Cochrane

Families gathered at Mitford Park on Aug. 17 for an educational event hosted by the Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI), focused on wildlife safety and coexistence.

Ali Morrison, CEI’s volunteer education coordinator, said the day was about helping people understand how to live safely alongside the animals that share the Bow Valley corridor.

“Cochrane is part of a wildlife corridor, and we have to respect that,” said Morrison. “If we believe wildlife have an innate right to coexist with us, then it’s our responsibility to adapt.”

The Cochrane Generals are preparing for another season in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) with optimism, continuity, and focus on building a winning culture.

Entering his second year as head coach, Derek Bell has overseen a busy offseason of recruitment, team-building, and player development, with training camp just 10 days away.

The summer has been filled with on-ice activity, with weekly summer skates attracting 38 to 40 players, ranging from returning veterans to new prospects.

Thirty-seven athletes from Area 7 — which includes Bearspaw, Cochrane, Springbank, Bragg Creek, and Elbow Valley — will be representing the Zone 2 Big Country Seniors Sports Society (BCSSS) in the 2025 Alberta 55 Plus Games in Leduc, Aug. 21–24.

The local competitors earned their spots between March and June at qualifiers and will now join more than 1,100 seniors from across Alberta for the four-day provincial event.

BCSSS vice-president Doug Campbell is thrilled with the number of participants from Area 7. They make up a quarter of the zone's team.

After a summer of rodeos, dinosaurs and door-knocking, Pierre Poilievre is now officially heading back to Ottawa as a Conservative member of Parliament for Alberta.

The Tory leader will represent the sprawling rural riding of Battle River—Crowfoot, in the province's eastern region, after winning a byelection on Monday. 

"Getting to know the people in this region has been the privilege of my life," Poilievre told a crowd at a victory party in Camrose, Alta., on Monday night. "In fact, I've had a hell of a lot of fun."

Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants have reached a tentative deal to end a strike that began on Saturday morning.

The airline said it will gradually begin operations Tuesday.

The two sides met through the night with a federal mediator before reaching a tentative agreement that will be brought to members of the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

"Your right to vote on your wages was preserved," the union said in a post on its website announcement the end of the strike.

Today, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the initial list of regions that will qualify for the Livestock Tax Deferral in 2025.

Alberta's government is looking to power some of its jails with solar energy.

The province says it's planning to build solar installations at five of its 10 correctional facilities, with early energy cost savings estimated at $1 million per year.

"The solar installations are expected to offset approximately 80 per cent of the energy used at each site," Michael Kwas, press secretary for Infrastructure Minister Martin Long, said in an email.

He said the estimated savings will likely change as the installations are further designed.

UCP Leader and Premier Danielle Smith is in Cochrane tomorrow night (Aug. 19) for a members-only United Conservative Party town hall at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre.

Party members have been invited to hear from Smith about the work the UCP is doing to protect Alberta’s prosperity, stand up to Ottawa, and deliver results for Albertans, according to the party’s website.

“This is your chance to ask questions, share feedback, and connect with fellow UCP members in your area,” the notice states.

The President of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) says he's optimistic that they can reach an agreement that will see the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) remain part of the national organization.

Last week, ABP gave the CCA notice to withdraw from the national organization as of July 1, 2026, citing among its concerns the organization's funding model, board structure, and representation since Alberta producers contribute over 50 percent to the organization.

Tyler Fulton is optimistic they'll be able to agree on a workable solution for everyone.

The Calgary Rams and Bow Valley Grizzlies’ combined women’s rugby team, Rizz, capped a flawless season by winning the Alberta Women's Premier League provincial championship on Aug. 16, defeating the Edmonton Lepachan Tigers, 58-17.

“It’s super exciting to be a part of that,” said Megan MacLean, vice-president of women’s rugby with the Bow Valley Rugby Club. “The girls are thrilled. It’s a moment that’s been a long time coming.”

MacLean said the team took control early in the championship match.