Okotoks

A sentencing hearing for a Calgary couple in the death of their badly burned and emaciated toddler has been rescheduled for next month.

Sonya Pasqua and Michael Sinclair pleaded guilty in December to manslaughter.

Gabriel Sinclair-Pasqua, who was 18 months old, died in 2021 after suffering major burns to a third of his body.

An agreed statement of facts says the parents didn’t seek medical treatment and tried to treat the burns with honey before the child died from an infection and head trauma.

Recruiters say there's been a surge of interest from American doctors considering moving to Canada since the election of U.S. President Donald Trump in November. 

Katrina Philopoulos, physician recruitment director for Nova Scotia Health, says 27 American doctors are in serious negotiations to move, talks that have so far resulted in one person being hired and a second who is expected to move to the province next year.

The ceremony commemorating the Battle of Vimy Ridge will happen this Sunday, but not in its usual location.

The Okotoks Legion Branch 291 is hosting the Vimy Ridge ceremony, but instead of it being at the Okotoks Cenotaph, it will be held at the Okotoks Rec Centre.

According to the Okotoks Legion President, Rick Oncescu, they made the move to the Rec Centre, because there are several events happening there this weekend.

Last December's announcement from Energy and Minerals Provincial Minister Brian Jean ruffled some feathers with High River's Mayor Craig Snodgrass.

Minister Jean announced the new 'Coal Industry Modernization Initiative' (CIMI), and recently, some representatives from Environment and Protected Areas joined the mayor and two town councillors to answer questions.

The spring weather is in full swing this weekend, which will be great for all the fun to be had this weekend.

Here is what's happening in Okotoks this weekend:

Friday, April 4:

At the Okotoks Public Library, families will be able to make Easter Bunny portraits out of recycled material from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Now that the weather is warming for the summer, the RCMP say it's important to be prepared.

With summer comes the risk of flooding and wildfire in Alberta, and the RCMP is encouraging families to create an emergency plan in case of flood or wildfire.

When creating the emergency plan, the RCMP suggest considering the specific needs of the household, which includes older family members, any special health or mobility needs, children, pets, and service animals.

The economy shed 33,000 jobs in March, the biggest loss since January 2022, while the unemployment rate ticked higher, Statistics Canada said Friday.

The agency said the unemployment rate for March rose to 6.7 per cent compared with 6.6 per cent in February.

The hit came amid increased uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs that have threatened economic growth.

The job losses reversed some of the gains made at the end of last year and into January.

The Okotoks Oilers' playoffs got underway last night in Penticton as they faced the Vees in round one of the BCHL playoffs.

The Vees came out victorious, shutting out the Green and Gold 4-0.

Oil netminder Olivier Ciarlo gave the team a fighting chance, stopping 34 of the 38 shots he faced in the game one loss.

The Oilers were only able to muster 19 shots on net as the group gets set for game two on Sunday afternoon in B.C.

The Vees were the #1-seeded team heading into the playoffs, with the Oilers seeded 8th.

Diamond Valley Fire Rescue is receiving some provincial funding.

They had applied for funding through the Alberta Fire Services Training Program and were approved for the full requested amount of $19,650.

With the funding, the Diamond Valley Fire Rescue team will receive additional training and certifications through the National Fire Protection Association:

• NFPA 1001 - Professional Fire Fighting Level 1 & 2

• NFPA 1002 - Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, Pump, and Aerial

• NFPA 1021 - Fire Officer Level 1 & 2

"Freedom Convoy" organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber have been found guilty of mischief for their roles in the 2022 mass protest in Ottawa.

Lich and Barber were key figures and organizers in the protest that saw hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people occupy downtown Ottawa and insist they would stay until COVID-19 public health mandates were eliminated.