Today in High Prairie! See what’s happening today in town, celebrity birthdays, local history, world history and your daily horoscope. Please send your birthdays and community events to southpeacenews@hotmail.com and/or spneditor@outlook.com.

What’s Happening Today – December 23, 2024

7:30 p.m. – High Prairie AA chapter meets at HP Church of the Nazarene.

Today’s Celebrity Birthdays – December 23, 2024

1722 – Axel Cronstedt, Discovered Nickel, Tungsten

1732 – Richard Arkwright, Invented Spinning Frame

1805 – Joseph Smith Jr., Founder of Mormon Church

1887 – Eric Blore, Great Gatsby Actor

1911 – James Gregory, Barney Miller Actor

1918 – Helmut Schmidt, Chancellor of West Germany

1919 – Peggy Fortnum, First to Draw Paddington Bear

1923 – Milt Okun, John Denver’s Producer

1925 – Harry Guardino, Perry Mason Actor

1929 – Dick Weber, 13 perfect 300 Bowling Games

1931 – Ronnie Schell, Gomer Pyle Comedian

1938 – Bob Kahn, Internet Pioneer

1940 – Eugene Record, Chi Lites Singer

1940 – Jorma Kaukonen, Jefferson Airplane Guitarist

1943 – Harry Shearer, Saturday Night Live Actor

1946 – Tony Craig, Boy Next Door Actor

1946 – Susan Lucci, All My Children Actress

1951 – Anthony Phillips, Genesis Co-Founder

1956 – Dave Murray, Iron Maiden Guitarist

1964 – Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam Singer

1978 – Estelle Warren, Canadian Model and Actress

This Day in Local History – December 23, 2024

Dec. 23, 1956: Father Henri Giroux, O.M.I., dies at Whitelaw’s Hotel Dieu. He is buried in Girouxville.

Dec. 23, 1972: No one is seriously injured in a four-car pile-up on the Sucker Creek Indian Reserve. No chargers are laid.

Dec. 23, 1991: Arson is ruled to be the cause of a fire at St. Andrew’s School after some construction material is set ablaze.

Dec. 23, 1997: South Peace News reports Keeweetinok RHA warns citizens not to have unprotected sex or share needles after three HIV positive blood tests are reported in the area.

Dec. 23, 1997: Gunnar Odegaard announces there will be no Sled Dog Races in town next February due to lack of help. The event had run successfully for four years.

Dec. 23, 1999: Over $2,000 is raised for charity at a senior hockey game between the High Prairie Regals and Lakeland Eagles.

Dec. 23, 2005: Dan Cardinal, of Sucker Creek, passes away at the age of 74 years.

Dec. 23, 2009: South Peace News publishes a story on Royal Bank employee Doris Duchesneau, who will be carrying the Olympic Torch at Dawson Creek Jan. 31, 2010.

Dec. 23, 2009: South Peace News publishes a story on High Prairie’s Quin Sekulich, who is helping train Canadian bobsleigh athletes for the Olympics.

Dec. 23, 2009: The High Prairie Regals conclude the calendar year with a 9-6 home ice loss to Peace River. The team enters the Christmas break with a 4-9-0-0 record and fifth place in the NPHL’s East Division standings.

Dec. 23, 2013: High Prairie RCMP arrest three men after they attempt to flee from police after an attempted home invasion. Charged are Sean BigCharles, 27, of East Prairie, John Isadore, 20, of Driftpile, and Daniel BigCharles, 18, of Edmonton.

Dec. 23, 2015: Town of High Prairie staff donate $520 to the High Prairie and District Palliative Care Society.

This Day in World History – December 23, 2024

1672 – Giovanni Cassini discovers Rhea, a satellite of Saturn.

1688 – King James II, last Roman Catholic British monarch, flees to France.

1690 – John Flamsteed observes Uranus without realizing it’s undiscovered.

1751 – France sets plan to tax clergymen.

1788 – Maryland votes to cede area for District of Columbia.

1815 – “Emma” by Jane Austen by published.

1888 – Vincent van Gogh cuts off his left ear with a razor.

1907 – First all-steel passengar railroad coach completed.

1912 – First “Keystone Kops” film released.

1912 – Aswan Low Dam in Nile begins operation.

1919 – Alice H. Parker patents gas heating furnace.

1922 – BBC Radio began daily newscasts.

1928 – NBC sets up a permanent, coast-to-coast radio network.

1930 – Bette Davis arrives in Hollywood; works for Universal Studios.

1938 – M. Hamilton’s costume catches fire in “The Wizard of Oz” filming.

1938 – Discovery of the first modern coelacanth in South Africa.

1947 – Transistor invented.

1954 – The first human kidney transplant is performed.

1960 – King Saud of Saudi Arabia takes power.

1962 – Cuba starts returning US prisoners from Bay of Pigs invasion.

