Cochrane

Airdrie RCMP have released the name of the suspect and the seven charges he faces in connection with the abduction of a 12-year-old boy in Airdrie on Aug. 18.

Zain Merchant, 37, of Calgary, has been charged with abduction of a person under 14, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, kidnapping, forcible confinement, flight from a peace officer, and three counts of breaching a prohibition order.

Following a judicial interim release hearing, Merchant was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie today (Aug. 21).

A tragic conclusion has been reached in the search for a 32-year-old man who went missing on Barrier Lake in Kananaskis.

Last night, Cochrane RCMP confirmed the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team located the Calgary man after a multi-day search. His name has not been released.

The incident happened on Aug. 16 around 6:30 p.m., when a canoe carrying three Calgary residents capsized. A 56-year-old woman was rescued and taken to hospital with hypothermia. A 60-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Agriculture Canada modelling expects above average yields for most crops

 Agriculture Canada is predicting solid yields for most crops on the Prairies, based on computer modelling that was done at the end of July.

“At the national level, the CCYF (Canadian Crop Yield Forecaster) model predicts above-average yields per unit area for 11 of the 12 spring-planted crops compared to the average yields of 2020-24,” says an executive summary of the Agriculture Canada predictions, published on a website called Canadian Crop Metrics.

World Humanitarian Day is designated as day to honour people who risk everything to do good.

Being a humanitarian should be the world’s safest job, instead, it has become one of the most dangerous.

From conflict zones to disaster-stricken regions, aid workers face increasing threats, including violence, abduction, and harassment. According to the Aid Worker Security Database, 265 aid workers have died this year so far increasing the likelihood that 2025 will surpass 2024 as the deadliest year on record (383 deaths) for humanitarian workers.

The Federal Government announced the designated and buffer areas for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Program this week.

The Livestock Tax Deferral provision allows livestock producers in prescribed areas, who are forced to sell all or part of their breeding herd due to drought, excess moisture or flooding, to defer a portion of their income from sales until the following tax year.

Two young Cochrane residents are turning lemons into support for kids in need.

Camden, 7, and four-year-old Carmel will be running a lemonade stand this Sunday as part of Lemonade Stand Day, a province-wide initiative raising money for the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

Their stand will be set up in Heartland at 201 Clydesdale Way from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Cochrane region this afternoon.

Forecasters say storms are expected to develop and move eastward into the evening. The system could bring damaging hail, heavy rain, and strong wind gusts.

Officials warn that high winds have the potential to damage trees, buildings, and even overturn vehicles. Large hail could also cause injuries and significant property damage.

RCMP say a 37-year-old Calgary man has been charged after a 12-year-old boy was abducted in Airdrie on Monday evening.

Police were called around 7:50 p.m. on August 18 after the boy got into the suspect’s vehicle in the Coopers Crossing neighbourhood. The victim managed to escape when the vehicle stopped at a red light and immediately called 911.

Crews are ramping up efforts to reduce wildfire risk in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley.

The Alberta government, local municipalities, and their partners have launched the next phase of the Bow Valley Community Fireguard Project at the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park. The work includes thinning forests, removing trees, and creating fireguards to limit fuel for wildfires.

Three areas are part of this phase, with most work at the Nordic Centre expected to wrap up by the end of October. Other sections will pause over the winter and be completed by spring 2026.