Okotoks

The candidates in the race to be the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada will square off tonight in the first of two live debates.

With just two weeks left until the winner is announced and two days until voting begins, the two events are the only chance Liberal supporters will have to see the candidates together.

Former central banker Mark Carney, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, former House leader Karina Gould and former MP Frank Baylis are the only candidates still in the contest. 

People gathered in cities across Canada on Sunday on the eve of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, amid fears of a withdrawal of U.S. support. 

Rallies were held at city halls, museums and community centres across the country to mark a global day of action as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to be in Kyiv on Monday, one of 13 foreign leaders attending a summit on peace and security for Ukraine.

On Jan. 29, the 41st induction ceremony for the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame took place at the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin.

In addition to the induction, a permanent exhibit at the museum was opened, which will showcase both new and former inductees, as well as the rich history of agriculture in Alberta.

The Prime Minister's Office says Justin Trudeau spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine on Saturday ahead of a virtual G7 meeting slated for Monday.

Earlier this week, Trudeau told reporters that Ukraine must have a seat at the table in any talks on ending hostilities ignited by Russia's full-scale invasion three years ago.

Russian and U.S. representatives met in Saudi Arabia this week, without Kyiv's participation, and agreed to work toward a resolution of the war.

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is on February 22, and the Alberta government has announced new funding to put an end to human trafficking.

Human trafficking violates the fundamental human rights and takes advantage of those who are vulnerable, subjects victims to forced labour, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse.

Because of this, it perpetuates the cycles of poverty and trauma and affects individuals and communities all over the province.

Foothills County is under a wind warning today (Feb. 22).

Environment Canada issued the wind warning this morning, because westerly winds gusting near 90 km/hr are expected to develop later today.

The high winds could cause loose objects to be tossed around and could cause branches to break.

These high winds may also lead to power outages and fallen tree branches.

The wind gusts should diminish Sunday morning.

To stay up to date on the weather, head over to our weather page.

Local musician Brettyn Rose is getting some national attention.

Rose was recently announced as one of the semi-finalists in SiriusXM and the CCMA's Top of the Country contest.

"I was selected from everyone across Canada. There's eight of us going to the semi-finals," Rose says. "And so with that, we get to go to either Toronto or Vancouver to record a brand-new song and film a video. And we get to take our band and go there for the day. It'll be so much fun."

The 2025 Okotoks Hot Chocolate Festival has ended, and the people have spoken.

During the 11-day event, locals were asked to rate each of the 14 selections, with awards for the highest-rated and most popular hot chocolates.

Both categories saw ties this time around.

The Highest Rated were French 50's Bakery's Cabane à Sucre Hot Chocolate and Bone & Biscuit's Puppy Hot Chocolate.

A fatal disease is spreading amongst Alberta's deer population.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a brain disease that affects deer, elk, and moose in North America, including right here in Southern Alberta.

"It's a strictly fatal disease, so it's always deadly," explains Dr. Sabine Gilch, who is a professor of Prion Diseases at the University of Calgary. "It is contagious, so it is transmissible from animal to animal within a population. And the very special thing about it is that it is caused by very unique pathogens that are called prions."

If you're looking to get hitched this year, some great professionals are waiting to help you.

The third annual wedding fair and market 'The Rehearsal' is back again this year at the Highwood Centre.

Running from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 22 it features a sell-out of over 35 vendors.

The vendors are all wedding professionals from Southern Alberta.

There will also be giveaways and all the advice you can handle