According to Piikani Nation RCMP, a 26-year-old female was pronounced dead at the scene. The highway was shut down while police investigated. Police are asking the public for assistance.

Anyone who has information regarding this incident, or who was traveling on Highway 3 at the time of the accident, should contact the Piikani Nation RCMP at 403.965.2001 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS.

Officials with Fish and Wildlife have been notified and have assumed jurisdiction of this matter.

Police advise the public, particularly those with small children or pets, using the pedestrian path along Bridge Drive as well as other coulee paths to be aware of the presence of coyotes.

Here is what you should do if you encounter a coyote.

• Respond to its presence aggressively by making yourself appear large wave your arms over your head.
• Throw rocks, sticks or other objects to scare it away.
• Carry a whistle and blow it to startle the animal.
• Shout in a loud, deep voice.
• Do not turn away or run as this may trigger a predatory instinct and encourage the coyote to chase after you.
• If the coyote continues to approach, back away slowly and move towards human activity.

April was a busy month at the land border crossings. Typically, this month sees the return of many Canadians who wintered in the United States and Mexico. There were a total of 32 seizures across the region valued at over $60,000 and resulted in $13,000 in penalties to travellers. The majority of these seizures were related to vehicles, trailer, parts, and modifications that were not declared.

At the Coutts border crossing, 67,000 people entered Canada in April. During this same period, there were over 13,300 commercial vehicles. There were 77 people refused entry, 256 were granted permanent residence status, and 267 received work permits.

At the Carway border crossing, 10,000 travellers entered Canada in April in 4,600 cars. Additionally, CBSA officers issued 82 work permits, and 231 were granted permanent residence status, while 19 foreign nationals were refused entry into Canada.

Here are some notable events from last month.

Coutts

On April 3, Canada Border Service Agency officers referred a commercial driver for examination. When questioned whether he had any criminal convictions, the man stated he had parking violations; however background checks revealed several outstanding 2013 theft-related charges in California with an April 20 court date. The man also lacked proper documentation to enter Canada. He was a foreign national and did not possess documents showing his residency status in the United States; some foreign nationals require a visa to enter Canada. He was refused entry and returned to the U.S.

On April 5, a 32-year-old man and woman from Utah, who were moving to Alaska, attempted to smuggle a firearm into Canada. During an exam of the moving truck, CBSA officers found a handgun based on an AR15 assault rifle action, but with a 15-inch barrel. The firearm was seized, the woman was issued a $1000 penalty, and the couple proceeded into Canada

On April 7, Canada Border Service Agency officers seized suspected child pornography from a Saskatchewan resident returning from the United States. The man was arrested and transferred to RCMP custody. This matter is before the courts.

On April 8, Canada Border Service Agency officers arrested an Alberta woman for breach of conditions. Background checks revealed the woman had a conditional discharge on the condition of no contact with alcohol. The woman declared two bottles of alcohol to the primary officer. She was turned over to RCMP.

On April 13, a 28-year-old woman travelling to Banff was refused entry for a previous DUI conviction. She returned to the U.S. and was advised on proper procedures to apply for re-entry when eligible to do so.

On April 20, an Alberta couple was returning from Arizona and declared $1990 of goods, cigarettes, alcohol and beer. During an examination of the vehicle, one officer found an empty ring box with a price tag for $4999, and a receipt for another ring worth $1000. The couple eventually admitted the rings were purchased in Arizona on this trip. They were seized and a $1267 penalty was issued. Had they been truthful, they would have paid $300 in GST for the rings.

On April 21, Canada Border Service Agency officers made their second child pornography seizure of the month from an Alberta man returning from the United States. He was arrested and turned over to RCMP. This matter is before the courts.

On April 26, Canada Border Service Agency officers were alerted when U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Sweetgrass had refused entry to a 41-year-old Alberta man for multiple warrants and probation violations. When the man returned to Coutts, he was arrested by Canada Border Service Agency officers and turned over to RCMP.

Carway

On April 4, a Montana man told Canada Border Service Agency officers he was going to Calgary to meet a friend for two days. Canada Border Service Agency officers found evidence to suggest the man was actually coming to Canada to work as a tile installer. He was refused entry and returned to the U.S. Canada Border Service Agency officers were advised the man attempted twice to re-enter in British Columbia after he left the port of Carway.

On April 8, a 32-year-old foreign national arrived at the port to apply for a work permit. Instead officers determined the man was without status in Canada and required a visa to enter Canada. He was permitted to enter and was required to provide travel details within 14 days. The man confirmed his departure from Canada on 10 April 2013.

