Strathmore

Chestermere RCMP and Calgary Police Service (CPS) arrested and charged two youths for multiple break and enters throughout the area.

Police began investigating the break-ins in May, with reports being made throughout Calgary, Chestermere, and Airdrie.

"The offenders broke into private residences through main floor windows and took items such as the victims’ wallets and car keys," wrote RCMP. "The keys were then used to steal a number of the victims’ vehicles."

Holy Cross Collegiate raised money for several charity organizations.

Students and staff from the school participated in various drives and initiatives, donating the money to local charities like the Wheatland County Food Bank, Strathmore Overnight Shelter, Mainsprings Pregnancy and Family Support, and Foothills Advocacy in Motion. Donations were also made to Chalice Canada and the Christmas Hamper Society.

The school raised exactly $7,787.67 throughout the school year.

Chestermere RCMP are looking for help locating 35-year-old Kiefer Cote.

Police say that Cote was last seen at his parents' home in Chestermere on May 25. The vehicle he was believed to be driving was found in Calgary on May 29.

Cote is described as:

• 6 feet tall
• Blue eyes and blonde hair
• Multiple tattoos and a nose ring

According to RCMP, Cote was last seen wearing beige pants, a white t-shirt, and white sneakers.

Anyone with information on Cote's whereabouts can contact Chestermere RCMP at 403-204-8777.

The federal government is investing $15 million into Protein Industries Canada; the funding is being used to strengthen Canada's agri-food sector.

The new funding will focus on genomics and AI programs by bringing new tools to plant breeders, farmers, ingredient processors, and food manufacturers.

The programs will enable farmers and companies across Canada’s agrifood sector to build a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable food system. 

Alberta is working on strengthening its market presence in Southeast Asia.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson is in Southeast Asia to promote Alberta as a reliable supplier of agricultural products.

The overall goal is to strengthen relationships with Vietnam and the Philippines to increase trade and investment opportunities that 
will directly benefit producers and processors by opening new markets for Alberta agriculture and food products.

Farm Credit Canada is investing $2 billion to advance agtech innovation in Canada’s agriculture and food industry. 

The money which will be invested by 2030 will direct more investment into innovative devices, instrumentation, research, and methodologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

Stats show Canada’s agtech sector is lagging, putting Canada at a strategic disadvantage, while Japan  and the European Union have been increasing investments in ag tech.

Alberta's latest crop report shows 90 per cent of the provincial crop is now in; that's ahead of the 5-year average of 81 per cent. 

Roy Larsen, the director of Statistics and Data Development for Agriculture and Irrigation says seeding progress in the South is at 97 per cent complete, the North West at 93 per cent, the Central region is at 89 per cent, the North East at 86  per cent, and the Peace at 84 per cent.

Crop progress shows 99 per cent of the dry peas have been planted, while oats lag behind at 74 per cent. 

The Lead by Example Powwow is back in Strathmore for another year.

Melodie Ayoungman started the event after her 19-year-old son, Kristian Kakato’si Ayoungman, was killed in 2019 outside Strathmore.

Ayoungman explained how the event got its name.

"He signed my niece's chalk wall; he wrote the words 'Lead By Example' and signed his name on there."

She said she wanted to promote understanding of Indigenous communities and ensure the powwow continued.

The 903 Strathmore Air Cadets celebrated their 25th anniversary over the weekend.

On Saturday (May 31), the cadets were at Carseland Community Hall for an award ceremony alongside their final parade of the year.

Several cadets were recognized during the event, including:

Members of the Cousins Skateboard Community gathered together to serve Siksika Nation. 

A cleanup initiative took place along Highway 547 on Sunday (June 1) and ended at the community's admin hall.

Volunteers geared up with gloves, garbage bags, and trash pickers to remove litter along the roadside. 

"We aim to help the community. One of our slogans is 'make your ancestors proud' and one way of doing it is just by giving back," explained CJ Cutter, co-founder and co-operator of Cousins Skateboard Community.