Okotoks

Canadians can expect to feel the absence of the consumer carbon price at the pumps immediately but it may take longer to notice a difference in the price of other goods, a new report released Wednesday suggests.

The analysis by Desjardins Economics comes less than a week after Prime Minister Mark Carney and his new Liberal cabinet ordered that the consumer levy be set to zero on April 1.

The carbon price came with a quarterly rebate to offset the cost of inflation; the final rebate will come in April.

Foothills Search and Rescue recently added some new vehicles to their fleet, thanks to a provincial grant.

On Tuesday, March 1, the Government of Alberta announced $64 million in funding for the Community Initiative Program (CIP) and Community Facility Enhancement Program.

"Through our community grants programs, we are ensuring hundreds of non-profits across the province have the necessary support to make life better for Albertans," said the Minister of Culture and Status of Women, Tanya Fir.

The CIP program saw $14 million in funding.

The Calgary Wild FC are almost ready to kick off an all-women's Canadian professional soccer league.

Joining the Northern Super League, they'll unveil their team uniforms tomorrow, Thursday, March 20 at McMahon Stadium where they will play during the regular season.

The six-team league's inaugural season kicks off with the Calgary Wild FC taking a trip to Vancouver on April 16th when they take on the Vancouver Rise at B.C. Place Stadium.

Striking education workers in the Foothills will meet with the Foothill School Division (FSD) earlier than expected.

Around 300 FSD education support workers have been on strike under the union banner of CUPE Local 5040 since Feb. 24.

That includes picket lines in Okotoks, High River, and Diamond Valley.

Volunteers, where would we be without them?

Every major event in High River is volunteer-driven, from the parades to the markets and pretty much everything in between.

So, the Town of High River is celebrating volunteers on Tuesday, April 15 at the Highwood Golf Club from 7 until 9 p.m.

It's free to attend and the town will have food, refreshments and gifts of appreciation.

They just need to know how many people are coming so they can properly plan.

The weather this Thursday may add an extra spring to your step.

Thursday, March 20, is the first day of Spring, and according to Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Justin Shelley, the daytime high could reach the double digits.

"It does look like we are going to be seeing warmer temperatures to start off that season," Shelley explains. "Likely going to be a bit on the cloudier side and a bit breezy with some winds coming out of the west with gusts of up to 50km/h during the day." 

The annual rate of inflation accelerated sharply to 2.6 per cent in February as the federal government’s temporary tax break came to an end mid-month, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

That marks a sizeable jump from the 1.9 per cent increase seen in January, when Canadians saw GST and HST taken off a variety of household staples, common gifts and restaurant bills for the entire month.

Warm weather and spring sunshine are slowly approaching, and so is the time to plan and plant gardens.

Thanks to Town Council approving the Boulevard Garden Policy, Nanton residents are able to spruce up and add colour to the municipal boulevards adjacent to their property.

The strips of land between the curb and the sidewalk, or if there is no sidewalk, the area between the curb and the property line, are approved to be used as a garden under this new policy, but there are some guidelines that must be followed.

There's a yoga 'triathlon' coming to the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex.

No, it doesn't involve running, swimming, or cycling but you do get a good your steps in.

It involves a 3 km walk on the indoor track followed by a somatic yoga session and then winding down through meditation.

It's also a fundraiser for Heaven Can Wait animal rescue in the Foothills.

The inaugural event runs Sunday, March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Tickets are $55 each with $10 going towards the animal shelter.

A member of the Southern family was awarded a royal award for her service to Alberta.

Linda Southern-Heathcott is the President and CEO of Spruce Meadows, and she was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

She was awarded the medal for her 'Outstanding service to Alberta, Canada, and her fellow citizens.'

Only 30,000 people across Canada are being awarded this medal, and they are awarded to recognize the achievements and contributions of individuals to their community, province, territory, or country.