Body-worn cameras are now part of everyday policing across the RCMP – but what does that actually look like in our community?

In this episode, host Cary Castagna sits down with Sgt. Andy Wetzstein, Commanding Officer of the Killam RCMP Detachment, to talk about the recent rollout of body-worn cameras in the Flagstaff Region. They discuss when the cameras are used, how footage is managed, and what the public can expect to see as this new technology takes shape in the field.

Listen on Spotify below.

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Have your say!

The RCMP is seeking feedback from Canadians about their perceptions of police officers and their use of body-worn cameras.

Your input will help encourage conversation between the RCMP and the communities they serve, ensuring body-worn cameras are used in a way that respects diverse cultures and communities.

Click HERE to take the survey.

Thank you to everyone who submitted bids for our recent 2025 Sale of Used Vehicles and Equipment.

Here are the winning bids, along with further details.

By Nick Dunn

Boxelder bugs, often called maple bugs, have become an unwelcome nuisance across Flagstaff County this fall. They are covering sunny walls, gathering around doors and windows, and entering into buildings. These small black-and-orange insects are not dangerous, but their numbers have reached levels not seen in several years. Many residents have asked why they are so bad this year, how long they will last, and what can be done to control them.

Maple bugs are native to North America and a familiar part of prairie life. They feed mainly on the seeds and leaves of boxelder and other maple trees. In most years, they remain in low, manageable numbers. The insects overwinter as adults, sheltering under tree bark, in organic matter, or inside buildings. In spring, they emerge to lay eggs on young leaves and developing seeds. During hot, dry summers, they can complete multiple generations, leading to the large late-summer and fall populations we are currently experiencing.

This year’s outbreak can be traced to favourable weather and growing conditions. The warm, dry summer allowed more eggs and nymphs to survive, while last winter’s mild temperatures helped adults overwinter successfully. At the same time, boxelder and maple trees produced a heavy seed crop, providing abundant food. With high survival rates, plentiful food, and hot weather, populations can increase rapidly.

As fall progresses, maple bugs instinctively search for warm, sheltered places to spend the winter. They often gather in greatest numbers on sunny south or west sides of buildings. From there, they look for any small opening to squeeze into wall cracks, attics, or basements. While they do not bite, chew wood, or damage structures, they can stain walls and fabrics and can make an even bigger mess when crushed. For this reason, residents should avoid crushing them indoors. Instead, use a vacuum or sweep them gently into a container for disposal.

The sheer number of bugs this year has made them a major nuisance across Flagstaff County and surrounding areas. Fortunately, the problem is temporary. Once the first hard frosts arrive, the insects become sluggish and die off in exposed areas. I have already started to see them become docile with the cooler nights. Only a portion of the population will successfully find overwintering shelter, and by late fall, outdoor activity drops sharply. During the winter, some may reappear indoors during warm spells, but they do not reproduce inside homes and will eventually die off without access to food.

Whether next year will be as bad depends on several factors. A cold, harsh winter would reduce survival, and a cooler, wetter summer in 2026 would limit population growth. However, if Alberta experiences another hot, dry year and boxelder trees again produce abundant seeds, another heavy infestation could occur next fall.

Residents can take several practical steps to reduce infestations. Prevention is the most effective control. Sealing cracks and gaps around windows, doors, vents, and siding will keep bugs from entering buildings. Replacing damaged window screens, installing door sweeps, and caulking around utility openings all help. Outdoors, using a strong jet of water or a light soap-and-water spray can dislodge clusters from walls without harsh chemicals. Spray Nine is also effective for cleaning and removing maple bugs and stains. It rinses off more easily than soap solutions and removes the dark fluid they release which is a defensive mechanism and fecal matter. Keeping yards free of leaves and organic debris will also help reduce next year’s populations be removing areas for them to overwinter.

Chemical insecticides can be used as a last resort but should always be applied according to label directions. Spraying foundations and lower walls in late summer before bugs begin to cluster can provide short-term relief, but benefits are temporary and overuse can harm beneficial insects, pets, and yourself. Indoors, vacuuming remains safer and more effective than spraying. Maple bugs are primarily a nuisance rather than a threat. With some preparation and patience, their numbers will decline as the weather cools. Residents who take time now to seal entry points, clean up potential habitats, and avoid crushing the bugs will be better prepared to prevent future infestations.

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

By Nick Dunn

Pre-harvest tools like desiccants and harvest aids can be valuable for speeding up dry-down and reducing weather risk. But timing, method, and market acceptance are critical; the wrong choice can cost you grade and marketability.

