Strathmore

Joel Goodfellow is our Volunteer of the Month for January.

Goodfellow currently volunteers at Sacred Heart Church with the youth club.

"In my youth, it was an important place for me to find belonging and to be with other youth in a safe way in a safe environment on a Friday night. It was just so much fun and I think we have a growing community that could use more of these types of spaces," explained Goodfellow.

Goodfellow was nominated by Steve Sveistrup.

Rocky View County is looking for feedback on its proposed Agriculture Master Plan.

The plan is currently in phase two of public engagement, with residents being asked to attend the final Community Conservation on Friday (Jan. 31) at Irricana Hall. 

"The County has engaged with local farmers, agri-businesses, and residents to create a draft of the Agriculture Master Plan," wrote the county.

During the last engagement phase, participants shared their views on farm succession, protecting agricultural land, renewable energy, and legislated programs.

The Bank of Canada delivered another interest rate cut on Wednesday, reducing its policy rate by a quarter-percentage point to three per cent. But looming U.S. tariffs are weighing on the central bank’s economic outlook.

The cut, the central bank's sixth consecutive one since June, comes as the bank said inflation is sitting around its two per cent target and the economy is picking up speed.

"There are signs economic activity is gaining momentum as past interest rate cuts work their way through the economy," Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said in prepared remarks.

The union representing RCMP members is calling on Canada and the U.S. to make it easier to buy new technology, boost staffing and improve collaboration to deal with security challenges at the Canada-U.S. border.

In a news release published Tuesday, the National Police Federation says it met with Canadian and U.S. police and public safety unions to talk about illegal migration, drug and firearms smuggling and human trafficking.

The union says that the discussions helped it draft a set of recommendations for the Canadian and U.S. governments.

U.S. President Donald Trump's press secretary says the plan to slap Canada with tariffs on Saturday is still in play, as NDP leader Jagmeet Singh called for Parliament to return to prepare for the threat of devastating duties.

Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House that she spoke with the president Monday night and he indicated Feb. 1 was "still on the books" for imposing tariffs against Canada and Mexico.

The federal public inquiry into foreign interference is calling on the leaders of all political parties to get top-secret security clearances — a recommendation that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is not following.

In her final report, commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue said party leaders should seek such clearance as soon as possible after they are elected. She recommended that all parties in the House of Commons ensure at least two of their members have top-secret clearance.

Many Strathmore residents have given their reactions to the news of Peavey Mart's upcoming closure.

One resident, hobby farmer Joanna Emslie, said she was disappointed to hear about the hardware-agriculture store shutting down. 

"It kept all of the other businesses honest. The more you have, the better the prices are," said Emslie. "I do shop around, but I find that if I can find one thing at Peavey Mart, I'll pick up something else as well."

The RCMP is warning Strathmore residents about an ongoing phishing scam. 

According to police, the unsolicited "delivery notices" are sent over text messages while impersonating the RCMP. 

"The messages inform recipients that the RCMP was unable to deliver court documents and ask to reschedule to avoid missing a court date."

Police added that the text messages carry a link to a fraudulent RCMP website asking people to "reschedule the delivery." 

"This is a scam. The RCMP does not issue notices by text messages," mentioned the RCMP in a news release. 

Our first Classroom of the Month for 2025 goes to the grade one class at Westmount School.

Trisha Nielsen teacher of the class says she was elated to win the award.

"It's so exciting for the kids and a real honor for me as a teacher to be recognized in this way."

The kids were dressed up for career day and were ecstatic to receive the news that they won.

"They were very happy, but it always causes confusion because they think the pizza will arrive immediately," explained Nielsen.

The Canadian Cattle Association has been looking for ways to keep Canadian beef producers going strong even as the U.S. is threatening a 25 per cent blanket tariff on the country.

That work has included speaking with American representatives and charting a course through new trade realities.

Nathan Phinney, the President of the CCA, says that having the time to discuss the tariff is one small positive in the situation.