Strathmore

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Friday that Canada strongly condemns a new surge of "horrifying violence" perpetrated by gangs in Haiti.

Gang violence has increased in the Caribbean nation in recent weeks and the UN says gangs now control 85 per cent of the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

Kenya is leading a multinational security mission to restore order after gangs drove out the former prime minister with targeted attacks earlier this year.

A transition council is now leading the nation, with the goal of holding elections next year.

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

A man uses an umbrella to shield himself from the rain while walking on the Stanley Park seawall across the water from downtown Vancouver, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A playground in Chestermere has been closed as it goes through an update complete with new features.

Hawkmere Playground closed on Tuesday (Oct. 22) as crews began work on the upgrade.

According to Ty Tomasta, communications manager with the city, the parks are updated every few decades.

"We have some staff that are certified playground inspectors," said Tomasta. "Every month they complete inspections and make repairs to playgrounds all across the city. That public safety aspect is a big priority for us."

The Royal Canadian Legion's annual Poppy Campaign launched in Strathmore on Friday (Oct. 25).

The fundraiser leads up to Remembrance Day on November 11.

Ana Haines, poppy chair with the Strathmore Legion says volunteers will be set up in booths at local grocery stores like the Co-op, No Frills, and Walmart to hand out poppies.

"The monies gathered from those locations go into our Poppy Trust Fund."

A pageant featuring Indigenous students took place at Strathmore High School on Thursday (Oct. 24).

The event was held at the school's theatre as several other schools took part, including Carseland, Westmount, Wheatland Crossing, and Crowther Memorial Junior High.

"The goal is to represent the schools at powwows, grand entries, and other events. It also helps to support the understanding of culture within their school. It's a bit of a leadership role," said Cori Hampson, director of learning with Golden Hills School Division.

A local farm has an initiative to save waste on old pumpkins after Halloween.

On November 1, Christina Stender from Eh Farms will have a vehicle parked outside of the 104.5 More Country station as she collects pumpkins to feed her red Mangalitsa pigs.

"The pigs go crazy for pumpkins," said Stender. "It's very healthy for them, and it's an extra snack for them in the day."

The vehicle will be set up between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., with Stender asking that residents remove toothpicks, candles, and paint from the pumpkins.

With the winter approaching rapidly CN Rail is looking at a lot of movement coming as winter approaches the prairies.

With plenty of grain left in prairie bins following the harvest, CN Rail will be moving quite a bit of that to buyers over the coming months.

Assistant Vice President of Grain at CN Rail David Przednoweck says that they've been seeing a lot of movement over the previous two weeks.

The Great Twine Round-Up event is hoping to clean up farms and award a few special prizes at the same time.

The project will dish out $12,000 in prizes for 4-H clubs and agriculture charities.

According to a news release from Clearnfarms, the company recycled 673,000 kg of grain bags and 95,400 kg of twine last year through the pilot program.

The initiative is an Alberta-wide contest with four cash prizes of $3,000 for the winners.

Contest rules include:

Range Road 262 will be closed to traffic south of Highway 901 as crews get ready to start bridge construction.

The work will begin on November 12 and is expected to wrap up in Early December.

Related Stories:

• Rail crossing repairs to close Highway 842 near Cluny

Strathmore's annual Business Excellence Awards will be hosted during the evening in Strathmore on Friday (Oct. 25).

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Strathmore Civic Centre and will be emceed by 104.5 More Country's morning show host Keesyn Glawson.

The event will also feature a full banquet and a plated dinner.

There are 13 different categories for the awards, from nonprofit of the year to best agricultural business. Over 300 local groups have been nominated, with a panel of independent judges choosing who will receive an award.