News Flash

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

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

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

Tomatoes are a popular choice for home gardeners, often producing an abundant harvest that can be enjoyed fresh or preserved for later use. In Central Alberta, growing tomatoes can be a rewarding challenge due to the shorter outdoor growing season. Whether grown in a greenhouse, garden bed, or container, the following tips can help support healthy, productive tomato plants:

1. Avoid planting tomatoes and potatoes near each other in your garden spaces and ensure proper crop rotation. Both crops are from the Solanaceae family and are therefore susceptible to the same diseases such as late blight.

2. Water tomato plants consistently throughout the growing season to reduce the risk of blossom end rot.

3. Add a layer of mulch around your tomato plants to help regulate soil temperature and maintain consistent moisture. This can also help reduce blossom end rot and minimize fruit cracking before harvesting.

4. With fluctuating temperatures and rainfall, consider harvesting tomatoes before full ripeness to prevent cracking, splitting, and insect feeding.

5. Prune tomatoes according to variety. Determinate varieties (bush type) require pruning when the plants are dense, and air circulation needs to be improved. Indeterminate varieties (vining type) should be pruned often to remove suckers

For more information about growing tomatoes please visit the following resources: University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources and University of Maryland Extension. For more information about cracking vegetables, please visit this University of Maryland Extension resource. 

References:

University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. (2021). Tomatoes. In Gardening. gardening.usask.ca.

University of Maryland Extension. (2023). Cracking of vegetables. In Extension.umd.edu. extension.umd.edu.

University of Maryland Extension. (2024). Growing tomatoes in a home garden. In Extension.umd.edu. extension.umd.edu.

Update: July 27

Roadside Spraying crews completed all range roads between the west County boundary and Highway 2A, and will continue moving east as weather permits. 

Update: July 13

Roadside Spraying crews have completed all range road south of Highway 13 and west of Winfield, and will continue to move east as weather permits. 

Original Post:

Roadside spraying began today, Monday, July 6, along all range roads, south of Highway 13.

The County conducts roadside weed control on a tri-annual basis (3-year rotation). The use of herbicides is the most cost-effective means to do this. All herbicide applications are made by certified applicators, and follow the best practices, handling, safety and standards as set out by Alberta Environment and the Professional Vegetation Management Association of Alberta. 

For more information, please contact Stephen Majek, Director of Agricultural Services, at 780-352-3321 or email.

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.  

Forest tent caterpillars have been identified in the County of Wetaskiwin. Forest tent caterpillars are a serious pest that effect many species of deciduous trees in North America. When outbreaks occur, they cover extensive areas and can completely defoliate host trees. Eggs hatch and larvae begin feeding on newly emerging leaves in late April to early May.

Prevention and Management

Pest management strategies vary depending on several factors, including:

• the population level of the pest, 
• the expected damage of the pest's activity and population level, 
• how many individual host specimens are affected, 
• the value of the host(s) versus the cost of pest management. 

Potential strategies include:

• removing colonies of young larvae by hand or with pressurized water,
• applying a registered insecticide against larvae for larger trees or in forested situations. Search Health Canada’s Pesticide Product Information Database for currently registered pesticides and product information for use against forest tent caterpillars. Apply registered products only as necessary and follow all directions and precautions noted on the manufacturer's label. 

Rental Equipment

• The County of Wetaskiwin offers a "bug sprayer" for rent that can be used to spray your trees. This self-contained trailer sprayer unit can spray trees up to 40 feet tall. It has its own motor and handgun nozzle to spray trees. It requires a 2 and 5/16” ball to pull the trailer and can be rented for $20.00 per day or $40.00 for the weekend. Click here for more information on rental equipment.

For more information about forest tent caterpillars, click here. For further questions or clarification, please contact Stefanie de Boer, Horticulturalist, at 780-351-3321 ext. 2271.

Tomatoes are a popular choice for home gardeners, often producing an abundant harvest that can be enjoyed fresh or preserved for later use. In Central Alberta, growing tomatoes can be a rewarding challenge due to the shorter outdoor growing season. Whether grown in a greenhouse, garden bed, or container, the following tips can help support healthy, productive tomato plants:

1. Avoid planting tomatoes and potatoes near each other in your garden spaces and ensure proper crop rotation. Both crops are from the Solanaceae family and are therefore susceptible to the same diseases such as late blight.

2. Water tomato plants consistently throughout the growing season to reduce the risk of blossom end rot.

3. Add a layer of mulch around your tomato plants to help regulate soil temperature and maintain consistent moisture. This can also help reduce blossom end rot and minimize fruit cracking before harvesting.

4. With fluctuating temperatures and rainfall, consider harvesting tomatoes before full ripeness to prevent cracking, splitting, and insect feeding.

5. Prune tomatoes according to variety. Determinate varieties (bush type) require pruning when the plants are dense, and air circulation needs to be improved. Indeterminate varieties (vining type) should be pruned often to remove suckers

For more information about growing tomatoes please visit the following resources: University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources and University of Maryland Extension. For more information about cracking vegetables, please visit this University of Maryland Extension resource. 

References:

University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. (2021). Tomatoes. In Gardening. gardening.usask.ca.

University of Maryland Extension. (2023). Cracking of vegetables. In Extension.umd.edu. extension.umd.edu.

University of Maryland Extension. (2024). Growing tomatoes in a home garden. In Extension.umd.edu. extension.umd.edu.

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

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.