Strathmore

The regular season for the Strathmore Spartans senior boys' rugby team begins in just a few weeks.

According to head coach Curtis Reid, the Spartans first league game is on April 16 at the field next to Strathmore High School.

"We started practicing a couple of times a week in the third week of February," Reid said. "Once the weather got nice enough, we got out on the field."

The team recently held their first exhibition game against Calgary club Father Lacombe.

With the weather warming and spring coming to the prairies, producers have been going through calving season with plenty of work for them. 

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan Vice-President Chris Procyk says that, from what he's heard, it's been a decent season in the province.

The head of Alberta Health Services says the agency is halting a proposed food-reduction policy after public outcry over patients potentially being cut off from snacks and drinks.

The agency's interim president and CEO, Andre Tremblay, said the policy was set to go into effect Tuesday to change how food is stored and delivered in an effort to reduce waste -- not to deprive patients of food.

Medical emergencies can develop in an instant for anyone.  

Even if someone collapses or has a serious accident a block away from the hospital, the fear, uncertainty, and pressure of the moment can be earth-shattering.  

What happens, then, when the same thing happens kilometres away from a hospital, in the remote and sometimes harsh expanse of nature or farmland?  

For Paula Johnson, who was bucked off her horse on a birthday expedition that had already taken her across water, through an elk herd, and past grazing cattle, there was no going back. Only up.  

To celebrate April Fools' Day, the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings created a humorous post on social media.

The post claimed that the Western Hockey League (WHL) would be granting an expansion franchise to the Kings for the upcoming season.

"The Wheatland Kings will be eligible to make WHL transactions starting April 1, 2025," wrote the Kings in the April Fools' Day post.

The post received positive feedback from fans, with one resident jokingly congratulating the team for making it into the WHL.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a snowfall warning for Strathmore and the surrounding area.

According to the group, Wheatland County, including Lyalta and Carseland, will see a mix of rain and flurries Tuesday afternoon before changing to heavy snow in the evening.

After 116 years, St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church will close its doors for good.

According to the church, a dwindling congregation and age of parishioners have led to the church's closure, with the last service set for Apr. 27.

The church claims membership lowered following the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 10 people attending the parish in March. 

The location of the church has also moved several times over the years, with the final service taking place at the Lord of All Lutheran Church.

Gas prices across Strathmore have dropped after the consumer carbon tax was removed.

According to GasBuddy.com, prices at the pump around Strathmore sat at an average of $1.48 per litre before the pause.

As of Tuesday morning, most gas stations in Strathmore are now at $1.30 per litre.

However, the Shell gas station off Highway 1 is slightly higher at $1.31 per litre.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the pause after being sworn in on March 14.

The Alberta government is investing in a new agrifood corridor to help workers at JBS Food Canada near Brooks.

"Alberta’s government is providing the County of Newell with $1.8 million for a new road connection between Highway 873 and the JBS Food plant," said the province in a statement.

"Providing an alternative access to and from the JBS Food plant will improve safety and efficiency for thousands of County of Newell residents while also saving workers up to an hour and a half a day getting to and from the plant."