Strathmore

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is urging workers to reject Canada Post's latest contract offer.

Union national president Jan Simpson says a strong no vote would not only reject the offer, but also protect the integrity of the bargaining process.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board will hold the vote on the proposed deal starting next week.

Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after more than a year and a half of talks.

The City of Chestermere is reminding residents to register for the upcoming municipal election.

"This year, all voters must be registered to cast their ballot," wrote the city on its website. 

"Municipalities are now required to use Voterlink, the same secure system used for provincial elections, to collect and manage voter registration information."

All Alberta voters must register before August 15, with election day set for October 20.

Alberta's auditor general says the provincial government has not done the work to ensure daycares getting public funds use them to lower fees for parents or top up staff wages.

Doug Wylie, in a report released Thursday, says without proper verification, Alberta could be overcompensating operators with federal and provincial funds meant to lower the average cost of daycare to $10 per day.

"There is a risk that public funds may not be used as intended — leading to parents overpaying for child-care and educators being under-compensated," the report says.

Strathmore and nearby communities are getting ready for a weekend full of events.

Here is what's going on Friday (July 18) to Sunday: 

1. Strathmore Fun Runners Show and Shine

The Strathmore Fun Runners will showcase their vintage vehicles throughout the weekend.

On Friday evening, the car club will host a car parade throughout Strathmore, a route that includes a drive up and down Thomas Drive from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There are several road closures planned in Strathmore throughout the weekend.

According to the Town of Strathmore, closures will take place in the downtown core on Friday (July 18) for the Strathmore Fun Runners' annual car Show and Shine.

Second Avenue will be closed between Second Street and Third Street, and Third Street will be closed between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

An Independent candidate running in a rural Alberta byelection says she has stopped door-knocking because of death threats.

Sarah Spanier, 33, of Castor, Alta., says she has told Mounties about the online threats, which include a social media comment saying she would be met with a shotgun if she showed up at someone's door.

She attributes the threats and other derogatory messages she has received to her advocacy for transgender people during her campaign in the Battle River-Crowfoot riding, which encompasses communities such as Camrose, Drumheller and Wainwright.

Gleichen RCMP are searching for a missing 14-year-old boy. 

Police say Rhylinn Young was last seen in Siksika Nation on July 11 at 10 p.m. 

He is described as five feet five inches tall, weighing 138 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Police say there is concern for his well-being.

Anyone with information about Young's whereabouts is asked to contact Gleichen RCMP at 403-734-3923.

The head of an Ottawa-based Canadian Army regiment has been temporarily removed as part of an investigation into alleged online behaviour that the commander of the army says disgraced the military.

The commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa has been removed from his post in connection with a probe into the "Blue Hackle Mafia" social media group, Lt-Gen Michael Wright said in a statement to army ranks Wednesday and shared with The Canadian Press Thursday.

Systematic government collection and analysis of data about mysterious sightings in the sky could help Canada better prepare for incidents like the sudden appearance of several high-altitude balloons over North America two years ago, says a report from the federal science adviser.

One of the balloons, which wafted above western Canada in early 2023 before being shot down off the U.S. coast, apparently originated from China and carried sophisticated equipment.

The balloon episodes generated intense public speculation before fading from the headlines.

The All Canada Classic Sheep Show returned to Brandon this past weekend, bringing together sheep producers from across the country to showcase breeding stock and connect with fellow industry members.

With about 250 sheep for sale and attendees from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, the event marked a milestone for the national sheep industry.

A local success story

Brandon last hosted the national show in 1981, and the event remained here for three years before moving westward across the country.