COCHRANE NEWS

An informational session on a potential reservoir east of Cochrane on Saturday afternoon drew a heated crowd who worried the dam would flood the area and wreak ecological damage on two provincial parks. The session, hosted by the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, invited government officials responsible for the project to explain the options they were […]

A busy start to the season for the Cobras senior girls has meant a lot of thrilling basketball, along with a 69-29 win against Bert Church in their first regular season game. Head coach Doug Jensen says the team played well with a shorter bench on Wednesday against Bert Church, they’ve been down a few […]

The Candid Christmas Campaign is back at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, with plenty of ways to lend a hand to wolfdogs in need. “This year, the theme is actually called ‘Pack the Stockings’ and it’s running from November 28th until January 8th,” said Kara Dowhaniuk, fundraising and events manager at Yamnuska. Monetary donations are going toward […]

The Cobras senior boys basketball team at Cochrane High School put on a show against Bert Church on Tuesday, winning 81-53. “These guys, they’re talented, they’re fast, they’re athletic, it’s a lot of fun getting to watch,” said head coach Patrick Court, “They’re really starting to gel as a team.” Court says that obviously there’s […]

With one win and one loss in the regular season, the Bow Valley Bobcats senior girls hope to make a run for the top as the season progresses. “We’re a young team, and we’ve got a lot to learn, but we’ve got a lot of smart girls on there that are picking things up pretty […]

A 19-year-old from Cochrane with a history of child pornography charges has been accused of a similar offence. Lyson Branson was arrested at his home on Dec. 5 by the Internet Child Exploitation unit of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team with the help of Cochrane RCMP. He is charged with distributing, accessing and possessing […]

During a stroll down Main Street in historic downtown, you’re bound to cross paths with Found bookshop. Found’s scattered bookshelves, cozy places to sit, and warm ambience were not originally in the cards for owner Julia Lutchman. In September of 2019, Julia opened a space for her then travel agency – Found Travel – in […]

The Bow Valley Bobcats senior boys came out on top against the Chestermere High School Lakers 55-53 in their first game on Tuesday. Head coach this season, Justin Thomson, says with 13 guys on the roster, the team is looking very competitive this year. “All of them are very keen to kind of show up […]

Teams can register prior to December 10 at 11:59 p.m. and save $100 on their entry for the Kimmett Cup in February 2024. “That deadline is closing in quick, and we try to get pretty close to sold out by the end of that registration,” said Reid Kimmett, tournament co-chair. February 9th and 10th 2024 […]

From items on their wish list to a Christmas Open House, there’s no shortage of ways to support animals in need at the Cochrane and Area Humane Society (CAHS) this Christmas. “The Christmas season is a great time to spread compassion and joy, not to mention make a positive difference in the lives of animals,” […]

In one of many high-octane, frenzied fight scenes in the recent blockbuster epic, Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, our main heroine Lucy Gray Baird (played by Rachel Zegler) finds herself in a massive arena surrounded by a killing frenzy. Like all the instalments of the dystopian series, hand-to-hand combat is central to […]

Spray Lake Sawmills has been manufacturing forest products for use throughout Canada and abroad since 1943

A much-needed renewal of Cochrane’s Big Hill Lodge could help more seniors lead happy and healthy retirements. “It is going to be bigger, we’re sitting at 74 units here (the current building), and we’re looking at approximately 108 units for our new building,” said Sandra Robin, manager at the Big Hill Lodge. The design of […]

Wick Real Estate is hosting Santa at The Study again this year, providing families free one-on-one time with the Christmas staple. “I just wanted to be able to provide something for the community, that we could bring joy back to those families,” said Karlee Wick, one of the organizers, “Sometimes people don’t realize, but the […]

The ‘Share Your Christmas’ hamper program is back this holiday season, providing food, clothing, and gifts to families in need. “It’s tough times for a lot of people out there, so we understand, we’re trying to be very generous and give to the people that need it,” said Marcia Gilbertson, Cochrane Activettes president. “We’ve been […]

The epitaph of Toller Cranston’s gravestone in San Miguel, Mexico is fairly simple. It reads “Toller Artist” and “Zero Tollerance.” There is no last name. There is no mention of his towering accomplishments on the ice, which earned him the description “the Nureyev of figure skating” in his New York Times obituary back in 2015. […]

Cochrane Toyota is accepting nominations for 50 families in need to receive a free Christmas tree from Santa. Organizer Dan Kroffat says Santa is coming to town to help fight inflation. “These trees are meant for people that may not be able to afford the tree this year,” said Kroffat. Gift a Christmas Tree is […]

