Okotoks

The Town of Okotoks is moving to a biweekly garbage collection schedule, and residents have brought a lot of questions forward.

According to Councillor Swendseid, who recently hosted a "Trash Talk Q&A" on Instagram, the three most common questions and concerns the Town is hearing are about the potential smell of the garbage bins and the different pick-up dates, and residents are wondering why the change was made in the first place.

Concerns over smell

École Okotoks Junior High School students from grades 8 and 9 who make up the guitar and vocal group are excited about Friday night's concert.

It's a fundraiser for the students' trip to Nashville in May and they have two very special guests.

Local country stars Brettyn Rose and Chase Morgan will be performing for a full 90 minutes after the students play.

Led by guitar and vocal teacher Ms. Cheryl Hutton, she plans on taking the students to Nashville from May 7 to 11.

It's the first weekend of Spring, and there are activities for all in Okotoks.

Here is what's happening in town this weekend.

Friday, March 21:

École Okotoks Junior High School is hosting a fundraising concert, which will have local musicians Brettyn Rose and Chase Morgan performing to help raise money so their students can head to Tennessee and perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is announcing a plan to boost training and jobs for workers in skilled trades.

In a news release this morning, Poilievre says his plan for "more boots, less suits" will expand training halls and provide direct grants and faster employment insurance for apprentices in licensed trades.

He says the goal is to deliver higher paycheques to workers and make Canada less reliant on the U.S.

The federal Liberals are announcing nearly $100 million in humanitarian relief and governance support for Palestinians, days before a widely expected election. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, who took on the file of international development last week, is announcing funding for major agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Town of Okotoks is calling all artists.

They've started taking submissions for the 2025 Nooks & Crannies Festival.

It's an annual art festival that sees exhibits made of recycled materials displayed all around the downtown streets.

This year's event will run from July 19 to Aug. 23, and, as always, will feature a scavenger hunt component.

Walking tours will also be available, with adult and family tours planned.

Election season may soon be upon us, with rumours swirling that Prime Minister Mark Carney will call an election on Sunday, March 23.

With speculation of an impending election having circulated for several months, federal parties have been announcing candidates throughout most of early 2025.

Within the Foothills riding, aside from Conservative MP John Barlow, two candidates have been announced, those being Liberal Candidate John Bruinsma and more recently, PPC candidate Paul O'Halloran.

A Special Public Avalanche Warning has been issued across much of the Rockies.

The warning was issued by Avalanche Canada in partnership with Parks Canada, Alberta Parks, and the Province of British Columbia. It applies to Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, and Jasper National Parks, Kananaskis Country, and areas surrounding those parks.

It's already in effect and will remain in place through Monday, March 24.

More financial support is on the way for fire-ravaged Jasper, Alta., as the federal government has announced $187 million in new funding for the town's rebuild.

It is the largest funding package to be announced since a runaway wildfire ripped through Jasper National Park and destroyed a third of the town last July.

The money will help rebuild roads, campgrounds, trails and permanent staff housing, and help provide interim housing while the town is rebuilt.