Members of the Ponoka Fire Department were called to a structure fire in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 29.
A doublewide mobile at the Ponoka Trailer Park had caught fire and crews rushed to the scene to quell the blaze.
Owners Tim and Julie Bolen were able to leave the building uninjured while crews spent approximately three hours working to contain the blaze and eventually put it out. Crews had to attack the fire from the different angles to put out the flames.
Members of the community worked to help the Bolens find clothes and other necessary items and a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to help the family out.
Fire Chief Jamie Wilkinson said the point of origin of the fire is known but the cause is still under investigation.
Traffic stop nets handgun
When members of the Ponoka Integrated Traffic Unit pulled over the driver of a Mercedes recently the last thing they expected to find was a loaded .22 caliber handgun.
Officers stopped the southbound vehicle near Ponoka and could smell an odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
While arresting the 28-year-old male driver and 29-year-old male passenger, the officer heard a splash nearby. Upon reviewing the police cruiser video the officer was able to determine the passenger threw a black bag into the ditch.
The bag was eventually found and contained a loaded handgun and small amount of marijuana was also located.
The 29-year-old Prince Albert, Sask. passenger received several charges related to the possession of the unauthorized firearm. The driver, from Westbank B.C., was charged with possession of a controlled substance and failing to produce insurance and a licence.
Highway 2 closed after motorcycle collision
Traffic on Highway 2 was busy during the long weekend and one collision, caused by a backlog of traffic due to a broken down vehicle, could have ended badly for a motorcyclist.
As vehicles were making their way southbound on Highway 2 on Friday, July 31 at 8 p.m. a motorcycle was hit from behind by another vehicle. The southbound lanes were closed for some time while officers investigated.
Investigations determined the driver of the sedan that collided with the motorcycle is believed to have been impaired and provided two blood-alcohol samples of .19 and .18. They were charged with impaired driving. The rider of the motorcycle is believed to have survived the collision.
Impaired driver slow to drive at green light
A Ponoka RCMP officer pulled over the driver of a 2003 Chevy Malibu Aug. 2 at 1:15 a.m. after witnessing her take too long to drive forward at a green light.
The driver, a 37-year-old woman, was arrested and provided two blood-alcohol samples of .15. She was charged with impaired driving.
Minor injuries after collision
Emergency crews were called to a collision on Highway 2A near Tim Hortons Tuesday, July 28.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation but a 2014 Mitsubishi, driven by a 24-year-old Red Deer man, rolled after colliding with a 2011 Buick, driven by an 80-year-old Ponoka man.
There was also a 21-year-old passenger from Ponoka in the Mitsubishi. It is believed there were minor injuries from the collision.
Stolen Skidoo
Police are looking for suspects related to the theft of a 1998 Skidoo Formula 3 and a homemade trailer.
The theft occurred sometime between Friday, July 17 and Monday, July 20 at a home on 53 Avenue.
Ponoka RCMP and the Integrated Traffic Unit took 214 calls from July 18 to Aug. 3.
If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.