Sturgeon Victim Services (SVS) held a Retirement Party on Saturday at the Curling Club for their Executive Director Donna McPherson. After almost 22 years of serving the community through SVS McPherson is retiring. McPherson said it has been a long 22 years, almost 22 years but in some respects it seems like only yesterday that she was walking through the front doors of the police station saying what did I get myself into. "It has been an uphill battle, it has been a downhill battle, it has been a joy, a frustration, which is all part of why I really love that program, no two days are the same." She said you get to meet the very nicest people at the worst circumstances in their lives. Hopefully you can make a difference in people's lives.The one constant in the program all the way through has been the volunteers that have come out, day or night, anytime that they have been asked to come out and provide assistance in the area. A message was read from Doug and Laurel Kading who were unable to attend. In it Laurel wrote, " Doug and i send our best wishes to Donna as she embarks on her next life adventure...We were not sure how to capture over 20 years of dedication, hard work and friendship. From late night ride a longs in the police car, to hectic grant writing sessions to meet deadlines, to weekend retreat camps, Donna has poured her heart and soul into Victim Services and built it to the life changing resource it is today. Conservative estimates would indicate that Donna and her team have helped over 300 people per year. Each of those people have families that have also benefited from Donna's work. That means that at least 6000 people have better lives thanks to this fine lady." Flowers and gifts were presented along with refreshments, snacks and cutting of the cake.

Spring has sprung.

A couple of young residents out having some fun at the fish and game pond.

One of our advertisers this week is selling an acreage for sale near Morinville.

Morinville Art Club and Redwater Art Club teaming up for a show and sale at the Fable Hall (parish hall) today until 5 p.m. Morinville’s 40th anniversary and Redwater’s 30th.

Morinville Art Club's Spring Show is on today.

Interesting opportunity to celebrate Sturgeon's 100th. https://sturgeoncountymuralmosaic.eventbrite.ca

Grass fire along highway 2 by Heritage Lake today. Fire crews were on scene quickly. This is the season to not chuck cigarettes out windows.

SHOP IN MORINVILLE A few opportunities we spotted on our rounds today. Two more vendors at Mercantile downtown Some cool butterflies at Flower Stop Burgers on sale at Sobeys Tequila on sale at Liquor on Main Plus the Body Shops spring special is still on and Turners diamond sale is in it’s final days this month.

Morinville Art Club's Spring Show is tomorrow.

RCMP update on the Bellerose school lock down earlier this month. St. Albert RCMP - Utter Threats St. Albert, AB – St. Albert General Investigation Unit (GIS) along with the assistance of St. Albert General Duty have charged a 18 year old female in connection with the lockdown at Bellerose Composite High School on April 9, 2018. To protect the victims and accused involved in this incident, St. Albert RCMP will not be releasing the name of the female arrested. The Edmonton resident was charged with the following offences: Utter Threats - Section 264.1(1)(a) C.C. Mischief - Section 430(4) C.C. Public Mischief - Section 140(2) C.C. The female is scheduled to appear in St. Albert Provincial Court on May 14, 2018. St. Albert RCMP want to thank the students and staff at Bellerose Composite High School for contacting the police immediately when they became aware of the threat. A lockdown is designed to prevent intruders from entering occupied areas of a school or to isolate students and staff from a threat either outside or inside the building. “With everything that is going on in the world, we know how traumatic these kinds of situations can be on individuals. Being placed in lockdown can create anxiety & uncertainty, but the process allowed all students and faculty to be safe,” says Cst. M-J Burroughs. St. Albert RCMP along with it's Community and School Partners are committed to keeping our youth safe in or out of school. The St. Albert Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Inter-Agency Steering Committee has been working together for the past year to create a consistent model for handling threats in our city (www.cctatr.com). If you have information about this crime or any crime, please call the St. Albert R.C.M.P. at 780-458-7700 or call your local police. If you want to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions). -30-

Coming up this weekend and next week - The Morinville News