The Cochrane Activettes partnered with Cultivate Cochrane to get the $53,800 grant from the Calgary Foundation. “We’re very very proud to be sponsored by the Cochrane Activettes for this donation from the Calgary Foundation,” said Cultivate Cochrane President Carrie Corbin, “Cochrane Activettes are a really long-standing pillar of the community, and they are making it […]

In support of the Cochrane Activette’s share your Christmas hamper program, the Cochrane and Area Events Society (CAES) is spreading cheer near and far with hundreds of toys. “It always pulls at my heart strings to know that some families are struggling,” said Marina Chabbert, one of the organizers from CAES, “If someone, or some […]

Cochrane Light Up is back shining again for 2023, kicking off festive spirit in the community. Rocky Mountain Rotary member and lead organizer this year, Chris Heier, says they’ve been working with Stephanie Shelstad, the former head of the Light Up Committee to get some insight and guidance on what makes Light Up tick. “For […]

The Bow Valley Baptist Church is bringing the magic of live theatre to Cochrane for another Christmas season, with “Scrooge,” a modern adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Moneen Wuthrich is directing the play, alongside her daughter and co-director Lynay. “It takes inspiration from Bill Murray’s ‘Scrooge’ the movie, whilst referencing the original text, Charles Dickens […]

With seven wins and one overtime loss so far this year, the Cochrane Chaos have a strong lead in the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League (AJFHL) south division. Head coach Derek Loomer says they have seven or eight new girls this year, after a few graduated out of the team at the end of last […]

On November 11th each year, people across Canada gather to honour our veterans; those brave men and women that served to protect our freedoms. “It’s something we should not forget, especially now, when we have so much conflict going on around us,” said Janet Faynor, poppy campaign chair at the Legion. Faynor appreciates that those […]

The Cochrane Public Library (CPL) is asking the community for feedback with their Patron Satisfaction Survey throughout November. Library Director Monique Fiedler-Sills says the annual survey helps them see what patrons are liking at CPL, and what they can improve on. “It’s really important that the library reflect the needs of the community, that’s what […]

In October, the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park Foundation (GRPF) announced former Calgary city councillor Jeromy Farkas would take the helm as interim CEO. “I’m so blessed to have arrived at Glenbow Ranch,” said Farkas, “As an avid hiker and outdoorsman, I’ve been through the park on a regular basis.” “Glenbow Ranch is so special, because […]

As president at Cochrane Legion Branch 15, Steve Jepson has big shoes to fill in supporting veterans in the community. For many years, Jepson had wanted to be involved in a Legion, but it wasn’t until his late 50’s that he decided to join up. “One of the things, is this misinformation that in order […]

The draft budget for 2024 to 2026 could see the average residential cost increase by $17.79 per month. This would mean average residential annual costs (for properties assessed at $561,200) would increase from $3,931.14 in 2023 to $4,144.64, or by $213.50. Of the 3.45 per cent, 3 per cent is attributed to inflationary cost increases. […]

Remembrance Day service at the Cochrane Legion Cenotaph will begin at 10:45 a.m. this Saturday, with people welcome to start gathering at 10 a.m. As with previous years the community is welcome to visit the legion hall at 114 Fifth Ave after the ceremony concludes. “The doors are open, we’ll accommodate as many people as […]

An autopsy is scheduled at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Calgary on Monday.

The PEDIGREE foundation is helping fund behavior and support programs for shelter dogs at the Cochrane and Area Humane Society (CAHS). According to Debra Fair, executive director at the PEDIGREE Foundation, the $10,000 grant will aid in rehabilitation and behaviour work for 50 dogs. “They’re going to be working with potential adopters, as well as […]

The fourth leg of the roundabout will detour traffic from the old traffic light starting November 3, 2023, and continue until the project is complete in 2025. This detour allows for the removal of the traffic light, and the construction of a new bridge on Highway 22 which will span over Highway 1A and the […]

The Travelling Expedition Program (TREX) is an Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) program supporting artists across Alberta. “What makes this program unique is it strives to ensure that every Albertan is provided to enjoy fully developed exhibitions,” said Carmen Erison, programand engagement manager at the Cochrane Public Library (CPL). The exhibitions travel throughout the […]

Monique Fiedler-Sills began her journey as director at the Cochrane Public Library (CPL) in May 2022, but she has climbed every rung of the ladder at libraries throughout Alberta. “This is my passion, this is what I do,” said Fiedler-Sills, “That’s why I’ve been in so many libraries, and actually why I think I moved […]

