Okotoks

It's now 'officially' Spring in High River with the opening of The Hitchin' Post on Tuesday, April 1, and no, it wasn't an April Fool's joke.

The long-time local favourite burger joint is known for its burgers, fries and authentic milkshakes.

Owner Carmen Lamoureux and staff usually open around April 1 once most of the snow is gone.

This year is a bit of an exception with the recent dump of snow yesterday with more expected today.

They usually close in mid to late December until Spring.

Now that spring has begun, the Town of Okotoks will be busy completing some major infrastructure projects.

Even though there is snow on the ground, the Town has already begun work on two major projects, which will help support the community while it grows, upgrade aging infrastructure, and enhance community spaces.

One of the projects underway is one of the biggest projects the Town is currently undertaking, is the Foothills Okotoks Regional Water Project, which is happening in the Sheep River Valley.

Foothills County has been experiencing heavy snowfall this week, prompting the Foothills School Division to warn of potential bus delays.

Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for Foothills County on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, due to the amount of snow expected to fall on the region.

The Foothills School Division (FSD) took to social media on Tuesday to warn parents and students that the snow could lead to unsafe road conditions, which could cause bus delays or cancellations this week.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued another snowfall warning for the Foothills on Wednesday morning.

We're expecting another 2 cm of snow today with another 5-10 cm coming tonight.

According to the warning, the snow will intensify this afternoon, and higher terrain closer to the mountains could see 15 to 30 cm.

The snow is expected to taper off tomorrow.

They also advise to watch out for quickly changing road conditions.

Foothills County is asking people to weigh in on local crime.

They've launched a Policing Community Survey to help determine the RCMP and community enforcement's priorities for the coming year.

Questions include how often you worry about certain kinds of crime, what kind of interactions you've had with RCMP or enforcement officers in the last year, and what changes you've seen relating to crime in the last year.

Many questions include several options to select from as well as a space for respondents to write their own answers.

With the weather warming and spring coming to the prairies, producers have been going through calving season with plenty of work for them. 

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan Vice-President Chris Procyk says that, from what he's heard, it's been a decent season in the province.

The head of Alberta Health Services says the agency is halting a proposed food-reduction policy after public outcry over patients potentially being cut off from snacks and drinks.

The agency's interim president and CEO, Andre Tremblay, said the policy was set to go into effect Tuesday to change how food is stored and delivered in an effort to reduce waste -- not to deprive patients of food.

Crews finished up the last of the tree pruning activity in Okotoks last week, giving way to the annual elm pruning ban.

The ban is in place from April 1 to Sept. 30 of each year to prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease.

Tree pruning is done in the 'dormant season' to target certain harmful species and diseases, as bark beetles rest during the winter months, and cuts aren't likely to attract them.

The beetles spread the disease by carrying the Ophiostoma ulmi fungus from tree to tree.

Medical emergencies can develop in an instant for anyone.  

Even if someone collapses or has a serious accident a block away from the hospital, the fear, uncertainty, and pressure of the moment can be earth-shattering.  

What happens, then, when the same thing happens kilometres away from a hospital, in the remote and sometimes harsh expanse of nature or farmland?  

For Paula Johnson, who was bucked off her horse on a birthday expedition that had already taken her across water, through an elk herd, and past grazing cattle, there was no going back. Only up.  

Old Man Winter does not want to give up on Foothills County this year.

Environment Canada has issued a Snowfall Warning for Foothills County on Tuesday (April 1), thanks to some heavy snowfall that is expected tonight.

The precipitation will begin as a mix of rain and snow this afternoon but will change to heavy snow this evening.

While the area is expected to receive between 5 and 10 cm of snow, some areas could receive up to 15 cm of snow, as snowfall amounts will vary throughout the region.