Community dinner shows true Christmas spirit (Jan. 2)
The community Christmas dinner was held at the Rimbey Legion with about 50 people in attendance.
Daddy intuition right about New Year’s Baby (Jan. 8)
Zachary Zane Kroetch was born at 9:34 a.m. Jan. 1 at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre and weighed seven pounds, 15 ounces. The baby was born to Jen and Dillon Kroetch.
Use of poison to eliminate predators concerns biologist (Jan. 15)
Myrna Pearman, site service manager of Ellis Bird Farm, was surprised to discover signs posted at the entrance of Town Creek Natural Area (south of Winfield) stating deadly poison baits had been set out to control coyotes and wolves in the area.
Town Hall sold to library for $1 (Jan. 22)
Council at its Jan. 14 meeting unanimously agreed to accept an offer from the Rimbey Library Board to purchase the town hall.
Women’s conference coming (Jan. 29)
Diversity is to be the theme of the women’s conference coming in February
Historical Society asks for funding Feb. 5
The society asks council for an additional $10,000. The decision to grant the request was deferred to budget time.
Cutter parade held (Feb. 12)
The Rimbey Sleigh, Wagon and Saddle Club held its annual cutter parade Feb. 2 at the Rimbey Rodeo Grounds with perfect weather and snow conditions. About 30 sleighs took part in the show.
Library expansion met with negative review (Feb. 19)
Reuben Giebelhaus approaches council with his concerns about the expansion of the library.
Ag industry leader chosen for farm board (Feb. 26)
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has appointed Brenda Schoepp to a three-year term to Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) board of directors
Lease offer on hold (March 5)
Council has agreed to take no action regarding a letter from the library board suggesting the board withdraw their offer to purchase and instead lease the town office building for expansion purposes.
Renal dialysis group waits for response from inquiry (March 12)
A Rimbey group has taken their concerns about rural patients who travel for dialysis in front of a formal inquiry, but so far no word has been received regarding their case.
Young service dog finds new home in Bentley (March 19)
Carla Schneider’s beloved service dog, Gus died suddenly and her new service dog, Nikolas has now come to live with Carla in Bentley.
Petition not legal (March 26)
The ink had barely dried on a petition urging Rimbey residents to speak out against the town selling its office for $1 to the library when the town’s lawyer found the document did not meet legal requirements.
Budget ready (April 2)
Residential taxes went up by 1.5 per cent and the average tax bill show only about a $31 increase. Commercial taxes in Rimbey this year have increased by 2.55 per cent and an average commercial tax bill will show an increase of about $258.34.
Budget meeting results in accusations (April 9)
A public budget meeting held April 3 brought up grievances, insinuations and accusations from the past.
Bluffton students participate in session from space (April 16)
Forty-one students from Bluffton School traveled to the Telus World of Science April 9 to participate in a live question and answer session from space with Chris Hadfield.
Resident concerned about sodium level in water (April 23)
Mary Leighton wants the public to be aware of the high level of sodium in the town’s water.
Plebiscite called for library expansion and relocation of town offices (May 7)
After an onslaught of opposition to its plan to accommodate the library’s need for expansion by relocating the town’s offices to the Provincial Building, council has decided to let the voters make the final decision.
Second annual hot air affair held (May 14)
Rimbey’s second annual Hot Air Affair experienced many cancelled flights due to high winds. The event was well attended, however, and some people enjoyed the experienced of a hot air balloon ride.
Highway re-alignment cut from provincial budget (May 21)
Paving of the Highway 12-re-alignment around Gull Lake and Bentley won’t be happening anytime soon and is not on the province’s three-year plan.
Man rescued from Gull Lake (May 27)
Rescuers saved a Sylvan Lake man after his sailboat capsized and he spent 90 minutes in the chilly waters of Gull Lake May 21.
Rezoning application denied (June 4)
A second rezoning application by Keith and Glenna Spelrem has been denied, even though the couple promised to fork over a healthy chunk of change collected from the now defunct tax incentive rebate program.
Public votes against library expansion into town office (June 11)
A non-binding plebiscite held June 3 saw 361 people vote against the library expansion into the existing municipal building resulting in the town office relocating to the provincial building. A total of 264 people said yes.
Council rescinds motion (June 18)
At its regular meeting June 10, council unanimously agreed to rescind a motion made by Coun. Paul Payson earlier this year to sell the town administration building to the Rimbey Municipal Library Board for $1.
Draft rec pan looks good (June 25)
The findings of a company hired to look at the overall recreation picture in Rimbey to create a future master plan are good news for the town.
Bus driver competes internationally (July 2)
Rimbey School bus driver Tammy Freerksen is one of two conventional school bus drivers from Canada who will attend the International Safety Competition in Tulsa, Oklahoma July 20 and 21.
Sod turning held (July 9)
Lacombe County and the Town of Bentley hold a sod turning ceremony for a new fire hall scheduled to be completed in the winter.
Royals entertain (July 16)
Red Deer Royals were part of the Town of Rimbey’s parade July 13. A good crowd showed up for the colorful and exciting event.
