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Central Alberta

New RDC President out to make Red Deer “the first choice for post-secondary education in this region”

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RDC President Dr Peter Nunoda

A message from Dr. Peter Nunoda, Red Deer College President

Connections and collaboration essential for RDC’s new President

I believe that Red Deer College is a pillar in this community. That’s one of the many things that initially attracted me to this institution.

When I was first learning about RDC and the central Alberta region, I realized there was a special opportunity here to work closely with community members. Coming from Vancouver Community College, where I served as President, we had made positive connections with our community. But at RDC, I saw there was an opportunity to become more closely connected to the larger central Alberta region. By working together and listening to what the community at large wants from this college, we can make an incredible difference.

Another pivotal reason that I came to Red Deer College was the opportunity to be part of the university transition. I have a wide familiarity with post-secondary institutions from my past experiences at the university, university-college and college settings. I have worked and led organizations and teams at all of these levels, and I’m excited about the path that RDC is on. Our future model is unique in that we’re not talking about a traditional university. By keeping the range of credentials that we currently offer and adding degrees, we will be maximizing the opportunities for our students.

I believe in the value of a college education, first and foremost, as a way to prepare students for the work force, and we never want to lose this. In my family, all three of my children are currently in post-secondary, and my middle daughter is a great example of the importance of a college education. She started in a Bachelor of Science program, but was concerned about her job prospects. She then transferred to a Laboratory Sciences Technologist Diploma and has had great success in this program, including an amazing co-op experience.

This example demonstrates the need to have a wide range of opportunities for students, including applied and hands-on knowledge in all of our programs. As we develop our own degrees, we will always keep the ideas of work integrated and experiential learning, as well as practicums and co- ops in mind. This will help our students across all of our programs to transition seamlessly to the workplace. We’re at an important time, when even more students from the region will be able to stay in Red Deer and complete their education in Red Deer, graduating with degrees. We want to prepare our students and graduates for the wider world, but we also want them to have opportunities to learn and to work right here in central Alberta.

We’re evolving as an institution, and we’re doing this at a time when there is an increasing need for post-secondaries to establish their own revenue streams to be continuously financially stable. This will require innovative thinking as we move forward, and that’s an area that I’m passionate about. For me, innovation has many components, and an important one is considering how we can repackage the education that we offer. What do our programs and credentials look like moving forward? Are we maximizing blended and distance options, and offering pieces of traditional education in ways that make sense for our students? Another area we will be looking at is our international student population and how to establish a balanced approach to increase international registrations. All of these questions require a lot of out-of-the-box thinking, but they are important topics to consider as we look to the university of our future.

As we have these conversations, it is absolutely essential that students are at the table. It may sound trite, but none of us would be here if it weren’t for the students. They come first in everything we do. I pride myself on the relationships that both my leadership teams and I have developed with student unions in the past, and I look forward to working with our Students’ Association and students as we plan RDC’s future together.

When we consider the future, it’s my vision to ensure we never lose sight of where we’ve come from. While honouring our history, we want to create a legacy of Red Deer University being an institution that’s virtually self-sustaining. We also want people to look at Red Deer as the first choice for post-secondary education in the region, and we will work with our community members to benefit RDC and all of central Alberta.

This past June, I came to RDC for my announcement as the new President, and I was amazed at the number of people who were in attendance. This really reinforced to me how many people will be counting on me. I know – and am very appreciative – of the fact that I will be part of a team at Red Deer College, but I still take my responsibility as President very seriously. There is important work to be done here over the next few years, and I look forward to undertaking it together.

Dr. Peter Nunoda is Red Deer College’s President.

Alberta

New Sheriffs unit to enhance public safety in Red Deer and Central Alberta

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A new team of Alberta Sheriffs will work alongside police to keep crime out of central Alberta communities by targeting problem properties.

Since 2023, Alberta’s government has invested more than $27 million to help fight crime throughout the province. Building on these efforts, the government is now expanding the Alberta Sheriffs’ Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit with the creation of a new team of investigators in Red Deer. The creation of the Red Deer SCAN team is the latest in a series of measures aimed at enhancing public safety and increasing the Alberta Sheriffs’ ability to support police throughout the province.

The move puts more resources on the ground with a team of qualified experts who will investigate properties where illegal activity has been reported and shut them down through court orders when needed. The Red Deer SCAN team – made up of four Alberta Sheriffs – joins existing SCAN teams in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge, which have proven immensely effective in working alongside local police to shutter problem properties throughout the province.

“Alberta’s government will always maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward crime of any kind, and the expansion of the Alberta Sheriffs’ SCAN unit reflects that. With the creation of a new SCAN team in Red Deer, we’re expanding the unit’s coverage even further and putting more boots on the ground where they’re needed. Let this be a message to all criminals: you are not welcome here. Communities in the Red Deer area have a right not to be plagued by drug and other criminal activity that create dangerous environments, and Alberta’s government will do whatever it takes to keep people safe.”

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

The Sheriffs’ SCAN unit operates under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which uses legal sanctions and court orders to hold owners accountable for illegal activity happening on their property, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and child exploitation. SCAN augments and supports local police to both investigate and close properties where evidence of criminal activity has been confirmed.

“Ensuring safety for law-abiding Albertans is of utmost importance for Alberta’s government and requires a comprehensive approach to effectively combat and prevent criminal activity. This involves enhancing law-enforcement resources, fostering community engagement, implementing crime prevention programs, and promoting collaboration between Alberta Sheriffs and local police. This SCAN team is a game-changer in central Alberta and puts criminals on notice that they are not welcome here.”

Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South

“The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act holds property owners accountable for activities on their property that threaten public safety. Alberta’s SCAN teams support policing efforts by addressing illegal activities on these properties. This additional team will enhance RCMP community safety programs.”

Assistant Commissioner Trevor Daroux, criminal operations officer, Alberta RCMP

When a community member reports a problem property to SCAN, the unit begins an investigation. Once the investigation confirms the activity, investigators contact the property owner to try and resolve the issue informally. If informal efforts are unsuccessful, SCAN can apply to the courts for a community safety order to impose restrictions and conditions on the property and its owner, which could include closing the property for up to 90 days. Any criminal activity uncovered when dealing with these properties is turned over to the police to investigate.

“Over the years, SCAN’s impact on community safety has been profound. More often than not, we see individuals in these problem properties carrying out drug operations and other criminal activities beside homes, schools, playgrounds and other places where Albertans’ safety should never be in question. Crime has no place in any Alberta neighbourhood, and we look forward to working with our policing partners in the Red Deer area to help keep central Alberta communities safe.”

Mike Letourneau, superintendent, Alberta Sheriffs

SCAN continues to see tremendous success, having closed problem properties in Lethbridge, Calgary, Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat in the last six months alone. Since May 2024, Alberta’s government has publicly announced the closure of seven problem properties by SCAN, including three in Calgary, two in Lethbridge, and one each in Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat.

“Creating a safer environment for our citizens improves the overall quality of our community in Red Deer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alberta’s government, SCAN and all our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe. This is great news for the City of Red Deer, and together, we can make our community safer. I encourage residents to report any suspicious activity to the SCAN unit.”

Ken Johnston, mayor, City of Red Deer

The Red Deer SCAN team’s operational boundaries encompass the city of Red Deer and its surrounding communities and rural areas, providing coverage to the central area spanning Ponoka to the north and Olds to the south.

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Blackfalds

Drugs and guns seized in Blackfalds bust: RCMP

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From Blackfalds RCMP

Blackfalds RCMP execute search warrant seizing drugs and guns

Blackfalds, Alta. – In September of 2024 the Blackfalds RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) with assistance from Sylvan Lake GIS  entered into an investigation involving an individual believed to be trafficking drugs in the community. As a result of the investigation, on Oct. 2, 2024, Blackfalds RCMP with assistance from Innisfail RCMP GIS and Red Deer RCMP Police Dog Service executed a search warrant at a home in Blackfalds.

As a result of the search RCMP seized:

  • 253 grams of Cocaine
  • $3343 in Currency
  • 6 firearms

RCMP have arrested and charged Blackfalds resident, Lotus Joan Silver Stalteri-Roberts (25), with:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking;
  • Possession of stolen property under $5000;
  • Weapons offences (x8).

Stalteri-Roberts was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Oct. 3, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

“This investigation saw the effective coordination of different RCMP Detachments and Sections to quickly and safely remove these drugs and guns from our community,” says Staff Sergeant Andrew Allan.

If you have any information about this investigation or about drug trafficking in the Blackfalds area please contact Blackfalds RCMP at 403-885-3333 or submit an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

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