Strathmore

Thousands are out of their homes, and many more are on alert to evacuate as wildfires continue to rage across Atlantic Canada.

Officials in Newfoundland and Labrador have expanded an evacuation alert along the Bay De Verde Peninsula as the Kingston wildfire burns nearby.

The community of Job's Cove in Newfoundland is affected by the expanded evacuation alert for the wildfire, which is considered out-of-control and is now more than 90 square kilometres in size.

The Kingston fire is the largest in the province and has forced more than 3,000 people from their homes.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has set his sights on Canada's electric vehicle mandate, pledging Thursday that his party will embark on a national campaign to push the Liberal government to scrap the policy he's dubbed the "Carney tax."

Poilievre led the charge as the Conservatives relentlessly attacked the consumer carbon price over the last two years, with the Liberals admitting the Tory tactics swayed public opinion and forced them to end the so-called carbon tax earlier this year. 

Strathmore's Lyle Vass is being remembered through a final open house in his memory.

The open house takes place at Rods n Restos, a business Vass owned, on Saturday (Aug. 16) at 10 a.m.

Vass passed away following a car accident in July, which led to several custom car organizations coming out to mourn the loss. This included Mike Hall, star of the History TV show Rust Valley Restorers and owner of the Rust Bros YouTube channel.

A judge has denied an application to quash a review of a proposed Alberta referendum question on separation.

Court of King's Bench Justice Colin Feasby says it will benefit democracy to have a full hearing on the constitutionality of the question.

Alberta's chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, referred the question to court last month so a judge could determine whether it violates the Constitution, including treaty rights.

The group that submitted the question applied to have the referral quashed.

The City of Chestermere has approved the purchase of land. 

In a report released on Aug. 12, the city stated that it approved the purchase of the land at the Chestermere Regional Recreation Centre.

The city is focusing on improving local recreation services, guided by the 2024 Recreation Needs Assessment and community feedback. 

The land was purchased for $8.2 million, using proceeds from the city's investment portfolio. 

There's a growing push for Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal government to step up and help support Western Canadian producers that are being impacted by the increased tariffs on canola.

The Town of Drumheller will be lowering its flags to half mast on Friday (Aug. 15).

According to the town, the flags are lowered to mark the day of councillor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk's memorial service, who passed away from cancer earlier this year.

Her colleagues remember her as someone who had a heart for service and always showed compassion, strength, and a desire to make a difference.

The Terry Fox Run in Strathmore may not be held in person this year.

According to a post on the Strathmore Terry Fox Run Facebook group, this year's run will be online only, taking place on Sept. 14.

"If you are interested in helping out to return this event to an in-person event, please contact christie.krawchuk@terryfox.org," the post read. "This is the 45th anniversary, and it's not too late to make it happen."

While most baseball tournaments aim for a trophy, the Home Runs for Huntington's baseball game plays for something more powerful: raising awareness of Huntington's disease and supporting a local resident affected by it.

Home Runs for Huntington's is set to take place at the Kinsmen Park baseball diamond on Saturday (Aug. 16). The annual initiative raises funds in support of Greg Belton, a Strathmore resident diagnosed with Huntington's disease in 2018, as well as the Huntington Society of Canada. 

A U.S based company is hoping to see more flax grown in the prairies.

Grain Millers, a Minnesota based company, is expanding its operations in Western Canada. 

The company operates an oat processing facility at Yorkton, Saskatchewan, and has been leasing a small flax processing facility in Saskatoon.

President and CEO Todd Stohlmeyer says with the lease wrapping up and the interest they've seen in flax they decided to build their own facility at Delisle, Saskatchewan
about 43 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon.