News Flash

Bees, butterflies, and many other insects play an essential role as pollinators in natural ecosystems and cultivated landscapes. They support the production of many crops, including those commonly grown in home gardens. Creating and maintaining pollinator-friendly spaces is one practical way to support garden health and biodiversity.

If you are interested in attracting beneficial insects and pollinators to your garden landscape, the following tips and resources can help you get started:

1. Identify and conserve the pollinator habitats you have around the garden. 
   1. Identify the plants you already have and note when they bloom; this will help to identify gaps throughout the flowering season and help to decide where to add flowering plants so that pollinators have food throughout the growing season.
   2. Conserve existing pollinators' habitats such as untilled, partially bare ground and hollow-stemmed plants for nesting sites and untilled areas with perennial vegetation cover for over wintering sites.
2. Include native plant species where possible; they are well suited to local pollinators and growing conditions and will help to increase overlap in blooming times. Plant native species in clumps of 3-8 plants to mimic natural pollinator habitat.
3. Provide habitat features such as undisturbed soil, leaf litter, and pesticide-free areas to help support pollinator populations. Some native bee species tunnel into soft wood and utilize beetle galleries for nesting sites. Bumble bee boxes and a branch pile can provide protective cavities for bees to nest and over winter.

Should you like to learn more about attracting pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden, please read the following publications: Windflowers for Alberta's Wild Bees, Native Pollinators and Agriculture in Canada, and Selecting Plants for Pollinators. 

References: 

Alberta Native Bee Council. (n.d.). Wildflowers for Alberta’s Wild Bees. Alberta Native Bee Council. Squarespace.com

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. (2014). Native Pollinators and Agriculture in Canada. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Publications.gc.ca

Wojcik, V., Morandin, L., & Law, K. (2025). Selecting Plants for Pollinators. Pollinator Partnership Canada. Pollinator Partnership Canada. Pollinatorpartnership.ca

Tax payment deadline is August 31, 2026. To avoid penalty charges applied September 1st, 2026, property tax payments made by mail should be CLEARLY POSTMARKED no later than August 31st, 2026, or you can drop off your payments at the County of Wetaskiwin Administration Office (mail slot in front door) prior to September 1st, 2026. The County office is located 1 ½ mile west on Hwy 13 from Hwy 2A. Payments can also be made in person using: 

• Interac - Payments can be made at the County of Wetaskiwin Administration Office.
• Cheque - Including cheques post-dated on or before the due date indicated on the tax notice.
• Credit Card - Online payments using select credit cards through OptionPay, which has a tiered fee schedule.

Don't forget the County will be at the Buck Lake Community Hall on Wednesday, August 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for tax collection (cash or cheque). 

Most dog bite complaints the County receives are minor and involve scratches, bruising, or small puncture wounds. Even if there’s no injury, the County may still be able to address the incident under the at-large provisions of the Dog Control Bylaw.

If you've been bitten:

• Note the blue sign address (if you know where the dog lives).
• Rinse the wound with clean water and apply pressure to stop any bleeding.
• Seek medical attention for serious injuries.
• Report the incident to the County's Bylaw & Animal Control department.

A Bylaw Officer will investigate, contact the dog's owner (if known), and confirm the dog's vaccination status, including rabies.

Rabies

Rabies is spread through the saliva of an infected animal. Household pets are generally low risk, while unvaccinated farm dogs or stray dogs may pose a greater risk. If the dog's rabies vaccination status is unknown and the bite broke the skin, seek medical advice.

Dog Owner Responsibilities

Responsible dog ownership helps keep our communities safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone.

Key rules for dog owners in the County of Wetaskiwin:

• Dogs must be on leash when off your property at all times.
• Always pick up after your dog and dispose waste in a garbage bin.
• Dogs must not excessively bark or howl.
• Dogs must not attack or bite any person or animal.

Fines: Violating these rules may result in a $250 fine for a first offence.

To report a dog bite, contact Bylaw Enforcement Dispatch at 780-352-0005.

For more information, visit our Bylaw Department page.

Join the County of Wetaskiwin FCSS for a free online Lunch & Learn Session on September 24 from 12:05 pm - 1:00 pm for:

10 Steps to Retire without Debt

Designed to provide practical information and tools to help you make informed decisions for your future. This engaging webinar offers expert advice, real-life strategies, and helpful resources in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

Whether you're planning ahead, building financial confidence, or looking for practical tips, this session will provide valuable information you can put into action.

This presentation is delivered live online by the Credit Counselling Society.

Registration is required. A webinar link will be emailed to registered participants approximately one week prior to the presentation.

Take your lunch break to learn something new and start planning for what matters most.

This event will be delivered live by webinar style presentation, with two attendance options on September 9, 2026:

• Attend online from home using the webinar link provided after registration.
• Join a community viewing location to watch and participate in the live presentation with others. One in-person viewing location has been confirmed (Pigeon Lake Public Library), and additional locations may be added based on interest.

The White Hatter presentations are interactive, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions and engage throughout the session, whether attending from home or at a community viewing location.

Registration is required. All registered participants will receive the webinar link prior to the event.

Questions?

Email: fcssadmin@county10.ca

Phone: 780-352-3321 ext 2292

PUBLIC NOTICE – MUNICIPAL LAND SALE OPPORTUNITY 

The County of Wetaskiwin is accepting sealed Tenders from qualified individuals, businesses, or organizations for the purchase of County-owned land.

This Tender is intended to ensure transparency, fairness, and the responsible disposition of public assets while maximizing community benefit and financial return.

The Land Sale Tender Application is available at the County Office or online at: https://county.wetaskiwin.ab.ca/LandSales

SEALED submissions must be received no later than 12:00 p.m. on August 17, 2026. Proposals should be submitted to:

County of Wetaskiwin 243019A Highway 13 Box 6960 Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 2G5

Late submissions will not be considered.

Tenders will be opened at 1:00 p.m. on August 17, 2026, and evaluated based on predetermined criteria, including purchase price and any other criteria outlined in the Tender documents. All bids will be handled confidentially and fairly.

For questions, contact:

René Boutin, Director of Assessment ServicesEmail | 780-361-6233

The successful bidder will be notified by issuing a Letter of Award. The sale will be finalized upon execution of the Purchase and Sale Agreement and completion of all required payments and closing requirements.

Land Sale #LS0001 (Roll 273322): NW-14-47-28-W4M; Plan 7820401; Block 5; Lot R5. Encompassing 0.18 acres.

Minimum Bid: $2,800.00

The County of Wetaskiwin is seeking partnership with local artisans, producers, and businesses owners for the purchase of County-made promotional items. Our County is home to many talented creators, producers and business owners. We are excited for the opportunity to support and spotlight our community’s unique, locally produced products through the purchase and distribution of promotional items. Products with the ability to have the County’s branding applied to the item or container—either by the producer or by the County—are specifically requested, as the intention of this initiative is to provide items that promote and represent the County of Wetaskiwin.

If you are interested in providing a quote for your product(s), please visit our website and fill out this form to provide your contact information, information about your practice or business, the product(s) offered, the requested price(s), and if applicable, photos of the product(s). 

From July 15, 2026, to August 17, 2026, the County of Wetaskiwin will be accepting submissions for a photography contest. Contestants are invited to submit original photographs for any of the three listed categories: 

•    County Past – Celebrate sites or landmarks prevalent to the County’s rich history;

•    Nature – Spotlight our County’s extensive natural beauty; and,

•    Agriculture – Capture the spirit of the County’s agricultural industry.

County residents are welcome to submit up to three (3) photos per contestant, which are to include a title and an optional short caption (100 words or less). A winner and runner-up will be selected for each category. Prizes are as follows:

1st place County Past – 1 year family pass to the Reynolds-Alberta Museum and a cooler bag

1st place Nature – 2 nights free camping at any County-owned campsite and two lawn chairs

1st place Agriculture – $60 gift card for Winfield Feed and Farm Supply and an insulated travel mug

2nd place winners in each category will receive a $25 gift card to Daisy McBean’s in The Village at Pigeon Lake. 1st place and 2nd place winners in each category will receive their photos featured on the County Facebook page.

