Drumheller Mail

Over 30 teams from across Canada, the United States and as far away as Mexico descended on the valley on August 7-10 for the 9th annual Mars Rover Challenge. The Badlands Community Facility was chock-a-block with laptops, wires, all-terrain rovers, and some of the brightest minds in robotics. Throughout the valley, the teams took on various challenges to test the utility and durability of their creations.

This weekend, the dust will be flying as the Drumheller Lions and Rugged Rodeo Inc. will be presenting the second annual Drumheller Stampede. Last year they hosted the first event, and it was mud flying as opposed to dust. Despite the weather, they pulled off the event, and more importantly, showed that Drumheller is a rodeo town. This year they scheduled the event for August 14 and 15 in hopes of clear skies.

A local car enthusiast is taking a leading role at the annual Alberta World of Wheels. Darrell Kohut is known for building and maintaining some of the cleanest cars in the valley. He is also a long-time participant and volunteer for World of Wheels. Darrell has been selected as the 2027 Show Chairman. “I have been a volunteer with the show for five years,” he explains. “The team has a great group of volunteers already.

Users of a major bridge over the Red Deer River near the Village of Big Valley will be happy to hear the wooden, single-lane span is going to be replaced. The Government of Alberta confirmed over the July 28 weekend the McKenzie Crossing Bridge is in the early stages of replacement.

On July 13, 2026, Drumheller RCMP responded to a report of a break and enter and theft at a business in Drumheller, Alta. On July 11, 2026, between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., an unknown male stole several items from the Walmart, located at 1801 South Railway Avenue, in Drumheller. Drumheller RCMP have obtained video surveillance and are looking to identify the suspect. The suspect was driving a red minivan, similar to an early 2000’s Ford Freestar.

The Village of Munson council approved its 2026 budget and tax rate bylaw at a regular council meeting July 21 and it reflected the financial situation the municipality finds itself in. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Tyler Gandam confirmed in a phone call with The Drumheller Mail July 29 both the budget and tax rate bylaw were approved as they were presented to the public earlier this summer, with an 18.5 per cent increase in residential rates and 27.5 increase in non-residential rates.

With the question of having a referendum on whether the province should have a referendum on sepearation swirling, Thomas Lukaszuk and his Unity Bus rolled through the valley on Friday evening, July 31. Lukaszuk, who served as an MLA for the Progressive Conservatives from 2001 to 2015 and was a cabinet minister in Ed Stelmach’s government, took on the torch of Forever Canadian and spearheaded a petition asking the question, Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?

Due to hot and dry conditions, the Town of Drumheller has issued a fire restriction, In accordance with Town of Drumheller Fire Bylaw 25.24, a Fire Restriction is in effect throughout the Drumheller Valley. Effective immediately: •All existing fire permits are revoked. •No new fire permits will be issued. •Consumer fireworks are not allowed. The following are permitted under the Fire Restriction: •Residential and recreational fire pits that comply with Fire Bylaw 25.24.

The Town of Drumheller received a passing grade after a provincial water inspection, but staff agreed there is room for improvement. The inspection report was discussed at the July 21 regular meeting of council. Director of Infrastructure Services Jared Brounstein and Leanne Tonks, manager of utilities, presented councillors with the annual waterworks regulatory inspection conducted by Alberta Environment, an inspection conducted by the provincial government on every municipal water system.

Drumheller Fire and Rescue has raised a record-breaking $5,240 through its annual Fill the Boot campaign during the Canada Day Parade. The funds will support Muscular Dystrophy (MD) Canada, a cause that Drumheller firefighters have championed since 1971. Each year, firefighters collect funds from Canada Day revellers at the annual parade.