1963 – Beach Boys first appearance on “Shindig”.

1968 – First US case of space motion sickness.

1968 – Three US astronauts are first men to orbit the moon.

1970 – Record 7,511th performance of “The Mousetrap”.

1972 – 16 plane crash survivors rescued after 70 days.

1973 – Six Persian Gulf nations double their oil prices.

1983 – Journal Science publishes first report on nuclear winter.

1990 – Slovenians vote to secede from Yugoslavia.

1996 – Four women ordained priests in Jamaica; first in Anglican history.

1997 – Jari Kurri is 8th NHLer to score 600 career goals.

2002 – First time in history an aircraft and unmanned drone battle.

2005 – Chad declares a state of war against Sudan.

Today’s Horoscopes – December 23, 2024

Aries [March 21 – April 20] – You are feeling confident and more comfortable in your own skin than you have in a long time! You are so accomplished, why are you the last one to acknowledge it? Try to look up from your desk long enough to socialize with friends and loved ones! You have been so focused on work that your relationships may have suffered a bit! Spend some quality time with those you care about, if possible!

Taurus [April 21 – May 21] – It is time to loosen up! The planetary aspects bring a new cycle of tolerance and understanding your way! You could use a bit of both! Take baby steps as you introduce the kinder, gentler you to your friends and co-workers! They will not accept a rapid transformation, but they will not mind gradual changes! Listen more and speak less! This can make a big difference in a relationship!

Gemini [May 22 – June 21] – Remember all those resolutions you made in the past? It is time to recommit to them! All signs indicate you need to take better care of yourself! You have been so busy working that exercising has begun to feel like a luxury you can not afford! Actually, exercise and proper nutrition are luxuries you can not afford to ignore! You are burning the candle at both ends! Stop before you burn out completely!

Cancer [June 22 – July 22] – This is an auspicious time for you! It gives you the energy and enthusiasm to make the necessary changes in your life! There is a lot of work to do, but you are up to it! First focus on your relationships! Your loved ones do not care about your professional successes! They want (and perhaps need) to spend more time with you! Do what you can to bring your life more into balance!

Leo [July 23 – Aug. 23] – You have tremendous creativity inside you! Have you begun to use some of it? This creative cycle will last for the next month or so! Do not let it pass without taking advantage of it! Use the other side of your brain for a change! Take up sketching, painting, or fiction writing! What you do is less important than doing something! The simple act of creation unlocks the brain!

Virgo [Aug. 24 – Sept. 22] – Get excited because this is going to be one great day! Everything will go your way! It will seem as if you simply can not lose! At work, team members look to you as the leader! At home, family members express gratitude and affection! You may be tempted to try this luck at the casino, but do not be impulsive! You are already a winner! You have earned this shining moment!

Libra [Sept. 23 – Oct. 23] – This is a good day for quiet contemplation! You may have worried about finances lately, but there is no longer any need to concern yourself! All signs indicate your financial fortunes are about to change! You have been working hard and should reap some rewards! Today’s aspects suggest you will! Enjoy your newfound peace of mind, but do not go out and use the credit cards in celebration!

Scorpio [Oct. 24 – Nov. 22] – You are bound to enjoy this day! It is full of possibilities and opportunities! It may begin routinely, but keep your eyes and ears open for hints of change! Your new adventure may come about in a mundane way! You might meet someone in line at the store who becomes a business partner! Or maybe you will meet a romantic interest at the ATM! Adventure is all around! Trust you will find it!

Sagittarius [Nov. 23 – Dec. 21] – Forget about work for a change and focus instead on your love life! This is one area that can really use some attention! There is no sense waiting for your partner to do it! It is up to you! Why not book a romantic weekend? It will do wonders for your relationship and add spark just by anticipating the fun you will have! Your commitment should mean more than your independence!

Capricorn [Dec. 22 – Jan. 20] – You greet the day energized! Your confidence is at an all-time high because of recent events! You have every reason to be proud of what you have accomplished, especially at work! But your love life could benefit from the same level of commitment! Why not be proactive? Arrange a romantic evening for you and your partner! What a difference a few hours can make in your relationship!

Aquarius [Jan. 21 – Feb. 18] – You have strong humanitarian instincts! You think of your fellow humans more than most! This, combined with your intuition and empathy, makes you well-suited for the healing professions! If you have felt a bit disgruntled at work lately, it may be you are in the wrong career! Consider training as a counselor or therapist! You would be good at it and help a lot of people!

Pisces [Feb. 19 – March 20] – You have been more thoughtful lately and truer to yourself! This is due to your recent introspection! You really can change your life! All it takes is time and commitment! You have made great progress in your development! Continue on this path and you will wind up in a much better place! Keep your eye on the goal, but do not be so focused you forget to enjoy the journey!