Okotoks

The Provincial Government is taking steps to address scrap metal and catalytic converter theft in Alberta.

They are proposing changes to the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act, which would enhance sales reporting requirements for businesses, and allow officers to issue tickets rather than issue a court summons wherever appropriate, which the provincial government says would streamline the administration of justice for some minor offences.

Construction season is now in full bloom throughout the Foothills.

With that also comes more rock chips and cracked windshields.

Brian Grover, co-owner of Carstar Collision and Glass Repair in Okotoks, says they are seeing an increase in traffic.

"Definitely, definitely this time of season is busier for sure, but we can always get you in within a day or two."

Liberal Leader Mark Carney took his promise of making Canada an "energy superpower" to the heart of Canada's oil industry Wednesday, becoming the second party leader in three days to promise to speed up the review process to greenlight major national energy projects.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre made a one-project, one-review promise at a campaign stop in northwest British Columbia on Monday. Both parties are trying to convince Canadians they can ditch Canada's reputation as a place where big projects take far too long to get built.

Despite a valiant effort against the league-leading Penticton Vees, the Okotoks Oilers have been eliminated from the 2024-2025 BCHL playoffs.

The Oilers played host to Game 4 of the best-of-seven opening round, ultimately falling 4-2 to the visiting Vees.

Penticton took the lead just over seven minutes in, with Max Heise netting the only goal of the first period.

Oiler Brock Souch would even the score at 5:17 of the second, but Penticton reclaimed their lead two-and-a-half minutes later and widened the gap with another goal near the end of the period.

Okotoks Fire & Rescue responded to a grass fire near Crystal Ridge Drive on Wednesday (April 9) afternoon.

It broke out at around 12:30 p.m. in a hilled area, with the wind quickly spreading the flames.

A nearby homeowner contacted fire services, who arrived soon after and made quick work of the fire.

The cause of the grass fire is under investigation.

Police in Southern Alberta are investigating a string of break-ins at rural businesses.

These incidents happened between April 6 and 9, 2025, with suspects targeting convenience stores, gas stations, cannabis shops, vape shops, sporting good stores, liquor stores, and grocery stores.

The Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SADCRU) is urging rural businesses to take precautions amid these incidents, including storing cash offsite and making sure their businesses are equipped with security systems.

Elections Canada has released the official list of candidates for the Foothills riding.

The nomination deadline was April 7, with the list being released on Wednesday, April 9.

As expected, it's looking like a full slate.

The candidates, in alphabetical order, are:

Flags are lowered to half-mast across the Foothills today (April 9) to honour the National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

The battle, fought during the First World War from April 9 to 12, 1917, is considered by many as Canada's coming of age.

Part of the larger Battle of Arras in northern France, it saw Canadian forces tasked with capturing the strategic point of Vimy Ridge.

All four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought as one for the first time, capturing the ridge after three gruelling days.

The annual Okotoks Chamber of Commerce's Trade and Lifestyle show brought dozens of local businesses together over the weekend.

Not only were there almost 200 vendors, but the Okotoks Square Artisan Market was also part of the weekend festivities again this year.

Thousands of people poured into the Okotoks Rec Centre for the annual event, however, attendance was a bit down compared to previous years due to the 'summer-like' weather the Foothills experienced. It was the first real summer-like weekend of the year, and many people were busy enjoying it.

The aged, longtime resident grizzly bear in Banff known as 'The Boss' is out of hibernation.

The grizzly, also officially known as Grizzly #122, estimated to be about 20 years old, was spotted on a trail camera by Banff National Park employees on Monday and shared on Facebook.

He's known to be one of the early risers out of hibernation, and you can expect other bears to follow shortly, anywhere in the Rocky Mountains.

The Boss is a bit notorious too, as he's survived being hit by a train and his aggressive behaviour, especially amongst other bears.