May Long Weekend. It is the weekend that officially kicks off spring for many Albertans – though the weather is usually winter’s final gasp before it finally decides to release us from its icy grip.
It is also the weekend that comes with the most tragedy compared to any other throughout the year. Five people were killed over the weekend, four on the highways – matching last year’s collision deaths – and one after an ATV accident near Sundre.
Each year the RCMP reminds drivers and those using recreation trails to be careful. Officers set up check stops, conduct extra patrols and make every effort to protect lives. Unfortunately it seems regardless of the efforts made to ensure the publics safety, some just don’t get the message.
There are those incidents that are freak accidents and out of people’s controls. Then there are those fuelled by liquor and drugs. Any life lost because people feel the need to get wasted and hit the roads or get behind the wheel of a recreational vehicle is a waste.
Unfortunately too many people have the mindset that bad things will not happen to them. Many have had that theory proven wrong and it has come at the cost of robbing a family of a loved one.
The May long weekend understandably gets people excited. It’s the first time many of us can let loose and have some fun after months of hiding from the cold. You can have fun and be smart too. Once again, this message is too late for five Albertans who experienced their last May long weekend.
Celebrate with us
The Cochrane Eagle’s Jenna Dulewich is heading to Edmonton this weekend to represent the newspaper at this year’s Canadian Community Newspaper Awards (CCNA) and the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Awards (AWNA).
Once again the Eagle is being recognized for the work it does in this community and will be honoured with seven awards between the national and provincial organizations.
Categories the Eagle is nominated in for AWNA are Best Sports Photo, Best Spot News Photo and Best Editorial Page. For CCNA we are nominated for Best Sports Page, Best Editorial Page, Best Overall and Best Habitat Conservation Story – written by Dulewich.
While the awards are a feather in the cap for the Eagle’s staff, they are also a testament to the commitment we put in to giving our readers the best product we can.
We also couldn’t do what we do without you. The support we receive from the community is tremendous and we will continue to strive to earn that support.
