Airdrie

The Northern lights could light up Alberta’s skies this weekend, with potential visibility from around Airdrie.

Chris Ratzlaff, an Airdrie resident and founder of the Facebook group Alberta Aurora Chasers, posted an update Saturday estimating a 55 per cent chance of full-sky aurora on March 22, with activity possible within a 24-hour window on either side.

A Calgary police officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries after their patrol car was struck by a vehicle driven by a man now facing impaired driving charges.

Police say the officer was conducting a traffic stop at approximately 8:45 p.m. Friday on southbound Stoney Trail S.E. at 88 Street S.E. when their marked vehicle was struck from behind by a white 2015 Dodge Caravan.

Several of Canada's premiers called for the elimination of interprovincial trade barriers on Friday ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Carney was meeting with premiers at the Canadian War Museum Friday afternoon to discuss the federal government's response to Chinese and U.S. tariffs.

Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said "we need a united Canada."

Officials in Alberta and British Columbia are echoing a special public avalanche warning first issued by Avalanche Canada earlier this week as unstable snowpack and warming weather continue to create dangerous conditions across the central Rockies.

Albertans reported needing an average of $928,179 to achieve financial independence, according to RBC’s 2025 Financial Independence Poll — well above the national average of $846,437 and the second-highest estimate in the country.

Only respondents in Saskatchewan and Manitoba reported a higher figure, at $958,535. In Ontario, the average was $916,714; in Quebec, it was $616,954.

Airdrie is gearing up for the Know Where to Turn Run 2025. Set for Sunday, May 4th, said Elizabeth Wyczynski, Community Relations Specialist at Community Links.

“It’s definitely more than a race. It’s a community gathering, an awareness event, The event offers something for everyone including food vendors, local businesses showcasing their services, face painting for the kids, and appearances by the RCMP and the fire department. We even have live music. It’s really a showcase of our community coming together for an amazing cause.”

Business confidence among Alberta’s small firms has fallen to one of the lowest levels in the country as demand weakens and global trade tensions deepen, according to new survey data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

The province posted a long-term confidence index score of 24.1 in March, trailing only Ontario (23.4) and slightly ahead of Quebec (24.9). The figures come from CFIB’s latest Business Barometer survey, conducted March 5 to 7 with 1,065 of its members.

Spring is arriving with a surprise warm-up in Airdrie, with daytime temperatures expected to climb well into the double digits over the next several days.

Despite March’s reputation as the snowiest month of the year in the Calgary-Airdrie region, the short-term forecast is leaning mild — at least for now.

"We’re looking at highs between 10 and 14 degrees starting Sunday and continuing into next week," said Danielle Desjardins, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Education support workers at the Calgary Catholic School District will return to work Monday after 93 per cent of union members voted to accept a new four-year contract.

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• Airdrie Catholic schools could see support staff return soon