Strathmore

The Strathmore Spartans football team are about to begin their regular season.

Practice kicks off on Saturday (Aug. 16) before their first game against the Catholic Central Cougars on Aug. 23.

"We had a spring camp in June for two weeks," said head coach Danny Warrack. "We don't get together over the summer. They don't allow you to begin team activities until Aug. 16."

A judge is expected to decide today whether a special court review of a proposed Alberta referendum question on separation should go ahead.

Alberta's chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, referred the question to court last month for a judge to determine whether it violates the Constitution, including treaty rights.

The group that submitted the question applied to have the referral quashed, and Court of King's Bench Justice Colin Feasby heard arguments last week.

Starting today China is implementing a 75.8 per cent duty on Canadian canola seed imports.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced the preliminary ruling regarding their anti-dumping investigation earlier this week. 

The latest tariff on canola seed is in addition to the 100 per cent tariff implemented on Canadian oil and meal back in March 2025.

President and CEO of the Canola Council of Canada, Chris Davison, says China is a highly valued and important market for us, noting they were disappointed with the preliminary ruling.

Five-year survival rates for people with lung cancer have doubled since the 1990s, but the disease still kills more patients than any other type of cancer, a Statistics Canada report said on Wednesday.

The report said the number of people living five years after they were diagnosed jumped from 13 per cent to 27 per cent between 1992 and 2021.

Lung cancer is still responsible for almost a quarter of all cancer deaths in Canada, it said.

Farmer Bill Prybylski says China’s planned tariff on canola seed wasn’t factored into his business equations this year.

The president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan says the 75.8 per cent preliminary duty, announced Tuesday, has already caused canola prices to fall by $1 per bushel.

That translates to a loss of about $200,000 for his farm. 

“That’s a pretty significant financial hit,” said Prybylski, who farms northeast of Regina near Yorkton.

A first-of-its-kind dance party is bringing lasers and lights to Chestermere. 

The Galactic Pulse, a silent disco beach party, is making its debut at Anniversary Park on Saturday (Aug. 16), from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The free, all-ages event invites partygoers to dance under the stars.

Set against a backdrop of giant 3D planets and glowing visuals, the night promises an out-of-this-world atmosphere and a new kind of nightlife experience. 

The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has a new chair, elected into the position earlier this year. Scott Hepworth, who farms near Assiniboia with his farmer, moved into the role after the previous chair stepped away from the position.

Having previously been the vice chair at the GGC and currently a director with Sask Wheat, Hepworth is confident they'll be able to meet some of the goals he wants to solve.

Some road closures are coming to Strathmore over the next week.

According to the Town of Strathmore, two closures are affecting the area.

Starting on Thursday (Aug. 14), the parking lane and sidewalk at the corner of 2 Avenue and Lakeside Boulevard. According to the town, the closure comes as a contractor is installing new business signage.

The work is also expected to continue on Aug. 15 and 21. 

There's another closure on Centennial Drive west of Centre Street, as crews work on installing underground utility lines. The work will run from Aug. 18 to 20.

A mobile screening service is making a stop at Siksika Nation next month.

Primary Care Alberta's Screen Test program is offering free mammogram screenings on Sept. 8 and 9 for Nation residents aged 45 to 74. The mobile trailer will be located at the Siksika Health and Wellness Centre. 

Appointments are required to access the service. 

"Screen Test is improving access to cancer screening for thousands of individuals in Alberta communities where mammograms are not readily available," Primary Care Alberta wrote in an announcement issued Aug. 11. 

The health lab in Siksika Nation has been temporarily closed.

According to a social media post by Siksika Health Services, the lab has been closed since Monday, Aug. 11, and is expected to remain closed until Aug. 22.

“During the closure, all bloodwork that needs to be completed will need to be done at another site,” the post said.

Siksika Health Services added that lab tests not requiring bloodwork can still be processed onsite at the Siksika Health and Wellness Centre.