Strathmore

A Chestermere man is in the process of bringing a mythical creature to life through the use of robotics.

Todd McBride is working on an electronic lake monster lovingly named Chessy Jr.

He's a retired engineer and says during the last 10 years he's been working with the Pioneer Acres Museum creating all sorts of interesting pieces.

"I built this horse's carriage that will run in the Strathmore Parade. I run a manx dune buggy and stuff. I'm always building something."

“Sunny ways, my friends. Sunny ways.” 

With those words, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began his time in office, having brought the Liberals out of the political wilderness and into a majority government in October 2015.

Those sunny ways followed him into an unseasonably warm November day weeks later, when he attended his official swearing-in at Rideau Hall. As Trudeau made his way up the driveway to the governor general’s residence, he was surrounded by family, members of his new cabinet and throngs of cheering supporters.

Here's a look at some of this week's top news photos as selected by the Canadian Press editors.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 10, 2025.

A person walks with an umbrella on a rainy day in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney signalled through his campaign team Friday that he will launch his bid to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal party late next week, after garnering support from more than two dozen Liberal MPs in the past few days.

And in an interview airing Saturday, former B.C. premier Christy Clark told CBC Radio's The House that she is "very seriously" considering a leadership bid, but expressed disappointment with the short timeline for the race.

The staff at StrathmoreNow and 104.5 More Country are attending the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings game Saturday evening. 

We'll have a table set up near the concession area for residents to come and chat and win prizes.

The Kings are currently ranked second in their division, with puck drop against the Carstar Okotoks Bisons set for 8 p.m. at the Strathmore Family Centre Arena.

Anyone going to the game can also scan a QR code and enter the Wrangle Winter draw with a chance to win a Jeep Wrangler.

Golden Hills School Division recently informed parents and students that a data breach occurred in late December. 

According to Golden Hills, PowerSchool, the third-party student information system, stated that an unauthorized party gained access to student demographic data by compromising their corporate support credentials. 

Parent and student information such as emails, phone numbers, and addresses have been impacted by the breach.  

A Strathmore chicken joint closed permanently late last year.

Fritou Chicken, located at Edgefield Place, had its storefront closed down, with its front sign removed from the building. Residents noticed the closure, discussing it in a Facebook post on December 14.

The store arrived in Strathmore in 2019 and sold Halal foods such as fried chicken and poutine. The Quebec-based franchise began back in 1993.

Although it's unknown why Fritou closed its doors, a new chicken restaurant, Popeyes, opened in Strathmore just a few months before. 

Jason Hollingsworth, a Strathmore-based business owner, has given his thoughts on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation.

Trudeau announced that he would be stepping down as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party at a press conference on Monday (Jan. 6).

Hollingsworth, who describes himself as a fiscal and social conservative, believes the resignation is a "worst-case scenario of what could have happened."

President-Elect Donald Trump has been getting ready to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States and there is one big goal on Trump's mind.

Trump said on his first day in office, that Canada and Mexico would be hit with a 25 per cent tariff until they could clean up their borders.

What will that mean for the local business community in Strathmore and Wheatland County?

Tyler Hille, treasurer and director of the Strathmore Wheatland Chamber of Commerce, says Canada will see a drop in GDP.

Wheatland County Family Community & Support Services is looking for volunteer drivers.

According to the organization, the volunteers would drive around residents to medical appointments, run errands, and complete Meals on Wheels orders.

Drivers would bring residents to appointments in Strathmore, Drumheller, and Calgary.