Strathmore

After 45 years in their Jasper home, it took mere minutes for Wes Bradford's quaint mountain abode to burn to a pile of ash.

A year later, he and his wife are itching to rebuild. They've hired a contractor and designer, and their insurance will cover the expected $1-million price tag. But they can't start yet — not until their empty lot, currently a flat mound of dirt, has been declared contaminant-free.

"We're up against the wall," says Bradford, after meeting their builder in Jasper the day before.

Choosing the right replacement heifers is more important than ever for cattle producers, especially with today’s record-high calf prices.

“Replacement heifers represent the genetic potential of a producer’s operation,” says Alexis DeCorby, Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Yorkton office.

“They’re a costly investment that requires about two years of inputs before they produce a live calf.”

The Bank of Canada has largely kept to the sidelines as it tries to get a sense of how U.S. tariffs will impact the economy — and some economists think it might just stay there.

After a quarter-point cut in March, the central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady at 2.75 per cent in April and June.

With last month's jobs figures showing a surprise gain and core inflation levels holding steady at around three per cent, economists now broadly expect the central bank will continue its holding pattern at its next decision on July 30.

The 2025 wildfire season is already one of the worst on record for Canada and there is a high risk that more fires will break out in August, federal officials said on Friday.

More than 5.5 million hectares of land have burned so far this year, more than double the 10-year average for mid-July.

That is still well behind the record fire season in 2023, when more than 6,000 fires burned more than 15 million hectares of land.

There were 561 fires burning as of Friday, including 69 that were considered out of control.

The Supreme Court of Canada on Friday upheld the sentence handed to one youth offender but overturned another, in parallel judgments that clarify the standard courts should use when determining whether a youth should be sentenced as an adult.

In the two separate cases, the youth, who were 16 and 17 years old at the time of their offences, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced as adults to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Strathmore and the surrounding area.

The watch was issued on Friday (July 18) as thunderstorms are forecasted to start between the late afternoon and early evening.

"These thunderstorms have the potential to become severe bringing large hail, strong winds and heavy rain," wrote Environment Canada. "Remember some severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes."

The group asks that residents stay indoors during storms, as hail can cause damage and injury.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is urging workers to reject Canada Post's latest contract offer.

Union national president Jan Simpson says a strong no vote would not only reject the offer, but also protect the integrity of the bargaining process.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board will hold the vote on the proposed deal starting next week.

Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after more than a year and a half of talks.

The City of Chestermere is reminding residents to register for the upcoming municipal election.

"This year, all voters must be registered to cast their ballot," wrote the city on its website. 

"Municipalities are now required to use Voterlink, the same secure system used for provincial elections, to collect and manage voter registration information."

All Alberta voters must register before August 15, with election day set for October 20.

Alberta's auditor general says the provincial government has not done the work to ensure daycares getting public funds use them to lower fees for parents or top up staff wages.

Doug Wylie, in a report released Thursday, says without proper verification, Alberta could be overcompensating operators with federal and provincial funds meant to lower the average cost of daycare to $10 per day.

"There is a risk that public funds may not be used as intended — leading to parents overpaying for child-care and educators being under-compensated," the report says.

Strathmore and nearby communities are getting ready for a weekend full of events.

Here is what's going on Friday (July 18) to Sunday: 

1. Strathmore Fun Runners Show and Shine

The Strathmore Fun Runners will showcase their vintage vehicles throughout the weekend.

On Friday evening, the car club will host a car parade throughout Strathmore, a route that includes a drive up and down Thomas Drive from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.