Strathmore

The StrathmoreNow online auction is heading into the weekend with plenty of great deals for residents to take advantage of.

A few of the auction items include:

Residents of Wheatland County will soon see street sweepers back at work.

According to the county, several areas will undergo street sweeping, including:

• Cheadle and Carseland: April 22 to 23
• Speargrasss and Namaka: April 24
• Gleichen and Cluny: April 25 to 28
• Muirfield and Rosebud: April 29

County staff say sweeping dates may change due to weather or mechanical issues.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney said Thursday he would pass tougher laws to stop people from being harassed at their places of worship, part of a suite of crime and justice measures he unveiled at a campaign stop in southern Ontario.

The promise comes after more than a year of reports of rising hate targeting Jews and Muslims in Canada following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, and the war in Gaza.

The Manitoba Crop Alliance has a new leader at the helm as Jonathan Hodson recently stepped into the role of board chair. Farming near Lenore in western Manitoba, Hodson brings years of experience to the position and a deep understanding of the organization, having been involved since its formation five years ago. 

Hodson has served in various roles over the years, including most recently as vice-chair. Before the formation of the MCA, he was a director with the Manitoba Corn Growers Association, one of the organizations that merged to form the alliance. 

As Alberta heads into the heart of wildfire season, the province is committing almost $1 million to upgrade its early-warning systems.

Forestry Minister Todd Loewen says $900,000 is being allocated to upgrade and expand its network of 150 weather stations.

These stations monitor environmental conditions, like temperature, humidity, wind and moisture, in real time to help fire crews know where they will be needed when the weather gets hot and dry.

The manager of the new Canadian Gypsum Company (CGC) plant near Carseland is sharing his excitement following a recent recruitment drive.

As the plant gets ready to open for 2026, CGC is looking to hire around 100 full-time positions at the new facility. Manager Duane VanDuuren said he's looking forward to the future.

The Beiseker Fire Department is paying tribute to a fallen firefighter.

The organization established the Morgan Kitchen Memorial Award, an annual scholarship of $1,000 to support the next generation of firefighters.

The funds will be awarded annually to one person enrolled in Lakeland College's Firefighter Training or Emergency Services Technology program.

Kitchen died fighting the Jasper wildfires in 2024. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Beiseker department from January 2021 until June 2022.

Fire Chief Nikki King remembers Kitchen well.

From a golf course to scenic views, the Lakes of Muirfield offers plenty to residents.

The community, located in the Hamlet of Lyalta has a new developer, and is eager to show off its offerings.

"We are launching a new phase and we're also opening the presentation centre," said Heather Dougall, vice-president of sales and marketing with Royal LePage.

There will be refreshments and beverages on Saturday, April 12, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1 Muirfield Boulevard. Residents can check which lots are available in the new phase.

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says the government's proposed bill to wipe out municipal councils' codes of conduct could create a free-for-all of delinquency and grift. 

"This bill is an affront to local voters. It basically says to local voters, ‘We don't trust you,’" Nenshi told reporters at the legislature Wednesday.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver proposed the bill in the house Tuesday. He said the change had to be made because codes of conduct were being weaponized to silence dissent on municipal councils.

Community Futures Wild Rose in Strathmore has announced a new grant-funded project aimed at improving the regional workforce.

"This two-year initiative, set to launch in April 2025, aims to address critical labour gaps and enhance business support in the CF Wild Rose region," the organization said in a release.

The project, which will run until March 31, 2027, with a focus on skilled trades, health care, and business engagement.