Cochrane

This week’s Adorable Adoptables spotlight is on a sweet pup named Soda Pop, a shy but lovable dog who’s ready to find his forever home.

Soda Pop came to the Cochrane & Area Humane Society as a very fearful stray with a serious injury.

Dog complaints were high on the list of frustrations expressed by residents during a recent public consultation on a new community standards bylaw passed May 12 by town council.

Unfortunately, none of the bylaws being amalgamated to create the new one address animal control.

Nor does it address construction site waste or traffic and road safety — two other major issues raised by residents.

Jay Judin, the town’s community safety director, said many residents expressed concern about the number of unleashed dogs and the amount of dog feces left unattended by owners.

A bear warning is now in effect for the Kananaskis Country Golf Course after multiple grizzly and black bears were reported frequenting the area.

The advisory, issued May 8, applies to the entire golf course, including parking lots, the Club House, maintenance compound, and other buildings. It will remain in place until further notice.

Alberta Parks is urging visitors to remain vigilant, as bears can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis Region at any time.

Cochrane residents can now book the Block Party Trailer to bring their neighbourhoods to life.

The Family and Community Support Services has reopened bookings for the popular program, available through Oct. 13.

It comes fully stocked with tables, chairs, outdoor games, signage, a cooking griddle, invitations and easy-to-follow planning instructions.

“We are so thrilled to bring this program back to the community as it is a great resource for building relationships and fostering strong community connection,” says Kim Krawec, manager of FCSS.

Property taxes are climbing by $311 for the average Cochrane household—but before you lash out at town council, this time it’s not their fault.

A 20 per cent increase in the provincial education tax accounts for $274 of the hike, while the town’s 1.51 per cent increase amounts to a modest $39. There’s also been a $3 reduction in the levy collected for the Rocky View Foundation, which provides subsidized seniors' housing.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is freezing its industrial carbon price effective immediately at $95 per tonne of emissions.

Smith told reporters Monday the move is critical to keep industry competitive and defend jobs as Canada navigates a tariff fight with the United States.

"With the change in government south of the border, it is essential that we have a reasonable carbon pricing system, not one that will price our industries out of global markets," she said.

Travel to the United States took another hit in April with booking agents saying an "elbows up" attitude over the trade war has Canadians pulling back. 

Canadian residents returning by automobile from the U.S. in April fell on a year-over-year basis for the fourth consecutive month, preliminary numbers released by Statistics Canada showed Monday. The 1.2 million trips represented a 35.2 per cent drop from the same month in 2024 and 45.1 per cent lower than April 2019, before the pandemic.

While the recent federal election turned into a tight race between the Liberals and Conservatives that left other parties trailing far behind, a new poll suggests most Canadians don't want the country end up with a two-party system.

The poll of over 1,600 Canadians, conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies between May 1 and 3, suggests only 21 per cent of Canadians think the country would be better off with a system where two parties dominate the political landscape.

Cochrane’s own Josh Krushel—jazz pianist, composer, and educator—returns to his hometown for a rare and intimate evening of jazz this Thursday (May 15) at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 73 George Fox Trail.

Backed by acclaimed Calgary musicians Stefano Valdo on bass and Afolabi Kapojuwo on drums, Krushel brings his distinctive blend of jazz to local audiences for just $10 at the door. Cash is preferred. The performance begins at 7 p.m.

A 55-year-old Cochrane man has died following a motorcycle crash involving a deer on Highway 24 near Township Road 215A.

Strathmore RCMP responded to reports of the collision shortly after 8 p.m. on May 9, while a group of motorcyclists was riding together in the area.

Police say the lead rider, a Cochrane resident, struck a deer and suffered serious injuries. He was transported by STARS air ambulance but later died despite medical efforts.