Strathmore

The 2025 wildfire season is already one of the worst on record for Canada and there is a high risk that more fires will break out in August, federal officials said on Friday.

More than 5.5 million hectares of land have burned so far this year, more than double the 10-year average for mid-July.

That is still well behind the record fire season in 2023, when more than 6,000 fires burned more than 15 million hectares of land.

There were 561 fires burning as of Friday, including 69 that were considered out of control.

The Supreme Court of Canada on Friday upheld the sentence handed to one youth offender but overturned another, in parallel judgments that clarify the standard courts should use when determining whether a youth should be sentenced as an adult.

In the two separate cases, the youth, who were 16 and 17 years old at the time of their offences, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced as adults to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Strathmore and the surrounding area.

The watch was issued on Friday (July 18) as thunderstorms are forecasted to start between the late afternoon and early evening.

"These thunderstorms have the potential to become severe bringing large hail, strong winds and heavy rain," wrote Environment Canada. "Remember some severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes."

The group asks that residents stay indoors during storms, as hail can cause damage and injury.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is urging workers to reject Canada Post's latest contract offer.

Union national president Jan Simpson says a strong no vote would not only reject the offer, but also protect the integrity of the bargaining process.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board will hold the vote on the proposed deal starting next week.

Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after more than a year and a half of talks.

The City of Chestermere is reminding residents to register for the upcoming municipal election.

"This year, all voters must be registered to cast their ballot," wrote the city on its website. 

"Municipalities are now required to use Voterlink, the same secure system used for provincial elections, to collect and manage voter registration information."

All Alberta voters must register before August 15, with election day set for October 20.

Alberta's auditor general says the provincial government has not done the work to ensure daycares getting public funds use them to lower fees for parents or top up staff wages.

Doug Wylie, in a report released Thursday, says without proper verification, Alberta could be overcompensating operators with federal and provincial funds meant to lower the average cost of daycare to $10 per day.

"There is a risk that public funds may not be used as intended — leading to parents overpaying for child-care and educators being under-compensated," the report says.

Strathmore and nearby communities are getting ready for a weekend full of events.

Here is what's going on Friday (July 18) to Sunday: 

1. Strathmore Fun Runners Show and Shine

The Strathmore Fun Runners will showcase their vintage vehicles throughout the weekend.

On Friday evening, the car club will host a car parade throughout Strathmore, a route that includes a drive up and down Thomas Drive from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There are several road closures planned in Strathmore throughout the weekend.

According to the Town of Strathmore, closures will take place in the downtown core on Friday (July 18) for the Strathmore Fun Runners' annual car Show and Shine.

Second Avenue will be closed between Second Street and Third Street, and Third Street will be closed between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

An Independent candidate running in a rural Alberta byelection says she has stopped door-knocking because of death threats.

Sarah Spanier, 33, of Castor, Alta., says she has told Mounties about the online threats, which include a social media comment saying she would be met with a shotgun if she showed up at someone's door.

She attributes the threats and other derogatory messages she has received to her advocacy for transgender people during her campaign in the Battle River-Crowfoot riding, which encompasses communities such as Camrose, Drumheller and Wainwright.

Gleichen RCMP are searching for a missing 14-year-old boy. 

Police say Rhylinn Young was last seen in Siksika Nation on July 11 at 10 p.m. 

He is described as five feet five inches tall, weighing 138 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Police say there is concern for his well-being.

Anyone with information about Young's whereabouts is asked to contact Gleichen RCMP at 403-734-3923.