Cochrane

The Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area has reached a major milestone, rescuing over $2.5 million worth of food since launching the Free Food Shed program.

Executive Director Alex Montiel says the achievement is a testament to community support and volunteers. "We have almost 300 volunteers supporting us, and without them, this milestone wouldn't be possible."

The grassroots program collects unsellable yet edible food from local grocers and redistributes it for free through two community food sheds.

If you love live music and intimate settings, you won’t want to miss the Cochrane House Concert Series! These aren’t just living room jam sessions—these are full, professional acoustic shows featuring world-class Canadian artists as they travel through Alberta.

The concerts take place right here in Cochrane at 64 Sundown Way, bringing the magic of live performance to a cozy, up-close venue where every seat is the best seat in the house.

The Bank of Canada cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point on Wednesday as the central bank worries less about inflation risks and more about a slowing economy.

The Bank of Canada’s policy rate now stands at 2.5 per cent, breaking a streak of three consecutive holds since March.

Governor Tiff Macklem said the risks have shifted since the Bank of Canada’s last interest rate decision in July.

Cracks in the labour market and a sharp drop in exports are threatening growth, he said, while earlier signs of underlying inflation pressure are fading.

Parks officials are warning hikers to be cautious after an aggressive moose was spotted on the Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail.

The alert is in effect from the Upper Lake Day Use area to the Point Campground, but does not include the campground itself. The warning also covers the Hidden Lake area.

Normally, moose are not aggressive, but a stressed animal, a bull in rut or a cow protecting a calf can attack. Rutting season runs from late September to late October, which means moose are often more active.

Residents and businesses will have a chance to safely dispose of old documents at the Cochrane Eco Centre’s annual Shred It! event on Saturday.

The free community shredding runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 50 Griffin Industrial Point.

Each vehicle can bring up to three banker’s boxes of confidential papers for secure, onsite shredding.

Alberta RCMP and CN Police are reminding drivers and pedestrians to stay alert around train tracks as Rail Safety Week runs September 15 to 21 across the province.

In 2024, Alberta saw 35 collisions at railway crossings, resulting in 12 deaths. Authorities say those tragedies underline the importance of awareness.

“Being alert at all times at railroad crossings is critical to protecting yourself and anyone else in the vehicle,” said Inspector Brian Jones of the CN Police Mountain Division.

The Cochrane and Area Humane Society is busier than ever with a surge of puppies filling the shelter.

“We have over 75 puppies in varying stages of life in the shelter right now,” says Robyn Roy, communications coordinator with the Humane Society. “We have some fresh, couple-week-old infants that are still nursing and all the way up to adoptables.”

“That's insanely high. We are full to the brim. We have no more space for these puppies to go.” 

Cochrane students set to graduate in 2026 will have extra support celebrating in style, thanks to the Grad Glow Up initiative.

The program, led by Cochrane Family and Community Support Services and the Family Resource Network, works with local partners including BGC Cochrane and Area, Helping Hands, and The Clothesline.

Grad Glow Up provides donated formalwear to students, helping them attend graduation without worrying about costs. Gowns, dresses, suits, and dress shirts are available in a variety of sizes.

As the clock ticks toward a potential provincewide strike by Alberta’s teachers, parents say classroom overcrowding is having a disastrous domino effect on learning with tutors being hired to fill in the gaps.

Kira Schulz says she hired a tutor for her 10-year-old daughter, Skyelar Schmidt, to prevent her from falling behind while trying to tune into teachers over the din of her peers jammed in classrooms.

"It's really tough to see," Schulz said from her home in Airdrie, a bedroom community of Calgary.

September is Organic Month, letting people know some of the organic foods available in Canada. That's being spearheaded by the Canadian Organic Trade Association, through their Choose Canada Organic program.

Tia Loftsgard, the Executive Director at the Canada Organic Trade Association, talks about Organic Month and what they hope to share with Canadians.

"Organic Month is the national celebration of all things organic, and we have a series of events that are promoting and educating consumers and everybody about what organic is and the benefits of organic."