Strathmore

Chestermere is growing and now more space is needed for students.

That's according to a special meeting of the Board of Trustees with Rocky View Schools on Thursday; a plan was approved for Chestermere to look into space issues for schools in the city.

"The plan includes changes to the grade configuration of East Lake School as well as attendance boundary changes for several communities. The change to East Lake School’s grade structure adds a second middle school to the city, with the addition of Grades 7-9 in 2025/26," says a news release from the division.

The provincial government is granting $1.5 million to Wellspring Alberta to support people affected by cancer. 

The investment will take place over the next 15 months and will aid Wellspring Alberta in delivering essential care for patients. 

The Alberta government believes people in rural and remote areas need extra support when it comes to health care. 

Members of Strathmore Town Council recently discussed water borrowing and what it could mean for the area.

Riley Brolly, manager of financial planning and budgeting with the town presented to council on Wednesday (Jan. 22). He says the bylaw is required by town administration to comply with the Municipal Government Act (MGA).

Brolly told council that when they approved the capital budget last year in December the largest project was the Wildflower Water Reservoir upgrade for $5.45 million over two years.

FurFest will head back to Strathmore for its sixth consecutive year, this time with a special Valentine's Day theme. 

The event, known for its celebration of dogs and their owners, will take place Saturday (Feb. 8) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Strathmore Civic Centre. 

Kyla Janes with Rescued Paws at Alpine Foundation, says there are many exciting things to look forward to. 

Strathmore and the surrounding area are featured in the first volume of the Word Search of Alberta.

The book was created by Nick Cranford and was inspired by his great-grandmother.

"She used to do word searches and crosswords every day. She would do them quite religiously. She'd have whole stacks of them wherever she went, whether out to dinner, in her room, even when she was going through medical treatments."

With Groundhog Day less than two weeks away, it's almost time for Balzac Billy to see if we're getting another six weeks of winter.

The groundhog is a mascot that serves as the "Prairie Prognosticator", the only Groundhog Day mascot in western Canada.

The legend of Groundhog Day states that if Balzac Billy sees his shadow, it means that winter continues for another six weeks. If he doesn't see his shadow, it means there will be an early spring.

In the last decade, Balzac Billy's predictions have leaned towards an early spring rather than more winter.

Strathmore RCMP is looking for help locating 15-year-old David Loonskin.

Loonskin was reported missing on Tuesday (Jan. 21) when he did not return to his Langdon home. According to police, he may be in Edmonton or Saskatchewan.

Loonskin is described as:

• 5 foot 11 inches tall.
• 185 pounds.
• Medium complexion.
• Wearing silver glasses.
• Has braces.
• Brown eyes and medium-length black hair.

Police say that Loonskin was last seen wearing tan shoes and a black winter jacket.

We have our first Birthday Club winner of 2025!

Congratulations to Rowan Wilson who is celebrating her fifth birthday.

Rowan was born on January 12, 2020.

She's walking away with a pool party from the Strathmore Travelodge. She'll also receive prizes from Cake Like A Mother and Domino's Pizza.

Get in on our Birthday Club by clicking here and listen on weekday mornings at 7:50 a.m. as we shout out local birthdays.

Liberal leadership contender Karina Gould submitted her official paperwork to enter the race to replace Justin Trudeau today.

Gould said outside party headquarters in Ottawa that her party lost touch with Canadians at the end of the pandemic and needs to get better at listening.

Gould briefly touched on some of her policy ideas and said she thinks the party did not get the capital gains tax increase right.

Candidates only have until 5 p.m. EST today to declare they will run — although the party can take up to ten days to confirm them as candidates.

Canada's financial intelligence agency suspects online gambling platforms are being used to launder proceeds from fentanyl dealing and production.

In an operational alert, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada says there is reason to believe people are depositing and withdrawing funds at online casinos to disguise proceeds from the traffic in deadly fentanyl and other opioids as wagers and winnings.