Okotoks

The WPCA Pro Tour continued over the weekend at the Strathmore Stampede.

It was High River's Jason Glass who ended up taking the title, defeating defending champion Chanse Vigen along with Evan Salmond and Luke Tournier, in the championship heat.

Daython Sutherland of De Winton was one of three drivers tied for 10th place, with Wade Salmond and Tuff Dreger all landing the same time.

The chucks are headed west to Dawson Creek, B.C. for the Battle of the North, which is set to start on Wednesday, August 6.

Championship Final Heat (By Time)

There were multiple bear encounters in Kananaskis this weekend, which resulted in bear spray being used.

Recently, a bear bluff charged hikers on Kovach Trail, near the Little Kidd Lookout trail, resulting in bear spray being used.

As a result, Alberta Parks has issued a Bear Warning on Aug. 1 for the Kovach Trail area for the time being.

On Saturday, Aug. 2, Alberta Parks issued a Bear Warning for Galatea Trail, due to another close encounter with a bear.

That encounter also resulted in bear spray being deployed.

Heritage Day celebrations were held all over southern Alberta this weekend.

At the Sheppard Family Parks by High River, they held their annual Heritage Day events.

There was BBQ, live music, games, blacksmiths in action, and more.

Down in Nanton, they held their Round-Up Days all weekend, giving people plenty to do on the long weekend.

The Town of Okotoks is putting out the call to local chili masters this week.

Its annual Chili Cookoff is coming up toward the end of the month, as part of the Summer Round Up on August 23.

Each year, chili chefs showcase their talents at the street festival in hopes of taking home either the Judges' Choice or People's Choice award.

The M.D of Taber and HALO Air Ambulance are honouring an air ambulance pilot who passed recently.

Grant Fletcher was not only one of HALO's original pilots, but he also helped shape the foundation of who HALO is, including its culture, values, and unwavering commitment to serving those in Southern Alberta.

According to his obituary, Fletcher passed away peacefully in Taber on Friday, July 25, at the age of 84.

Fletcher was born on February 5, 1941, and was raised on the family farm, which was southeast of Taber.

The Okotoks Pro Rodeo is set to return soon this month.

It's been taking place annually since 1991, and according to Ken Boniface, President of the Okotoks and Foothills Pro Rodeo Society, the event promises fun for everyone.

"It's August 22, 23, and 24 of this year. From mutton busting to bull riding, we've got a little bit for everybody," Boniface explains. "We are having our dance, our cabaret indoors this year, so we can kind of battle the chance of some thundershowers and stuff, which seems to happen that late August."

There will be some sanitary and water tie-in work happening in Okotoks soon, which will cause a road closure.

Starting on Aug. 18, crews will be doing sanitary sewer and water connection tie-ins for the new K to 9 school in Okotoks.

The work is expected to last until Aug. 22, with crews working from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

While the work is being completed, there will be a full road closure between D'Arcy Blvd and 50 m north of D'Arcy Blvd, but detours will be in place 24/7.

People will be redirected to D'Arcy Blvd and Northridge Drive.

Labour experts say another postal service strike is unlikely after unionized Canada Post workers rejected their employer's latest round of offers in a forced vote and the parties mull their next steps.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Friday that the roughly 55,000 members represented by the union shot down the Canada Post's latest proposal, which would've seen wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years and restructuring to add part-time workers to the deal.

Update:

On August 7, the Fort Macleod RCMP reported that Teri-Anne Marie Francis Wood has been located safe.

Original Story:

The Fort Macleod RCMP are needing help locating a missing woman.

38-year-old Teri-Anne Marie Francis Wood was last seen on July 24 in Fort Macleod, and there is concern for her wellbeing.

Teri-Anne Marie Francis Wood is described as:

The Town of Nanton was filled with fun this long weekend.

There were activities all weekend, including a pancake breakfast, a parade, and a rubber duck race.

The Bomber Command Museum was open for visitors as well.

Check out the photo gallery from the event.