Most desiccants are contact products meaning they only dry down the green plant tissue they touch. If sprayed too early, you lock in green, lightweight, or shriveled kernels. Too late, and there’s little benefit. In cereals, the right stage is the hard dough phase, when kernels resist a thumbnail and moisture is about 30% or less. For peas, 75–80% of pods should be brown, with lower pods rattling. In flax, the crop should be about three-quarters brown, while in canola, 60–75% of seeds on the main stem should show color change from green to brown, black, or yellow. Following these benchmarks protects seed quality while still giving the crop a dry-down boost.

Glyphosate is often discussed at harvest, but it’s not a true desiccant. The systemic herbicide moves inside the plant and can carry into the seed if applied before 30% seed moisture, reducing germination and raising residue concerns. Many buyers, especially for malt barley, peas, and some wheat classes, reject glyphosate-treated crops. True desiccants such as diquat, saflufenacil, glufosinate, flumioxazin, and carfentrazone act on contact only and do not move into the seed. Buyer standards do vary, and some markets won’t accept crops treated with desiccants at all. Know before you spray!

Residue concerns go beyond local rules. Export markets follow maximum residue limits (MRLs), which may differ from Canadian standards. Even if a product is registered, exceeding another country’s limits can result in rejection at port. Spraying at the correct crop stage, using only registered products, and checking with buyers beforehand reduces this risk and helps protect your market access.

Good coverage is one of the biggest factors in successful desiccation. Because these products only work where they touch, high water volumes of at least 20 gallons per acre are recommended. Skimping on water often leaves green patches that slow down harvest. Weather also plays a role. Some desiccants work best under bright sunlight when plants are actively photosynthesizing. Cool or cloudy conditions reduce effectiveness, so choosing the right day can make a real difference.

How the product is applied also matters. High clearance ground sprayers usually deliver the best coverage, but aerial spraying by plane can be useful when fields are large or too wet for ground equipment. The downside is increased drift risk and less ability to hit recommended water volumes. Mechanical methods like swathing remain valuable in certain crops, particularly canola, where cutting and windrowing at the right time can even out maturity and reduce shattering losses.

This year in Flagstaff County, crops emerged fairly evenly. That reduces the pressure to rely on desiccants and gives growers the option to let crops dry naturally. Even so, unpredictable fall weather may still push some toward chemical or mechanical aids to protect yield and avoid delays.

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

By Nick Dunn

Are you looking to improve environmental practices on your farm and unlock cost-shared funding for key upgrades and improvements? Now is the time to complete or update your Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). An EFP is a free, voluntary, and confidential tool that helps producers assess environmental risks within their operations and identify improvements. It’s a practical way to protect your land and water — and it’s also your ticket to funding through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) and other grant programs.

Launched in Alberta in 2003, the EFP program originally used paper binders, but as of 2019, it’s fully online. A major update released in 2023 introduced a 10-year renewal process that is a more flexible and user-friendly experience for producers. To date, over 25% of producers in Western Canada have completed their EFP — and the benefits go beyond the environment.

Having a valid, up-to-date EFP is required to access many government cost-share programs—especially under SCAP, which launched in April 2023. Programs under SCAP include the Farm Technology Program, Water Program, Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP), and the Efficient Grain Handling Program. These support a wide range of on-farm improvements such as water management systems, riparian protection, shelterbelts, soil health practices, precision ag tools, and energy-efficient grain drying equipment. Additional programs under SCAP also fund innovation, value-added processing, public trust initiatives, and ag education. Having an EFP in place ensures you’re eligible when these funding opportunities open — many of which are first-come, first-served. In addition, there are federal business risk management (BRM) programs such as AgriStability, AgriInvest, and AgriRecovery, which offer financial protection against severe income losses, margin declines, and natural disasters.

If you are interested in completing your EFP, you can register for an account at https://albertaefp.com; and login to get started on creating your workbook. After registering you will be assigned to a technician from your region. Flagstaff County does have EFP Technicians available for assistance that you can work with to complete your plan. Some producers complete the plan without assistance; however, it is recommended to complete the first two chapters with a technician to learn how to navigate the site and get it properly set up. Chapters 1 and 2 contain the most information to report on and getting started with a technician may save producers from completing unnecessary work.

Within the EFP website, there will be a list of upcoming workshops and events that are free for producers to attend. Producers have the option to complete their EFP virtually through workshops, or through local workshops hosted by organizational groups including Flagstaff County. The next available workshops are virtual and will be hosted on July 4, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., and on July 23, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Producers can go online to the EFP website to register for free. Flagstaff County will be hosting an in-person workshop at the County Administration Building on July 2, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Limited spots are available, so be sure to register at 780-384-4100.

