Okotoks

Canada’s top soldier is looking forward to a boost in military spending that includes a pay raise for military personnel at a time when uncertainty on the world stage is high.

NATO leaders — including Canada — have approved a plan to dramatically increase defence spending across the Western alliance to five per cent of gross domestic product over the next decade.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move to five per cent of GDP — 3.5 per cent for core military spending and 1.5 per cent for defence-related infrastructure — will take place over the next 10 years.

A few local hockey players are looking to earn a spot on the Team Alberta U16 roster this fall.  

The Alberta Cup Hockey Tournament was held in Red Deer on April 24.  

Team Alberta Red took gold with local players Hudson Pineda on defence, and Nolan Ilsley and Max Mullen as forwards.   

Two Albertans are sitting in the top 3 of the aggregate in Tie Down Roping.

Kyle Lucas, hailing from Carstairs and Nanton's Logan Bird, are sitting in 2nd and 3rd place after 2 days of rodeo action in Pool A.

Lucas had a time of 8.2 seconds on Day 2 to move into 2nd in the aggregate, with Bird tying Lucas's time of 8.2 to move into 3rd place in the aggregate.

Only the top 3 times in the aggregate after Sunday's event move into the finals on Championship Sunday, July 13.

High River's Jason Glass, the defending Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Champion, sits in third place in the aggregate after two nights of racing on the Rangeland Derby.

Glass came in fourth place on the night, behind the aggregate leader Chanse Vigen and Jamie Laboucane. 

Obrey Motowylo had the fastest wagon of the night as night three gets set for Sunday night.

Dayton Sutherland from DeWinton came in 15th on the night and sits in the same position over two days.

Shelby Boisjoli-Meged from Langdon, AB, leads the ladies in the debut of Breakaway Roping at this year's Calgary Stampede.

It's making its debut this year at the world's largest outdoor rodeo.

Another local favourite, Jenna Dallyn from Nanton, came in 3rd with three other Albertans in the mix.

Here are some highlights from Day One in Pool A.

Defending Rangeland Derby Champion Jason Glass from High River came in fifth last night in the first night of chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede.

Chad Fike had the fastest wagon of the night though, but Jason Glass is right there, along with Chanse Vigen, who now calls Calgary home.

Dayton Sutherland, hailing from De Winton, came in 15th.

Fike also led off last year's Stampede with the top time on Day One.

Once again, this year the heats have three wagons with 27 drivers invited this year.

Here's how it played out Friday night:

A fundraiser has been launched for an Okotoks family grieving the sudden loss of their seven-year-old daughter.

On July 2, Tanis Mitchell announced that her daughter, Lukah, had passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.

Lukah first captured the hearts of many in 2018, when, at just one year old, she underwent surgery to remove a tumour from her abdomen. Complications from the procedure led to multi-organ failure, requiring multiple organ transplants.

The real estate market in Okotoks remained tight in June, with demand continuing to outpace supply.

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board's (CREB) June regional market report, both sales and new listings were down compared to May.

Despite that dip, the sales-to-new listings ratio climbed to 87 per cent, indicating that most newly listed homes are selling quickly.

This high ratio kept inventory levels from growing, leaving the market with less than two months of supply.

Diamond Valley residents have an opportunity to share their feedback with town council on the proposed Colts Crossing revised Area Structure Plan (ASP).  

The first reading of the bylaw was given, and now a public hearing is set for July 16 at 5 p.m. at the Flare 'n Derrick Community Hall.  

During the hearing, residents will be able to share their thoughts and concerns before council considers the adoption of the revised ASP.  

Prep work has begun on Okotoks’ new Southside All Wheel Skatepark and accessible playground at Howard Park.

Crews are currently removing the park’s existing playground. The central pathway will follow, with removal and realignment planned for late July to make room for the new amenities.

The playground area is now closed, and the pathway will also close once removal work begins. Pedestrian detours will be in place along Woodbend Way and Woodhaven Drive.