Just a day after animals were taken from an area ranch known to be owned by the Graham family, court dates were set relating to an incident in 2011 where more animals were taken from the same area by the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty  to Animals (ASPCA).
    inSide Drumheller broke the story that on last Thursday, the ASPCA  seized  dozens of cattle from an area property. They attended with members of the RCMP and  a veterinarian. Roland Lines of the ASPCA said there were concerns about animal welfare.    
    On Friday, January 17, John Barry Graham and Byron Graham appeared in provincial court in Drumheller. Their appearance related to a 2011 incident where cattle and horses were seized from the area property.
    This was the 20th appearance on some of the charges.
    Bryon Graham is facing three provincial tickets under the Animal Protection Act and a trial date has been set for July 25.
    John Barry Graham had a trial date of June 27 set for tickets under the Animal Protection Act.
    John Barry Graham and Lawrence Brydon also set a trial date for the substantive charges relating to the 2011 seizure. Two weeks have been set aside from November 17 to November 28 for these trials.

    This week Drumheller is celebrating National Non-Smoking Week with the ninth annual Knee Hockey Challenge.
    National Non-Smoking Week is January 19 -25 and the theme this year has two parts; emphasizing that the  “Majority Do … choose a Tobacco Free lifestyle, or a Tobacco Free Pregnancy.”
    Tobacco reduction/addictions counsellor for Alberta Health Service, Martin McSween says despite messaging in pop culture or in the media, most have made the choice to live without tobacco.   
    “With current stats stating 17 per cent of the population in Canada smoking and less than 3 per cent using spit tobacco nationally, the majority of us do choose a healthier lifestyle,’ said McSween.
    He goes onto explain the second part of the theme, focusing on pregnancy, deals with the effects smoking can have during and after a pregnancy, and while much of the focus is on young women, it also touches on families.
    “The dads have a play in making a pregnancy tobacco free and it does impact the family,” said McSween. “If you do break free during pregnancy it is highly likely you will go back.”
    One tradition in Drumheller to mark the national event is the annual Knee Hockey Challenge held on Weedless Wednesday, January 22. About 115 Grade 6 students from Greentree, St. Anthony’s and Morrin School will descend on Greentree School for the event to learn about choosing a healthy lifestyle. The Drumheller Dragons also participate in the event.
    McSween says Grade 6 is an opportune time to talk to students about choosing to stay away from Tobacco.
    “It is a key stage in that transition year, even if you are in the same school, there are still those changes, from elementary to junior high and from junior high to high school,” said McSween.
    While it is National Non-Smoking Week, the focus is on all tobacco use including chew, which is often used in sports, and often there is a misconception that it is healthier.
    The office in Drumheller has set up a display at Drumheller Associated Physicians with literature to allow people to learn more about the health effects of smoking and how to get support for those planning to quit. The QuitCore program is once again being offered in Drumheller. Area counsellors also offer one-on-one counseling for those wishing to quit. More resources are available through AlbertaQuits, including a website chock full of information, as well as a telephone support line.