Strathmore

A 55-year-old motorcyclist from Cochrane is dead after a crash on Highway 24.

The crash was just after 8 p.m. near the intersection of Township Road 215A.

"Police arrived and were able to take statements from some of the riders," said Corporal Troy Savinkoff with Alberta RCMP.

"Unfortunately, one of the riders of the motorcycles had struck a deer and suffered serious injuries and was taken by STARS Air Ambulance."

Savinkoff added that the rider had passed away from his injuries and that no criminal charges are being pursued.

A Chestermere driver has been charged with speeding and careless driving after being clocked going over 80 km/h above the posted speed limit.

According to the City of Chestermere, a local peace officer stopped the vehicle near Township Road 241A and Range Road 281 on Sunday, May 11.

"Using the patrol vehicle’s radar, the officer recorded the BMW’s speed at 146 km/h in the 60 km/h zone," wrote the city. "The vehicle was rapidly approaching another motorist who was safely slowing down at the stop signs near Range Road 281."

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Wheatland County, including Strathmore, Lyalta, and Carseland.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), conditions in the area are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms. The group added that there is also the risk of a tornado, large hail, and heavy rain.

"Thunderstorms may produce severe weather until this evening," wrote ECCC.

The organization asks that residents stay indoors during the storm, as strong gusts of wind can damage trees, buildings, and flip vehicles.

Local country music artist Jordan Ostrom is coming out with new music.

Ostrom grew up on a farm outside Carseland and has been singing since she was young.

"My parents actually met on the rodeo circuit in the 80s. And so country music was just grandfathered into my existence", explained Ostrom.

She recently played at the Scotiabank Saddledome with a band called the Dungarees, who opened for Miranda Lambert.

Ostrom has since moved to Nashville, the home of country music, to widen her career.

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says talk of Alberta separatism is 'irresponsible' and it's "not smart" for politicians to make statements about it without consulting with First Nations first.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has introduced a bill that would make it easier for Albertans to launch referendums on various topics — including splitting from Canada.

Smith has pointed to growing alienation in her province and frustration with Ottawa, saying those wanting to separate "are not fringe voices."

Alberta's access to information watchdog has found the provincial government to be non-compliant with its own freedom of information rules.

A new report from information and privacy commissioner Diane McLeod says Alberta's government has implemented internal procedures and policies that allow government employees to wrongfully deny freedom of information requests.

Alberta's chief electoral officer is warning the government that proposed legislation will impair the election commissioner's power to investigate election rule breaking.

A controversial bill introduced last month, if passed, will make sweeping changes to voting and referendums in the province, and is making its way through debate in the legislature. 

Strathmore firefighters responded to a fire outside town on Sunday, May 11.

The blaze was at a home near Range Road 255 and Township Road 244 at around 8 p.m., with Wheatland County Fire and Emergency Services also attending the scene.

Range Road 255 was blocked near the intersection as crews worked on fighting the blaze, with motorists being redirected.

The extent of damages and whether anyone was injured is unknown.

An update will be provided once more details become available.

The federal government expects to spend about $7 million this fiscal year to store and maintain four custom-made, portable hospitals that cost taxpayers more than $200 million to buy — facilities meant to bolster overwhelmed hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic that were barely used.

Early on in the pandemic, as the federal government moved at breakneck speed to respond to a global health crisis, it issued rush orders for these Mobile Health Units.

The Strathmore Spartans senior boys' rugby team are heading to Medicine Hat on Saturday, May 10.

The event is a 7's tournament, with the team spending the entire day playing games in Medicine Hat.

Following the tournament, the team will be playing on May 12 in Okotoks before returning to Strathmore on May 21.

After their last home game, the Spartans will be playing in zone finals before moving onto provincials.