Okotoks

Communal grief following the ramming attack at a Filipino festival in Vancouver that killed 11 people on the weekend will likely persist for months, mental health experts in British Columbia warn. 

"Traumatic events, grief, is not something that is resolved in a week or two weeks, or a couple of months," said Heather Mohan, a clinical counsellor and executive director of the charity Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society.

Some Conservative MPs are expressing support for party leader Pierre Poilievre after he lost both the federal election and his own seat on Monday.

In his concession speech early Tuesday morning, Poilievre indicated he would stay on as leader. The Conservative party did not respond when asked Wednesday whether he has officially decided to stay.

"My view is he's not going anywhere," said Kory Teneycke, Ontario Premier Doug Ford's former campaign manager and a former director of communications for former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Okotoks business owner Bryce Schutte recalls the moment a car plowed through the front of his store as just a blur and a loud bang.

It happened just before 1:30 p.m. on April 29 at Phonephix in Village Lane.

Seconds after a customer had left the store, the car collided with the wall, which collapsed into the store.

Security footage shows Schutte's wife sitting at a desk very close to where the car struck, and can be seen in the footage wheeling her office chair away from the wall, unaware of the car's approach.

The Town of Okotoks' new waste collection schedule starts today (May 1).  

As part of the change, garbage pickup will be collected bi-weekly.  

Recycling and organics will be collected weekly, but will now be picked up on a different day of the week than garbage.  

A group trying to make a case for electoral reform by creating very long ballots is declaring victory in this week's election — even as critics accuse it of indulging in stunts that undermine democracy.

"It's been a success," said Mark Moutter, one of dozens of protest candidates who ran in the Ottawa riding of Carleton.

"I've never seen people looking more optimistically at electoral reform, ever."

Manitoba Agriculture has released its first crop report of the season, providing valuable insights into the current state of seeding and livestock activities across the province.

Oilseed Specialist Sonya Wilson says seeding is just getting underway, with provincial seeding progress at approximately three per cent. This is ahead of the five-year average of one per cent. Farmers are currently planting spring wheat, peas, and a small amount of oats, particularly in areas west of Brandon and near Rapid City, with some activity in other regions as well.

Students from Strathcona Tweedsmuir School (STS) recently in Charlotte, North Carolina, to compete in a national miniature F1 car racing tournament.

STS had three teams competing in the Stem Racing National Championship: Sol de Miami Racing, Cyclone, and Peak Performance.

The tournament is designed to introduce young students to STEM subjects and encourage them to apply that knowledge in an engaging, hands-on way.

The Greater Okotoks Football Association is raising awareness of programming in the area with a try-it event this weekend.  

On Saturday (May 3), youth between seven and 14 can try on equipment, throw and catch footballs, play games, and learn to tackle during the Football 101 drop-in event. 

Parents will get to ask questions about the program and safety precautions.  

A section of Big Rock Trail in Okotoks is scheduled to close for most of May.

The closure will be between Westland Road and Westland Street, adjacent to the Okotoks Cemetery, from May 3 to 30.

Tristar Communities, the developer of the Tillotson subdivision, will carry out work in the area during that time.

That includes deep utility connections and road widening.

A pathway will also be installed on the south side of the road, and the pathway on the north side will be closed while the work is underway.

While the Okotoks Oilers season wrapped up a few weeks ago, they're already focused on next season.

With that in mind, you can get your 2025/26 season tickets on sale now for early bird pricing.

From now until May 28, you can get adult season tickets for $289, seniors are $219, students (13-22) are $149, and youth (6-12) are only $99.

Prizes jump up to $349 for adults, $279 for seniors, $189 for students, and $139 for youth.