Okotoks

Overnight snowfall has led to icy road conditions and multiple collisions on Tuesday morning (April 22).

Collisions have been reported on Highway 2 east of Okotoks, eastbound Stoney Trail near Chaparral, and northbound Macleod Trail just north of there.

The Calgary Police Service issued a warning amid the icy conditions, urging drivers to use caution and give themselves extra time.

A judge has granted Alberta's government its request to question the former head of the provincial health authority about confidential emails she is accused of keeping and sharing without permission, including to media.

The government's request was made last month when it filed for an injunction in the high-profile lawsuit launched by Athana Mentzelopoulos, the former chief executive of Alberta Health Services.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is claiming the Liberals will impose a tax on Canadians' home equity if they're re-elected as the federal election campaign enters its final week.

The last day of advance voting in the general election saw federal leaders scattered across the country, pitching plans on homebuilding and health care.

Poilievre was in Toronto Monday afternoon speaking to an audience with CARP, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons. He was asked whether he would put any taxes on equity saved in Canadians' homes.

A Snowfall Warning has been issued for Foothills County.

Environment Canada issued the advisory just before 4 p.m., warning of heavy flurries and wet snow expected in the evening.

They expect 10 to 20 cm overnight, though snowfall amounts will vary in the region.

Drivers are advised that visibility may be affected by heavy snowfall.

It's expected to come to an end by Tuesday morning.

For the latest weather forecast, visit our weather page.

Tim Hortons' Smile Cookie campaign returns from April 28 to May 4.

The annual campaign sees 100 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of smile cookies supporting local charities and non-profits.

Last year's campaign raised $18.8 million.

The list of local groups benefiting from this year's campaign has already been released.

In Okotoks, proceeds will go to Baby It's Cold Outside, an organization dedicated to providing people with access to basic needs and mental health services.

In recognition of several local initiatives, the Okotoks Municipal Centre will be illuminated in a variety of colours this week.   

Tomorrow (April 22), the centre will be lit blue and green in celebration of Earth Day.  

On April 24, the town is recognizing Canadian Fertility Awareness Week by lighting the centre green, and blue and yellow to honour the Lights On Afterschool Alberta Day initiative on April 25.   

Diamond Valley Fire Rescue responded to a grass fire over the Easter long weekend.

It happened on Fruda (April 18), 96th St West, and crews were dispatched at around 2:20 p.m. 

Personnel from multiple stations responded, with Okotoks Fire & Rescue providing a bush truck, and a Duty Officer from the Foothills Fire Department also attended the scene

Crews established a perimeter around the fire to stop the spread and soon had it under control.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Alberta's transportation minister is calling on the province's two major cities to remove bike lanes from key roadways, prompting critics to say the government is overstepping and making an issue out of nothing.

Devin Dreeshen says he's trying to avoid clashes with the government's goal of expanding road networks, as he blames bike lanes for traffic congestion and obstructing work to build the infrastructure needed for Alberta's growing population.

With the federal election just days away, farmers and ranchers had the opportunity to hear directly from political parties about their agricultural policies.  With the federal election just days away, farmers and ranchers had the opportunity to hear directly from political parties about their agricultural policies.  The Canadian Federation of Agriculture held their National Agriculture Leaders Debate last week. The debate on Thursday featured representatives from the Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Green, and Bloc Québécois parties. 

An outspoken member of Alberta's legislature, booted from the United Conservative Party caucus, is airing more detailed allegations of what he calls government deception over a health-care contract scandal.

Peter Guthrie resigned as infrastructure minister in February and is accusing Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange of deliberately misleading a Jan. 30 cabinet committee meeting over procurement issues.

"I didn't step down because nothing happened," he said.