Strathmore

The StrathmoreNow Online Auction has been going on for several days now with bidding closing on Friday (Nov. 1).

With hundreds of items from local and regional businesses, you can find exactly what you're looking for. 

Sarah-Dawn Thissen has a $500 gift card for her business Trevello Travel.

"I basically plan your dream vacation so whatever you can think of, I plan it for you. It's way easier for you. You don't have to do any work," explained Thissen.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she hopes countries from around the world will support a plan to bring back Ukrainian children who have been deported to Russia since the war in Ukraine began nearly three years ago. 

Joly urged more than 70 delegations attending a ministerial conference in Montreal on Wednesday to make a “strong pledge” to ensure children and other Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war are returned home. 

New Democrats will not cave to demands from the Bloc Québécois and Conservative leaders to help them bring down the Liberal government, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Wednesday. 

His party is now all that stands between Justin Trudeau's Liberals and an early election, with the other two opposition parties pledging to try to topple the minority government at the next opportunity. 

On Tuesday, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said he will make good on his threat to work with the other opposition parties to bring the Liberals down with a non-confidence vote.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked national security services to find a way to share information with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre about foreign interference affecting his caucus, he said Wednesday. 

Earlier this month, Trudeau told a public inquiry that he has been given the names of past and present Conservative parliamentarians and candidates who are linked to foreign interference. 

Trudeau said members from other parties, including the Liberals, have also been flagged.

With Halloween right around the corner, there are a ton of events going on in Strathmore heading into the weekend.

Here's a list of six events happening in the area over the next few days:

1. Treat Accessibly

Treat Accessibly is a way for everyone to enjoy trick or treating.

The Alberta government announced on Wednesday that it is increasing fines for the illegal slaughter and sale of uninspected meat.

If the Meat Inspection Amendment Act passes, fines would shoot up from $10,000 to $100,000 for each offence.

"The sale of uninspected meat is illegal in Alberta. Illegal slaughter and food safety non-compliance pose a risk to human and animal health and could harm Alberta’s entire livestock and meat processing industry," wrote the province in a news release.

Chances are you've checked out our StrathmoreNow Online Auction. But if you're in the mood for even more deals you can visit the Save More Alberta Online Auction.

The auction is new this year and includes items like Calgary Stampeders season ticket packages, hotel stays in Kananaskis and Fairmont Hot Springs, and plenty of food and gift card options.

As residents gear up for Halloween, some might dress up their furry friends for the occasion.

Staff with the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore provided a few safety tips to keep pets safe when people are out trick or treating.

Tips include:

A fugitive from Quebec was arrested in Calgary last week and charged with human trafficking.

According to the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, 22-year-old Xavier Godbout allegedly tried to force two young women into the sex trade, threatening violence.

Police say Godbout had met the women on social media. He had them travel to Calgary under the guise of the victims getting a job.

When the women arrived, one of them resisted and was violently assaulted before having a gun held to her head.

There is a new partnership delivering the Soy Quality Program to Canadian producers.  

Nathan Gerelus is the manager of National Affairs at the Canadian Grain Commission, based in Winnipeg, and he says, 

“We are excited to have recently partnered with Soy Canada to deliver the Soy Quality Program, and that will start with this year's 2024 harvest.”