All Stories
8/17-23: No wildfires in SL forest area, but danger remains high
There are currently no active wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area, although the wildfire danger was rated high in the most recent update.Rain fell in Slave Lake on the morning of Aug. 23. As of publication, no new wildfire…
WildBoreal Environmental Educators brings nature closer to the community
From discovering plants along the Nine Mile trails to identifying animal skulls, WildBoreal Environmental Educators from Kinuso, owner Braidi Locke has been encouraging Slave Lake residents to explore the natural world around them. WildBoreal is a local business owned and…
Slave Lake Christian Academy embraces truth
A new school year brings new opportunities for students at Slave Lake Christian Academy, where faith, honesty and community are at the heart of this year’s learning. The school has welcomed returning students and several new faces for the 2026…
Editorial – When the courts go quiet
For much of September, The Leader has not run a normal-length page on court proceedings – and not for lack of interest or effort. There have been a number of publication bans in place, in some weeks covering every case…
Thriving franchise brings new flavours to Slave Lake
For Nathalie Domondon, opening Kukuruku Chicken in Slave Lake is more than a business investment. It is a dream that began years ago. On Sept. 18, Domondon, her husband Wilson Damo and her nephew C.J. Domondon are celebrating the opening…
Commentary – I always lose…
Growing up, I hated losing.I’m pretty competitive. I want to win every time.I want to have everything in the world go my way. I think some of that competitiveness followed me here.When I’m writing sports stories, I hate it when…
Beach Fest organizers seek volunteers
Beach Fest organizers are looking for at least six new volunteers to help ensure the festival returns to Slave Lake in 2027. The Lesser Slave Lake Beach Fest Society says it ideally needs closer to 10 new members to spread…
Council rejects $60,000 governance review
The Municipal District of Lesser Slave River council rejected an administrative proposal to spend up to $60,000 on an outside legal consultant to overhaul the municipality’s core governance bylaws. Instead of outsourcing the work to a consultant charging $550 an…
Smith water plant upgrades face $545K shortfall
The Municipal District of Lesser Slave River is digging deeper into its capital reserves to finish the Smith Water Treatment Plant upgrades, approving an extra $545,130.43 for the project. The additional funding brings the total estimated cost of the water…
Canyon Creek water plant gets emergency fire pump repair
The Municipal District of Lesser Slave River council has approved an unbudgeted $62,510 to fix a broken diesel fire pump at the Canyon Creek water treatment plant. The decision comes as the unexpected equipment failure leaves the local water distribution…
MD of Lesser Slave River Notebook: September 23, 2026
Smith Water Treatment Plant shortfall The Municipal District of Lesser Slave River will spend an additional $545,130.43 to complete the final phase of the Smith Water Treatment Plant upgrades. The total estimated cost for the plant upgrade has now climbed…
Wabasca tennis court and park budget surges to $300,000
The Municipal District of Opportunity council has approved a major $300,000 capital budget increase to salvage a stalled tennis court upgrade in Wabasca and finish long-standing park amenities, after learning that contractors refused to touch the courts without extensive base…
Fall Social returns to Flatbush
The Municipal District of Lesser Slave River’s annual Fall Social is returning to the Flatbush Community Complex on Nov. 7, with an evening of food, fellowship and a celebration of the local agricultural community. The event is hosted by the…
Final round of stewardship funding available through watershed council
The Lesser Slave Watershed Council is offering about $65,000 in funding for stewardship projects this fall, giving local agricultural operators an opportunity to make changes that can benefit both their operations and the health of the Lesser Slave watershed. The…
3 Ave Northeast transforms for Fall Market
Tree removal project gets underway in Slave Lake
Tree removal work is getting underway in several Slave Lake parks and along Main Street as the Town begins a grant-funded project aimed at addressing aging and potentially hazardous trees. The project began Sept. 15 and is expected to take…
Men’s mental health forum returns with Humboldt Broncos survivor Tyler Smith
Men from across the Lesser Slave Lake region will have an opportunity to talk about mental health, resilience and the importance of connection when the third annual Men’s Mental Health Forum comes to Slave Lake on Nov. 14. The free…