Photos will be judged on adherence to the category that they are submitted for, originality, and aesthetic quality. Judging will be conducted blindly. Please ensure that any people present in photos consent to their likeness being used for the contest. The contest is limited to residents of the County of Wetaskiwin. By submitting photos, contestants consent to the potential of their work being posted online or used as promotional material for the County and proclaim that their photos do not infringe on the intellectual property of anyone by use of branding or logos. Winners will be contacted by August 21, 2026.

Photos can be submitted as .jpg files through this submission form.

Update: July 29, 2026

Construction is expected to start on August 4, 2026 and crews will be on site for about 14 days. This does not include days in which crews are unable to work due to inclement weather.

Original Post:

Project Description:

Roadway rehabilitation improvements to extend the service life of Township Road 472A have been awarded to Park Aid Asphalt Ltd. The project involves resurfacing the roadways within the subdivision to provide an optimal driving surface for residents. This project also intends to improve drainage by replacing several culverts along Pipestone Road.

Scope of Work:

• Small Diameter Culvert Installation 
• Minor Ditching Improvements 
• Subgrade Repairs 
• Paving

We understand construction can be inconvenient and may cause minor delays, but your patience and cooperation are crucial. Let's work together to maintain a safe construction site throughout the project. View the full Notice of Construction here. Progress updates will be posted on our website and Facebook page.

BE ADVISED that the County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 is imposing a 15 Tonne Weight Restriction on Bridge File 72248, located on RGE RD 255, approximately 300m north of HWY 13.

This restriction will begin immediately and will remain until repairs can be completed due to poor structural integrity. Based on the current condition, the bridge will be temporarily restricted to 15 tonnes.

County of Wetaskiwin Weed Inspectors have began their season. The Weed Inspectors conduct weed inspections and investigate complaints, all the while increasing awareness of invasive weed species and weed management in the County.

Weed Inspectors are in marked white County trucks and have County identification cards. They have the ability to enter onto land at a reasonable time to monitor compliance with the Weed Control Act. It is an offense to willfully obstruct or delay them while they are exercising their duties. Weed Inspectors are looking for noxious or prohibited noxious weeds as defined in the Weed Control Regulations. The goal is to create awareness about weed concerns and educate residents on why these weeds are of concern.

What are Prohibited Noxious and Noxious Weeds?

Prohibited Noxious Weeds and Noxious Weeds are plants designated in accordance with the Weed Control Act and includes the plant’s seeds. 

• Prohibited Noxious: A person shall destroy a prohibited noxious weed that is on land the person owns or occupies. 
• Noxious: A personal shall control a noxious weed that is on land the person owns or occupies.

What is the difference between a Weed Inspection Report and a Weed Notice?

A Weed Inspection Report is a document used by the County of Wetaskiwin to inform the landowner that they have Prohibited Noxious or Noxious Weeds on their property that should be eradicated or controlled. This report along with a weed fact sheet, herbicide application directory, herbicide controls for weeds and County equipment rental information sheets are sent to the landowner. 

A Weed Notice is a legal document that is issued to landowners when they do not control their Noxious or eradicate their Prohibited Noxious Weeds. When a Weed Notice is received the instructions of the Weed Notice must be followed by the date specified on the notice. Failure to comply with a Weed Notice by the specified date allows the County or its Contractor to perform the necessary control measures, at the landowner’s expense.  

FCSS Online Presentation: Your Health, Your Voice: Learning to Advocate for better care

• Date: Tuesday August 18, 2026 
• Time: 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
• Location: Online- the meeting link will be emailed to registered participants.

Join us for Free online presentation from Alberta Health Advocates to learn about:

• The long-term benefits of self-advocacy in health care
• The Alberta Health Charter
• Common barriers to effective self-advocacy
• Strategies for communicating with your doctor or health provider
• Practical tools and communication styles that support strong self-advocacy
• How the Office of the Alberta Health Advocates can support you

Questions? Need help registering? 

• Phone: 780-352-3321 ext 2292.
• Email

You are invited to attend the County of Wetaskiwin's Buck Lake Open House & Tax Collection. 

• Wednesday, August 19, 2026 
• Buck Lake Community Hall 
• Tax Collection: 9 am - 2 pm 
• BBQ: 11 am - 2 pm