Cochrane

The Cochrane Cowboys Invitational has been a must-do wrestling meet for years but suffered a slow rebound from the pandemic years.

Flash forward to today, it's returned to attracting huge numbers despite some northern Alberta club's having to back out due to poor travelling conditions.

Staged at the SLS Centre on Mar. 29, almost 300 wrestlers took to the mats from tykes through to U19.

"For the most part, it was very well attended," says April Hooper of the Cowboys. "It was well run and organized, and I thought the kids had a lot of fun. It was very successful."

Legendary guitarist Oscar Lopez is set to light up Cochrane with his signature Latin rhythms and electrifying energy. 

The two-time Juno Award winner will perform at the Cochrane RancheHouse on May 31, 2025, at 8 p.m.

Lopez, known for his passionate playing and improvisational style, says he is thrilled to bring his show, "Ahora o Nunca," to town.

 "I'm a people's guitar player. My shows are all about connection, energy, and surprises."

With the weather warming and spring coming to the prairies, producers have been going through calving season with plenty of work for them. 

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan Vice-President Chris Procyk says that, from what he's heard, it's been a decent season in the province.

The head of Alberta Health Services says the agency is halting a proposed food-reduction policy after public outcry over patients potentially being cut off from snacks and drinks.

The agency's interim president and CEO, Andre Tremblay, said the policy was set to go into effect Tuesday to change how food is stored and delivered in an effort to reduce waste -- not to deprive patients of food.

Cochrane's nonprofit second-hand store has reached another major milestone.

Cochrane Home Treasures has provided almost $1.06 million in community support since January 2020 through its community funding, gifting, and building programs.

Chair Dawn Thome credits the people of Cochrane and the surrounding area for the store’s success.

Medical emergencies can develop in an instant for anyone.  

Even if someone collapses or has a serious accident a block away from the hospital, the fear, uncertainty, and pressure of the moment can be earth-shattering.  

What happens, then, when the same thing happens kilometres away from a hospital, in the remote and sometimes harsh expanse of nature or farmland?  

For Paula Johnson, who was bucked off her horse on a birthday expedition that had already taken her across water, through an elk herd, and past grazing cattle, there was no going back. Only up.  

Five charges against a Calgary man are the latest from an investigation that began in January into the re-vinning and fraudulent registration of stolen vehicles in the area of Cochrane.

In March 2025, Cochrane RCMP recovered a Ford F150 and then executed a search warrant at a Calgary residence, resulting in the seizure of a re-vinned Dodge Ram.

Cochrane residents should prepare for a significant snowfall event tonight as a storm system moves through the region.

Precipitation will begin as a rain-snow mix before transitioning to heavy snow by the evening.

Most areas can expect 5 to 10 cm of snowfall, though some areas could see totals reaching 15 cm.

Snowfall accumulation will be highly variable across the region, making travel conditions unpredictable.

The Cochrane and Area Health Foundation (CAHF) is hosting a fact-finding session tomorrow (Apr. 2) at the Station, starting at 12:30 p.m. Invitations were sent to various foundations across Southern Alberta, and 11 foundations—from Didsbury to Claresholm—will be in attendance.

“With the realignment of Alberta Health into four key pillars, we want to discuss where foundations across Alberta fit into this plan,” says CAHF chair Brian Winter. “We also want to share ideas on what works and what doesn’t within different foundations.”

The Cochrane Guitar Quartet is back at Found Bookstore, 206 1st St. W., for its third annual benefit concert supporting Big Hill Haven this Saturday.

Led by Martin Russell, the quartet features his exceptionally talented students—Hannah Isinghood, Ryan Kehoe, and Griffin Stotschek—who will perform a mix of solos and duets before coming together for their debut quartet performance of movements from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.

A taste of what you'll hear is attached below—an excerpt from the Nutcracker Suite overture.