On April 27, a 67-year-old California man was refused entry for robbery and drug possession convictions for which he served a 25-year sentence. He returned to the U.S.

Del Bonita

On April 2, Canada Border Service Agency officers referred a New Hampshire family of four for further examination. The female driver explained they were moving to Alaska, but chose to take a scenic route through Montana and into Alberta. Officers thought the routing was odd so they were referred for further examination. Background checks on the male passenger revealed he had been refused entry the day before at Coutts for a 2010 DUI conviction. He explained to the officers he thought they could try again at another border crossing as they wanted to stay together for their trip. This time they were both refused entry – the male for the criminality and the female for making untrue statements. They returned to the U.S.

On April 22, Canada Border Service Agency officers seized electronic cigarettes from a returning Alberta resident. The Canada Border Service Agency reminds travellers that, in accordance with Canada’s Food and Drug Act, electronic cigarette cartridges containing nicotine cannot be imported into Canada. Nicotine-free cartridges may be imported.

RCMP are following up on several leads, however they ask anyone with information to contact the Taber/Vauxhall RCMP Detachment at 403.223.4447 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS.

The third annual ‘Fill A Truck’ event will take place nationwide in over 70 communities and every qualified donation enters you in a draw to win a trip for two to London, England, for a week.

One hundred percent of net proceeds raised by the Clothesline program directly support the Canadian Diabetes Association and their diabetes research, education, advocacy and important programs like D-Camps. Donating to Clothesline not only helps the more than 9 million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes, it also helps our environment by diverting materials that may otherwise end up in landfill.

If unable to donate on May 18, donors can schedule a free pick-up from their front door by visiting diabetes.ca/clothesline or by phoning the toll-free number 800.505.5525. Donors can also drop off a sealed clothing and cloth-based donation at any one of our 1,875 red Clothesline® donation bins located across Canada (visit diabetes.ca/dropbox to locate your nearest donation bin).

Clothesline accepts reusable clothing, all cloth-based items, shoes, boots, books, jewellery, toys, cell phones, cameras, laptops, and more (all electronic items should be sealed in a separate plastic bag).

“We are very proud to celebrate more than 28 years of service in communities across Canada as well as supporting the millions of Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes,” says Janelle Robertson, Executive Director, Clothesline.

In Lethbridge, Fill a Truck events will take place at both Save-On-Foods locations.

Police state that Robbie Tyson Blair White Man Left, 26, of Standoff, is charged with uttering threats and failing to comply with a probation order.

Anyone with information on White Man Left’s whereabouts should contact police at 403.328.4444 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477.

According to police, around 3:54 on the morning of May 10, they responded to a report that a male had been assaulted and was lying in the road along the 800 block of 4 Street South. EMS transported the 25-year-old male to hospital for treatment of injuries to his head and face. Following further investigation, they identified a female suspect and later located her in a unit of a nearby apartment building. The female, who does not live in the building and had allegedly broken in, was arrested without incident.

Police have charged Vanessa Spear Chief, 21, of Standoff, with assault causing bodily harm and housebreaking with intent. She is scheduled to appear in court May 22.

According to police in January, they received information from the Edmonton Police Service regarding the disclosure of a domestic sexual assault that had occurred in Lethbridge in 2012. They started an investigation, which ultimately determined that a 37-year-old male had sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl between February and March 2012. The sexual assault occurred at a Lethbridge home where the accused and victim both lived.

As this is a domestic matter, police will not identify the subject in order to protect the identity of the victim.

Police have charged a 37-year-old Lethbridge man with one count each of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and sexual interference. He is scheduled to appear in court May 23.

According to police around 16:30 Monday, a group of people, including several males and one female, were in the downtown area across from the Lethbridge Centre Mall. One of the males assaulted the 29-year-old female by kicking her multiple times, and then stole a quantity of cash. The males then left the area.

Witnesses described the male suspect only as Aboriginal.

Police ask anyone who witnessed this incident to contact Constable Alton Hagen at 403.327.2210.

Reportedly, when the male saw police, he ran, and a foot chase ensued. Police apprehended the male a short distance away, and following a brief struggle, took him into custody. During a search incidental to arrest, police state they located images of child pornography on the male’s phone.

Police have charged Jacob Teichroeb Peters, 32, of Coaldale, with committing an indecent act, possession of child pornography, resisting a peace officer, and failing to comply with a probation order. Peters made his first court appearance yesterday and was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear in court again today.