Cochrane

As tensions rise in ongoing trade disputes, China's latest move is adding to concerns for Canadian producers. The country recently announced a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil and meal exported from Canada, compounding the uncertainty already present due to U.S. tariffs.  

Farmers caught in the middle  

The new tariff has many farmers wondering how to best proceed and that includes Curtis Sims, owner of Emeline Farms near MacGregor, Manitoba. Sims grows canola and is worried about the impact of these trade measures.  

Two nearby RCMP detachments are alerting the public about recent scams involving fraudsters using spoofing technology to impersonate Canada Post and the RCMP.

Spoofing is a technique where fraudsters manipulate caller ID to display legitimate phone numbers, making it appear that the call is coming from an official source.

In a news release last night, the Airdrie RCMP reported victims received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Canada Post employee, advising them that they are under investigation for shipping firearm parts.

The Cochrane Rockies U14C ringette team has reached the summit at the Ringette Alberta provincial championships.

The Rockies were crowned champions after going undefeated in all five of their games at the March 21-23 provincials, hosted by Sherwood Park. They beat a Calgary South team 5-3 to claim the title.

Twelve teams from across the province were divided into three pools for the tournament.

Another stellar performance by the Cochrane Water Ninjas, this time in Camrose over the weekend.

Boasting a contingent of 43 swimmers, nearly outnumbering the host team, the Water Ninjas won top spot. Team members showed remarkable improvements, with swimmers shaving off time and setting new personal bests.

Among the standout performances, Oliver Johnson made history with a time of 49.19 seconds in the 100m manikin carry with fins, making him the first and only swimmer in Alberta to break the 50-second barrier.

The federal election called yesterday means we'll be voting in the newly-formed federal riding Airdrie-Cochrane.

Boundary changes approved in 2023 are now in effect. While Cochrane and Airdrie will remain in the same riding, Ghost Lake, Waiparous, Stoney Nakoda Nation, Banff and Canmore are among the communities included in the redrawn Yellohead constituency.

Town councilor Alex Reed has expanded on his rationale as to why the town should start laying the groundwork for annexing further land for Cochrane.

At last week's committee-of-the-whole meeting, Reed referenced the need for the town to start the process now for something he believes can take up to a decade to complete.

Reed believes adding more land will give the town the opportunity to generate more taxes from nonresidential properties, reduce its heavy reliance on residential taxes, and take pressure off of people struggling with the rising cost of living.

Federal party leaders are spending their first full day on the campaign trail talking about taxes, transfers and the trades.

Poilievre talks tax cuts

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising a middle-class tax cut, following a Liberal pledge that involves a smaller reduction to the same tax rate.

A fire broke out in Heartland last night around 7 PM, while the family was swimming at the SLS Centre. 

The fire, caused by a cutting board left on the stove, was quickly contained by the Cochrane Fire Department, who also rescued the family’s two dogs and a cat.

Get ready for Sip Sip Savour on April 11th. 

This tasting event at the Lions Event Centre will feature breweries, distilleries, and wineries from Cochrane & the Bow Valley, with over 20 local businesses to sample from. 

The first 100 attendees will receive a swag bag, and limited 2-for-1 tickets are available, but they’re going fast!

Early bird pricing ends April 4th. Sample tickets are just $1 each, with most samples costing 2-3 tickets. 

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A GoFundMe campaign for two Cochrane men injured in a devastating car crash has raised nearly $50,000 in just a few days, overwhelming their families with gratitude.