Okotoks

The President of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) says he's optimistic that they can reach an agreement that will see the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) remain part of the national organization.

Last week, ABP gave the CCA notice to withdraw from the national organization as of July 1, 2026, citing among its concerns the organization's funding model, board structure, and representation since Alberta producers contribute over 50 percent to the organization.

Tyler Fulton is optimistic they'll be able to agree on a workable solution for everyone.

The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is celebrating an anniversary this year.

Originally founded in 1882 as the Northwest Cattle Company, the Bar U Ranch was, at one time, one of Canada's largest ranches, where they grazed 30,000 head of cattle on 160,000 acres.

They also had 1,000 Percherons, which are a breed of draft horse that originated in the Huisne river valley in western France, which is part of the former Perche province.

After WW1, the Bar U Ranch exported its Percherons to France and the UK to help contribute to the breed in Europe.

High River's Gift of Music is all ready for the new season, which kicks off on Sunday, September 7.

The non-profit society is hosting Honen's Open Air concert at George Lane Park, featuring five award-winning musicians.

They blend folk music, romantic gems, and tango through piano, percussion, violin, and accordion.

The event is also free for all ages to attend, and it starts at 2:30 p.m. next Sunday.

They also have a Christmas special in the lineup for November 30 with the Spiritus Chamber Choir and Vocal Ensemble.

Okotokians are being warned of a bear sighting in town.

A bear was spotted in Waller Park (100 and 102 Riverside Drive West) on Sunday, Aug. 17.

Due to the bear being in Town, bear warning signs have been posted in the area, letting people know they need to stay alert and aware of their surroundings in the area.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government will consider reversing a recent policy change that ended the public disclosure of expense receipts over $100 for ministers and other government officials.

Smith, asked about the change Thursday at her Alberta Next panel town hall in Edmonton, told the crowd that it caught her off guard but was made for safety reasons.

On Aug. 16, at 6:30 p.m., the Cochrane RCMP received a report of a capsized canoe on Barrier Lake in Kananaskis.  

One of the three occupants in the canoe, a 56-year-old female, was found and taken to the hospital with hypothermia.  

A 60-year-old male was found deceased, and a 30-year-old male is missing.   

All three are Calgary residents.  

It could be another chaotic day for travellers as a labour dispute continues between Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants. 

Flight attendants with the Montreal-based airline represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees are expected to remain on the picket lines today as a battle against a federal return-to-work order continues. 

The Calgary Police are looking for information on a fatal collision that happened Friday (Aug. 15).

At roughly 9:42 p.m., a fatal collision occurred at roughly 500 metres north of Stoney Trail S.E. on Macleod Trail S.E.

It is believed that a 2004 Honda Civic was driving northbound on Macleod Trail S.E and struck a man in his 50's who was walking eastbound across Macleod Trail S.E.

The driver, who was uninjured, remained on the scene.

The pedestrian was declared deceased at the scene.

High River's Jason Glass won the Battle of the Rockies on Sunday in Rocky Mountain House.

Glass even set a new track record on the final day of chuckwagon races for the season with a time of 1:12.25.

However, it was Calgary's Chanse Vigen who took the World Chuckwagon Championship for the third consecutive year, which ties a WPCA record.

Health experts, advocates and unions are sounding the alarm over Alberta’s plan for paid COVID-19 shots, calling it concerning and confusing.

On Monday, two months after the province announced it was adding a fee, it opened online pre-ordering for the vaccine. Albertans still need to book appointments for the shots, starting in October.