Lethbridge Minute: Parade Attendance, Honorary Degree, and an Event Next Week

Lethbridge Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Lethbridge politics

This Week In Lethbridge:

• Council is on summer vacation until September, so there will be no meetings at City Hall this week.
  
  
• The University of Lethbridge will award an honorary Doctor of Laws to Elder Ninnaisipistoo (Owl Chief), Francis First Charger, at the Fall 2024 Convocation. Since 2008, First Charger has been an Elder in Residence at the Dhillon School of Business, offering guidance, support, and lectures to students, staff, and faculty. The convocation will be held on October 19th, 2024.
  
  
• Our friends at the Alberta Parents’ Union are hosting a relaxed, family-friendly gathering on Friday, September 6th. Executive Director Jeff Park will be at the Henderson Horseshoe Picnic Shelter from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm to chat with parents, grandparents, and community members. There’s a playground nearby to keep the kids entertained while Jeff answers questions about everything from Parent Councils to the role of the School Board. They’ll have coffee, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages, and there’s no formal agenda - so you can come and go any time between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm. The event is free to attend, but RSVPs are required.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• The 2024 Whoop-Up Days Parade attracted thousands of spectators and featured over 90 entries. Parade marshal Duane Kesler, a third-generation rodeo stock contractor, led the event, which included music, dancing, and floats. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi attended. The parade, themed "Growing up Western," showcased local businesses, organizations, and community pride. The 3rd annual Mayor’s Barbecue at City Hall also drew a large crowd. Mayor Blaine Hyggen said he was blown away by the turnout.
  
  
• Shannon Phillips, the former Lethbridge-West MLA, announced that she will join the University of Lethbridge's Department of Political Science as an Adjunct Faculty member this fall. Phillips, who resigned from her MLA position on July 1st, 2024, says this role as an opportunity to give back to the Lethbridge community and leverage her past experience. The Alberta NDP will have a candidate with political experience in the upcoming byelection as two former Lethbridge City Councillors, Bridget Mearns and Rob Miyashiro, are competing for the nomination. NDP members will select their candidate on September 7th. A byelection date has yet to be determined.
  
  
• A house at 1607 3 Avenue N has been shut down for the second time this year by the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit. Initially closed for 90 days in January due to drug trafficking issues, the property has been ordered closed again for another 90 days. This new closure, which bars anyone from the property until November 20th, follows continued illegal activities and safety concerns, including a suspected overdose death in August. The house will be boarded, fenced, and locked. The closure aims to protect residents and facilitate the property's sale, with previous attempts to sell having failed.

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