Undercover Operation Smashes ‘Dial-a-Dope’ Ring
. . . Leads to 23 Charges
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Drugs wrapped in plastic: cocaine powder (left), crack cocaine and green marijuana. About $560 would purchase these items. ©Provost News Photo.
RCMP in Provost have conducted an undercover drug operation that led to the break-up of a cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana distribution ring in town.
The operation came to a head Saturday morning with five males and one female facing a variety of charges.
There were a total of 23 charges.
Full story in April 14 edition of The Provost News.Want to Subscribe to The Provost News? Click here.
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Hillcrest Lodge ‘Bursting at the Seams’
• Expanded Seniors Development Proposed
Hillcrest Lodge is “bursting at the seams” with residents says chief administrative officer Bonnie Aker—and Tom Schneider, chairman of the Provost Senior Citizens Foundation, says that the foundation has been looking at plans to expand Hillcrest Lodge.
Meanwhile members of the local Economic Development Committee (EDC) have also been making plans for expanded living accommodations for senior citizens.
The EDC is comprised of representatives of the Town of Provost and MD 52.
A major development could get underway this summer if Mayor Knox gets his way.
He told The News just outside the Hillcrest Lodge building on April 8 that he would like to see construction begin for more senior living spaces this summer. He sees no reason to delay such a project.
Later that day the town council passed two motions dealing with the senior citizens housing in town. At its regular meeting councillors unanimously passed a motion that “fully” supported a Hillcrest Lodge expansion and the construction of condo units for senior citizens. It was also decided by the six councillors and mayor to strike a committee to hire a project manager to begin planning the project. Mayor Knox said at the Thursday night meeting that “There is always a need for an increased area for rooms” and noted that architects (John Murray Architects) have been to Provost recently to look over the lodge.
The mayor said that a legal survey has been taken of the grounds and added “We should be ground breaking here in early summer.”
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Reeve of the M.D. 52, Fritz Crone told The News on Monday, April 12 that the issue was discussed briefly at a regular council meeting on April 8 (before the town’s meeting). He said that they are considering options but don’t know yet what direction they are going yet. Crone says that a project “will have to be a joint venture with the town . . . if anything gets done. It all gets down to how it will be financed.” He acknowledged that there is a waiting list at Hillcrest Lodge and said they are looking at something for an expansion. “The big question right now is money.”
Schneider said on Monday morning that it appears the M.D. is on side “for some sort of addition.”
Knox said during discussions with other councillors that Provost is losing residents to Camrose and other areas because of a lack of accommodation. “I think that it’s imperative that we start.”
It was decided to try to have a committee made up of representatives from the lodge board, town, M.D. 52, and Economic Development Committee.
MLA Doug Griffiths applauded plans that he heard in Provost the day before (April 7) at a meeting called by Economic Development Committee member Don Twa. Knox said that he was unable to attend that meeting because of a prior commitment.
The MLA had been invited to Provost to discuss several issues including the Bodo Archeological Society, health care and the lack of living accommodations that many seniors face in the community.
The seniors living spaces and health care dominated the meeting following some discussion on the Bodo dig.
On Thursday, April 8 Aker said there was a waiting list of 26 people at Hillcrest Lodge and there are 56 rooms available with 60 people living there “so we are really bulging” she pointed out.
Spaces available in the nursing home area of the Health Centre are also usually full in Provost.
Some hospital beds meanwhile remain closed down.
Griffiths said that he was impressed with a proposal that included adding 30 new lodge units to the west side of Hillcrest Lodge. Those units, if approved would be larger than current ones, so that couples would have more room in them.
In addition to the new Hillcrest Lodge units on the far west side of the property, could be 20 new senior condo units running north and south that would be sold to private individuals.
Allan Murray, who is a Provost Health Services Foundation member and also an MD 52 councillor said that the new condo units could be more than one story tall with elevators installed so stairs would be avoided by the elderly.
The condominiums would be individually purchased by seniors over 55 years old. If 20 condos were constructed they could accommodate up to 40 seniors (with space large enough for couples). An association could be formed to operate the building.
Rest of story and photo in April 14 edition of The Provost News.
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