Cochrane

A major piece of flood mitigation infrastructure west of Calgary is now operational, offering critical protection for southern Alberta communities vulnerable to extreme flooding.

The Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) is officially complete and ready to defend Calgary and surrounding areas from disasters like the 2013 floods — the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history. That event claimed five lives, displaced over 80,000 people, and caused more than $5 billion in damages.

Airdrie–Cochrane MP Blake Richards was sworn into office on Parliament Hill on May 20, ahead of the House of Commons' return on May 26.

On April 28, Richards won his sixth consecutive election with 71.3 per cent of the popular vote. His share of the vote returned to more typical levels compared to the 2021 election, when he received 57 per cent.

Canada Post has issued a new set of offers to the union representing postal workers as the clock ticks down to a possible strike.

The Crown corporation confirmed Wednesday it has filed a new set of proposals for workers in the urban bargaining unit and the rural and suburban units.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its negotiating team was set to examine the proposals this afternoon.

The new offers come days after the union issued a strike notice that could see postal workers back on the picket line on Friday.

Grow Hope Saskatchewan is launching its eigth season with a new national partner - Canadian Lutheran World Relief.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank's 'Grow Hope Saskatchewan' project connects farmers who donate land with donors who help to cover input costs.

The project started in 2017 as a way to get more people involved in the effort to help end global hunger, originally a collaboration between the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

Cochrane Curling Club president Kendall Waiting says user groups left last night’s committee-of-the-whole meeting with more questions than answers regarding the proposed takeover of the SLS Centre by YMCA Calgary.

“What was presented did little to quell our questions, provide any clarity, and did nothing but promote more questions and fears,” said Waiting. “The crowd was left very disappointed, with far more questions than answers. I think that was evident in council, which had just as many questions—and no answers—from town administration.”

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is announcing some key moves within the organization.

Jennifer Babcock has been promoted to the Chief Government and International Affairs Officer.

She has a proven track record of advocacy successes.

Babcock will lead CCA’s initiatives to promote and protect the interests of Canada’s beef cattle industry domestically and internationally.

In a recent CCA Action News Blog, Babcock says she looks forward to her new and expanded leadership role on CCA’s advocacy efforts.

A U.S. company develops a trait that it says provides genetic resistance to sclerotinia, which can be challenging for growers.

A San Diego company is closer to commercializing a trait that could protect canola from sclerotinia.

In April, Cibus announced that two of its disease resistance traits for canola have been designated as “not regulated” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We are encouraged by USDA-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) broad designation for these traits being developed,” said Cibus co-founder Peter Beetham.

With summer just around the corner and more children heading outdoors to play, the Alberta RCMP is reminding parents and guardians to have meaningful conversations with their kids about personal safety.

“As the days get longer and the weather warms up, it’s natural for children to want to spend more time outside,” said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, Alberta RCMP spokesperson. “We want to ensure they have the confidence and knowledge to stay safe while they enjoy their independence.”

Manitoba's latest potato report shows planting in the province is now estimated to be 95 per cent complete. 

Planting has been going very smoothly, with most farms now finished.

Potato and Horticulture Crops Pathologist Vikram Bisht says with planting nearly over, it's now time to take care of cull piles in and around fields and farmyards, as cull piles can be a source of disease inoculum and may harbour Colorado potato beetles and aphids.

Scott Jespersen has been named the acting chair for Alberta Grains. 

Chair Tara Sawyer is taking a leave of absence effective immediately following her appointment by Premier Danielle Smith as the United Conservative Party (UCP) candidate for the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills by-election. 

Sawyer, a wheat and barley farmer from Acme, Alberta, was elected as Alberta Grains’ inaugural chair in 2023 after the amalgamation of the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions.