Strathmore

Strathmore RCMP are investigating a break-in at the Rockyford Hotel on Wednesday, May 7.

The break-in was just after 3:30 a.m. and involved two suspects who attempted to steal an ATM before grabbing several products, including the cash registers.

Police believe that the suspects took between $5,000 and $7,000 worth of cash, with the business suffering from damage during the break-in. 

According to officers, the suspects fled the scene after being confronted. 

The Wheatland West Firefighters Association teamed up with the Carseland Fire Hall to win the Hype for Hospice fire truck pull on Sunday, May 4.

The group competed against the Strathmore Fire Department, Badlands Search and Rescue, and the Strathmore High School senior boys rugby team.

Each team had two rounds to pull a fire truck across the parking lot at Kinsmen Park, with the fastest two advancing to the final round.

Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the province, and simultaneously one of the most dangerous. As seeding and calving season gets underway, safety is once again top of mind for local farmers and their employees.  

Ryan Jacobson is the Chief Executive Officer with the Saskatchewan Safety Council (SSC) and formerly operated an agricultural farm in southeast Saskatchewan. He explains that every industry experiences gaps in safety protocols. 

A former Alberta premier has a new job in the provincial courts.

The provincial government says David Hancock has been named assistant chief justice of the Alberta Court of Justice in the Edmonton Family and Youth Division.

Hancock, a long-time legislature member, served as interim premier and Progressive Conservative Party leader after the 2014 resignation of Alison Redford, later calling it the "best summer job that I've ever had."

Hancock retired from politics after Jim Prentice was named as leader and was appointed in 2017 as a provincial court judge.

The Speaker of the Alberta legislature is resigning his seat in the assembly to become the province's representative to the United States.

"Serving this assembly has been one of the greatest honours of my lifetime," Nathan Cooper said Wednesday in a speech to the house announcing his resignation.

"Working as the assembly's chief diplomat has equipped me in, and to be ready for, my next role serving Albertans in a new and meaningful way."

As separatist discontent bubbles up anew in Alberta, experts say a vote to sever ties with Canada would pitch the country into unexplored territory on everything from money to First Nations and national parks.

“You’re in terra incognita. You’re off the map when we get to that stage of the proceedings,” said law professor Eric Adams.

“A lot of things are going to be broken on the way out the door.”

After the Second World War came to a close, Canada pulled itself away from Great Britain and planted itself firmly within a North American political and economic compact that generated prosperity for much of the western world for decades.

But as the world marks 80 years since the end of the war in Europe, an increasingly unstable geopolitical climate — and an administration in Washington bent on fighting a trade war with much of the world — has Canada looking back to the continent as a way to preserve peace and prosperity.

Observers say the American government’s move toward deregulation could have sweeping consequences for Canadians.

A new policy paper warns Canadian agriculture to prepare for changing U.S. domestic policies that seek efficiencies through deregulation.

The paper from Agri-Food Economic Systems said this could include food inspection.

Follow all our tariff coverage here

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) have issued a Boil Water Advisory for Siksika Nation.

The advisory was issued on Wednesday, May 7, due to the potential of contamination that may cause illness.

The City of Chestermere has a special contest going on for local middle schoolers.

The Mayor for a Day program gives one lucky student the opportunity to share their ideas, engage with community leaders, and learn about how municipal governments work.

The student will have their own mock inauguration ceremony and a sit down with Mayor Shannon Dean.

The student will also receive a free lunch and some branded City of Chestermere items.

To apply for the contest, the student must live in Chestermere and be between Grades 6 and 9.