Strathmore

Berry lovers will be happy to hear that the U-pick season has now started. 

Across the Prairies, strawberry U-pick seasons typically start in early July. Raspberries and Saskatoons are then often available from late July through August. 

Andy Loewen is the owner of Friedensfeld Honey and Berry Farm, located east of Friedensfeld in Manitoba. He says their strawberry U-pick season officially got underway on Friday. An opening day of June 27th is a little bit earlier than normal for their farm.

Tyra the Tyrannosaurus is set to be poked and prodded this fall to determine whether Drumheller’s towering, monstrously popular icon can be saved from extinction.

Mayor Heather Colberg says a technical check will determine how much work — and money — may be needed to keep the 25-metre figure in its current place dominating the skyline of the town northeast of Calgary.

Environment Canada (EC) has issued a Heat Warning for Wheatland County, including Strathmore, Lyalta, and Carseland.

The warning was issued because daytime high temperatures are expected to be between 29C and 35C starting on Monday (June 30).

 "The hottest weather is expected mid-week, with cooler temperatures expected by Friday," wrote EC.

Residents and visitors to the area are asked to exercise precautions, including:

The Chestermere Library has vacant spots on its board.

The library board announced the opening of 5 positions on Thursday (June 26).

The positions aim to help oversee management and drive the future development of the library. Terms range from one to three years. 

Applicants must be Chestermere residents aged 18 years or older.

Each application is to be reviewed by the council. 

Environment Canada (EC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the area.

The watch was issued on Friday (June 27) for Wheatland County, including Strathmore, Lyalta, and Carseland.

"Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain," wrote EC on its website. "Thunderstorms will continue to develop this afternoon and early evening."

The group added that some of the thunderstorms may also produce funnel clouds, and that driving conditions may be difficult.

The beautification process at the Strathmore Municipal Library has begun.

The library announced that there would be several planters placed around the exterior of the building, with the plants brought in by Theo and Robert from Strathmore Communities in Bloom.

The non-profit organization serves to enhance the community by building gardens and other green spaces around the area.

Canada Day By The Lake returns to John Peake Memorial Park next week.

On July 1, residents are invited to make it out to the lake for a day of free fun, entertainment, and community spirit.

The event begins at 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, free for the first 2,000 guests. Following breakfast, there will be live stage performances leading up to noon.

Alberta’s finance minister is set to deliver the final bottom line number today on last year’s provincial budget.

Nate Horner’s new figure will close the books on the budget for the fiscal year that ended in March.

That budget was last forecast to come in with a nearly $6-billion surplus.

Alberta’s new budget year is now a few months old, but its expected bottom line number is deep in the red.

This budget, introduced by Horner in February, predicts Alberta will register a $5.2-billion deficit at the end of March 2026.

'Fingers on Fire 3' will be arriving at Strathmore next month.

The event is hosted by Fidgety Digits Fingerboarding, which Strathmore resident Brandon Kehler created several years ago.

"Within a day or two of the last event, we got the ball rolling for this year's event," said Kehler. "Since the last event, I've been networking a lot and working to build the scene in Calgary."

Canadian varietal development system called a success story

Canada’s system of developing wheat varieties is both efficient and effective, says a University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist.

Australia invests much more into wheat genetics and improving varieties, but the yield gains are similar to Canadian results.

“In Australia, they’re spending three to five times what we are, right now, on wheat research and wheat genetics,” said Richard Gray, Canadian grain policy research chair at the U of S.