Cochrane

The Calgary Surge are hitting the hardwood at the Saddledome on July 9, and you could be there to catch all the action for free.

SURGE 2 STAMPEDE is part of this year’s Calgary Stampede lineup and brings Alberta’s CEBL powerhouse face-to-face with the Montreal Alliance. It’s a one-of-a-kind night of fast breaks, fierce dunks and Stampede spirit.

Taking place on BMO Kids’ Day, the event promises a blend of pro basketball with family fun and community energy. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

Cochrane is one step closer to getting a much-needed new school, as Rocky View Schools (RVS) announced progress on a Kindergarten to Grade 8 school planned for the Rivercrest neighbourhood.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, with the school scheduled to open in fall 2028. The project was approved as part of Alberta’s 2024 provincial budget and will help ease growing enrolment pressures across Cochrane.

With Cochrane’s recent heatwave and Stampede season about to go into full swing, Cochrane Fire is reminding residents to stay safe this summer.

“We're really going to be promoting general safety messages, like staying hydrated and finding cooling locations,” says Polley. “Go down to the library, have a new experience. If it's too hot for you, it's also too hot for your pets.”

A new law meant to protect supply management might not be enough to shield the system in trade talks with a Trump administration bent on eliminating it, trade experts say.

"It's certainly more difficult to strike a deal with the United States now with the passage of this bill that basically forces Canada to negotiate with one hand tied behind its back," said William Pellerin, a trade lawyer and partner at the firm McMillan LLP.

Confidence federal public servants have in their senior managers has fallen in recent years, a new survey suggests.

The 2024 Public Service Employee Survey said 55 per cent of public servants have confidence in senior management at their department or agency, down from 64 per cent in 2022 and 68 per cent in 2020.

Almost two-thirds of respondents in the new survey said senior managers in their department or agency model ethical behaviour.

Alberta's government has named its own provincial police force and announced its first chief.

Premier Danielle Smith says former deputy Calgary police chief Sat Parhar has been tapped to lead the new force, which the province will call the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service. 

Parhar retired in 2019 after more than two decades with the Calgary Police Service in a variety of roles. 

Farm Credit Canada's Transition Loan program has been enhanced.

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald says transferring the family farm or business can be stressful; the new changes will help address the financial barriers many people face.

The loan's new terms are designed to make it easier for both buyers and sellers by allowing disbursements to the seller over a 10 year period.

The loan is available for farms, agribusinesses, or food businesses going through changes in ownership, be it within or outside the family.

 Irrican owns multiple hydroelectric facilities and solar sites

A new battery storage facility is helping power two southern Alberta irrigation districts.

Irrican Power, a renewable energy producer, comprised of the St. Mary River Irrigation District and Raymond Irrigation District, has announced the commissioning of the Raymond Enhanced Battery and Renewables Project.

The eBAR facility is located at the Raymond Irrican Hydropower Plant near Raymond.

The move by Sask. would help producers with the cost of cleaning and disinfection after the disease is found on their farms

Saskatchewan may ask to trigger AgriRecovery for producers affected by bovine tuberculosis.

Provincial agriculture minister Daryl Harrison said last week he had heard from cattle organizations about the need for more help.

Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie took to the stage at Cochrane’s Canada Day celebration, telling thousands gathered at Mitford Park that he’s working to bring back the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party of Alberta.

Wearing a bright blue “PC Alberta” shirt, Guthrie’s appearance and message signaled a potential return to the province’s political roots.

The former UCP cabinet minister stepped down earlier this year, citing concerns over Premier Danielle Smith’s handling of allegations of political interference in healthcare.