Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson has a new title.

As of Monday morning he has been named the Honourable Kevin Sorenson, Minister of State (Finance). Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced his cabinet shuffle on Monday  morning. This is the first time Sorenson has been appointed a Cabinet Minster.

"Since our election in 2011 our Government has kept taxes low and put our finances on a sustainable path,” said the Prime Minister. "This fall, we will continue on with the work we have been doing on behalf of all Canadians.”

"These changes to the Ministry feature both younger Members of Parliament ready for new opportunities, and steady hands that will continue to deliver strong leadership in key portfolios. In particular, I am proud to welcome four new strong and capable women to the Cabinet table," Harper added.

          Sorenson has represented Crowfoot since 2000, consistently garnering more than 80 per cent of the popular vote. The Killam, Alberta native has chaired important committees including The House of Commons Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan, Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Currently he is chair of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

    Four of Drumheller’s motocross riders have raced their way to being some of the top young riders in Western Canada.
    On June 26 to 30, riders Barrett and Decklin Christensen, and Spencer and Tori James headed to Raymond, Alberta, to compete in the Western Canadian Motocross Amateur National (WCAN).
    “Everyone there has to be invited and be quality riders. It’s pretty important, because sponsors are watching,” said Sherry Christensen.
    Decklin raced in three classes and finished 5th in the 12-16-year-old 85cc, 8th in the supermini, and 15th in the schoolboy competition.
    Barrett had a strong silver finish in the 7-11 65cc class, 65cc, and 14th in the supermini.
    “The boy he was chasing (in the 65cc) won the World Minis in the US,” said Sherry. “He was trying to win the Silver Sprocket. To win, you have the highest amount of points throughout the event.”
    Spencer had a bronze finish the 7-11-year-old 85cc class and finished 18th in the supermini.
    Tori raced in two competitions, where she finished 7th in the 50cc class and 12th in the supermini.
    Barrett, Decklin, and Spencer competed in the supermini against one another.
    “(In the supermini) there are kids racing against each other from 7-years-old to 16. There were 37 riders at the gate, which is the largest number of riders the Drumheller boys rode against during WCAN. It got some nerves going, because with that many bikes, anything can happen before the first corner,” said Sherry.
    Over the past week, the riders were given some intense training from Brandon Beabout from Rockwell Training in California. Beabout has trained some of the top youth riders in the US.
    The Drumheller Offroad Vehicle Association is getting ready to host their own Alberta Motorsports Championship Series competition on August 3.

Spencer James (left), Barrett Christensen, Decklin Christensen, and Tori James returned home from the Western Canadian Motocross Amateur National in Raymond as some of the top riders in western Canada. The Drumheller Offroad Vehicle Association is gearing up for their own races on August 3.