Who opposes the province’s decision to allow open-pit coal mining in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains? Basically everyone. So suggests Edmonton-based writer and political watcher, Dave Cournoyer ( daveberta.ca ). Cournoyer lists ranchers, farmers, environmental organizations and recreational groups among t...

The Jasper Arena is ready for ice, as soon as … you know Wayne Hansen of Prologic Construction was the senior supervisor of the recent arena and curling rink (shown here) upgrades. // BC COVID has brought team sports to a halt, but over at the Jasper Activity Centre, the break in action has given co...

If she wanted to, Karen Jacobs could make a laundry list of ways her retail business has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. But Jacobs, who’s owned Jasper’s premiere clothing boutique, Mountain Air, for the last 10 years, isn’t that kind of gal. “It’s not all doom and gloom,” Jaco...

Dwaine Gilzene dreams big. Always has. And whether it has been moving to Canada, becoming a permanent Canadian resident, meeting and marrying his dream partner, or opening up his own restaurant, the 35-year-old has been able to achieve those dreams. You can see the culmination of those realized ambi...

Transportation company changing lanes SILVER LININGS // Paul Hardy, whose transportation business was built to serve a diverse international market, is grateful that Albertans are rediscovering their backyard. // BOB COVEY In any other winter, if the Icefields Parkway closes for Parks Canada avalanc...

In March, with less opportunities for visitors to dine-in, pizza joints, which specialize in delivery, leaned into the coronavirus-affected market. Things changed again in December when full lockdown measures came into effect (no dine-in at all) and more restaurants got into the curbside pickup game...

Most local retailers are going online. Cannabis can’t. While other industries have been put through the coronavirus grinder, the worldwide pandemic has been good for cannabis sales. In the context of a pandemic, SpiritLeaf Jasper’s Dave Ireland says cannabis shops are a needed resource for a lot of ...

When the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Jasper in March, VideoStop owner Kevin Lazzari wasn’t taking any chances. As soon as he heard the news, Lazzari dead bolted the door to his Patricia Street business. “Those first few days and weeks were crazy,” he recalled. “No one knew how risky thin...

Three minutes. That’s how long it took Celina Frisson, otherwise known as @thecreativetraveller , to sell out her latest stock of hand-painted ceramic mugs. On December 5 at 3 p.m., Frisson opened her online shop. By 3:03 p.m., 50 or so pieces of pottery had been scooped up. Frisson, a painter and g...

When Gage LeBlanc tries something new, the 15-year-old goes big. BRING ON THE BUMPS // Gage LeBlanc stars in the upcoming All-Round Champion, a Reality TV series premiering on TVOntario. Catch the series starting on January 6. // BOB COVEY The first time LeBlanc tried freestyle skiing, for example, ...