Five local businesses have been approved for grant funding in order to give the exterior of their shops a makeover.
    The Drumheller Storefront Improvement Grant, provided by the Economic Development Advisory Board, awarded five businesses with a 50 per cent matching grant up to $5,000 to assist in refurbishing their storefronts, in an initiative the EDA hopes will enhance the exterior appearance of publicly visible spaces in Drumheller.
    The businesses awarded so far include Spoolz, Sunrise Auto, Century 21, Bryant’s Autobody, and the Anderson building.
 “We thought it was a great way to provide financial support to businesses who are looking to improve the appearance and safety of their stores,” said Summer Manca, Chair of the EDAC.  She added that while these improvements help business owners complete projects, the grant also helps encourage renovations that improve the general appearance of the town for the benefit of all passersby.
    The program was launched on December 1 of this year and will be open to applications until December 31, 2016. The budget available for the year is $30,000. Manca said aspects of consideration in reviewing grant applications include the business’ location, such as being in a high-traffic area, improving general aesthetics, and improvements that enhance safety and accessibility.
    “The more detailed the plan and information, including quotes, provided in the application the better,” Manca said. Applications may be picked up at the Town of Drumheller offices.
    Bev Schinnour of Sunrise Auto, who plans to improve signage and Sunrise’s frontdoor with the grant money, said she will contract renovations locally, providing another indirect benefit to the town economy.
    Greg Morrow, owner of the Anderson Building, plans on giving the exterior a facelift with paint and masonry work, in the hopes of attracting a tenant to the building.
    “I think this is an incredible initiative by the town,” said Morrow. “In these times now, money like this is getting harder to come by, so when I heard of the program I quickly went on top of it and was thrilled to be selected.”
    The future of the iconic Anderson Drug mural which faces the alleyway is uncertain now, but Morrow expressed interest in possibly offering the mural to another party for posterity’s sake if it will be removed.

This afternoon, the RCMP concluded its search for 23-year-old Kelsey Nicole Kramer when her body was discovered in a densely wooded rural area near the Genesee Natural Area, north of St. Francis, Alberta. 

Kelsey Kramer had been reported by her mother to the Drayton Valley RCMP Detachment as a missing person last week, on Tuesday, March 22.  Investigation by police had determined that Ms. Kramer was last seen in Drumheller, where she left to drive home, and heard from on the night of Saturday, March 19.  Police located a vehicle that Ms. Kramer was known to be driving in a rural location within the Breton RCMP Detachment’s area. 

The RCMP Missing Persons Unit was engaged as well as the RCMP Major Crimes Unit (MCU) from Edmonton.  The police investigation and search for Ms. Kramer utilized resources from the Drayton Valley, Breton and Thorsby RCMP detachments.  Participating in the search of various locations were the RCMP’s Special Tactical Operations (STO) troop, RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) and RCMP Air Services.

Ms. Kramer’s family has been notified by police.  An autopsy is scheduled for next week at the Office of the Medical Examiner in Edmonton; the results of which will determine the cause and manner of Ms. Kramer’s death.

An update will be issued in Wednesday's Drumheller Mail once new information is confirmed.