Cochrane

Massive storm in southeastern Alberta causes significant damage to crops and reported deaths of livestock

The numbers are still coming in for the cost of the damage caused by a huge hail storm that hit various areas of Alberta Aug. 20.

The storm ripped its way through vast swaths of land from Cayley, Milo and Brooks to the Saskatchewan border, as well as Camrose to the Viking, Edberg, Sedgewick, and Hughenden areas.

Manitoba Agriculture released its latest weekly crop report on Tuesday, offering a snapshot of harvest progress and crop conditions across the province. Cereal crop specialist Anne Kirk, who is compiling the reports this month, says harvest operations are moving forward despite recent weather challenges.

Former Cochrane Generals head coach Evan McFeeters has landed a major step in his coaching career, joining the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins as their new roving minor league coach.

The Penguins announced Tuesday that McFeeters will work within the organization’s player development department, supporting the Penguins’ American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and their ECHL club in Wheeling. He’ll also work closely with the team’s development staff to help prospects grow both on and off the ice.

The 2nd Annual Bill Jensen Memorial Golf Event is proving that one man’s legacy can continue to save lives.

Bill’s organ donation inspired his three sons—Xander, Mitch, and Chris—to launch the event last year. They were pleased to see strong interest again this year in their effort to raise funds and awareness for the lives saved by organ donors.

Forty-five golfers teed off at the Links of Gleneagles, with 60 attended the dinner which followed.

Sundre RCMP had asked for the public’s help in locating a missing 12-year-old boy.

He had last been seen on Tuesday evening, leaving his home near 5 Avenue SW around 6 p.m. on August 26 while riding a black and orange mountain bicycle.

Police and community members searched the area, with Sundre Search and Rescue and the boy’s family joining the efforts.

Authorities had also asked residents to check their backyards, sheds, and businesses for any signs of him or his bicycle.

RCMP have since confirmed the boy was found safe.

Cochrane will celebrate a special moment in its history next month with the re-dedication of the Men of Vision statue.

The statue was vandalized last year, with cuts made to the legs of the horse, and repairs cost an estimated $25,000 to $30,000.

The re-dedication will feature the unveiling of the restored statue, a new commemorative plaque honouring the town’s roots, and a family-friendly celebration with cupcakes.

Cochranites continue to face soaring temperatures during a week-long heatwave.

Daytime highs are expected to range between 29 and 33 degrees Celsius, with overnight lows varying from 10 to 16 degrees depending on location.

Temperatures are expected to ease early next week.

The wildfire danger has climbed to high in Kananaskis Country and Canmore, while Banff National Park remains at extreme.

The Calgary Forest Area (CFA) updated its rating this week due to hot, dry conditions and no rain in the forecast. Officials warn wildfires can ignite and spread quickly, urging people to use extra caution outdoors.

Lead poisoning impacts cattle in Saskatchewan every year, potentially killing multiple animals in a herd. Not only is there the concern associated with losing cattle, but there is also potential for lead to enter the food chain – because of this, testing is required in lead poisoning cases to protect public health.

Researchers say pediatricians, family doctors and parents need to learn more about what kind of performance-enhancing substances kids are using when they work out or play sports.

Seventeen per cent of more than 800 Canadian pediatric specialists surveyed say they saw adolescents who needed medical attention due to dietary supplements or performance drugs over the previous year.

The majority of cases were boys and more than half of them were between 13 and 15 years old.

Almost a third of the patients were even younger — between 10 and 12 years old.