The time it takes to complete an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) can vary depending on the type and complexity of your farming operation. Every farm is unique, and the EFP is designed to reflect that. Operations with higher levels of environmental risk — such as those near water sources, with intensive livestock production, or using certain inputs — may take a bit more time to assess and plan for. On the other hand, farms with lower risk may be able to complete the process more quickly. The goal is to identify areas where environmental improvements can be made and to create a practical, achievable plan that fits your needs. Ultimately, the time investment up front helps ensure a more sustainable and profitable farm in the long run, and it is only as good as the care and honesty you put into assessing your operation.

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

Nominating a child in Flagstaff for a positive ticket just got easier.

Now you can do it online HERE.

Positive tickets are issued for positive behaviour such as practicing personal safety, being a community hero and making smart choices. Our peace officer wants to be notified by teachers, coaches, friends and neighbours throughout the Flagstaff Region who have witnessed a child doing a positive or helpful deed, or performing a safe act that would be worthy of receiving a positive ticket.

You can also contact Officer Skyler Zelinski if you know of a deserving youth! Officer Skyler can be reached by phone at 780-384-4100 or via email at szelinski@flagstaff.ab.ca.

Positive tickets come with a $10 coupon that can be redeemed at participating businesses, as well as a bracelet for a free swim at the Killam Regional Aquatic Centre.

Let’s acknowledge the good that our young people are doing right here in Flagstaff!

By Nick Dunn

Flagstaff County is excited to announce a major upgrade to our campground booking process for the 2025 camping season! In response to the Council’s direction to enhance our top three campgrounds—Diplomat Trout Pond, Edgerton Day Campground, and Fish Lake Campground—we have transitioned to an online booking platform. 

Thanks to our partnership with Campspot, visitors can now conveniently reserve campsites online, pay with a credit card, view campground maps, and familiarize themselves with each campground’s amenities and rules before arriving. This move marks a significant shift away from our historical cash or cheque only, self-registration system, offering a more secure, efficient, and user-friendly experience for both campers and County administration.  

This software comes at no cost to the County. Campspot maintains its services through a $5 booking fee per reservation, which is paid by the visitor. This fee is proportionately distributed over the length of your stay. For example, a two-night stay at a serviced site would work out to $32.50 per night ($30 site fee + $2.50 per night from the booking fee). Our nightly rates remain the same: $25/night for non-serviced sites and $30/night for serviced sites. 

Campers can explore all available sites and make reservations easily through our website at: www.flagstaff.ca/campgrounds. Whether you’re planning a weekend fishing trip, a family getaway, or a relaxing escape into nature, our website provides all the tools you need to plan your perfect visit. New signs have also been installed that have QR codes visitors can scan to bring them directly to the booking website.  

Previously, our campgrounds operated on a self-registration basis using cash or cheque payments deposited in on-site boxes. Unfortunately, this system led to increased incidents of theft and vandalism. Transitioning to a cashless, digital system not only enhances security but also reduces staff time managing and retrieving cash. 

This initiative aligns with Flagstaff County’s broader push toward modernized, cashless services. Much like the current pilot project offering free water for agricultural and firefighting purposes at our tank loaders, this change helps us assess the benefits of moving to fully cashless operations across other County services in the future. In addition to our top three upgraded campgrounds, the Galahad Campground is also now available on the Campspot platform. Galahad offers seven full-service sites, perfect for RV and trailer camping, along with a unique group site located at the Municipal Grounds and Gazebo—available for $75 per night, plus the standard $5 booking fee. It’s an excellent location for family reunions, special events, or group getaways. 

So whether you’re a long-time local or a first-time visitor, we invite you to explore everything our beautiful campgrounds have to offer—now just a few clicks away. 

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

By Nick Dunn

The agricultural community in Alberta is voicing concerns over Bill C-293, the Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act. While the bill is intended to bolster Canada’s ability to respond to future pandemics, producers fear it could have unintended consequences for the livestock and food production industries.

Bill C-293 was introduced as a proactive measure to enhance Canada’s response to global health crises. The legislation proposes frameworks for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response by identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities within various sectors, including agriculture. While ensuring public health is undeniably important, the bill’s broad language has raised alarms among Alberta’s farmers, ranchers, and Agricultural Service Boards. During the last Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation fall Town Hall meeting with Minister RJ. Sigurdson, boards were asked to write their Senators and voice the opinion of Albertan producers. With an increased volume of letters, these mutual concerns will have a greater impact in the Senate and ensure nothing is pushed under the rug.

