Cochrane

Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers are gathered in Manitoba this week for critical discussions on the future of Canadian agriculture. The meetings, which wrap up Tuesday, come at a time when global trade disruptions, domestic infrastructure needs, and food security are top of mind for producers and policymakers alike.

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald says the meetings are an opportunity to listen to regional concerns and collaborate on national solutions.

Now in its fifth year, Culture Fest shows no sign of slowing in popularity.

Kristina Kindree, president of the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee (CISC), says the event continues to get bigger and better each year. She says moving it to the larger SLS Centre was the right decision. Over 1,000 people visited displays from 25 cultures in the sports court and enjoyed 14 performances.

As federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers are meeting in Winnipeg this week, the future of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is drawing renewed attention. While the Conservative Party has proposed eliminating the broader program, both farm leaders and Conservative MPs are emphasizing that agriculture will remain exempt.

Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), stressed the importance of the program to the sector.

Conservative Agriculture Critic John Barlow and Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Keith Currie are calling on the federal Liberal government to approve the emergency use of strychnine as a way to deal with the increased number of gophers or Richardson’s ground squirrels (RGS) across the Prairies.

More and more people are turning in their tree fruit during the second year of a town-wide roundup.

Hendrik Bösch, who heads Wildlife Coexistence Cochrane, says people were lined up at the gate on Sept. 6 waiting to drop off fruit. The initiative aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

“Five minutes past 12, we had the first bucketful for the animals. And fortunately, we had a lot of people drop them off that they had handpicked,” he said.

Cochrane turned out in force for the annual Parkinson Step ‘n Stride walk at Mitford Park this weekend.

Dozens of participants came together for the event and raised $17,115, far surpassing the local goal of $10,000.

The afternoon featured live entertainment, kids’ activities, a community barbecue and the 1 km and 3 km routes.

Organizers say the weather was perfect and the event celebrated those living with Parkinson disease and their families.

With students across the province returning to classrooms, Alberta RCMP are reminding families and drivers to take extra precautions on the roads.

Police say the start of the school year means busier streets, more pedestrians, and increased traffic around schools and neighbourhoods.

“Back to school can be a busy time,” said Sgt. Darrin Turnbull with Alberta RCMP Traffic. “By following some basic tips and giving yourself extra time, everyone can have a safer commute.”

Parks Canada is warning campers to use extra caution at the Two Jack Lakeside Campground after wolves were reported frequenting the area.

Officials say the animals have been showing unusually bold behaviour.

Visitors are urged not to approach or feed wildlife, and to store all food, garbage, and pet food securely inside a vehicle or building. Pets must be leashed, and children should be closely supervised.

Campers are advised to carry bear spray, report all wolf or carnivore sightings to Banff Dispatch, and act aggressively if a wolf approaches.

A wildfire that broke out Saturday afternoon at Moose Meadows in Banff National Park is now classified as being held.

The blaze, located about 10 kilometres west of the town of Banff, grew to roughly two hectares and was visible from both the Trans-Canada Highway and the Bow Valley Parkway. Firefighters secured the perimeter overnight with help from cooler conditions.

Two ground crews and three helicopters were used to fight the fire, which officials say poses no risk to Banff or Lake Louise because it’s burning in an area that had previously been thinned and burned.

After nearly 20,000 votes, Cochranites have crowned the first two time winner.

Sunset Ridge is offically Cochrane Toyota's Cochrane’s Best Neighbourhood for 2025.

The community won with 51 per cent of the votes, claiming the title for the second year in a row.

Heartland residents put up a strong challenge, pulling in more than 9,000 votes.

Votes came in from across the globe, including the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom.