Strathmore

National defence is becoming an increasingly thorny topic for Prime Minister Mark Carney's government as Canada comes under heavy pressure from its allies to do more and spend more.

But with just weeks to go until NATO member nations assemble in the Netherlands for a summit that could put Ottawa in the hot seat on defence spending, several of his ministers took the unusual step of removing themselves from discussions with defence reporters this week at Canada's largest defence industry show.

A Fire Restriction was put in place for Siksika Nation on Thursday, May 29.

The restriction comes due to dry, windy, and warm conditions in the area.

"There is a very high risk of fire spread during windy conditions in any cured grass fuel type," wrote Siksika Nation.

The use of campfires on public lands is now prohibited, with all fire permits being restricted or suspended.

However, backyard fire pits, campground fires, and charcoal barbeques are still allowed.

The Wheatland and Adjacent Districts Emergency Medical Services Association (WADEMSA) celebrated some career milestones at their Long Service awards ceremony.

The event was held at Origin Brewing, with catering done by Baldwin BBQ. Staff members handed out awards to those who had spent a significant time with the organization.

Hussar Summer Daze is back for another year, running from June 13 to 15 throughout the hamlet.

In the past, Summer Daze has seen more of a local crowd turn up. This year, they want to go bigger.

"It's predominantly local people from the surrounding communities, but more and more, we're finding that we're getting people from out of town, especially Strathmore, Chestermere, and Brooks, but from Calgary too, and that has a lot to do with us bringing out bands that people recognize from Calgary," explained Garrett Stokes, a volunteer with Hussar Summer Daze.

Jessica Fuchs and Kurtis Seeleys home was destroyed in a devastating house fire, and the local community is getting ready to rally for them.

Tyrell Riding Academy is hosting a benefit event on June 7 to raise funds for the family.

Helen Tyrell, a co-owner of Tyrell Riding Academy, teaches Fuchs at the barn.

"Jessica is one of my students, and she's just been a big presence to the barn, and she's always really sweet helping out with everybody. We wanted to step in and help her get back on her feet. She's such an amazing person."

Wheatland County issued a notice that fire hydrant flushing for water system maintenance is being done. 

The Rocky View Utility Corp is conducting this maintenance from May 26 to 30 in Rosebud and Speargrass, and from June 2 to 6 in Muirfield, Carseland and Gleichen. 

Maintenance also will continue in Gleichen from June 9 to 13 due to smaller reservoirs.

Residents' water pressure or color may change, and discolored water is advised to be run from a tap until it clears up. Wheatland County states that these changes are a normal effect from the maintenance. 

More than 67 per cent of the drugs seized during a month-long cross-country Canada Border Services Agency operation were coming into Canada from the United States, the agency says.

Operation Blizzard took place from Feb. 12 to March 13 and targeted illegal drugs and precursor chemicals transported by mail, air cargo or marine container, the CBSA said in a news release Wednesday. The agency said it focused on shipments going to the United States.

Prime Minister Mark Carney fielded questions about the trade war with the United States and his decision to delay the federal budget to the fall as he faced his first question period grilling in the House of Commons Wednesday.

Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer welcomed Carney to the House before launching into a question about Canada's response to U.S. tariffs.

"This is where democracy lives, and this is where we provide rigorous scrutiny on every word he says and every dollar he spends," Scheer said.

Green grass means that pasture turnout is right around the corner. The to do list gets longer than the days do. Checking fence to remove any fallen trees, repairing stretched or broken wires; make sure the water system is operational, and the water itself is safe for the livestock to drink. It all happens before animals can be moved to their summer home. 

This week's crop report shows provincially 85 per cent of the crop is in the ground; that is up from last week's report of 57 per cent and ahead of the 5-year average of 69 per cent. 

Oilseed Specialist Sonia Wilson puts together the weekly crop report and says most of the spring wheat, oats, barley, as well as grain and silage corn have gone in, while progress is also being made on the other crops.