Local News - Page 2 of 42 - Drayton Valley and District Free Press

Five hidden fishing gems in Alberta’s West Country

If your idea of a great summer includes trading cell service for campfires and crowds for calm waters, you’re in for a treat. Out in Brazeau Country—just 40 minutes west of Drayton Valley—there’s a wild slice of Alberta that’s perfect for escaping the noise and diving into real-deal wilderness vibes. Think remote lakes, winding rivers, and chill campsites where you can cast a line, crack a cold one, and feel like you’re the only person in the world.

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March 23, 2026

Backyard Bucket List

Two small town fairs you won’t want to miss

Small town summer fairs in Drayton Valley and Evansburg are a must do this summer.

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March 23, 2026

Local News / News

Charter school draws attention

The Roots of Resilience Charter School has been receiving attention from education and indigenous authorities, as educators hope to learn from their model. Charlene Bearhead, the principal of the school, says she has been receiving phone calls from indigenous groups and school divisions that wish to visit the school.

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March 19, 2026

Local News / Opinion

What’s in a name? I’m glad you asked

I suggested to my daughter that she name her first child Grahamina if it’s a girl. I haven’t managed to come up with a good boy’s name yet.

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March 5, 2026

Local News / News

Classroom complexity an issue

After hearing the concerns of teachers and parents during the teachers’ strike last October, the provincial government has assigned their first phase of complexity teams to schools across the province. “The classroom complexity [teams are] the Alberta Government’s response .. (to) the labour action,” says Jodie Mattia, the superintendent of Wild Rose School Division.

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March 5, 2026

Local News / News

Symposium puts focus on mental health

One of Canada’s most sought-after rodeo announcers and motivational speakers returned to his hometown last weekend as the keynote speaker at the Mental Health Awareness Symposium. Brett Gardiner was born and raised near Drayton Valley and has a grad photo hanging on the walls of Frank Maddock High School.

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February 26, 2026

Read more about the article Shared history is a foundation for the future

Brandy Fredrickson, Publisher

Local News / Opinion

Shared history is a foundation for the future

Last year we sent our daughter to summer camp, at the request of one of her friends. A text to my husband revealed that this was the summer camp he went to as a kid, as well as his mom and his grandmother. A deeper search showed that his great-grandfather helped build the camp back in 1945.

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February 26, 2026

Read more about the article Working youth are suffering

Amanda Jefferey, Reporter

Local News / Opinion

Working youth are suffering

Not too long ago, I heard a complaint about youth being too lazy to get jobs nowadays. That annoys me to no end because not only is it painting an entire generation with a broad brush, the blame for lower employment rates is placed solely at the feet of the youth, which is not right.

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February 19, 2026

Local News / News

Drayton to host U11 finals

The Team Auctions Centre will be a busy place in March as it hosts the U11 A and B teams Division Finals on two different weekends. Kara Westerlund, a member of the social committee for the event, says this community was selected after the Drayton Valley Minor Hockey Association put in a bid with Hockey Alberta.

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February 19, 2026

Local News / Opinion

How do I love thee? … Ummm

Close observers of current events, or anyone with a pulse for that matter, has probably noticed that the world is a pretty crappy place right now. How crappy? Well, it’s as crappy as it’s ever been as far as I can remember,

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February 12, 2026