Cochrane

More than 300 people in Alberta have fallen ill from measles since March and a group of doctors are warning the virus could grow exponentially in the coming weeks.

The Alberta government is reporting 16 new measles cases to bring the province's total count to 313.

The rising number has prompted the association representing Alberta doctors to warn of an outbreak that could quickly reach the thousands.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she's willing to risk a separation referendum in part to avert the emergence of a political rival.

Smith says she doesn't support separating her province from Canada, but says Albertans have genuine grievances with the federal government, and she wants concessions from Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Speaking Wednesday to CTV News Channel, Smith was asked if it wasn't easier to quell separatism by taking it off the table.

Smith responded, “If there isn’t an outlet, it creates a new party.”

A British Columbia researcher in South Asian affairs said Thursday that concerns about the current India and Pakistan tensions are justified, given that the region has not seen conflicts this intense in more than 25 years. 

M.V. Ramana, professor at University of B.C.'s school of public policy and global affairs, said the last time there was a realistic risk of nuclear weapons being used was the conflict between the two sides in the Kargil region of Kashmir in 1999. 

Alberta's now-former Speaker of the legislature says he's excited to display some partisanship in his last days as an elected official.

Nathan Cooper announced this week that he is to resign his seat in the assembly to become Alberta's representative to the United States in Washington.

The United Conservative Party MLA had been Alberta's legislature Speaker — the non-voting and non-partisan debate referee — since 2019.

A senior medical advisor with the Public Health Agency of Canada says the country could lose its measles elimination status if the highly contagious disease continues to spread into the fall.

Dr. Marina Salvadori warned of the possibility Thursday as cases in Ontario grew by nearly 200 infections, adding that would only occur if prolonged spread continued beyond mid-October 2025.

Veterans, diplomats, members of the Armed Forces and political leaders gathered Thursday at events across Canada commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

"Nearly every family knows somebody who suffered from the effect of war," said Fraser McKee, a 100-year-old veteran who helped to lay a wreath at the Toronto ceremony.

"This is to remember people that will have to go to war, as well as remembering those that went and didn’t come back."

A new pope has been elected following the death of Pope Francis. White smoke began billowing from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling the decision by the College of Cardinals.

A large crowd in the thousands erupted into cheers as the words “Habemus Papam” ("We have a pope") rang out in St. Peter's Square, about an hour after the smoke first poured out. The new pope then came out onto the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and greeted the crowd.

Residents and visitors in the Kananaskis region can expect to see and hear more military aircraft over the coming weeks as preparations ramp up for the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit.

Starting in early May, Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighter jets will begin training flights in the area, followed later in the month by CH-147F Chinook and CH-146 Griffon helicopters.

Aircraft may fly at low altitudes and in formations as crews train and become familiar with the terrain.

The community continues to rally behind the annual drive by two Cochrane McDonald’s locations in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

David Boehmer, general manager of the Fireside location, said about $20,000 had already been raised from the seven locations in their market as of Monday for their annual McHappy Day. With fingers crossed, they hope to surpass the $30,000 mark by the end of the day. Evenings are traditionally their busiest time.

Cochrane Ag Society Tack & Barn Sale - Saturday

Are you finding yourself tangled in spare halters and extra reigns? Have your kids grown out of their saddles and boots? Need to clear up some space in the barn or shed? Then register a table at our Tack & Barn Sale and help the Cochrane Ag Society and yourself at the same time!