Cochrane

Cochrane students set to graduate in 2026 will have extra support celebrating in style, thanks to the Grad Glow Up initiative.

The program, led by Cochrane Family and Community Support Services and the Family Resource Network, works with local partners including BGC Cochrane and Area, Helping Hands, and The Clothesline.

Grad Glow Up provides donated formalwear to students, helping them attend graduation without worrying about costs. Gowns, dresses, suits, and dress shirts are available in a variety of sizes.

As the clock ticks toward a potential provincewide strike by Alberta’s teachers, parents say classroom overcrowding is having a disastrous domino effect on learning with tutors being hired to fill in the gaps.

Kira Schulz says she hired a tutor for her 10-year-old daughter, Skyelar Schmidt, to prevent her from falling behind while trying to tune into teachers over the din of her peers jammed in classrooms.

"It's really tough to see," Schulz said from her home in Airdrie, a bedroom community of Calgary.

September is Organic Month, letting people know some of the organic foods available in Canada. That's being spearheaded by the Canadian Organic Trade Association, through their Choose Canada Organic program.

Tia Loftsgard, the Executive Director at the Canada Organic Trade Association, talks about Organic Month and what they hope to share with Canadians.

"Organic Month is the national celebration of all things organic, and we have a series of events that are promoting and educating consumers and everybody about what organic is and the benefits of organic."

A longtime volunteer with Cochrane’s iconic outhouse races is hoping to bring the quirky community event back after it was cancelled this year.

Dan Kroffat says residents were disappointed when the entertaining event was called off and believes there is strong interest in seeing it return.

“The tradition brought the community together and created plenty of laughs for families,” he said. “I believe there’s a strong appetite for it. It’s a staple in the community, so I’m thinking, why would we let something that has been so well received slip through our fingers?”

Cochrane residents have one last chance to donate excess fruit at the Community Tree Fruit Round-Up this Saturday.

The collection runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the Town Lagoon on Bow Bend Way.

Coordinated by Town Parks with the assistance of volunteers and Wildlife Coexistence Cochrane, the donations support local food programs, provide for wildlife care, and help reduce wildlife attractants in neighbourhoods.

A group representing Canada's obstetricians and gynecologists says it has reviewed evidence on Tylenol use during pregnancy and maintains that the painkiller is safe. 

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada said on Monday that it has revisited its position in light of reports questioning whether there is a link between mothers taking acetaminophen while pregnant and autism in children. 

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the government will table the federal budget on Nov. 4.

The long-awaited spending plan will be the federal Liberals' first under Prime Minister Mark Carney and comes as Ottawa's budget watchdog says he's worried about a lack of fiscal prudence.

It also will be Champagne's first budget as finance minister. He announced the date during question period Tuesday.

He said the plan will offer a "generational investment" in Canada's future.

The Cochrane Generals’ season opener will be about much more than hockey this year.

When the puck drops Sept. 27 at the SLS Centre, the team will dedicate the night to the memory of Elliot VanWynsberghe, a 10-year-old superfan who lost his battle with cancer last year.

“Every season opener is big for the Generals, but this one is that much more special because we are honouring one of our favourite little fans,” said team president Rick Richards. “Elliot touched so many people in our organization and in our community.”

The Alberta government is changing its industrial carbon tax program to let companies avoid paying provincial fees based on emissions by investing in their own emissions reduction projects instead.

Premier Danielle Smith says the move, likely to come into effect this fall, would support economic growth while ensuring companies work to lower emissions.

She says the province is also allowing smaller companies that don't meet the emissions threshold to opt out of the carbon pricing system for 2025.

The Cochrane Crusher set a new participation record in its fourth year, attracting 138 cyclists to its 100 and 55-kilometre gravel races north of Cochrane in mid-August, staged in Mountain View County.

Organizer Robert Martens of Rogelli Canada said the increase over last year’s 116 registered riders reflects the event’s growing recognition.

“In any new sporting event, it takes some time to get recognition,” Martens said. “People start talking about it, see photos from previous events, and then register.”