Cochrane

Cochrane is on the menu this August as Alberta on the Plate, a 10-day, province-wide dine-around festival, returns to celebrate the best of Alberta-grown, raised, and crafted food.

From Peace River to Lethbridge—and Cochrane—over 100 restaurants are creating special menus that highlight local ingredients.

One of the most unique dishes this year? Alberta-raised yak.

Ottawa's new trade minister says he's looking to sign deals in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and beyond — and to convince businesses to actually use the trade agreements Canada has already signed.

"My primary role as Canada's top salesman is to be out there hustling, opening doors for businesses and accessing new markets," Maninder Sidhu told The Canadian Press.

"My phone has been ringing with opportunities because people want to deal with reliable, stable trading partners."

The world’s top young waterskiers, including Bragg Creek's Megan Pelkey, have descended on southern Alberta for the 2025 IWWF World U21 Waterski Championships, now underway at the scenic Predator Bay Water Ski Club, just south of Calgary.

The first finals of the tournament are set for Saturday afternoon, capping off two days of thrilling preliminary rounds that have seen elite athletes push the limits in slalom, trick, and jump events.

Cochrane’s disc golf course is getting a makeover, thanks to the work of local volunteers, the Town of Cochrane and members of the Cochrane Disc Golf Club.

The course at Riverfront Park has seen big changes since construction for water mains altered access to part of the land. That pushes the club to rethink the layout.

“We’ve moved a couple of the baskets around just to make it a bit safer,” says Calvin Ottoson with the club. “We even built a nice raised basket and platform that adds a bit more challenge to your putt.”

Unionized workers at Canada Post have voted to reject the Crown corporation's latest contract offer.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Friday that 68.5 per cent of urban mail carriers who voted were against the deal, while their rural and suburban colleagues were 69.4 per cent against.

The offer included wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years but also added part-time workers that Canada Post has said are necessary to keep the postal service afloat.

The union had urged the roughly 55,000 postal service workers it represents to reject the proposal.

The move is part of the Canola Council of Canada's new strategic framework, 'Canola Forward: A Strategic Framework for 2025-2030.'

The news came in a press release announcing the new framework. Chris Davison, president & CEO, says the framework is focused on priorities identified by the Canadian canola industry and is aligned to help the industry seize emerging opportunities while navigating changing industry and trade dynamics.

An audit of Alberta medical clinics charging membership fees found no significant cases of patients paying out of pocket for covered medical treatment but paying members are likely getting more thorough care.

The province launched the audit in 2023 in response to concerns over a Calgary medical clinic switching to a membership model and planning to charge annual fees of about $5,000 for families and $2,000 for an adult.

Cochranites are invited to help honour a standout community member, organization or business by submitting nominations for the 57th Annual Cochrane Labour Day Parade Marshal.

The tradition celebrates those who make a meaningful impact in Cochrane through their time, efforts or long-standing presence.

Nominations should outline why the individual or group is deserving of the honour and must be submitted by August 8.

Submissions can be sent by email to caes.cochraneevents@gmail.com.

A bear warning remains in effect for a series of high-traffic day-use areas along Highway 40 from Canoe Meadows to the Barrier Boat Launch as the Heritage Day long weekend begins.

The advisory was issued July 30 and will remain in place until further notice after a grizzly bear and her cub were observed frequenting the area to feed on natural vegetation.

The affected sites include Canoe Meadows Day Use and campground, Widowmaker Day Use and trail, the Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre Day Use, Barrier Dam Day Use, and Barrier Boat Launch Day Use areas.

“Once a Ranchman, always a Ranchman!”

You hear similar chants in other sports circles, but for the Cochrane Ranchmen, it’s a phrase that has endured the test of time.

Fifty years, to be exact—placing it among the longest continuously running hockey clubs in Alberta.