HighRiver

A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.

The mayor said the community has hired its first family doctor for a city-operated medical clinic, and the Victoria-area city is looking to hire seven more under the first-in-Canada pilot project.

The family doctors will be paid as community employees, receiving full medical benefits, vacation and a pension, he said.

An "overheated" immigration system that admitted record numbers of newcomers to the country has harmed Canada's decades-old consensus on the benefits of immigration, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, as he reflected on the changes in his department in a year-end interview.

The system, he said, needed some discipline to get the country back on track.

With the holiday celebrations nearing, many families will be taking provincial roads and highways to visit their loved ones. With that in mind, the Alberta RCMP is giving tips on staying safe on the roads.

“There are simple practices drivers can do to help keep the roads safe for everyone this December,” said Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, Alberta RCMP Traffic in a release. “We all have a responsibility when it comes to road safety. Do your part to ensure you, and those you are sharing the road with, make it home this holiday season.”

Tonight's (Dec. 21) High River Flyers game has been cancelled due to the Bob Snodgrass Rec Plex having rink issues.

The Flock were due to face the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings tonight after finding the back of the next seven times against the Three Hills Thrashers last night. Yesterday's game also marked the final game for Flyers goaltender Kashton Payne.

The Flyers will have the rest of the month off as the HJHL goes on holiday break. The Flock hit the ice at home against their Foothills rivals, the Carstar Okotoks Bisons, on January 2, 2025.

The Alberta NDP leader came out swinging after the UCP's new coal policy was announced on Friday (Dec. 20).

Alberta government announces tougher new Coal rules but Grassy Mountain open-pit mine still a go

NDP leader Naheed Nenshi released a statement shortly after the UCP's news announcement was made. 

“The UCP has delivered Albertans a giant lump of coal on a Friday before Christmas, the traditional time when you dump bad news.  

High River Flyers netminder Kashton Payne goes out with a boom in his last game with the team.

The Flock put a hurting on the Three Hills Thrashers tonight (Dec. 20) with a definitive 7-1 win at Bob Snodgrass Rec Plex in their HJHL tilt.

High River had 11 players get at least one point in the game, with Ethan Burgeson, Tanner Willford, and HJHL Player of the Week Lucas Hughes all cashing in three points each.

Kaiden Fulton was due to start tonight's game, but a late lineup change, announced at the start of the game, saw Payne get the call between the pipes.

The Okotoks Dawgs announced today (Dec. 20) that a trio of Academy players will be on the WCBL squad for the 2025 season.

The Academy graduates who will be on the WCBL roster consist of Benito Bonilla, Brandon Paez, and Chase Logan.

The Town of Diamond Valley wants to hear from you, and time is running out.

The Municipal Development Plan is being developed for the next 20 years and the deadline to fill out the public survey is December 23.

The survey wants to hear your thoughts on three key items.

Two people were injured in a single-vehicle rollover near Diamond Valley this morning (Dec. 20).

The rollover happened on Highway 7 just East of the Town of Diamond Valley at about 9:20 a.m.

Upon arrival, bystanders were tending to an adult who had been ejected from the vehicle.

A child was removed from the vehicle with the assistance of bystanders.

Alberta Health Services EMS were also on scene for patient care and scene safety stabilization. 

The Calgary Flames were back at the Scotiabank Saddledome as they hosted the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night (Dec. 19).

Not only did Brady Tkachuk, brother of former Flame Matthew, put on a show with an overtime goal after getting nine stitches and losing a tooth, but Calgary singer Tate McRae and her brother Tucker were in attendance.

Tucker is known in the area for playing with the Okotoks Oilers, and the Flames broadcast made that known as they gave the Green and Gold a shoutout.