Okotoks

Gleichen RCMP have confirmed a missing teenager has been found safe.

The 13-year-old had last been seen in the Siksika area on March 22, and there was concern for her wellbeing.

On Tuesday (March 25) afternoon, the RCMP confirmed she was found safe.

The Town of Diamond Valley's water main currently has a leak.

Due to the leak, crews are preparing to excavate the area and repair the water line, which has occurred at 130 Government Road in front of Saigon Moon.

While crews are working, there are traffic accommodations in place, and the Town has kindly asked motorists to follow the signs and drive cautiously through the area.

The Town took to Social Media to thank everyone for their patience while the leak gets repaired.

What an exciting thing to read, that Light Up Okotoks was named a finalist in the 2025 Canadian Event Awards for Best Event for a City or Municipality, which has placed them alongside major centers, such as Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto.

The applicant looking to build a cell tower in Diamond Valley is no longer looking to erect it on the Turner Valley Post Office site.

Earlier this month, the Diamond Valley Town Council voiced its strong opposition to the tower being built on the site, citing various concerns, including the area's historical character and the tower's potential effect on tourism.

They encouraged locals to voice their own opposition to the proposal to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and it seems to have worked.

The federal Liberals are pushing further ahead of the Conservatives in voter support, and almost one in two Canadians surveyed said they think the Liberals will win the election, a new poll suggests.

The survey, conducted by Leger for The Canadian Press, reports that 44 per cent of decided voters surveyed would vote Liberal in the upcoming election, ahead of the Conservatives at 38 per cent.

The poll surveyed 1,599 Canadians between March 21 and March 23, which includes the first day of the election, and the two days leading into it.

As tensions rise in ongoing trade disputes, China's latest move is adding to concerns for Canadian producers. The country recently announced a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil and meal exported from Canada, compounding the uncertainty already present due to U.S. tariffs.  

Farmers caught in the middle  

The new tariff has many farmers wondering how to best proceed and that includes Curtis Sims, owner of Emeline Farms near MacGregor, Manitoba. Sims grows canola and is worried about the impact of these trade measures.  

Canada is now in the midst of a snap federal election, as called by Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday, March 23.

Parties have been slowly announcing candidates for most of 2025, including in the Foothills riding, which saw three new names put forward, bringing the total to five.

Changes are coming to downtown Okotoks, and residents have a say.

The Town of Okotoks wants to upgrade its downtown core and has been asking for input from residents on how they wish to see downtown transform.

Now, they have created a proposed plan for how they will change downtown Okotoks.

The Town's proposed Our Plan for Downtown is complete, and now they are asking residents to review the plan and provide any feedback they have about the plan.

The Town of Diamond Valley is making changes to their garbage collection.

The Town is moving to a bi-weekly garbage collection on May 1, with the hopes of changing the community culture around waste.

Initially, the Towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley had wanted to move to a bi-weekly garbage collection back in 2019, but other priorities got in the way.

"In 2020, it was supposed to go bi-weekly," explained the Diamond Valley Manager of Civic Operations, Craig Beaton.

A missing person from Brooks has been located safe.

Last week, the Brooks RCMP had asked for assistance locating a missing 32-year Brooks resident who was last seen in Okotoks.

They had last been seen at the 7/11 near the Denny's in Okotoks on February 19, and it was believed they were travelling to the Calgary area, and the RCMO was concerned for their well-being.

Today (March 24), the Brooks RCMP has stated that the missing person has been located safe.