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Last updateSat, 27 Apr 2024 1pm

Youth charged after fire at Extra Foods

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A youth has been charged with arson after lighting clothes in the Drumheller Extra Food on fire on Thursday night.
 At 5 p.m. on June 24, the Drumheller Fire Department and police were dispatched to a fire in the Drumheller Extra Foods. 
Subsequent investigation has determined that, two male youths attended into the store to steal some merchandise.  While in the store, one of the youths stole a lighter, and then lit some clothing on fire.  The two youths quickly exited the store while the fire grew in strength and intensity. 
The store was occupied by several customers and staff at the time of the fire.
Upon the fire being discovered, the staff cleared the store of any people while the emergency services were being dispatched.  No injuries were sustained by anyone.  The store received an extensive amount of smoke and water damage, and will subsequently be closed an indeterminate amount of time.  A damage value has not been determined at this time.
One 12 yr old youth was arrested, and has been charged with arson and theft. He will be appearing in youth court in Drumheller on July 23


DCHS stem cell drive huge success

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    Drumheller Composite High School (DCHS) students had a very ambitious target: to get 400 people to come to the school and have their cheek swabbed for a stem cell donation on Wednesday, June 23 within a four-hour period.
    The idea of the stem cell drive came from Mrs. Dart. When DCHS students found out the rare blood disease she had suffered from had come back, they asked how they could help. As a stem cell transplant had saved her life in June 2007, Mrs. Dart suggested this drive and felt a target of 100 would be reasonable.
    Mr. LaPierre and the students decided that 400 was the target they should aim for.
    And they are nearly there!
    At the time of going to press, Hailu Mulatu, coordinator for the drive from OneMatch Canadian Blood Services, told inSide Drumheller they had 309 people attending the drive and 63 had registered online.
    “The Drumheller community has shown these patients [on the registry awaiting donors] very huge support and they have given a very clear indication how caring the community is,” said Mulatu.
    “On behalf of the Canadian Blood Services OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network and the patients we serve, I would like to thank and express my gratitude to the community of Drumheller.”
    Mrs. Dart told inSide Drumheller, “I am excited, but I am determined to reach 400. I am not stopping until we reach our target!”
    “I really didn’t have any doubt,” said Mr LaPierre about reaching their target. “The 400 number came from me and talking with the Grade 7 team who were volunteering here. And I said, ‘You know, this sounds like a good number, and it may not be possible, but at the same token, I think it is. If everybody does their little part, it happens very easily.’ And sure enough, this is exactly what happened.”
    People who were not able to attend the drive can still register online. To keep track of the numbers, Mrs. Dart is asking for people to let her know when they register online by emailing her at
sandbdart@yahoo.ca.
    To register online, visit www.onematch.ca.

LaPierre to head DCHS next September

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    Golden Hills School Division didn’t have to look too far to find a person to head up Drumheller Composite High School (DCHS) for the next coming school year.
 Recently Tom Zariski announced he would be retiring as principal of DCHS. Last week associate principal Curtis LaPierre got the nod from the school division to be interim principal for the upcoming school year. He is excited about the possibilities.
    “It is going to be a change… It brings new challenges and opportunities,” said LaPierre.
    He was appointed principal for the next school year because there was not enough time for a proper competition for the position to take place. He will serve next year, and then he plans to apply for the permanent position.
    LaPierre has been at DCHS for 21 years. It was his first teaching position.
    Originally from Ontario, he started his working life as a chef, and made his way out west. He worked in some high-end kitchens including at the Banff Springs Hotel, before he attended the University of Calgary to earn his teaching degree. When the Drumheller opportunity came up, he jumped on it. He has now been in administration for eight years and has earned his Masters in Administrative Leadership.
    He has raised his family in the valley and established the Drumheller Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido School. His familiarity will help in his new position.
    “I already know the school and the community, I have an established relationship and I am familiar with the international program,” he said.
    One thing he is looking forward to is being at the helm of the newly renovated DCHS. He says construction is on schedule and the school will be making the move over the Christmas break so the second semester will be at the new school.
    “The opportunity to be principal of that school is really something,” he said.
    After 21 years at the school, he is excited about continuing in his new role.
    “I like the kids, the human interaction and colleagues,” he said. “Everyday is different when you come through the door, there are surprising treats and joys.”

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