While attending our annual Agricultural Service Board Conference last January, the provincial committee expressed that many Albertan municipalities have written letters to the Senators of Canada expressing the concerns of the bill’s criteria if passed. This includes a letter from Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Service Board Chairman that was sent in December 2024.

The primary concern with Bill C-293 among Alberta’s agricultural industry is the possibility of increased restrictions and hindrance on industrial animal agriculture. Although the Bill has good intentions, as it is worded today, it imposes significant risks due to broad statements such as: “regulate commercial activities that can contribute to pandemic risk, including industrial animal agriculture”; “promote commercial activities that can help reduce pandemic risk, including the production of alternative proteins” and “phase out commercial activities that disproportionately contribute to pandemic risk, including activities that involve high-risk species”. The creators of the bill have not considered what Canadian Producers currently have in place for risk management today. We have an effective biosecurity system that monitors zoonotic diseases – which can spread between animals and humans – such as the Canadian On-Farm Beef Cattle Biosecurity Standard. The bill has been brought forward from our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, a foreign disease that does not resemble how livestock is handled in Canada. Many Albertan producers will be impacted by this bill; about 40% of Alberta’s farm cash receipts are from livestock production contributing over $10 billion in 2023.

While disease prevention is crucial, many farmers worry that overly strict policies could disrupt traditional farming practices, impose unnecessary restrictions on livestock movement, and negatively impact food production. The wording in the Bill threatens Canada’s agricultural industry and increases the control the federal government has over our producers and their livelihood.

Currently the bill is at the second reading in the Senate. The most recent activity was the debate on October 22, 2024, and it has yet to be rescheduled for discussion.

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

We asked you to complete our 2026 Business Plan Survey online or in print by February 4, 2025. Now here’s a look at what we heard.

Scroll down for survey results, or click HERE to download a PDF.

(Please keep in mind that these survey results, along with the ideas submitted to our online Brainstorm Board and all feedback from our Coffee with your Councillor event, will be evaluated by Council during the review of the Program and Services Priorities on March 24 and will be considered by Council in the development of the 2026 Business Plan and Budget.)

By Nick Dunn

Shelterbelts are a lot like border protection – they provide security and stability, standing as a barrier against the elements while supporting everything within. Just like borders help safeguard a region, shelterbelts shield farmland, livestock, and ecosystems, offering a wide range of benefits.

Winter may be here, but it’s never too early to start thinking about planting trees for spring. Flagstaff County is once again accepting applications for our Shelterbelt Establishment Program, an initiative that makes planting trees more affordable by covering half the cost for rural residents. Applications are open until the end of January, so there’s still time to plan your shelterbelt project. By purchasing trees in bulk, the county can secure discounted rates for the tree order.

Flagstaff County also offers rental equipment including tree planters and a plastic mulch applicator for weed control, making the process even easier. The county recognizes how valuable trees are for the prairie landscape, offering countless benefits that go beyond aesthetics.

So, what makes planting shelterbelts and windbreaks so worthwhile? The benefits are as diverse as they are practical. For farmers, shelterbelts can boost crop yields by capturing snow in the winter and reducing evapotranspiration losses. In a dry year, that added moisture can make a world of difference. They also create a more stable microclimate, reducing wind speeds across fields and helping crops like winter wheat, barley, rye, and hay stand tall, even in strong winds. And when it comes to spraying, shelterbelts help limit spray drift, keeping inputs right where they’re needed.

Livestock can also benefit from shelterbelts by providing shade from the heat and protection from biting winds, improving cattle health and productivity. They also cut down on dust, noise, and odors, reducing respiratory issues in animals. And let’s not forget the original reason for shelterbelt planting: preventing wind erosion, which remains an issue in many areas.

On the biodiversity front, shelterbelts provide habitat for pollinators, boosting oilseed yields. They also attract birds and beneficial insects, which can help keep pest populations in check.

But for all their benefits, we’ve seen shelterbelts disappearing over the years and ageing. Thankfully, many in our county are still committed to planting and preserving them. Alberta tree expert Toso Bozic recommends planting a diverse mix of tree species in shelterbelts to avoid the risks posed by disease or pests wiping out an entire row. Mixing species can serve as a natural barrier, making it harder for pests or diseases to spread.

If you’re ready to plant trees and reap these incredible benefits, don’t forget to submit your application by January 31, 2025. This program is open to rural residents of the county, and you can apply HERE, or visit the County office to fill out an order in person.

Take advantage of this great program, plant some trees, and give back to the land!

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.