Airdrie

The shoebox collection season for Canada's 2024 Operation Christmas Child has begun.

Operation Christmas Child is an annual event organized by Samaritan's Purse, a worldwide Christian humanitarian organization with operations in more than 100 countries. Last year, Canadians filled almost 425,000 shoeboxes with gifts to aid children in need from the Philippines, Ukraine, Central America, and West Africa.

Over 220 million shoebox presents have been gathered and distributed in more than 130 countries since 1993 as part of Operation Christmas Child.

Three organizations that are a big help to Airdronians have just received a significant donation, to further the work they do in the community.

Airdrie Meals on Wheels, the Food Bank and the North Rockyview Community Links Society each received $5,500 in donations from Propak, a local employer in the energy industry.

Sean Corcoran a purchasing manager with Propak Systems shared that in total they were able to donate $16,500. Funds raised from a charity golf tournament they do every year, to give back to the community, 

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) wrapped up their inaugural cow-calf survey and is sharing some of the results with people around the country.

The BCRC, funded thanks to check-offs from cattle sales in Canada, put on the survey to find how producers are working with their cattle and what practices could be adopted in the future.

Alberta’s government has officially applied to the federal court to challenge the legality of a recent federal exemption from the carbon tax for heating oil.

The federal government introduced the exemption in 2023, and Alberta says it applies predominantly to Atlantic Canada and Quebec provinces. Alberta’s application argues that this exemption is unconstitutional, as it disrupts Canada's uniform application of the federal carbon tax.

Rocky View County residents living in forested areas are encouraged to collaborate with neighbours and apply for a grant to host a property cleanup event to reduce fire hazards.

This initiative, known as FireSmart, is a crucial program for Rocky View County, which encompasses several high fire risk zones, including Bragg Creek, Elbow Valley, Springbank, Bearspaw, and Bottrel.

Communities are invited to organize a FireSmart Preparedness Day anytime between May 3, 2025, and October 31. In 2025, Wildfire Community Preparedness Day will be observed on Saturday, May 3.

Airdrie residents scratched their heads yesterday as some observed intense lightning flashing and a severe thunderstorm warning being issued for the area.

The Town of Carstairs has warned residents that mail service may be disrupted due to an ongoing labour dispute between Canada Post and its workers. Regular mail deliveries could be interrupted as early as Sunday.

Officials emphasize that residents are responsible for paying bills by the due date to avoid penalties.

To ensure timely receipt of their bills, Carstairs officials advise residents that there are several alternatives to traditional mail service. One option is eBilling, where residents can sign up to receive bills electronically. 

Last week, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) unveiled new interim rates for high-speed internet services delivered via fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology. This important announcement promises to enhance Internet access for residents across Alberta, offering more affordable options to tackle long-standing connectivity issues in rural and urban communities.