands, streams and moist woodlands, where it chokes out native vegetation, damaging riparian biodiversity.

It was an especially productive season for Flagstaff County’s favourite bearded weedeaters.

Between May 20 and the end of July, as many as 180 goats grazed a quarter-section of Flagstaff County-owned land near the Town of Hardisty in a cost-effective bid to purge the area of an infestation of leafy spurge.

Flagstaff County has contracted Accurate Assessment Group Ltd. to carry out all property inspections for assessment purposes in 2017. Accurate Assessment Group Ltd. will be visiting residential and commercial properties in Ranges 15, 16, and 17 of the County this week (Wednesday, November 29 and Thursday, November 30). If the property owner is not home and the Assessor requires further information, a call-back card will be left on the door of the residence or business.

Flagstaff County uses two logos: the Flagstaff County Corporate logo and the Flagstaff Region Brand logo.

Every time STARS air ambulance lands in our region, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to have this vital service.

The Strome and Galahad Fire Departments will be receiving some new equipment thanks to Enbridge.

Peter Hansen, Community Engagement Strategist with Enbridge, stopped by our Administration Building on Thursday, November 16 and presented Flagstaff County Emergency Services Coordinator and Regional Fire Chief Kim Cannady with a $7,200 donation to go towards firefighting equipment for our hamlet departments.

Connie Prendergast, Records Management Clerk for Flagstaff County, took part in AIIM International's free Virtual Event on World Paper Free Day (Thursday, November 9, 2017).

She was one of 12 presenters who talked about “Developing the Digital Office.”

Attention all residential and commercial fire alarm system users: Strathcona County Emergency Communications Centre is transitioning to a new phone number that alarm monitoring companies must use when reporting fire alarm notifications.

Flagstaff County has partnered with The Community Press to present a monthly business profile in print and online called "Flagstaff Region Featured Business."

Here are the Official Election Results for Flagstaff County.

Fifty-five seniors from the Flagstaff Region enjoyed a day of learning and laughing at the 2017 Flagstaff Active Living Conference For Seniors.

The annual conference is designed to encourage seniors to be actively engaged in the community and to recognize the importance of active living to the well-being, independence and quality of life.

Flagstaff County has partnered with The Community Press to present a monthly business profile in print and online called "Flagstaff Region Featured Business."

Here's the official list of Flagstaff County candidates who have filed their nomination papers to run in the October 16 election.

Flagstaff County has developed a 2017 Municipal Election Candidate Information Package to assist those who are considering running for County Council this fall.

Congratulations to the Wolbecks!

The Heisler-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

Congratulations to the Leslie-VanDewarks!

The Hardisty-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

Congratulations to the Zimmers!

The Heisler-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

Congratulations to the Zimmers!

The Daysland-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

Congratulations to the Stenson family!

The Forestburg-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

Congratulations to the Simpson family!

The Sedgewick-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

Congratulations to the Marcinkoski family!

The Strome-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

Congratulations to the Hastings family!

The Heisler-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

Congratulations to the Hampshires!

The Sedgewick-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

Congratulations to the Pfeffers!

The Strome-area family was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event July 27, 2017 in Camrose.

The “TEXT with 9-1-1” service is now available to Flagstaff County residents.

This service allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired to communicate with 911 operators by text.

It's no secret that Flagstaff County – with one million acres of fertile farmland – is steeped in a rich farming tradition. But did you know that Flagstaff County is home to the second-most Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award recipients?

The Zimmer family of Flagstaff County was honoured at a Century Farm and Ranch Award summer recognition event in Camrose.

There’s a beetle invasion taking place on two Hardisty-area farms.

But not to worry. It’s all part of an innovative weed control program that Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Services department is spearheading in partnership with the Alberta Invasive Species Council.

It’s been a bane to producers in the eastern Prairies for many years.

But now Fusarium head blight (FHB), a serious fungal disease that affects kernel development in cereal crops, is increasingly posing a threat to producers throughout Alberta, including Flagstaff County.

Notice to motorists in the Hardisty area: Alberta Transportation has permanently closed Rge Rd 100A immediately north of Highway 13.

Flagstaff Regional Airport will soon be getting a new energy-efficient runway lighting system to replace the current runway lights that were installed in 1982.

Construction of the new Flagstaff County Maintenance Shop is expected to begin by mid-August.

Attention all rural Flagstaff County landowners: Got a service request for Public Works, such as a sewer or road issue?

The Hamlet of Strome has been awarded a $2,500 community grant through FortisAlberta’s annual Tree Planting Project.

The grant is earmarked for the Trees for Strome project, an initiative that aims to replace up to 47 "decaying or defective" trees in Strome as identified in a tree risk assessment conducted last fall.

Alberta's new helmet law is now in effect.

As of today, helmets are mandatory for those riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on public land. OHVs include any motorized vehicle built for cross-country travel on land, ice, and snow.

Even before the most recent spate of late-April flurries and noticeable lack of sunshine, this spring was already poised to be one of the wettest in recent memory. Buoyed by persistent snowfall on the heels of a rapid spring thaw — in addition to heavy precipitation last fall — the excessive moisture has admittedly wreaked havoc on County roads.

If you are hauling more than 10 loads in a 24-hour period to the same location within Flagstaff County, then you are required to enter into a Multiple Load Road Use Agreement (MLRUA) with Flagstaff County.

A brief overview of the New Maintenance Shop Project:

Absinthe wormwood, a weed known for its strong unpleasant odor and silvery-grey foliage, has been designated a “noxious weed” in Flagstaff County.

Q: Will my taxes be raised to build the new Maintenance Shop?

