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Red Deer Advocate will print just twice a week starting next month

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Evolution coming to Red Deer Advocate print publication

The Red Deer Advocate is evolving. To better serve residents of Central Alberta, we’re transitioning to a new publishing schedule. Starting the first week of October, we’ll print the Advocate on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Our commitment to daily news coverage remains strong, and you can continue to stay updated online every day at www.reddeeradvocate.com.

“We’re making this change to focus our efforts on providing more in-depth local news, insightful analysis, and engaging stories,” said publisher Daria Zmiyiwsky. Our Tuesday, Thursday and Friday edition will be discontinued, effective October 2.

Moving to a bi-weekly paper is the biggest change in the Red Deer Advocate’s 117-year history. The decision is a strategic move to maximize the sustainability of the current newspaper and ensure it will continue well into the future.

For over a century, the Advocate has been a steadfast voice for Central Alberta, covering local, provincial, and national news. We’ve witnessed and documented history’s highs and lows, from world wars to economic shifts. We’ve held those in power accountable, championed transparency, and celebrated the incredible achievements of our community. As well, we have shared personal and collective tragedies and triumphs.

With the continued support from the people of our communities, the Advocate will continue to celebrate our rights and expose the wrongs, cheer for our teams, honour our citizens, and support our communities, local businesses,  organizations, and non-profits.

“While we’re saddened to end our daily print edition, our news team is excited to focus on providing even deeper coverage of Red Deer and the surrounding area,” said Managing Editor, Byron Hackett.

“We’ll continue to deliver comprehensive news daily online and twice weekly in print, ensuring we remain your trusted source of local information.”

Readers can expect the same great coverage of local news, sports, entertainment, leisure, obits, and classifieds, event announcements, and much more.

Zmiyiwsky is committed to the community and our loyal readers.

“It’s the people of Red Deer and Central Alberta that drive the Advocate,” she said. “We are simply a vessel to carry those stories to our dedicated readers and we will work diligently to grow and ensure the Advocate remains an integral voice in our community.”

Regards,

Byron Hackett
Managing Editor, Red Deer Advocate

Daria Zmiyiwsky
President – Black Press Media Prairies
Publisher – The Red Deer Advocate

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Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team

Alleged Human Traffickers arrested in Red Deer, Montreal, and Edmonton

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Human trafficking suspect arrested in Red Deer, July 2024

From Alert, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team

Three human traffickers arrested in Project Endgame

Three men have been arrested and stand accused of running a human trafficking operation that stretched across Canada; operating throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Quebec.

Project Endgame was a year-long investigation led by ALERT’s Human Trafficking unit, and also relied on the assistance of the Edmonton Police Service, RCMP, and the Quebec joint forces Anti-Pimping team known as EILP.

Arrests and search warrants had taken place in Edmonton, Montreal, and Red Deer. A total of 23 charges related to human trafficking offences have been laid against Clyde Elien-Abbot, 31, Kevin Dorcelus-Cetoute, 31, and Jean Rodnil Dubois, 31. Elien-Abbot was arrested on January 31, 2025 in Edmonton, while the other two accused were arrested on July 23, 2024.

“Project Endgame exhausted all resources and avenues to bring charges against the suspects and end this cycle of sexualized violence and degradation,” said Staff Sergeant Chris Hayes, ALERT.

A number of human trafficking victims were located and provided resources and assistance through ALERT’s Safety Network Coordinators. ALERT believes there are additional victims and encouraging them to contact police.

Project Endgame revealed a cross-Canada network of sex trafficking that has been in operation for over a decade by the accused and possibly others. ALERT’s investigation saw the perpetrators work in the communities of Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Lloydminster, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Cold Lake, and Estevan, Sask.

The perpetrators allegedly controlled the victims through coercion by forcing them to perform multiple sex acts on multiple clients every day. If the victims question the traffickers or dispute the situation, they were often violently assaulted, degraded, and/or threatened of further loss, violence, and isolation.

Project Endgame began in May 2023 following a 911 call placed to police detailing a sex worker being violently assaulted. The investigation has connections to a 2021 ALERT human trafficking investigation in which Dorcelus-Cetoute was charged.

Clyde Elien-Abbot, 31-year-old from Montreal, is charged with:

  • Trafficking in persons;
  • Procuring;
  • Material benefit from sexual services;
  • Advertising sexual services;
  • Money laundering; and
  • Animal cruelty.
Kevin Dorcelus-Cetoute, 31-year-old from Montreal, is charged with:

  • Sexual assault;
  • Assault;
  • Trafficking in persons;
  • Procuring;
  • Material benefit from sexual services; and
  • Uttering threats.
Jean Rodnil Dubois, 31-year-old from Montreal, is charged with:

  • Sexual assault;
  • Assault;
  • Trafficking in persons;
  • Procuring;
  • Material benefit from sexual services; and
  • Uttering threats.
Elien-Abbot remains in custody and has a bail hearing scheduled for February 19, 2025. Dorcelus-Cetoute and Dubois were both released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court on March 7, 2025.

Project Endgame involved the assistance of a number of agencies from across the country, including: Edmonton Police Service, City of Edmonton Animal Bylaw, Service de Police de a Ville de Montreal (SPVM), RCMP ‘C’ Division, RCMP ‘K’ Division, and RCMP ‘D’ Division.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

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Peavey Mart Centrium

Westerner Park Reflects on the Impact of Peavey Mart’s Closure

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Westerner Park acknowledges the recent announcement of Peavey Mart closing all its locations across Canada, and the significant impact this will have on our community.

Peavey Mart has been the naming sponsor of the Centrium since 2021, a partnership that has helped create lasting memories for thousands of Central Albertans. Their support extended beyond their name on the building—Peavey Mart embraced our community by participating in activities during Westerner Days and supplying essential items that brought these events to life.

“Our partnership with Peavey Mart exemplifies the kind of meaningful relationships that can have a lasting impact,” said Shelly Flint, CEO of Westerner Park. “While their closure is undoubtedly a loss for the community, we are grateful for the support they’ve provided over the years and remain committed to finding the right partnerships to continue serving Central Alberta.”

As Westerner Park navigates this transition, the organization remains as a hub of Central Alberta. This includes not only hosting more events and attractions on the park but also finding new ways to connect with the community. “Whether it’s collaborating on events outside of our grounds or encouraging our team to participate in local initiatives as volunteers, our focus remains on strengthening our ties with the people and organizations that make this region so vibrant,” Flint added.

Westerner Park is actively seeking businesses and organizations that share a vision of fostering growth and connection within the community. Any parties interested in exploring partnership opportunities are encouraged to reach out.


ABOUT WESTERNER PARK

Westerner Park is Central Alberta’s largest tradeshow, agricultural, sports, entertainment, and convention facility. A not-for-profit organization and agricultural society, Westerner Park typically generates $150 million annually in economic activity, hosting over 1,000 events and 1.5 million visitors each year.

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