St. Timothy School will serve almost 240 free meals at their first ever “Halloweenie BBQ Drive-Thru” on Tuesday October 31. “We wanted to find some way to connect with the community right around the school, this seemed like an easy way to meet a need, of feeding kids on a really busy night,” said Rochelle […]

The Cannex Cochrane Generals are fourth in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) south division, with six wins and three losses. Head coach Kurtis Jones says they’re still in the learning stage as a group, but things are starting to come along. Last weekend they played back-to-back games, winning against the Medicine Hat Cubs 4-3 […]

The 50/50 fundraiser is going toward the paving and redesign of the Launchpad Bike Park on Bow Street, next to Garmin Canada. “It was always planned to be bigger and better than what it is (now),” said Paul Perrault, director of operations for Bike Cochrane. Now that they’re able to utilize the space in the […]

Former city councillor Jeromy Farkas says the serenity and peace he’s found at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park drove him to become its steering foundation’s CEO. And what he calls the “magic” of the park’s grasslands, aspen forests, hills and mountain vistas running along the north bank of the Bow River between Calgary and Cochrane has […]

Snow began falling Monday morning and is expected to continue, at times heavy, through tonight and into Tuesday afternoon. Environment Canada is warning drivers to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. In situations of reduced visibility while driving, slow down, watch for taillights ahead and be prepared to stop. It’s important to drive […]

Transitional Solutions Inc. (TSI) helped Cochrane Fire Services come up with a plan for the departments’ development through to 2033. “Throughout the project, TSI incorporated a community engagement survey, staff survey, in person staff workshops, interviews with Fire Services Leadership, senior administration, and council members,” said Jay Judin, director of protective services for the town. […]

A sewer line break in Cochrane that dumped a significant amount of wastewater into the Bow River has been halted, but crews continue work to refill the town’s water reservoirs, which officials say are at “critical levels.” The town says its drinking water remains safe after the Saturday evening sewer line break, caused when a […]

Husband and wife Don and Shirley Begg have run their bronze foundry and art gallery, Studio West, for more than 50 years. Known for their many bronzes, notably the “Chicken Lady” in Cochrane’s Historic downtown, together they have created over 260 sculptures that can be found around the world. Shirley says they started Studio West […]

Wazin Îchinabi Ti (pronounced wah-ZHEEDN een-chee-NAH-bee TEE), Iyahre Nakoda for “House of Oneness”, is committed to creating a space for Indigenous teachings in Cochrane. “Oneness does not mean one as in we are all the same, oneness is about unity about being together being connected with each other, same heart, same mind, and spirit that […]

Administration highlighted some of the successes and challenges of the COLT system since it began service in 2018. “Trying to meet on service delivery expectations of the public around extended hours, weekend use, and holiday use has also proven to be challenging within the constraints of the budget,” said Mitchell Hamm, director of community services […]

This is the first year that the Cochrane & District Chamber of Commerce (CDCC) has hosted a fall trade show, it’s meant to supplement their spring trade show held every May. “It’s a bit of a new experience for us, of course we’re in the Cochrane Lion’s event centre, rather than Spray Lakes which we […]

After convening multiple times since January of 2023, the Budget Task Force brought forward their recommendations for improving the towns’ budget process. “We looked at best practices from other municipalities, we looked at their budget documents, to see how we can enhance our budget document for the Town of Cochrane,” said Alvin Allim, interim CFO […]

Overwhelmed by gratitude and thankfulness, Jander Talen is back teaching at Cochrane High School after his trip to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. “I had the opportunity of a lifetime, it wasn’t a vacation, it was a chance to learn and be affirmed of what I’m doing in the school here,” said Talen. “As an […]

Work at Highway 1A and 22 has progressed smoothly so far, in tune with the original completion date of fall 2025. The temporary roundabout has been in place since early August, along with a detour on the west side of Highway 1A. Philip Luchka, an infrastructure engineer on the project from Alberta Transportation says it’s […]

The Reconciliation Action Group claimed the boy was targeted for being a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta and his mother’s outspoken advocacy on anti-racism matters

Long before Joelle Turner landed at the SLS Centre as Fitness & Wellness Supervisor in December 2022, she knew that helping people navigate health and wellness would play a role in her life. Turner spent her early career as a certified medical assistant, until shifting into teaching aerobics in 1991. She became a mother in […]