51°µÍø

It has been a long battle for the Jasper Skatepark Committee, the group pushing for a new skatepark in town. Led by chairman Darrell Savage, the committee has worked hard to raise more than $100,000 through donations, grants and fundraising events.

When the pandemic hit five months ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long), working life changed for everyone.

So, council made the big decision: Wearing a mask or face covering is now mandatory in indoor public spaces in Jasper. If you have followed my editorials over the last few months, you will know I am an advocate for public mask-wearing.

Yikes. That hike in COVID-19 cases over the weekend was a little scary. On Friday, 858 active cases were reported in the province, on Monday, there were 1,116.

A grizzly bear eats dandelions on Maligne Lake Road, June 6, 2020. | F.Dragon photo The wildlife is one of the most enchanting elements of Jasper National Park. I fall in love with every critter, every black nose and furry butt I see.

Mini Mounties take part in Jasper's Canada Day Parade in 2017. | File photo Happy (belated) Canada Day! This year's July 1 was different to usual, with Jasper’s traditional activities and events cancelled due to the pandemic.

Do you wear a mask to the grocery store? At all levels of government we are being encouraged to wear non-medical masks in public when we can’t maintain physical distancing of two metres.

You might have noticed a new name between the pages of the 51°µÍø .

Over the past few weeks we have seen anti-racism protests and vigils held all over the world - including here in Jasper . Now we can look at ways to turn that momentum into real change.

There is only one topic fit for this space this week. BLACK LIVES MATTER I thought for a moment, is this the right platform to be talking about this? The answer is yes. Absolutely it is. Every platform is appropriate.