Strathmore

Prime Minister Mark Carney's vision for nation-building and economic growth is expected to form the main thrust of the throne speech when King Charles reads it today in the Canadian Senate.

Mark Wielgosz, staff sergeant with Strathmore RCMP, spoke about the risks behind the "Senior Assassin" game that's grown popular with graduating students.

On Friday, May 23, police issued a lockdown for Strathmore High School after reports of a person with a gun. An investigation revealed that the gun was a water pistol used by students participating in the game.

There is a temporary road closure at the Strathmore Agricultural Grounds.

According to the Strathmore & District Agricultural Society, the main road leading to the campgrounds will be closed between Monday and Wednesday as crews work on the roads.

"Wheatland County is doing this on a sponsorship for us," projects director Danielle Paddock. "They are bringing in gravel, regarding the roadway leading up to our grounds, the road in front of our rental buildings, and the road going through our campground."

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Wheatland County, including near Strathmore, Lyalta, and Carseland.

According to the organization, conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may bring strong winds and large hail to the area.

"Thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and continue through the evening," wrote ECCC. "Damage to roofs, fences, branches or soft shelters is possible."

Alberta is bringing in new rules this fall to ensure that only what it calls “age appropriate” books are available in school libraries.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the move was spurred by four graphic coming-of-age novels depicting sexual, LGBTQ+ content found to be in circulation in public schools in Edmonton and Calgary.

Nicolaides says he was extremely concerned to learn such novels were available.

King Charles arrived in Canada Tuesday afternoon for a short visit that will include reading the speech from the throne in Parliament.

The highly symbolic visit is happening as Canada copes with U.S. President Donald Trump's attempts to upend global trade with tariffs and his repeated calls for Canada's annexation.

The Canadian Armed Forces plane carrying the King and Queen Camilla landed in Ottawa shortly after 1 p.m. 

The Strathmore Spartans girl's rugby team is celebrating their win of the Alberta High School Athletic Association's Rugby 7s tournament in St. Albert. 

The tournament took place from May 23 to 24 and happened at the same time as Strathmore High School's graduation ceremonies, resulting in the loss of multiple senior players and a coach. 

"Still, the Spartans remained focused, determined to defend their 2023 and 2024 titles," wrote coach Jerry Flaws.

Canola oil would be one of the main beneficiaries of proposed changes to the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit making their way through U.S. Congress, says an analyst.

The feedstock is not eligible for the credit under the current rules because of its unfavourable carbon intensity (CI) score.

However, under new rules contained in the budget bill that recently passed through the U.S. House of Representatives, canola’s carbon intensity score drops to 38.5 grams of carbon dioxide per megajoule from 54.9.

Rob Larson took the reins of RN Farms Limited in Wheatland County 41 years ago, but now he's ready to trade in his farmer's hat for a well-earned, more relaxed retirement.

The roots of RN Farms stretch back to the early 1900s, when Larson's grandfather first established the family-run operation.

After his grandfather retired, Larson's dad was next in line, and when his dad retired, it was up to Rob to run things.

When he took over the farm in 1983, he explained that farming back in the day was much different.

The crew at 104.5 More Country headed out to Bruce Farms to give them lunch from Baldwin BBQ.

The farm is located Southeast of Strathmore.

Jake Warrack is a farmer with Bruce Farms, and he explained what they seeded this year.

"We actually tried a couple of different things this year. We planted some Durham, which is new to us, and triticale, which is new to us, and then just our standard crops, we've grown lots of wheat, barley, and canola, and then we have a little bit of alfalfa in our rotation as well."