Okotoks

Former Alberta politician Thomas Lukaszuk is a man on a not-so-lonely mission to keep Canada from splitting.

"This has become a full-time job. I'm very passionate about this," the former Progressive Conservative deputy premier said in Edmonton last week.

As people trickled in and out of a local legion, a table full of volunteers helped them officially put their name to Lukaszuk's cause.

"When we get to 300,000 signatures, believe it or not, this will be the biggest petition in the history of Canada," said Lukaszuk.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada could deploy military troops to Ukraine as part of an eventual security guarantee against Russia.

Carney made the remarks at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a meeting between the two.leaders in Kyiv, where the prime minister made an unannounced stop Sunday.

When asked what kind of security guarantees Canada could provide to Ukraine, Carney said Ukraine's own military must be supported but that more than that will be required.

"I would not exclude the presence of troops," he said.

Employees at the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service are the least likely to recommend their office as a great place to work, a survey of federal public servants suggests.

The 2024 Public Service Employee Survey asked federal government employees a range of questions about their satisfaction with their workplace, including about their leadership, well-being and compensation.

One question asked public servants if they would recommend their department or agency as a "great place to work."

Alberta's wasteful purchase of children's pain and fever medicine three years ago helped inform the province's decision to charge some people $100 for a COVID-19 vaccine shot this fall, Premier Danielle Smith said Saturday.

The Government of Alberta had invested over $11 million in community grants, I-Clouding for organizations and artists in the Foothills area.

The funding is distributed through the 300 projects through the Community Initiatives Program and Community Facility Enhancement Programs.

Culture grants in the Okotoks area include $8,300 for the Okotoks Film Society and $2,300 for the Okotoks Arts Council.

Elsewhere in the Foothills, the Leighton Art Foundation received $70,000, and Diamond Valley's Sheep Creek Arts Council was granted $7,300.

A Special Weather Statement has been issued for most of Alberta, due to the high temperatures forecasted over the next seven days.

According to Environment Canada, daytime temperatures are expected to be between 29 and 33 degrees Celsius, beginning today, for central and northern Alberta.

Those temperatures are expected to expand and include parts of southern Alberta, beginning Monday.

The Special Weather Statement has been issued for:

The Town of Okotoks was taken over by chili enthusiasts today (Saturday, Aug 23).

This was part of the Town's Summer Round Up and Chili Cookoff.

At the event, there was a competition to see whose chili would reign supreme, as well as music, vendors, and entertainment for all.

There was also the Cobzilla Challenge, which saw contestants compete to see who could eat corn on the cob the fastest.

As part of the Chili Cookoff, there was the People's Choice and Judge's Award.

The Okotoks Pro Rodeo is back for a weekend full of action. 

Rodeo action kicked off yesterday (Aug. 22) at the Millarville Racetrack. 

The rodeo features barrel racing, bareback, tie down roping, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, saddle bronc, team roping, bull riding, a wild pony race, and mutton busting. 

Through the rodeo, contestants are able to earn spots at either the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) or the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). 

The action continues tomorrow (Aug. 24) at 1 p.m. 

Those heading to Banff this weekend, beware of the heightened risk of wildfires.

Recently, Parks Canada upgraded the Fire Danger risk to High, but there is still no fire ban in effect for the Town of Banff or Banff National Park.

The risk was increased to High, due to the current and forecasted weather conditions, the amount of moisture the vegetation has, the regional wildfire situation, and the availability of responders and equipment.

Currently, campfires are permitted in campgrounds and day-use areas with designated metal fire pits.

While summer is dwindling to an end, there is still plenty of time to cruise around on an ATV.

Because of that, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is reminding people to stay safe on ATV's and follow the law.

On top of ATVs being a popular activity in the province, ATVs are also used for farming, working, or driving around in rural or remote areas.

According to AHS, no one under the age of 16 should ride an ATV, as those under the age of 16 are at a higher risk of injury than adults.