Local News

More than 200 people, including dozens of students, attended the one-day Ranching Opportunities Conference at Olds College on Feb. 6, exploring and discussing ways to improve and promote the region's and nation's agriculture industry.

With a provincewide review of the legislation governing municipal governments now underway, recently appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs Ken Hughes says he wants input from West Central Alberta rural councils.

Premier Alison Redford has jumped into the debate over the ongoing cull of free roaming horses west of Sundre, saying the capture program is necessary for the overall health of the wildlife and plants in the area.

The federal budget was unveiled on Feb.11 with money set aside to improve Internet service in rural areas. Though the fine details are pending, one Mountain View County representative is glad to hear about the investment.

Construction crews used a specialized helicopter to install power line infrastructure in the Carstairs-Didsbury-Olds area last week, all part of the massive Western Alberta Transmission line project.

More than 100 residents and officials attended a Feb. 4 open house at the Cremona community centre to discuss a medical marijuana growing facility being proposed for the area.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) officials have given Mountain View County's policies and priorities committee an update on ambulance services in the region and plans to continuing working with area fire departments.

Beef producers across the province are being asked to fill out a survey over the next month to determine how wildlife affects their ranching operations.

A Mountain View County woman convicted in November of manslaughter in the Dec. 2010 shooting death of her 68-year-old husband has been released on $25,000 bail pending appeal.

Last month teacher Brenda Turner wanted her Grade 1 class at Didsbury's Ross Ford Elementary School to understand the basics of the importance of building a community.