Strathmore

A man charged with hijacking a light plane at Victoria International Airport and flying it to Vancouver had an "ideological motive to disrupt airspace" and seized control of the aircraft after threatening a flight instructor, RCMP said Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada said a charge of hijacking had been filed in Richmond, B.C., constituting a "terrorist activity" and a "terrorist offence" under two sections of the Criminal Code.

RCMP said Shaheer Cassim, 39, is set to appear in court next Tuesday.

Unionized Canada Post workers will get a chance to vote directly on the employer's offers for a new collective agreement starting on Monday.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board will run the vote between July 21 and Aug. 1.

A simple majority vote will decide whether the proposal is accepted or rejected.

Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after 19 months of talks.

Drumheller town council is making changes to the way it runs Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).

The council passed the FCSS Committee Amending Bylaw on Monday (July 7).

The amendment will transform the FCSS committee from a council-only group into one that includes members-at-large, aiming to create a more balanced environment between elected officials and representatives from social service agencies. 

In addition to encouraging a more transparent and inclusive decision-making process, the changes will focus on:

A Special Air Quality Statement is in effect. 

Environment Canada issued the advisory for Wheatland County near Strathmore, Lyalta, and Carseland on Wednesday (July 16). 

Smoke is expected to reduce visibility and lead to poor air quality. It may also cause symptoms such as throat, nose, and eye irritation. 

Environment Canada recommends that residents of the affected areas reschedule outdoor activities and limit time spent outside. 

Conditions are expected to improve later in the day.

The Langdon Community Association is replacing the Langdon Park outdoor rink.

The association announced the placement through its website, with the replacement running during the month of August.

"For now the rink is open for ball hockey and other fun," wrote the group.

The outdoor rink is expected to be reopened by the end of the month. 

Brooks RCMP located a missing teenage girl.

On the morning on Wednesday (July 16), police announced that 16-year-old Ayak Abot was located safe.

Officers announced her disappearance the previous evening after she was last seen over the weekend in Brooks.

After announcing she was found, police thanked the public for their assistance.

The Canadian Gypsum Company (CGC) raised over $31,000 for the Trellis Society during the Cowboy Corral Stampede fundraiser.

The event took place on Wednesday (July 9) in Calgary and featured a silent auction along with industry representatives, government officials, local businesses, and non-profit organizations.

A total of $31,595 was raised at the event, with the donation made in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation.

RCMP say they've arrested the pilot of a small aircraft that was allegedly hijacked from Victoria and flown to Vancouver International Airport, where other flights had to be temporarily halted.

RCMP in Richmond, B.C., say in a statement that a report came in just after 1 p.m. Tuesday about a Cessna that "had been hijacked" and was on its way to Vancouver.

Police say the "sole occupant" of the plane was arrested after it touched down. 

Underlying inflation remained stubbornly hot in June, leading financial markets and many economists to firm up calls for a third straight interest rate hold from the Bank of Canada later this month.

Statistics Canada said Tuesday that the annual pace of inflation accelerated to 1.9 per cent in June, up from 1.7 per cent in May and largely in line with economists’ expectations.

Prices didn't ease much at the gas pumps last month, the agency said, and higher prices on motor vehicles and other durable goods also drove inflation higher.

Brooks RCMP are looking for the public's help in finding a missing teenager.

Police say that 16-year-old Ayak Abot was last seen in Brooks on Sunday (July 13) at around 9 p.m.

"There is concern for her well-being," wrote RCMP in a news release.

About is described as five feet three inches tall, approximately 110 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Abot's whereabouts is asked to contact Brooks RCMP at 403-210-7267.