Okotoks

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says hiring lawyers to funnel requests from the auditor general isn't meant to obstruct an investigation into multimillion-dollar health contracts -- it's about helping get to the truth.

The government has instructed public servants to contact a lawyer to co-ordinate if auditor general Doug Wylie requests an interview as part of his probe.

The Opposition NDP’s leader in the legislature, Christina Gray, said Monday the policy suggests a coverup is afoot, and challenged the premier to lift what the NDP calls a "gag order."

A recent fundraiser brought in over $1.7 million for STARS.

It was the 31st annual Enserva STARS & Spurs Gala, the non-profit's longest-running fundraiser.

The event, held on Saturday, April 12, featured an Indigenous fashion show, an auction, live entertainment, and speeches from STARS Very Important Patients (VIPs).

Since its inception in 1994, the event has raised close to $24 million for STARS.

Enserva was previously known as the Petroleum Services Association of Canada, having changed its name in 2022.

A brush fire in Diamond Valley on Monday evening is believed to have been started by local teens.

The fire broke out in a wooded area near Robert Street on Monday, April 14, with Diamond Valley Fire Rescue responding at around 5:30 p.m.

According to the fire department, witnesses reported seeing teens running away from the area.

Manitoba Pork celebrated its 60th anniversary during its annual meeting and industry banquet Thursday in Winnipeg. Producers, processors and various stakeholders gathered at the Fairmont for the day full of meetings which was capped by an evening gala. There are currently 188 registered producers in the province, representing 608 farms and 22,000 full-time equivalent jobs. 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising that a government led by him would use the notwithstanding clause to override Charter rights to implement his tough-on-crime agenda — something no prime minister has ever done.

Poilievre was campaigning in Montreal on Monday, where he announced he would pass a law to allow judges to impose consecutive life sentences in cases of multiple murders. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2022 that imposing consecutive life sentences violates an offender's Charter rights.

It's auction time, and you've still got a couple of days to lay down some bids on hundreds of local deals.

Whether this is your first time taking part in one of our auctions or you're a seasoned veteran, here are some items to keep an eye on:

Albertans are encouraged to support one another during this time of financial uncertainty, with a new provincial campaign zeroing in on Alberta's agriculture producers and processors.

The Government of Alberta has launched the 'Buy Local' campaign to promote the province's homegrown goods.

It's being led by Alberta's Agriculture and Irrigation, RJ SIgurdson, who is also the MLA for Highwood.

Canada's first tornado of the season touched down near Rolling Hills on Saturday night (April 12).

Rolling Hills is a hamlet just southwest of Brooks, and the landspout touched down about 10 km north of the hamlet.

It happened at approximately 5:20 p.m. and was confirmed by Environment and Climate Change Canada on Sunday.

At that time, there were no reports of injuries or damage. 

Environment Canada said landspout tornadoes are generally not as dangerous as other tornadoes but can still cause significant damage.

They gave it a rating of EF0.

The High River Fire Department was put into action on Saturday.

A hay bale fire broke out just on the west edge of town on the Longview Trail.

Once the firefighters got the fire under control, the landowner took over, but smoke and flames were visible into the night.

There's no word yet on the cause.

Dr. Wade Abbott and his research team at AAFC Lethbridge are embarking on a groundbreaking study aimed at unlocking new possibilities for the humble field pea, a crop primarily known for its use in food production.

The project will explore underutilized aspects of the legume, including its protein, starch, and fibre, with an eye on developing new food and non-food products that could benefit both the agricultural and industrial sectors.