MARCH NEWS
- Cochrane RancheHouse was confirmed as a COVID-19 vaccination site.
- The federal government unveiled plans for Bill C-21, an “assault-style” firearm buy-back program aimed at combatting crime.
- Big Hill Haven was one of about a dozen local non-profit organizations to receive a grant from the Cochrane Foundation, in the amount of $5,000.
- Town council approved a $20,000 COVID relief grant for small businesses in a unanimous vote during their first in-person meeting since November 2020.
- A three-month investigation by Cochrane RCMP led to the arrest of an alleged drug trafficker who was bringing methamphetamine and fentanyl from Calgary to Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
- Rocky View County council approved a contentious 320-acre gravel pit dubbed the ‘Summit Pit’ to be built 300 metres away from Big Hill Springs Provincial Park’s underground headwaters by Mountain Ash LP, despite being met with strong public opposition.
- Volunteers from the Community Therapy Dogs Society visited Bethany Cochrane to deliver baskets of stuffed dogs bearing messages of love.
- Student leaders from Rocky View Schools (RVS) showcased Project ROAR (Reach Out and Reconnect) in an RVS board meeting March 4. The initiative was designed to keep youth connected during COVID-19.
- Following the easement of some provincial COVID-19 health measures, Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre announced that it would reopen its Jayman BUILT Aquatic Centre March 15, barring any last-minute changes or requests made by Alberta Health Services.
- Local pottery and painting studio Crock-a-Doodle donated supplies to a resident-favourite painting program at Points West Living.
- The province announced it would be investing in 14 new school infrastructure projects as part of its 2021 budget March 10. Rocky View Schools, whose school capacities have been struggling to keep up with enrolment demand, did not get a single project it had requested approved.
- Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie and mayor Jeff Genung spoke out against the provincial government’s decision to redesign its Alberta Disaster Relief Program, which added the burden that municipalities would be required to cover 10 per cent of disaster relief funds.
- Following the approval of Mountain Ash LP’s gravel pit to be built near Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, concerned locals who were disappointed by Rocky View County council’s decision, announced they would continue to fight to stave off the gravel pit for the sake of the park’s sensitive ecosystem.
- Robinson Outreach at RiverCross Ranch (ROARR) was able to expand its programming thanks to a $5,000 grant from Canlin Energy. The initiative aims to help relieve stress, anger and other extreme emotions in youth and elderly visitors through equine-assisted learning.
- Two missing children and two missing adults prompted Cochrane RCMP to request the public’s assistance in locating Leonine O’Driscoll-Zak, 5, and Wyatt O’Driscoll-Zak, who were believed to be in the company of their grandmother, Theresa O’Driscoll and their aunt, Alison O’Driscoll. The four individuals had been last seen March 12 at the children’s home, a rural residence in Cochrane. The incident was investigated as an abduction by the children’s aunt and grandmother and an Amber Alert was not issued for the missing children as it was not believed they were in danger.
- Three men were arrested after attempting to flee a Cochrane RCMP vehicle stop in front of the Winks convenience story on Highway 1A March 15. The vehicle was immobilized when it rammed a police car and a vehicle searched resulted in the seizure of a loaded firearm and what was believed to be cocaine, fentanyl and oxycodone.
- Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary started a fundraiser to help house 10 new canine residents that were rescued in October 2020.
- The Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane expanded its outreach programming thanks to a $75,000 grant from the Calgary Foundation.
- Cochrane RCMP honoured recently retired guard Vee Herman, who had served with the Cochrane RCMP since 2002, by safely visiting her home and thanking her for her service with a custom plaque and flowers.
- The results of a Social Recovery Task Force survey were provided in a March 22 council meeting and indicated mental health was becoming a growing concern in the community. About 40 per cent of respondents expressed concern for their financial future.
- Funding for the $23 million borrowing bylaw to fund construction of Cochrane’s new Protective Services building was approved after a second and third reading by council.
- Town council approved $120,000 in grant funding for local non-profits in support of the community’s most vulnerable populations.
- Big Hill Haven emergency women's shelter launched its business sponsorship program, BIZ 4 HER.
