Cochrane

This is the meeting to attend if you want to know about the state of the watershed in the greater Cochrane area.

For the first time, the Bighill Creek Preservation Society (BCPS) has prepared a comprehensive State of the Watershed report informed by current and extensive data on watersheds in the area, including Jumpingpound, Waiparous, and Ghost.

It's being presented on Apr. 12 as part of the society's annual general meeting at the Seniors on the Bow, upstairs in the SLS Centre.

A representative for the Canadian Red Cross says the situation on the ground in Myanmar is "still very dire and tragic" days after a massive earthquake that has killed more than 1,700 people.

Canadian Red Cross operations lead Chiran Livera said teams of staff and volunteers made up of both international and local Red Cross workers were in Myanmar when the quake hit on Friday, and they have been able to distribute help, including water and shelter kits, from warehouses stationed around the country.

Many butterflies, bees and moths are fluttering into oblivion. A new report co-authored by a Canadian researcher warns that more than one-fifth of pollinator species it studied in North America are at risk of extinction.

As the G7 Leaders' Summit draws closer to Kananaskis this June, local law enforcement, including the Cochrane RCMP, are preparing for their significant role in the event's security.

From June 15th to June 17th, the world’s most influential leaders will gather in the region, and RCMP officials are focused on ensuring both safety and smooth operations.

Cochrane RCMP Insp. Dave Brunner shared that his team is ramping up preparations for the high-profile event, with final touches being put in place as the summit approaches.

Affordability measures dominated the promises on the federal election trail on Saturday, with the NDP focused on capping the price of some food items and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre offering more tax writeoffs to some trades workers.

The first week of the federal election drew to a close with both Liberal Leader Mark Carney and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh paying a visit to the national capital.

Can you imagine the weight of 18 tonnes of truck and 20 tonnes of excavator? 

To put this immense amount into perspective, the combined weight of the machinery is equivalent to about 22 cars. Picturing this number, however, was likely far from Sean Rickards' mind as he found himself crushed between the two pieces of equipment. 

“I was broken within a millimetre of my life,” he said afterwards.  

A spring snowstorm blanketed Cochrane today, with periods of snow accumulating up to 5 cm in some areas. Despite being a spring storm, temperatures remained well below freezing, with a high of -2°C. Winds were light, reaching up to 15 km/h, but wind chills were significant, making it feel like -11°C this morning and -6°C by the afternoon.

A fire that tore through two homes under construction in Rivercrest late last year was caused by a fallen propane heater.

Investigators determined that the portable heater had been placed on a snowbank, but as temperatures rose, the melting snow caused it to tip over and ignite the exterior of one of the sites.

Cochrane Fire Chief Shawn Polley says the fire then spread to the neighbouring structure, resulting in a total loss of both buildings.

Drivers can expect slower commutes this morning as snow continues to fall across the region.

Roads in Cochrane are covered in snow, and some highway sections are slick.

Motorists in the area are also reporting reduced visibility as heavy snow blankets the region.

Cochrane could see up to 5 cm of snow by the end of the day, and more snow is expected to fall this evening. 

Liberal Leader Mark Carney will be campaigning in Nepean today, the Ottawa riding where he is seeking election.

Carney, who has not yet served as an MP, is expected to meet with volunteers in the riding at 10 a.m.

Carney has faced questions about his decision to run in Nepean, which became vacant only after the Liberal party ousted MP Chandra Arya as its candidate three days before the election was called.