Cochrane

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.”

Protein Industries Canada says a new soybean breeding program will open new opportunities for producers and processors.

The new $4.3 million initiative for Canada's identity-preserved non-GMO soybean is being led by NRGene Canada, Pulse Genetics, Hensall Co-op, and Yumasoy Foods Ltd. 

The project, involves the launch of a new breeding program to develop early-maturing, high-protein, non-GMO soybean varieties suited to Canada’s northern climates, including Manitoba and northern Ontario.

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has held Edmonton-Strathcona for the New Democrats in one of three provincial byelections.

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• Alberta NDP Leader Nenshi fighting for seat in one of three byelections

Unofficial results from Elections Alberta put him well ahead of the nearest competitor, United Conservative Party candidate Darby Crouch.

It’s back to the drawing board for Conseil scolaire Franco  (FrancoSud) in its search for a suitable location for a new Grades 7–12 school in Cochrane.

Town council has rejected the proposed transfer of municipal land beside École Notre-Dame des Vallées and Mitford School, following a lengthy discussion and three separate votes during Monday night’s meeting.

The Cochrane Water Ninjas, representing Canada at the 2025 Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in Swansea, Wales, have launched a fundraising campaign to help cover associated costs.

Jack Dunse, Isaac Thibodeau, Oliver Johnson, Caebri Smith, and Danica Fisher have all been named to the team, along with alternates Rylee Bashow and Corbin Gilbert.

The championships are scheduled for July 10 to 13.

Two swimmers from the Cochrane Piranhas delivered standout performances at a pair of recent high-level, invitation-only swim competitions.

Meadow MacPherson brought home a bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke at the Swim Alberta Summer Festival for 12 and under All Stars, held in Lethbridge.

The festival brings together the province’s fastest young swimmers who post qualifying times competitive against the top 12-and-under athletes in Alberta.