Cochrane

The Cochrane and Area Food Bank received a big cheque from Safeway today.

A total of $16,953.46 was raised over the holidays. 

Safeway staff and customers raised money at the till, with gift baskets and in-house announcements. 

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The Best Damn Country Bar Tour is making its way to Cochrane, promising a night of non-stop music and high-energy performances at the Texas Gate Bar & Grill tonight (Mar 21).

The Alberta-based tour has been packing venues across the province, with country artist Jeff Catto calling it a “big party” featuring some of the best up-and-coming artists.

In a heartwarming surprise at BGC Cochrane and Area, Executive Director Jill Bilodeau was presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her unwavering commitment to children, youth, and families in the community.

During a routine staff meeting, Jill was surprised when her family, friends, and colleagues suddenly entered the room. 

The event was carefully orchestrated by the entire BGC Cochrane and Area team to celebrate her achievement in a meaningful way.

Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards had the honour of presenting the medal.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is announcing a plan to boost training and jobs for workers in skilled trades.

In a news release this morning, Poilievre says his plan for "more boots, less suits" will expand training halls and provide direct grants and faster employment insurance for apprentices in licensed trades.

He says the goal is to deliver higher paycheques to workers and make Canada less reliant on the U.S.

The federal Liberals are announcing nearly $100 million in humanitarian relief and governance support for Palestinians, days before a widely expected election. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, who took on the file of international development last week, is announcing funding for major agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The stairs connecting Bow Ridge Drive and Bow Ridge Road will be closed for maintenance next week.

The closure begins Tuesday, March 25, at 9 a.m. and will remain in effect until Thursday, March 27, at 3 p.m.

A special avalanche warning has been issued for the Central Rockies, in effect until Monday, due to dangerous conditions.

Avalanche Canada issued the alert on Thursday, covering Banff, Kananaskis Country, Yoho, Kootenay, as well as Jasper National Parks. The warning extends to adjacent areas as well.

"Recent storm snow sits atop a weak snowpack structure, leading to numerous large avalanches over the past two weeks," the agency stated. Avalanches have been widely triggered, even in forested areas, and have involved the entire snowpack depth.

More financial support is on the way for fire-ravaged Jasper, Alta., as the federal government has announced $187 million in new funding for the town's rebuild.

It is the largest funding package to be announced since a runaway wildfire ripped through Jasper National Park and destroyed a third of the town last July.

The money will help rebuild roads, campgrounds, trails and permanent staff housing, and help provide interim housing while the town is rebuilt.

The largest group ever from the Cochrane Skating Club has advanced to this weekend's StarSkate Provincials in Tsuut'ina.

The hard work and dedication of Bentley and Piper Halliday, June Gartner, Claire Moore, Atera Kirkpatrick, Megan Lewis-Moore, and Evalea Foley have been rewarded with an appearance at provincials, many for the first time.