Cochrane

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced Friday an overhaul of several government ministries, creating two new health services portfolios and replacing her Indigenous relations minister.

Former health minister Adriana LaGrange was sworn in as minister of primary and preventative health services, while former jobs minister Matt Jones is now in charge of hospital and surgical health services.

Previous Indigenous relations minister Rick Wilson becomes minister of mental health and addiction. He replaces Dan Williams, who moves to municipal affairs.

The program supports four agricultural societies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba by awarding $10,000 grants each to projects that support rural communities.
 
Garrett Ganden, President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Equipment, says they take pride in being embedded in rural communities in Western Canada.

Last year’s grant recipients were:

The Forestburg Ag Society in Northern Alberta, which received a credit towards a Case IH Farmall tractor to groom its indoor riding arena used for barrel racing and rodeo practice

Another case of avian influenza has been detected, this time in Alberta in a non-commercial, non-poultry flock in Leduc County. 

The premise is under CFIA quarantine and subject to restrictions, bringing the total number of AI cases in Alberta now to two.

Two cases have been found in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan, and three in British Columbia, including an ostrich farm.

There are now 19 premises across Canada infected with AI.

Numerous countries are dealing with avian influenza.

Residents are invited to bring their shovels and spades to participate in the 27th Branches & Banks community tree planting of the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee in partnership with the town.

This year it's being held in Mitford Park starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 24th.

CEAC president Tim Giese says the town has prepped the area in advance to help enhance its success.

The area has been mowed, and both topsoil and hemp pads will be added before the planting begins.

There’s never been a better time to celebrate Canada’s beauty and support the businesses that make it the greatest country in the world.

Golden West introduces the See MORE Canada Auction, which will boost local tourism while helping Canadians rediscover the wonders in their backyard.

From lakeside retreats to city weekend getaways, individual adventures, this online auction is the ticket to unforgettable experiences at unbeatable prices.

But this is more than just an auction.

It was a rare musical treat at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church last night, as hometown talent Josh Krushel returned for an evening of top-tier jazz.

The jazz pianist, composer and educator—home from Vancouver—was greeted by an appreciative crowd of about 100, all eager for a taste of live jazz. Their standing ovation at the end of the performance sent a clear message.

Krushel was joined by acclaimed Calgary musicians Stefano Valdo on bass and Afolabi Kapojuwo on drums, forming a dynamic trio that delivered both polish and passion.

Ah, May Long Weekend. The unofficial kickoff to Canadian summer, the season of hope, campfires, and… hypothermia?

Here in Alberta, May Long Weekend camping is less about connecting with nature and more about testing the structural integrity of your Costco tent in gale-force winds and sideways rain. Because if there’s one thing you can count on in this province, it’s that the weather will betray you. Every. Single. Time.

While the emotional scars remain for the victims, the garage door spray-painted with a swastika has been professionally repainted.

Akini Peters says professional painter Keith Gagnon and his partner, April, of On a Roll Painting, volunteered to repaint the garage at no cost other than the paint, and the work was completed over two days. He says the paint job was even better than before.

The sexual assault case of five hockey players faced another major upheaval Friday, abruptly converting from a jury to a judge alone in order to avoid a mistrial that would have rebooted the proceedings for a second time in less than a month.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia ruled to discharge the jury Friday over concerns about possible jury bias. The move came after a juror sent a note to the Carroccia indicating some members of the panel felt two of the defence lawyers were laughing at them as they came into court each day.

The chiefs of the Stoney Nakoda First Nations have reaffirmed their opposition to Bill 54, which would lower the threshold for a separation vote and is seen as a threat to their treaty rights.

The statement was issued in response to misinformation circulating about the bill and their relationship with Premier Danielle Smith.

"The Stoney Nakoda Nations have not collaborated with Premier Smith or her office on Bill 54," the release states. "Any suggestion to the contrary is false, misleading, and deeply disrespectful to our Nations and the Treaties we are bound to uphold."