CFIA releases "What we heard report" on seed regulatory modernization

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has released a report on the latest recommendations and feedback relating to modernizing the seed regulations in Canada.

The process began in 2021 and covers several areas from import to export, seed conditioning, storage, testing and labeling to seed sales.

The National Manager for the Seed Section of the CFIA, Wendy Jahn says a number of the regulations, policies and programs interact with each other and rather than making changes one at a time it makes more sense to take a holistic approach to modernizing the system.

ASIRT says death of machete-waving man deemed not criminal

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team says an altercation resulting in the death of a man was not criminal.

According to ASIRT, on Aug. 6, 2023, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service received a call that a man had a machete and was screaming about an imaginary person.

The man threatened the officers and members of the tactical force were called in to help.

Crisis negotiators were also brought in to speak with the man, but he said all the phones were bugged. He proceeded to yell and then went back into his apartment.

Lane closures expected on Chestermere Boulevard east of Highway 1 next week

Construction will start on Chestermere Boulevard east of Highway 1 on Monday (Oct. 14).

According to the city, lane closures and speed reductions will occur during the work.

"The signage and lane shifts are reflected in the Traffic Accommodation Strategy plans, and we note access will be maintained for the duration of construction with no full closures anticipated," wrote the city in a news release.

Work will end on November 30.

Fall maintenance kicks off in Strathmore: town crews get ready to beautify Kinsmen Park

Fall has hit hard in Strathmore, which means it's time for the town's autumn maintenance in Kinsmen Park.

Some of the work will include include removing poplar trees from the park.

On the town's Facebook page, they list a few reasons for the maintenance:

  • Critical amount of rot.
  • Poor structure.
  • Age/Health.

According to the town, the point of the project is to let new trees grow. Over the years the town has been able to plant 750 trees in parks, birth forests, and much more.

Poilievre barred from speaking in House for not withdrawing remark about Joly

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was not allowed to speak in the House of Commons Tuesday as his public feud with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly spilled into a second day.

House Speaker Greg Fergus delivered the penalty to Poilievre in the morning, a day after he asked the leader of the opposition to withdraw a remark accusing Joly of pandering to supporters of the terrorist organization Hamas.

Tips to keep your furry friends safe during Thanksgiving

Families across Strathmore are gearing up for the Thanksgiving long weekend on Monday (Oct. 14).

Staff with the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore offered a few helpful tips to keep our furry friends feeling good during the holiday. 

"As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, let’s make sure our pets stay safe and happy too. Here are some essential tips to keep them healthy during the festivities," says the centre in a Facebook post.

Halloween costume exchange arriving in Strathmore

A Halloween costume exchange is arriving in Strathmore for families on a budget.

The event will be held on Saturday (Oct. 12) from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the library.

"It's just a great opportunity for families to save some money and reuse those costumes. As kids are growing out of their costumes, they can be really expensive," said Laura Henderson, public services manager with the library. "It's just a way for families to acquire a costume without having to go and spend at the store."

Strathmore Spartans to host Bowness Trojans following first season win

The Strathmore Spartans are gearing up to host the Bowness Trojans on Thursday (Oct. 10).

The Spartans will be playing at the Strathmore High School football field, with kickoff set for 5 p.m.

"The Trojans are first place in the Division 2 Calgary High School Football League," said Danny Warrack, head coach of the Spartans.

The game follows the Spartans' first win of the season, beating the Crescent Heights Cowboys 59-13.

What will municipal infrastructure funding look like for Strathmore next year?

Municipalities across Alberta are set to receive more infrastructure funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The Alberta government says it created the Local Government Fiscal Framework in the 2024 budget.

"This means that when provincial revenues increase, municipal funding increases at the same percentage. Next year, municipalities will receive more than $820 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year, an increase of just over 13 per cent from Budget 2024," says a news release from the province.

Funding for 2025-26: