Strathmore

The Strathmore Spartans senior boys football team kicked off its preseason over the weekend.

On Saturday (June 7) the Spartans were playing a scrimmage against the Drumheller Titans at the Strathmore High School football field.

"It's a glorified practice," said head coach Danny Warrack. "We go out, knock some rust off, get our confidence up."

Because of the nature of the game, the teams did not keep score and instead used the matchup to review their team's playstyle.

The ongoing wildfire situation stretches from northern Ontario right across the prairies, with the threat to homes and communities and thousands of people being evacuated.

The Assistant Vice-President of Grain for CN, David Przednowek, says they are monitoring the situation very closely as their rail lines run through the north.

CN reports they've had some delays moving grain in and out of the Port at Thunder Bay but are also doing what they can to help with the wildfires. 

Hope Bridges Society is getting ready to host a free community concert.

The show takes place on Tuesday (June 10), as the group welcomes country singer Michela Sheedy.

Janice Littlefair is the coordinator with the Hope Bridges Society, and she explained why they chose Sheedy.

Tyrrell Riding Academy held a special benefit event over the weekend.

On Saturday (June 7) dozens of riders made it out to the academy to take part in the event, which was raising funds for local rider Jessica Fuchs.

Fuchs had just moved into her first home when it was burned down in a fire.

"It was only two days into moving in when it happened," said Fuchs. "It was pretty sad."

Plant 2025 is virtually complete in Alberta, other than a few acres in the Peace region.

Manglai a product co-ordinator with the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation put together the latest report, adding there were very few weather interruptions, just a few localized showers.

In terms of crop development, almost all crops are ahead of average. The soil conditions are trending drier, but there's hope that producers could see some significant impact with June rains.

Canada has unveiled its priorities for the G7 leaders' summit just one week before it gets underway in Alberta as the government defends its decision to invite India to the summit.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's office says Ottawa's top priority for the summit will be strengthening global peace and security, which includes countering foreign interference and transnational crime, as well as improving responses to wildfires.

Alberta is buying American alcohol and gambling machines again, three months after Premier Danielle Smith announced restrictions aimed at fighting back against U.S. tariffs.

Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said Friday that the move signals a "renewed commitment to open and fair trade" with the United States.

Smith said in March that the province would no longer buy U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals, or sign contracts with American companies. Alberta's liquor stores are privately owned but must order stock through the provincial government.

The Strathmore Municipal Library will be moving to summer hours by the end of the month.

In a social media post, the library announced that they would be closed on Mondays between June 30 and September 1.

Other than the extra closed day, the library hours will remain the same:

• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Friday and Saturday

The library will also be closing early on Monday (June 9), with an expected closing time of 1:30 p.m.

Tiff Macklem is wearing an Edmonton Oilers pin as he reflects on coming very close to beating big odds.

It's a significant day for the governor of the Bank of Canada: he's just laid out his reasons to the entire country and a global audience for keeping the central bank's benchmark interest rate steady for a second straight time.

That night is also Game 1 of the NHL's Stanley Cup finals; Macklem ends his press conference with a hearty "Go Oilers!"

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have issued a Special Air Quality Statement for Wheatland County, including Strathmore, Lyalta, and Carseland. 

The alert was released on Saturday (June 7), with the poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke.

"Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," wrote ECCC on its website. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase."