Okotoks

Canada Post and the postal workers union found slivers of consensus Tuesday amid talks with a special mediator, but "a lot of ground" remains between them on the key concerns as a countrywide strike entered its fifth day.

“On smaller issues, we were able to find some progress,” said Canada Post spokesman Jon Hamilton in a phone interview.

"The special mediator has helped facilitate those discussions. So we're going to continue to be at it. We're committed to getting collective agreements," he said, adding that arbitration is off the table for now.

Canada's inflation rate climbed back up to two per cent in October, shifting expectations slightly in favour of a smaller, quarter-percentage point interest rate cut next month. 

The report from Statistics Canada on Tuesday said prices in October increased at a faster annual pace in five out of the eight major components of the consumer price index.

A major driving factor of the uptick in headline inflation was gasoline prices on an annual basis falling to a lesser extent in October compared with September.

Even with Canda Post on strike, the Town of Okotoks expects you to make your town payments or face a late fee.

The Town posted a reminder on their website and on social media on Friday.

They've advised you to drop off payments in person during normal business hours or through the night deposit box for after hours.

You also have the option of paying online or through your bank.

A Foothills Christmas tradition has returned, with some changes.

The latest iteration of the Sheep River Health Trust's (SRHT) Avenue of Trees launched over the weekend, once again hosted at Okotoks' Best Western Plus.

All 10 trees were decorated on-site on Saturday (Nov. 16), with the event launched later that day.

Unlike other years, each tree featured in this year's event was sponsored and will be donated to a local family.

For Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn, who attended the launch,

With the Canada Post workers' strike now in full swing, the Government of Alberta is launching a plan to ensure Albertans can still send and receive provincial government mail.

Starting today (Nov. 18), they're opening designated offices to pick up and drop off mail during the work interruption.

Anyone with mail waiting for them will also receive an email telling them where they can pick it up from.

A woman from High River has won part of the Split the Pot Lottery.

Michelle M. is one of ten winners of the first edition of the Alberta lottery.

The lottery doled out 60% of the grand total of $597,050.00 to one lucky winner with two winners splitting 20% of the pot and then ten winners splitting the remaining 20%.

One Grand Prize of $179,115.00 was awarded to Annette K. of Drayton Valley, two winners from Calgary and St. Albert split 20% of the final payout of $29,852.50.

The gift of giving is in high supply with the annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox campaign.

It's been underway for weeks now and this is the week the Christmas Shoe boxes need to be filled and dropped off.

Frank King with Samaritan's Purse spearheads the project to help children around the world.

King says he's been lucky enough to be there when children open up their Christmas shoe box, many receiving a gift for the very first time.

Health and Addictions Minister Ya'ara Saks is looking for pitches to help young Canadians who are struggling with their mental health.

The federal government plans to distribute $500 million for projects that help young people struggling to afford private mental health care services.

The funding comes from the five-year Youth Mental Health Fund announced in the spring federal budget to tackle the stress, anxiety and depression young people are facing amid a high cost of living and global uncertainty.

The Chinook Singers and Players are transforming into Calendar Girls.

The talented performers from Nanton are bringing the play to the Nanton Memorial Community Center this week.

If you're looking for a good laugh the play debuts this Wednesday, November 20 with the final performance on Saturday, November 23.

The play is based on the 2003 movie of the same name, which starred Helen Mirren, co-written by Tim Firth.

Farmers across Manitoba and the prairies can now access the results of the 2024 Canola Variety Evaluation Trials, a critical resource for making informed seed selection decisions. Spearheaded by the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA), this program marks the first year of province-specific program following the discontinuation of the Prairie-wide Canola Performance Trials in 2022.