Cochrane

Alberta's auditor general has been granted his request for nearly $1 million in extra funding to dig deeper into allegations of corruption in private health care contracts.

Auditor general Doug Wylie says the scope and complexity of the probe means his office needs to hire additional help and cover legal costs.

Members from both the United Conservative Party government and Opposition NDP who sit on the legislature committee that approved the request say Wylie is doing important work.

Mac is stealing hearts and wagging tails as this week's Adorable Adoptable.

She might have arrived at the Cochrane Humane Society as a stray, but this two-year-old girl has blossomed into a gentle and lovable companion.

“Mac is lovely and very intelligent,” says Robyn Roy, communications coordinator with the Humane Society.

With time, patience, and a whole lot of love, Mac has started to come out of her shell.

Pet owners will continue to pay licence fees as Cochrane sticks with its user-pay model that helps to pay for pet-related services.

Coun. Tara McFadden was the only councillor to support her motion to eliminate the fees, questioning whether the cost of administering the program is justified.

A nature-loving 10-year-old from Cochrane is capturing national attention as he closes in on the title of 2025 Junior Ranger.

Nathan has made it into the top five finalists for the Ranger Rick Jr. Ranger competition, a contest designed to get kids excited about the environment, wildlife, and the great outdoors. If he wins, Nathan will be featured in Ranger Rick magazine, learn from renowned wildlife expert Jeff Corwin, and receive a $20,000 cash prize.

A Fog Advisory is in effect this morning for Rocky View County near Cochrane, with dense fog impacting western Calgary and surrounding communities.

Environment Canada warns that visibility may be suddenly and significantly reduced to near zero in some areas, making travel hazardous.

Conditions are expected to improve later this morning, but drivers are urged to slow down, use headlights, and watch for taillights ahead.

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to announce today next steps in her plan to challenge what she and her government have called unfair intrusions from the federal government.

Smith will be in Calgary to announce details of the Alberta Next Panel. 

She will be joined by Adam Legge of the Business Council of Alberta at a news conference in Heritage Park.

Rocky View County Fire Services has lifted its Fire Advisory for both East and West Rocky View, thanks to improved weather and precipitation in the area.

As of now, there are no fire advisories or bans in place, and permit burning is once again allowed across the County. Officials say they will continue to closely monitor fire risk and conditions, and changes may be made if necessary.

While the risk has decreased, residents are asked to stay cautious and follow all fire safety regulations when burning.

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A top federal official said fixing the payroll problems caused by Phoenix cost taxpayers more than $5 billion — and they'll keep paying extra to run two public service payroll platforms at once as Ottawa weans itself off the problem-plagued system.

Alex Benay, associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, said the alternative to running the Phoenix system in tandem with its replacement, Dayforce, would have been worse.

"The unfortunate situation is there's no easy path," he said. "This is the one that's going to impact employees the least."

A survivor of a rockfall last week in Banff National Park is remembering his 33-year-old roommate, who didn't make it out alive from under the rubble, as a kind and generous friend.

Khaled Elgamal says Hamza Benhilal of Surrey, B.C., was one of two people who died after a slab of mountain gave way Thursday, raining rock down on hikers at Bow Glacier Falls, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary.

Cochrane is going big for Canada Day this year, with platinum-selling rockers Faber Drive leading the charge.

Faber Drive frontman Dave Faber says the band is fired up to headline. “We try to have as much fun as we can,” he says. “We try to involve the crowd, talking to them, getting them singing along, laughing, just having a great time.”