Cochrane

Alberta's latest crop report shows seeding of major crops is significantly ahead of historical averages. Manglai, product coordinator with Alberta Financial Services Corporation, who helps compile the report, says seeding is now at 47 per cent, well above the five-year average of 26 per cent and the ten-year average of 29 per cent.

Breaking down the regional analysis, the South region leads with 76 per cent of seeding completed, followed by the Central region at 51 per cent  the Northeast at 37 per cent, the Northwest at 29 per cent, and the Peace region at 27 per cent.

The Manitoba government has announced a $1 million partnership to enhance veterinary care services in northern and remote communities, which will include mobile spay and neuter services. Agriculture Minister Ron Kostitsyn emphasized that this funding is a step in the right direction to ensure every animal receives timely and compassionate care.

This week’s Adorable Adoptables feature is Casper, the friendly cat!

Casper is a three-year-old domestic short white hair who has quickly become a staff favourite at the shelter.

"He's the snuggliest guy," says Robyn Roy, communications coordinator with the Humane Society. "And such a lovely cat."

He’s also incredibly playful and would thrive in a home stocked with toys, especially spring toys.

The first team of the newly formed Cochrane Volleyball Club has set a high benchmark by winning a silver medal in its debut at nationals.

The Cochrane Kodiaks U15 girls’ team played nine matches over three days against teams from Manitoba, Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan.

They defeated the North Shore Stars of B.C. in three sets (25-18, 20-25, 15-5) in the quarterfinals, then beat the Vermilion Rustlers of Saskatchewan in straight sets (25-15, 25-16) in the semifinals to advance to the championship match. A team from Victoria won the final.

A female black bear with cubs swiped at a tent at a backcountry campground along the Lake Minnewanka Trail in Banff National Park over the May long weekend, prompting Parks Canada to issue a bear warning for the area.

The warning was issued Saturday, May 17, and remains in effect until further notice. Officials say the bear has been displaying “bold behaviour” and has been frequently sighted in the area.

Mayor Jeff Genung addressed the YMCA proposal with staff at the Spray Lake Sawmills (SLS) Centre during a meeting last week but was unable to provide much insight into what would happen during the transition if YMCA Calgary were to take over operations of the facility.

“I know this has been difficult. It’s emotional,” he said in his opening remarks. “And when people don’t have all the answers and information, it’s natural to fill in the blanks with assumptions, rumours, and worst-case scenarios.”

The Cochrane Curling Club is calling on the town and Rocky View County to pause or reconsider the request for proposals (RFP) process for the SLS Centre operations to allow for proper community input.

In a letter dated May 14, the club raised major concerns about the lack of consultation with user groups regarding the proposed takeover of the SLS Centre’s operations by YMCA Calgary. The letter was addressed to town and county officials ahead of tonight’s committee-of-the-whole meeting. It originally wasn't going to be released in advance of tonight's meeting.

Ryan Straschnitzki's life has been an open book since he was seriously injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, and his story is soon to be shown on TV.

The 26-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., was paralyzed from the chest down in 2018, when a semi-trailer ran a stop sign and barrelled into the path of the junior hockey team's bus in rural Saskatchewan. 

Sixteen people died and 13 were hurt.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's former chief of staff is suing the fired CEO of the province's front-line health agency and the newspaper that first reported allegations of corruption in multimillion-dollar health contracts.

Marshall Smith has filed a statement of claim alleging defamation against former Alberta Health Services head Athana Mentzelopoulos, the Globe and Mail, and an unidentified person believed to be a former AHS board member.

Statistics Canada is set to release inflation data for April today.

Market data shows economists on average expect the annual rate of inflation cooled to 1.6 per cent last month, from 2.3 per cent in March.

The Liberal government eliminated the consumer carbon price at the start of April, offering motorists some relief at the pump.

Last month also marked the first full month of tariffs between Canada and the United States, though both sides have offered some exemptions in the trade dispute.