The year it was in Bow Island and the County of Forty Mile

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

January

With tariff threats looming, Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP government moved quickly last month to try to placate president-elect Donald Trump’s concerns about illegal drugs, migrants and firearms flowing across the 49th parallel.

In mid-December, shortly after Trump threatened 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian trade, Smith announced a new Interdiction Patrol Team (IPT) within the Alberta Sheriffs will crack down on drug smuggling, gun trafficking and other illegal activities occurring along Alberta’s 298-kilometre international boundary.

As Canada Post continues to work through a significant volume of holiday mail, the Crown corporation says it has reinstated on-time service guarantees and returned to full service levels for domestic parcels following a nationwide postal worker strike.

The Town of Bow Island has exciting news to share – the rollout of the mass notification system is underway!

This system empowers better and faster communication with Bow Island residents through texts, calls, and emails. From emergencies to events to general public information, everything you need to know is at your fingertips. 

Local governments in southeast Alberta are “eager to tap into the region’s potential”, according to consultants who helped develop a new partnership that will seek out defence and agri-food spending, Medicine Hat city council heard on Jan. 20.

Last spring, Deloitte Business Advisory was hired to flesh out a framework and objectives of a combined economic development effort to draw new business and bolster business activity in the Medicine Hat region, including rural counties and towns.

February

As part of the State of the Region address on Jan. 25, Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter talked about many of the positive economic indicators that were showing promise in southern Alberta throughout 2024.

Hunter would initiate the four-part address at the Taber Community Centre Auditorium, which also featured presentations by MD of Taber Reeve Tamara Miyanaga, Town of Taber Mayor Andrew Prokop, and Town of Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn.

On February 5, the halls of Bow Island’s long-term care community were filled with joy as Ruth Haddow marked an incredible milestone—her 103rd birthday. 

Born just a few miles from Bow Island, Ruth’s life began in the 1920s, a time when horse-drawn carriages were still a regular sight and radios were a novelty. Though she later lived in cities like Winnipeg, Montreal, and Nanaimo, Ruth’s life has come full circle, bringing her back to the tight-knit region of her childhood.

Council met on February 10. One exciting item on the agenda could have town residents heading down a new path – quite literally.

Grant funding is being pursued under the Federal Active Transportation Fund to support of two local projects. The first is a multi-pathway connection route that will provide better access from the north side of the golf course to the clubhouse. It would also link to Centennial Park, the ball diamonds, multiplex, and rodeo grounds. Second is a campground shower house extension that would expand and improve the current facilities and add an outdoor shower for use with the splash park. 

Above average snowfall and snow pack in southeast Alberta this winter has improved soil moisture outlook, according to Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.

Forecasters warn however, that since late mid-winter is typically among the driest months of the year, the boost from slightly above normal precipitation is relative.

Longer term, large portions of Cypress County, County of Forty Mile, Special Areas and the MD of Taber received 110 to 130 per cent of average annual rainfall over the last 12 months.

March

Citizens gathered outside Premier and Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Danielle Smith’s office on Feb. 22, calling for her resignation.

The demonstration was part of a larger collection of protests taking place throughout the province, expressing discontent with several policies and decisions that have taken place over the course of her term.

Kym Porter, who was present for the protest, says one of the largest issues that led her to stand outside the constituency office was the model currently being used for recovery within the province.

Noeline Hofmann, a standout talent from Bow Island, has secured her place as one of eight semi-finalists in SiriusXM’s prestigious seventh annual Top of the Country Competition, held in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association. Representing six provinces across Canada, these semi-finalists are ready to showcase their passion and skills, and Noeline is no exception.

After decades of operating as a Kindergarten to Grade 12 School, St. Michael’s in Bow Island has recently announced that they will be making the switch to a Kindergarten to Grade 9 school starting September 2025.

The announcement was made in late January during a community meet and greet with Holy Spirit Catholic School Division’s new Superintendent, Chantel Axani. She spoke to parents and attendees, answering any questions they had about the change as well touching on other options that they’re hoping to introduce. Some of these included the exploration of Early Learning Programming, a move back to double grades instead of triples, and potential other programming options to attract students to the school. Ms. Axani sees this change as the first stage of a long-term plan that will help grow St. Michael’s in the long run. 

Grade 1 and 2 students at St. Michael’s School celebrated the 100th day of the school year in the most inspiring way on Wednesday, February 26. Continuing a long standing tradition, the young learners use this time to give back to the community.

The students were asked to collect 100 items to donate to the food bank. This project not only helps students grasp the concept of what 100 looks like, but also instills the values of compassion, community, and giving.

Medicine Hat’s Conservative MP says the election of a new Liberal Leader changes nothing in his mind, and he wants Canadians to go to the polls soon.

“Mark Carney might be the saviour for the Liberal Party, but he’s not the saviour for Canada,” said Glen Motz, MP for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, on March 10, the day after the former Bank of Canada governor won the governing Liberal Party’s leadership contest in a landslide vote.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced a temporary closure (that took place from March 14 to March 21) of the Bow Island Emergency Department (ED), followed by new operating hours. Beginning March 21 and until further notice, the ED will be open from 7 a.m. on Fridays to 7 a.m. Mondays and closed outside of those hours. During the temporary closure, nursing staff will remain on site to provide assistance for remaining acute care patients and long-term care residents.

Gwen Wirth, Director, Communications, South Zone, Alberta Health Services, clarifies, “We are currently experiencing an unexpected clinical personnel shortage in Bow Island, including reduced physician availability. As a result, the health centre will continue to experience short-term temporary closures of its (ED). We have also temporarily paused admissions to the acute care beds at the facility.”

Alberta has uncapped the red pen for Budget 2025, delivering on a $1.2 billion tax cut but also steering the province into rockier fiscal waters with a $5.2 billion deficit.

Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter was positive about the tax cut, indicating it should save families around $1,500 per year.

April

The field of candidates is starting to fill out in Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner after a general election was called on March 23.

Incumbent Glen Motz will seek a fourth election win for the Conservatives when Canadians go to the polls on April 28.

Three challengers have declared they will seek to win the local seat in Parliament.

Jocelyn Johnson will run in her second local election as the New Democratic Party of Canada candidate. Johnson, who ran under her maiden name of Stenger in the last general election, captured 14 per cent of the vote to place second in 2021.

The Bow Island Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its highly anticipated spring market and tradeshow, taking place April 11 and 12 at the Servus Community Arena.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has been notified of a confirmed case of measles in the Foremost area. This case has also been in public settings in Lethbridge while infectious.

Starting April 10, the Bow Island Emergency Department will be extending its hours following a temporary change.

The Bow Island Elks #440 have once again demonstrated their commitment to the community, donating an impressive $30,000 to local charities. This substantial sum, part of which was raised during their 34th annual fundraising auction, shows the ongoing generosity of the Elks and the strong support they receive from Bow Island and the surrounding area.

Bow Island’s hometown country music star, Noeline Hofmann, has officially been named a finalist in this year’s SiriusXM Top of the Country competition.

After competing in a public vote against seven other semi-finalists, Hofmann is ready to show Canada what she’s made of in a fight to the finish line.