Innisfail News

Last Saturday night the Innisfail Eagles headed north up the highway to the small town of Bentley to face off against the always powerful Generals. This was the first game of the New Year for both teams.

Two accidents follow car fire on QEII. Two cars were seriously damaged and one woman was charged with careless driving following a string of accidents along QEII northbound Jan. 2.

After being pummelled by the recession in 2010, Innisfail's upbeat economic performance last year is pointing to renewed prosperity in 2012 and beyond. Last year the town saw a 15% increase in development permits from $10.3 million in 2010 to $15.

The Innisfail Lions Club agreed to donate $3,000 towards a guide dog training program that helps improve the lives of people with a variety of disabilities. The funding will be matched by an anonymous donor who has agreed to contribute up to $75,000.

Problems with spotty cellphone reception in Penhold should be resolved in 2012, after Telus announced last week its commitment to find a location to construct a tower in town this year.

The venerable Autumn Glen Lodge will get a massive makeover. In fact, the half-century-old facility for low-income seniors may even be demolished to make way for a new modern home for the town's seniors.

Innisfail has thrown its puck into the shinny ring to be known coast to coast as the most hockey connected community in Canada. But much more work needs to be done to ensure its entry makes it past a crucial Jan. 31 deadline.

Penhold is on the brink of recording a record number of residential homes built in the town. “This will be the most homes built in one year in the town’s history,” said Mayor Dennis Cooper. “Penhold has become a place of choice.

Penhold town council has bowed to public pressure and killed a proposed controversial cat bylaw on second reading. “Cat owners have won the day, actually the citizens of this community have won the day,” said Mayor Dennis Cooper.

A creative volunteer was the top choice for this year’s Spruce View and District Lion’s Club citizen of the year award. Les Johnston, north of Markerville Creamery, spends most of his free time either at the creamery or Fensala Hall.