Communities around the Southeast are looking ahead into the new year. One of these is North Portal, and they are excited about some upcoming changes.

Administrator Lindsay Davis says one of the things coming in the future months is improvements to the parks in the town.

"It was confirmed that we received a grant under the Canada 150 Fund, so we are getting a new playground apparatus this year. We hope to have it installed by June, and we'll probably have an opening ceremony for that once it's in place"

Also among the changes coming to the community are some new faces in leadership, and she revealed the names of those who took the helm.

"It's a whole new council this year. Our Mayor is Kaylah Turner, and the councilors are Amy Belitski, Amy Armstrong, and Michael Yurkowski, who is returning this year."

The new line-up also has another unique twist.

"This is the first time since the late 1980's that we've had female councilors. The last woman was Lynn MacDonald. She was the last and only one throughout North Portal's history until now, so that's a really positive change-over."

She notes that there is also more plans in the works for the months ahead.