Cochrane

A judge is scheduled to rule today on whether to grant bail to three men facing terrorism charges in an alleged plot to forcibly seize land in the Quebec City area.

Quebec court Judge René de la Sablonnière heard evidence and arguments over three days.

Simon Angers-Audet, 24, Raphaël Lagacé, 25, and Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, face charges of facilitating a terrorist activity, and other charges related to the illegal storage of firearms and possession of explosives and prohibited devices.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, as long as the Palestinian Authority holds elections next year.

"Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism. And it means honouring their innate desire for peaceful coexistence," Carney told reporters on Parliament Hill.

He said Ottawa intends to officially recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

Alberta's transportation minister says the province plans to learn from an Ontario court ruling that found a law seeking to remove some Toronto bike lanes unconstitutional.

Devin Dreeshen says Alberta will be watching the case with interest, especially since Ontario's government plans to appeal the ruling. 

Dreeshen says being the second province to go down the same path is helpful, as it gives Alberta the opportunity to analyze the "good and bad" parts of Ontario's legislation.

Australia has officially opened its market for fresh and frozen beef from Canada for the first time since BSE in 2003.

The Canadian Cattle Association is pleased noting its one of the last remaining countries to have maintained bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) restrictions, complete their risk assessment and open their market for Canadian beef. 

CCA President Tyler Fulton says Canadian beef farmers and ranchers are proud to produce the highest quality and safest beef in the world. 

With the playoffs set to begin on Aug. 6, the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) is gearing up for a thrilling finish to the regular season.

The defending champion Okotoks Dawgs sit atop the West Division, but their lead is anything but safe. Just three games back, the Lethbridge Bulls and Sylvan Lake Gulls are both eager to knock the Dawgs from their perch.

The race for first place could hinge on a crucial home-and-home series between the Dawgs and Gulls set for Aug. 3 and 4.

Silage is one way to preserve harvested forage for use throughout the rest of the year. The underlying principle of making silage is allowing bacteria to multiply and produce acid – specifically acetic acid.   

A former deputy premier's petition to have Alberta declare that its official policy is to remain in Canada can start rolling out across the province.

Chief electoral officer Gordon McClure says canvassers with the Alberta Forever Canada citizen initiative can begin gathering signatures.

Submitted by Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, the petition is for a policy proposal asking people: "Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?"

Canvassers have three months to gather around 294,000 signatures on the petition.

Alberta has announced plans to invest $1.3 million to strengthen the health, biodiversity, and long-term resilience of the province's rangelands. 

Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson says healthy rangelands are the foundation of a strong agricultural sector. 

The 5th annual Mayor’s Invitational Charity Golf Tournament has once again teed up a new record, raising nearly $123,000 in gross proceeds to support Big Hill Haven, a Cochrane-based organization aiding women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Cochrane’s Furry Fun Fest wrapped up with a whopping $9,212 raised for the Cochrane & Area Humane Society.

“It was a tremendous success,” says organizer Jana Husmann. “I never imagined it would grow this big.”

Despite some last-minute weather issues, the event was quickly relocated to the grassy area beside the Cochrane Lions Event Centre.

“We had over 400 people come through,” says Husmann. “We moved everything and it turned out even better.”