Cochrane

Premier Danielle Smith is set to deliver a televised address this evening, where she will unveil a plan to support school classrooms facing pressure from an influx of new families.

Smith stated that her United Conservative Party government was caught off guard by the number of people who moved to Alberta last year.

Alberta's population grew by over 200,000 people in 2023-24, and Smith noted that every school in the province is now dealing with capacity challenges.

Registration is now open for one of Cochrane's most exciting and adorable competitions.

Reid Kimmett with Two Pharmacy said the 12th annual Diaper Derby will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29th.  

"We have children aged zero up to three race across about a 20 ft mat with their parents coaxing them with tv remotes, phones, siblings, grandmas, or whatever to try to get them across the finish line the fastest." 

It takes two people to be involved with each kid, one at the start line and one at the finish line.

The past week has been filled with close battles, upsets, and thousands of votes in Cochrane's Best Neighbourhood Showdown.

It's time to kick off the semi-finals with a three-way battle featuring some heavy hitters!

FIRESIDE

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RIVERVIEW/GREYSTONE

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SUNSET

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suffered another devastating byelection blow with the loss of a second Liberal stronghold, this one to the Bloc Québécois in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun.

Voters went to the polls Monday in the Montreal riding as well as in Winnipeg's Elmwood—Transcona, where the NDP retained its long-held seat after a tough race against the Conservatives.

Trudeau already faced calls from party faithful to resign as leader after unexpectedly losing Toronto—St. Paul’s to the Conservatives in a byelection this past June.

The Cochrane Endurance Project (CEPR) has found a new home to mark the return of its cross-country open, thanks to a collaboration with the Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre and Bike Cochrane.

On Sept. 14, 38 athletes from seven clubs became the first to test the new courses that incorporated portions of the Brother Sun and Sister Moon trails of Bike Cochrane. It's all located on lands of the retreat centre.

Members of Parliament will hold an emergency debate in the House of Commons Monday evening on a string of recent deaths of First Nations people during interactions with Canadian police forces.

Six First Nations people have died in the last two weeks at the hands of police officers, which NDP MP Lori Idlout characterizes as a "disturbing pattern."

She wrote a letter to House Speaker Greg Fergus calling for the emergency debate, lambasting what she called a lack of media coverage of the deaths and inaction by the government to pass legislation on First Nations policing.

The free Community Hot Lunch Program resumes tomorrow, Sept. 17 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the St. Andrew's United Church, 128 1 St E.

The popular weekly lunch offers a chance to enjoy a freshly made soup of your choice (there is always a vegan option) with a bun, sweet treat and refreshments.

There's also live music twice a month. To kick off the return of the program, the band Saucie will be performing tomorrow.

Canadian farmers can take advantage of a program that can give them a leg up this harvest season through the Canadian Grain Commission's (CGC) annual Harvest Sample Program.

Through that farmers get an unofficial grading from the CGC which they can use to help market their commodities.

Program Manager of Analytical Services Kerri Pleskach talks about the program and how it helps out Canadian producers.

A Cochrane man has won an award from the province for his volunteer services throughout the Cochrane Community.

Paul Singh has been recognised by the Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Program, for his support of local youth organisations and efforts to build a more welcoming community.

“I was thrilled that I got nominated for such a big award,” says Singh. “I wasn't aware that I was nominated, I'm honoured and I'm thankful to the people of Cochrane who nominated me and looking forward to keep continuing the work.” 

The Cochrane RCMP was among the first to be provided with a drone to assist during emergencies and public safety.

What better way to put it to the test than to challenge them to catch me masquerading as a criminal?