Cochrane

An inspiring journey with a powerful purpose made its way through Cochrane this week as Ukrainian activist and fundraiser Oleksandr Kyyanytsya continues his "Gift of Walking" trek from Calgary to Banff.

Kyyanytsya is raising funds and awareness for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, and says this walk is deeply personal. “I’m raising money for Ukraine,” he shared. “This is my first time in the mountains, and it’s very, very wonderful to be here. It was always my dream to walk here.”

If you’re looking to cool off and unwind from all the Stampede action, a free swim might be just what you need.

Cochrane Home Treasures is sponsoring a free Community Swim at the SLS Centre on Saturday, July 12.

The event runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and includes access to the leisure pool, water slides and more.

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Cochrane’s Tyler Clazie is bound for the national football stage with Team Alberta.

The Cobra receiver is part of Team Alberta’s U18 lineup heading to Antigonish to chase gold in the Football Canada Cup.

Alberta kicks off the tournament on July 14 against Manitoba.

Fellow Cobra Evan Samoleski made the squad as a defensive back but will miss the action due to injury.

Team Alberta took home bronze last year, with three Cobras in the mix.

The Rocky View Rage Jr. B Tier II squad is gearing up for a high-stakes home stand to close out the regular season, and they’re hungry for a statement finish.

They’ll battle the Strathmore Venom on Saturday, then clash with the powerhouse Southern Alberta Chaos--the top team in the Cindy Garant South Divisionon Sunday.

Both games hit the floor at 2 p.m. in Totem One at the SLS Centre.

The Rage have struggled this season after logging their best ever last year.

They're 5-9 heading into the weekend.

Looking for a peaceful afternoon surrounded by music and nature?

The Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI), located 21 kilometres northwest of Cochrane, is hosting an outdoor youth acoustic open mic on Saturday, July 19, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

CEI volunteer Ali Morrison says it promises to be a free, magical afternoon celebrating young local talent and community spirit at the institute.

All performances will be acoustic to respect the animals currently being rehabilitated on site. Morrison notes a piano will also be available for use.

The NDP's leadership race to replace Jagmeet Singh will formally begin in September, with a six-month race to follow according to a rules framework adopted by the party's national council. 

A new leader will be chosen no later than March 29, when the party holds its 2026 convention in Winnipeg.

An entry fee of $100,000 has been set for candidates to show their "organizational and fundraising capacity."

Debates and other leadership events hosted by the party will be streamed online in both official languages, according to the framework. 

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 35 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports on Aug. 1 in a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social media Thursday night, evidently setting a new date for bilateral negotiations between the two countries. 

Canada and the United States had committed to working on a new economic and security agreement with a July 21 deadline for a deal. The boosted tariff pressures call into question progress toward the initial time frame.

An outcry from residents has prompted today’s public review of Heidelberg Materials Canada’s application to reallocate a water licence from its Bearspaw pit to its Cochrane operation.

The company is seeking additional water access for gravel washing, concrete production, and site reclamation at its Cochrane facility. The Bearspaw Pit licence has a gross diversion of 450-acre-feet. Heidelberg is seeking to transfer 350 acre-feet to their Cochrane operation and return the balance to the province.

The Cochrane Piranhas Summer Swim Club delivered a dominant showing at their home Cam Jaeger Memorial Swim Meet, July 5, finishing first overall on the girls’ side and second in the boys’ standings.

The Piranhas welcomed swimmers from across the Calgary region to a meet that attracted 303 swimmers, up from 249 last year. It was highlighted by several record-breaking performances by Piranhas.

Coach Sydney Carnegie led the charge by smashing a 2003 Piranhas club record in the 18+ girls 800m freestyle, shaving more than 40 seconds off the previous time.

The Cochrane & Area Humane Society’s Summer Tails 50/50 raffle is back, and it could mean a jackpot of up to $125,000.

Every ticket helps fund medical treatment, rehabilitation and shelter for animals who have been abandoned, injured or neglected.

The shelter is hoping to raise $250,000, with half going to one lucky winner and the other half going directly to animals in need.