CARA Rodeo held (July 23)
Rimbey’s CARA Rodeo held on the weekend was a huge success and local businesses participated in sidewalk sales and decorated their premises.
Medical museum opens (July 30)
The medical museum, which took three years to raise funds for, is now open and features a complete set of dental equipment and an operating table from the Rimbey hospital.
Sailboaters rescued (Aug. 6)
Sailboaters had to be rescued from their foundering craft July 28 when a storm whipped up waves of more than a metre high on Gull Lake.
Steel for ag centre to arrive next month (Aug. 13)
Cement pilings for a new ag centre are to go in and steel for building is to arrive Sept. 16.
Search ongoing for wartime bomber (Aug. 20)
Two gentlemen from Michigan, U.S.A. plan to come to Rimbey to check out a rumour that a B-25 Mitchell aircraft may still be in the area.
Toxic water advisory (Aug. 27)
Alberta Health has issued an advisory for Gull Lake to not drink the water, swim in the lake and avoid contact with algae on the shoreline.
Big Foot strikes (Sept.3)
The Big Foot Car Crusher was a crowd favorite on Aug. 25 at the racing oval. The truck was driven by Rick Long from St. Louis and sponsored by Parkland Automotive Repair from Rimbey.
Rimbey prepares for fall election (Sept. 10)
Donna Tona, senior corporate consultant and vice-president operations of Transitional Solutions Inc., held an information session at the Rimbey Community Centre to provide information about running for municipal politics.
Gaming café gets green light from council (Sept. 17)
A proposed Internet gaming cafe has received a green light from town council. Mark Steeves spoke to council about his business plan at the Sept. 9 meeting.
County wants Rimoka’s Bethany Group removed (Sept. 24)
The majority of Ponoka County council was hunting for the termination of the Bethany Group’s contract to severe ties between the group and the Rimoka housing Foundation.
Mayoral race as candidates come forward (Oct. 1)
Rick Pankiw announced he will run against Mayor Sheldon Ibbotson and six candidates will vie to fill four councillor positions. Matt Jaycox, Einar Olsen, Dave Karroll, are running against incumbents Paul Payson, Jack Webb and Gayle Rondeel.
Political forum held (Oct. 8)
A political forum is to be held at the community centre allowing mayoral candidates and council candidates to express their opinions and answer questions.
Negotiations continue between Rimoka and Alberta Municipal Affairs (Oct. 15)
Communication between municipal affairs and Rimoka Housing about a multimillion-dollar aging in place facility for Rimbey is continuing and a revised proposal is soon to be reviewed.
Negotiations continue between Rimoka and Alberta Municipal Affairs (Oct. 15)
Communication between municipal affairs and Rimoka Housing about a multimillion-dollar aging in place facility for Rimbey is continuing and a revised proposal is soon to be reviewed.
Community building project (Oct. 22)
The chamber of commerce is throwing its support behind a community building project geared towards helping individuals create a positive foundation for the town in which they live.
Newly elected council begins duties (Oct. 31)
Rick Pankiw is elected mayor with 528 votes. Jack Webb is back in council with 725 votes followed by newcomer Einar Olsen with 665 votes and Mathew Jaycox with 648 votes. Incumbent Paul Payson, who captured 625 votes, will serve another term.
Walking trails competed (Nov. 5)
Walking trails are completed and well used and CAO Tony Goode said they will be maintained in the winter, weather permitting.
Rimoka holds organizational meeting (Nov. 12)
The organizational meeting of the Rimoka Housing Authority saw Paul McLauchlin reinstated as chairman and mayor Rick Pankiw and town councillor Mathew Jaycox as town of Rimbey representatives on the board.
Chamber looking for interest in incubator program (Nov. 19)
The Rimbey Chamber of Commerce is putting feelers out to gauge interest in a project designed to put life into the downtown core. The incubator project is running successfully in Rocky Mountain House.
Gibson Energy continues to deal with old oil spill (Nov. 26)
Gibson Energy has an oil spill occurring from a pipeline in the Rimbey area 90 per cent completely cleaned up and officials said the cleanup should be completed next spring.
Encana begins using town’s wastewater (Dec. 3)
A one-year pilot project in which Encana purchases wastewater from the Town of Rimbey is due to expire at the end of the month, however, chances are it will be extended.
Slomp named as top man for Canada’s National Farmers Union (Dec. 10)
A Rimbey area dairy farmer has been named to the Canada’s National Farmers Union’s top post during the NFU’s four-day annual convention ending Nov. 20 in Ottawa.
Food bank volunteers ready to help out (Dec. 10)
Due to generous and caring volunteers, the Rimbey Food Bank will make up Christmas hampers for those in need and given out a few days before Christmas.
Rimbey Ag Society receives gift from Province (Dec. 24)
The Rimbey Ag Society received $125,000 grant to go towards the new Agrim Centre.
Rimbey high school scuba divers train for Costa Rica trip (Dec. 31)
Rimbey high school students are training for a scuba diving trip to Costa Rica in March.