Strathmore

The invasive weed is now being spotted further north than ever before

Farmers in Alberta have a growing problem on their hands, as a notorious weed has started making its way north through the province.

The rapid and relentless spread of kochia, the highly adaptable and increasingly resistant weed, is moving north and taking root in places scientists thought it never would.

Critics respond to report suggesting price correction, saying farmland remains a solid investment

The largest owner of cropland in Canada isn’t buying the idea that farmland values are overdue for a correction.

He says that’s because technical analysis — where market watchers use trends, patterns and mathematical models to predict future price movements — doesn’t apply to agricultural land.

The Strathmore Skatepark will be getting a public art mural by the end of the summer.

Town council approved the mural at their meeting on Wednesday (July 23), with Prospect Human Services requesting to paint the project.

Concepts for the mural include:

Due to the cold, rainy weather, Wheatland County has postponed road work in Rosebud.

County crews began upgrading Township Road 272 in July, intending to improve road safety and address concerns about flooding.

However, the recent weather has led to construction being postponed until the week of Aug. 4.

"Traffic detours and access arrangements will be in place during construction," wrote the county. "Please follow all posted signage."

We may be ending off the week with a thunderstorm.

On Friday (July 25) morning, Environment Canada (EC) issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Wheatland County, including Strathmore, Lyalta, and Carseland.

"Conditions are favourable over southern Alberta for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy downpours," wrote EC on its website. 

The Rockyford Rodeo kicks off this weekend.

Starting on Friday (July 25), the event will run for most of the weekend, bringing a variety of events to the hamlet.

Here's a schedule of all the activities that the rodeo has to offer.

A hand-painted rain barrel fetched $150 at a silent auction.

The Strathmore Municipal Library held the auction for the rain barrel on July 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kinsmen Park. 

Donated by Strathmore Home Hardware, the barrel was painted by local artist Dan Belanger and featured a water-themed landscape mural.

Proceeds from the auction will go towards supporting library programs. 

Belanger, who has had a paintbrush in hand for the past 10 years, said art and reading are deeply connected for him. 

The U18 Strathmore Reds are heading to a provincial tournament this weekend.

Between Friday (July 25) and Sunday, there will be several teams taking part in the tournament at the Cheadle ball diamond.

Here is a schedule of the tournament:

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two leaders of the Freedom Convoy protest, are scheduled to be sentenced for mischief on Oct. 7 in an Ottawa courtroom.

In addition to lengthy prison sentences, the Crown wants to seize Barber's truck, which was used in the protest.

A forfeiture hearing on that matter is scheduled for Sept. 12.

Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said Thursday she wants to rule on the mischief sentence and truck forfeiture at the same time so that she does not deliver "piecemeal" decisions.

Three workers who were trapped in a remote northern British Columbia mine have been rescued after more than 60 hours underground.

Red Chris mine operator Newmont Corp. said the three men were safely bought to the surface at about 10:40 p.m. on Thursday.

It said Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke and Jesse Chubaty — contractors for B.C.-based Hy-Tech Drilling — were in good health and spirits after being trapped underground by two rockfalls on Tuesday morning.

"This was a carefully planned and meticulously executed rescue plan," the company said in a statement.