2020: A year unlike any other

JANUARY

It took all of four minutes for Red Deer’s first baby of the decade to arrive, but she doesn’t have a name just yet.

The mother of a young man from Ponoka who was murdered in Lacombe in December remembered him as someone who was loving and courageous.

When someone hits 50,000 followers across their various social media accounts it tends to be a pretty big deal. But when a dog does it, that’s pawsitively ast-hounding.

Red Deer city council passed a 2020 budget that included a municipal property tax increase of 1.26 per cent, down from 2.48 per cent at the start of debate.

Red Deer reached a record low temperature on Jan. 14 as a wicked cold snap took hold of the region.

Red Deer city council voted 6-3 against exploring a municipal police force for Red Deer.

Alberta Health Services opened a $9.1-million safe house in Red Deer for children and youth struggling with drug and alcohol use. The new eight-bed site is capable of treating about 170 people annually.

The City of Red Deer assumed temporary financial oversight over Westerner Park, a move both sides said was prompted by financial challenges being faced by the organization. The move was being made in an effort to ensure the short, medium and long-term success of Westerner Park.

 

FEBRUARY

Brodie, a one-year-old German Shepherd/Border Collie cross from Red Deer, gained international attention for his unique features and lively spirit.

The City of Red Deer trimmed another $400,000 from its 2020 Operating Budget.

After previously announcing that they were seeking a new name for their sports teams once they become Red Deer University, RDC said it will be keeping the names “Kings” and “Queens” moving forward.

The Red Deer community mourned the loss of businessman and philanthropist Gary W. Harris.

A paramedic from Calgary was lucky to walk away unscathed following a scary incident on the QEII Highway that was recorded on dash cam.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced $100 million for the first phase of expansion at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

An official groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Points West Living continuing care facility in north Red Deer. The expansion of the existing facility along Taylor Drive north of 67 Street will add 150 rooms for residents and create over 100 permanent jobs.

The latest provincial budget contained good news for Red Deer in the form of a $7 million commitment for a 160-bed, 24/7 shelter.

 

MARCH

A Red Deer energy services company said its management accepts full responsibility for a decal the business distributed bearing its logo beneath a sexually suggestive cartoon appearing to depict 17-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Red Deer College lost a big chunk of funding following the latest provincial budget.

Red Deer city council found itself divided over whether to formally condemn the controversial practice of conversion therapy.

A growing risk to safety and increased needle debris were front and centre in the newly-released report on the social impacts of supervised consumption sites in Alberta.

A second child died from injuries suffered in a devastating fire at a mobile home park in Red Deer County.

It was smiles all around in Blackfalds as dignitaries gathered to celebrate the provincial government’s formal announcement of full construction funding for a long sought after high school for the town.

As COVID-19 began spreading across the world, The City of Red Deer announced it was activating its Emergency Operations Centre to co-ordinate local response.

A musician from Innisfail encouraged organ donation after giving 80 per cent of his liver to help save his father from cancer.

On March 16, The City of Red Deer declared a state of local emergency to assist the province’s efforts to combat and respond to the spread of COVID-19.

A student from C.P. Blakely School in Sylvan Lake was named as a Stollery Children’s Hospital Champion.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw became a familiar face thanks to her daily updates on the number of COVID-19 cases in Alberta and the province’s ongoing work to ensure public safety.

A local brewery was quick to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and began crafting hand sanitizer.

 

APRIL

Red Deer Public Schools deferred educational assistant layoffs until June after the provincial government’s announcement that $128 million would be reallocated to pandemic response.

A central Alberta man began manufacturing face shields to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Kentwood was selected as the site of a new Catholic middle school – later named St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School.

RDC laid off 47 permanent employees.

Red Deer RCMP thanked a woman they know as just “Alice” for delivering coffee and treats to the detachment over many years.

A Red Deer woman mourned the loss of three family members killed during a shooting massacre in Nova Scotia.

The Blackfalds Bulldogs were unveiled as the newest team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

On April 25, The City of Red Deer laid off an additional 150 employees.

The former Northwest Motors building at Gaetz Avenue and 32 Street was torn down after 58 years.

Due to low enrolment, five programs at RDC were suspended, including the Engineering Technology diploma.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup, slated to be played in Red Deer and Edmonton, was cancelled.

AHS shut down Mirror drive-in movie nights due to COVID-19 before they were reinstated on May 1.

To end the month, Red Deer had six active cases of the novel coronavirus.

 

MAY

Fire destroyed two homes in Red Deer’s Lancaster neighbourhood.

Wind caused quite a wild pileup of ice at the Sylvan Lake pier.

A shooting incident that began in Blackfalds ended in Leduc with the suspect dead.

The Market at Red Deer announced it would go ahead with its 50th season starting May 16.

Students expressed dismay over closure of St. Gabriel Online School.

On May 15, the Snowbirds announced their Operation Inspiration cross-country tour would fly over Red Deer. A day after they flew through the area, Cpt. Jennifer Casey died tragically in a crash in Kamloops.

Support poured in for a Red Deer baby battling brain tumour.

Hunting Hills grads received their diplomas at home thanks to visits from school staff.

 

JUNE

Trial was ordered for Quentin Strawberry, charged in a 2019 homicide in Red Deer’s Grandview neighbourhood.

Upwards of 150 people took to Red Deer’s City Hall block to show solidarity with others around the world calling for an end to racism. Two further rallies with even larger crowds took place later in the month.

As of June 1 there were no active COVID-19 cases in Red Deer.

A worker at a central Alberta store spoke out after being spat on by a customer, saying the incident was just the latest in a string of unruly behaviour by customers.

Lacombe reeled in the record for World’s Largest Fishing Lure.

Red Deer College celebrated its 56th Convocation online through its social media channels.

Canyon Ski Resort offered an uplifting experience for local grads.

An anti-racism event in Innisfail postponed after a wave of bigotry on social media, was back on thanks to an outpouring of support from across Canada. The event ended up being mostly peaceful.

The provincial government announced that Red Deer will be home to one of five drug treatment courts outside of Edmonton and Calgary as part of a four-year investment of up to $20 million.

The Red Deer & District Community Foundation announced the winners of the 13th annual Women of Excellence Awards.

Red Deer once again reclaimed the title of having the province’s highest rate of poisoning deaths related to fentanyl.

“Leprechaun Joe” was still going strong in support of Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Officials and community members in Blackfalds excitedly broke ground for the town’s multi-plex expansion.

Officials announced the ‘difficult decision’ to postpone the Canadian Finals Rodeo until 2021.

The retiring superintendent at Red Deer Public Schools was honoured with a special farewell parade.

A young Red Deer girl was recognized by a provincial program honouring Alberta’s everyday heroes.

A man was injured in targeted shooting near Parkland Mall. Suspects were arrested in July.

Red Deer city council instructed administration to find $20 million in operating savings over the next two years, including more than $13 million 2021 alone.

 

JULY

10 new frontline positions were announced for RCMP Central Alberta District.

The City of Red Deer tackled a backlog of urban encampments caused by COVID-19.

Reported cougar sightings in east Red Deer prompted safety warnings for residents. The reports were later found to be unfounded.

A group of about 40 people came together in Red Deer to show support for the Royal Canadian Mountain Police.

Council approved a $2 million operating grant to help keep the lights on at Westerner Park.

An ambitious $20 million project to make high-speed internet available to all communities in Red Deer County officially got underway.

Red Deer Emergency Services issued a stern warning about river safety after multiple distress calls from people floating down the Red Deer River.

Innisfail was pelted by a massive summer hailstorm.

Thousands of people crowded the beach in Sylvan Lake sparking concerns that such a scene could contribute to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

July 14th marked the 20th anniversary of the deadly Pine Lake tornado.

Westerner Days, central Alberta’s largest annual summer exhibition and fair, was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Premier Jason Kenney was in Sylvan Lake to announce a project to twin and divide 66 kilometres of Highway 11 from Sylvan Lake to Rocky Mountain House.

The provincial government announced it was providing up to $5 million to build a recovery community in Red Deer, a move they said will add 75 addiction treatment beds in central Alberta.

Red Deer’s downtown Pride crosswalk became a permanent fixture.

A Red Deer mother shared fear and frustration over her inability to find help for her eight-year-old daughter she said was being bullied by a 10-year-old boy.

The Town of Sylvan Lake began closing part of Lakeshore Drive on weekends to create more space for visitors to follow social distancing.

 

AUGUST

The mother of two adult handicapped sons in Red Deer expressed anger over the closure of the dental clinic at Michener Centre.

An Alberta man walked from Calgary to Edmonton in support of The Lung Association of Alberta.

Pride Week kicked off with the unveiling of a new Pride crosswalk at RDC.

Tragedy struck when Dr. Walter Reynolds, a husband and father of two, was attacked and killed while working at a north Red Deer medical clinic. His death shocked the entire city as well wishes poured in from across the country. Nearly 2,000 people gathered for a memorial at City Hall Park a few days later.

Sylvan Lake received a new digital x-ray unit thanks to a generous donation.

Alberta’s Education Minister said any concern over a business in her riding securing part of the government’s contract for back to school masks to help prevent COVID-19 spread was a “faux controversy.”

Red Deer Public Schools mourned the loss of trustee Bill Christie.

Habitat Red Deer broke ground on its first ever build in Blackfalds.

It was the end of an era as the Black Knight Inn, a long-time landmark in south Red Deer, went into receivership.

The story of a Red Deer boy’s leukemia battle was featured on Times Square billboard.

ASIRT announced that it would be investigating an officer-involved shooting blocks from Red Deer Regional Hospital.

An apartment building in downtown Red Deer was destroyed by fire.

Adjusting to the pandemic, United Way of Central Alberta launched its annual fundraising campaign with a drive-in event.

MEGlobal Athletic Park in Lacombe broke ground on an ambitious expansion of its field house.

 

SEPTEMBER

Kim Pasula was elected as the new board chair for Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

A jury trial was scheduled for a Sylvan Lake man accused of killing his father last year.

Another school year got underway at Red Deer College with the majority of its roughly 6,200 students enrolled for online learning.

RCMP in Red Deer said increased trail use during the COVID-19 pandemic was helping to curtail some of the criminal activity happening in the city.

Westerner Park discussed their work to learn from past failures and move forward as the organization held its Annual General Meeting.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Red Deer Justice Centre.

A grad at Notre Dame High School created a video to share his message of hope.

The City of Red Deer cut high-level staff in order to help reach $7 million in operating cost cuts.

Two families were displaced after a fire ripped through their Kentwood-area homes.

Tensions were high as groups clashed in Ponoka following an anti-racism event.

Rocky Mountain House mourned the loss of longtime airport manager Ken Fowler and his passenger Hannalei Eder in a plane crash near Drayton Valley.

COVID-19 infected a Red Deer school community member for the first time.

Red Deer found out it’ll have to wait until next year to host games for the World Junior Hockey Championship. Our city did host Hockey Canada’s team selection camp for this year’s tournament.

Maskwacis teen Kiya Bruno performs O’ Canada in Cree for the NHL’s Edmonton bubble.

Former Red Deer Rebel Matt Dumba was honoured by NHL for his efforts to end racism.

 

OCTOBER

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Hunting Hills High School.

Emergency crews rescued two deer stuck in ice at Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary.

The Hub on Ross closed permanently after losing its provincial funding, leaving users furious.

Dennis Moffatt, creator of The Market at Red Deer, called it a career after 50 years.

New snowfall records were recorded for Lacombe and Red Deer.

The family of a young girl who swallowed a battery paid it forward in honour of the youngster’s 2nd birthday.

A $45 million biorefinery was announced for Lacombe.

A music video highlighting the good things about living in Sylvan Lake went viral.

Following a public hearing that lasted several hours, city council voted to have the potential future extension of Molly Banister Drive remain in planning documents.

 

NOVEMBER

The City of Red Deer and provincial government announced they’re working on the long-term future of the Michener North lands.

Red Deer’s Festival of Trees closed to the public due to COVID-19.

The future of cash-strapped Westerner Park was examined in a sustainability report presented to city council.

Popular Lacombe restaurant Cilantro and Chive announced they would be opening a second location in Red Deer.

Emergency doctors called out a Red Deer city councillor for claiming they were being muzzled from making comments about COVID-19.

Red Deer city council passed a bylaw making face coverings mandatory in public spaces throughout the city.

A former NHLer from Red Deer shared details about his tough battle with COVID-19.

Hockey Canada suspended its World Juniors selection camp in Red Deer due to COVID-19 cases. The camp later resumed and was completed before Team Canada left for Edmonton.

 

DECEMBER

Several charges were issued following an anti-mask rally held in Red Deer.

On Dec. 19, Red Deer reached a record 434 active cases of COVID-19.

Red Deer’s Kaiden Ellertson became the first player to commit to the AJHL’s Blackfalds Bulldogs.

A Lacombe boy made an impressive donation to Red Deer’s Safe Harbour Society in support of local homeless persons.

A respiratory therapist was one of Red Deer’s first frontline health workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The man accused of killing a Red Deer family physician pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Renderings of the Red Deer Justice Centre are unveiled showing a building that towers over downtown.

A Red Deer nurse was named Hero of the Year by the Alberta Continuing Care Association.

In the latest development in a longstanding issue in Red Deer, city council approved the scope and design of a future aquatic centre.