A: No. Provincial MSI Grant funding is earmarked for the bulk of the project. Remaining costs will be covered by Building Reserves. Flagstaff County is debt-free and we intend to remain debt-free. No debenture borrowing will be required.

This year, the populations of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (RGS) could be high in many areas of the province. They had a good season last year, and the numbers are increasing.

Since being built in 1975, the current Maintenance Shop has served as the Sedgewick-based hub of a distributed network of County facilities used to store equipment and materials to support a wide variety of County operations.

The Hamlet of Strome cracked the Top 5 in Fortis Alberta’s 2017 Earth Hour Challenge, finishing fourth with a 9% reduction in power consumption.

It’s a strong showing for the community of just over 200 residents. Unfortunately, only the Top 3 receive grants.

As promised last fall when we announced we were proceeding with the Maintenance Shop Project, we will be striving to use local contractors whenever possible in the upcoming construction process.

The project is now out for Proposal Call and the RFP documents can be downloaded online from Alberta Purchasing Connection and COOLNet Alberta.

The Hamlet of Strome is registered in Fortis Alberta’s EARTH HOUR CHALLENGE this year.

As part of this energy-saving initiative, residents are being asked to unplug and power down on Saturday, March 25 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Earlier this month, Peter Hansen, Community Engagement Strategist with Enbridge, stopped by our Administration Building and presented Flagstaff County Emergency Services Coordinator and Regional Fire Chief Kim Cannady with a $3,000 donation to go towards our Community Resource Officer program. Enbridge is a huge supporter of all emergency services, with many of our local departments benefiting over the years. Thank you, Enbridge!

Fire Prevention Tips

Brush piles burned in the winter months appear to be out, but it is very common to have smoldering embers left in the bottom of these piles. Dry spring winds cause these embers in the pile to blow around causing stubble or grass fires.  

Ag Plastic Facts

There are two main types of agricultural plastics commonly used in agriculture, not including pesticide and other rigid plastic containers. First is Polyethylene (PE) resins which are found in greenhouse film, silage covers, mulch film, bale bags, bale wrap, grain bags and silage bags.

We've Unleashed a new Bylaw 

Flagstaff County has developed its first-ever Dog Control Bylaw for the regulation of dogs within the Hamlets of Strome and Galahad, and throughout rural Flagstaff. County Council approved Bylaw 01/17 during a regular Council meeting Feb. 8. This bylaw takes effect immediately. Here are the highlights: 

We're growing! Flagstaff County's rural population has risen to 3,738, according to the 2016 census data released February 8 by Statistics Canada.

That's an increase of 494 residents since 2011.

Congratulations to the Martin family on their Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award! Ken Martin stopped by the County office this week to accept a commemorative plaque on behalf of his family.

Alberta families who have farmed or ranched the same land for 100 years or more are recognized through the Government of Alberta’s Century Farm and Ranch Awards.

Cotton swabs. Facial tissue. Paper towel. Kitty litter. Diapers. Wet wipes — even the ones labelled “flushable.” Personal hygiene products. Dental floss.

These are just some of the culprits that can clog the system of underground sewer lines that transports sewage from household and business plumbing to municipal lift stations.

November 24, 2016 — In our continued efforts to provide a high standard of service, Flagstaff County is pleased to announce that we are moving forward with our planned Maintenance Shop Project.

Since being built in 1975, the current Maintenance Shop has served as the Sedgewick-based hub of a distributed network of County facilities used to store equipment and materials to support a wide variety of County operations.

A steady stream of rural landowners from throughout Flagstaff County dropped off water samples at the administration office first thing this morning (Tuesday, October 25).

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to eight-year-old artist Alex and the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation for the cool artwork!

In recognition of Flagstaff County's recent $100,000 donation to the Stollery Children's Hospital, we have been gifted with this framed masterpiece.

Flagstaff County and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) are proud to announce a partnership dedicated towards conserving the Meyers property, an ecologically significant piece of land along the Battle River.

This project is of particular importance as it represents the first time NCC and Flagstaff County have partnered to conserve a property owned by the municipality.

In response to queries regarding the historic Simpson Barn, Flagstaff County would like to point out that while Council recently approved a list of repairs to be conducted on the barn, the County is not funding those repairs.

Archaeologists have unearthed what is believed to be an ancient bison bone from a historically significant area of Flagstaff County.

The discovery was made in a three-metre-deep trench dug up with an excavator Aug. 27 during excavation efforts near one of the County’s gravel pits.

If you’re a landowner and you’re interested in reaping the countless benefits of a stewardship project on your property, there’s plenty of funding and experts available to help you.

Leafy spurge has been “bugging” Wyatt and Theresa Bitzer for years.

This summer, the Hardisty-area farmers are finally turning the proverbial tables on the persistent perennial weed – by unleashing 4,000 flea beetles on a patch of their infested land.

The tiny black beetles, referred to scientifically as aphthona lacertosa, are known to have a voracious appetite for leafy spurge.

Flagstaff County is donating $100,000 to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Unanimously approved at last week’s regularly scheduled Council meeting, the donation is earmarked for the Foundation’s Battle River Community Initiative to help fund a new pediatric operating room at the hospital.

Flagstaff County has taken inventory of a valuable part of the region’s rich heritage: its barns.

Over the summers of 2016, 2017 and 2018, university student Sydney Hampshire spearheaded this important project to help bolster the understanding and appreciation of rural agricultural history right here in Flagstaff County.

A herd of hungry goats – 150 in all – is working to purge an infestation of leafy spurge from a quarter-section of Flagstaff County-owned land.

The four-legged, bearded weedeaters have been grazing through the noxious weed in a fenced area just southeast of Hardisty from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day since May 22.