Okotoks

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch across much of Southern Alberta, including Vulcan County and parts of Foothills County.

Thunderstorms are developing over the foothills and are expected to drift northeast through the afternoon and into the evening before tapering off.

There is potential for severe storms in some areas, with the possibility of strong winds, large hail and heavy rainfall.

ECCC warns that heavy rain could lead to flash flooding and is reminding residents to seek shelter if they hear thunder.

The Okotoks Public Library will be closed for several hours this weekend.

Until 1 p.m. on Saturday (June 14), the library will be closed due to the Okotoks Parade and Children's Festival.

Even though the library will be closed while the parade is happening, their public restrooms will remain available from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Not only will the library hours be affected by the parade, but there will also be no vehicle access to the library or the parking lot from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

High River Town Council approved modifications to improve visibility and enhance safety at a notorious intersection during the June 9 regular meeting.   

Throughout the years, the town has received ongoing concerns regarding the High Country Drive and High View Gate intersection.  

The High River RCMP wanted to let you know that there are ongoing paving scams out there.

Recent incidents have involved illegitimate, out-of-town companies offering discounted asphalt-paving services.

It's the same scam that's been going on for quite some time and involves contractors claiming they have leftover material and are willing to do driveways and parking lots at too-good-to-be-true prices.

There is plenty for people to do in the Foothills this weekend, with fun for everyone.

While it will be warm this weekend, there is a chance we will be seeing showers, but that won't stop the fun this weekend.

Let's see what's happening this weekend.

Friday, June 13:

Swimmers in Okotoks will have to find a different place to swim this Saturday (June 14).

The Aquatics Facilities at the Okotoks Rec Centre will be closed for a swim meet.

The closure includes the lap pool, leisure pool, sauna, and hot tub.

This closure will also cause drop-in swimming and swimming lessons to be cancelled for the day.

To stay up to date on pool closures and what's happening at the Rec Centre, click here.

Chanse Vigen, who now calls Calgary home, finished in first place after one night of racing at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede.

Vigen, defending his title, raced through on a slow, somewhat muddy track in a penalty-free time of 1:05.07.

Locally, High River's Jason Glass came in 13th, with DeWinton's Dayton Sutherland coming in 21st and Blackie's Jordie Fike came through in 30th but he did get dinged for a two second penalty for a false start.

Jason Glass is in first place in the world standings. 

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious and severe disease that affects cattle, sheep, swine, and other cloven-hoofed animals making it hard for them to eat and walk, leaving them weak and sick.

The FMD vaccine bank builds on existing protections for the livestock industry and equips producers with another tool to control and eliminate the disease should an outbreak occur.

Budget 2023 committed $57.5 million over five years, with $5.6 million ongoing, to the CFIA to establish the FMD vaccine bank and response plans.

Two years ago, more than 120,000 federal public servants went on strike after negotiations broke down.

Now, the union representing those workers is going back to the bargaining table with the government with the goal of securing greater job security and remote work options for its members.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says next week's initial meetings offer its first opportunity to present priorities identified by members, such as better wages, greater job security and stronger provisions for remote work.

This year's wildfire season in Canada is shaping up to be the second-worst on record and federal officials are warning of a dangerous summer in parts of British Columbia.

Officials with several government departments held a technical briefing Thursday in Ottawa with an update on the state of multiple wildfires and its forecast for the coming months.