HighRiver

The Okotoks & District Chambers of Commerce's annual Okotoks Trade & Lifestyle Show is this weekend.

Hosted at the Okotoks Recreation Centre on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, this year's iteration of the show promises to be the biggest in recent memory.

Along with the trade show itself, the event is also a collaboration with Market Square, with a Spring Fling Artisan Market included.

I will feature around 90 vendors on the trade show side of the space and as many on the artisan side.

A spokesperson for Canadian Foodgrains Bank says they are very grateful for a recent funding announcement by our federal government. The Canadian government is providing a $4 million grant for Canadian Foodgrains Bank to address the growing hunger crisis in Sudan. 

According to Canadian Foodgrains Bank, nearly 25 million people in Sudan are facing acute hunger since the outbreak of civil war in April 2023. That makes up more than half the population. As many as 640,000 people are already experiencing famine-like conditions in five identified areas.

Freedom Convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are set to hear a verdict today in the joint trial over their roles in the mass protest against pandemic health measures that rolled into Ottawa more than three years ago.

Lich and Barber were both charged with mischief, intimidation and counselling others to break the law in relation to their roles in the 2022 protest that drew thousands of demonstrators to Ottawa for three weeks.

Their trial wrapped up in September after hearing 45 days of evidence and legal arguments.

The SiriusXM and CCMA Top of the Country competition is open for voting, and a local musician is in the running.

Brettyn Rose is currently one of the eight semi-finalists in the competition, and she was recently in Toronto recording one of her songs as part of it.

"It has been so cool. I've watched this program for so many years, and to now be an artist in it," Rose explained. "There's so many talented people around here, and to be selected as a semi-finalist was absolutely insane, and it's been a crazy cool experience."

The search for a missing Fort Macleod youth has come to an end.

On March 31, Fort Macleod RCMP turned to the public for help locating a 16-year-old male who was last seen on March 28.

At about 4:30 p.m. on April 2, they released an update confirming the teen had been found safe.

Prime Minister Mark Carney will address reporters shortly after the White House declared both Canada and Mexico exempt from new reciprocal tariffs announced today by U.S. President Donald Trump.

A fact sheet from Trump's office says goods imported under the existing continental trade deal, known as CUSMA, will not face tariffs, while those outside the deal will see a 10 per cent tariff.

Canada was left off a lengthy list Trump unveiled this afternoon showing the tariff levels most other countries will face starting Thursday.

Gas prices have seen a significant drop in the Foothills, as they have across the country.

This is in the wake of the removal of the carbon tax, which has brought fuel prices down to levels Canadians haven't seen in years.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she expects some major industries, including those in her province, won't face new tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Smith told reporters Tuesday that things could change, but she thinks food production and oil and gas won't be targeted under Trump's new tariff plan, which is set to be announced Wednesday.

It's now 'officially' Spring in High River with the opening of The Hitchin' Post on Tuesday, April 1, and no, it wasn't an April Fool's joke.

The long-time local favourite burger joint is known for its burgers, fries and authentic milkshakes.

Owner Carmen Lamoureux and staff usually open around April 1 once most of the snow is gone.

This year is a bit of an exception with the recent dump of snow yesterday with more expected today.

They usually close in mid to late December until Spring.

Now that spring has begun, the Town of Okotoks will be busy completing some major infrastructure projects.

Even though there is snow on the ground, the Town has already begun work on two major projects, which will help support the community while it grows, upgrade aging infrastructure, and enhance community spaces.

One of the projects underway is one of the biggest projects the Town is currently undertaking, is the Foothills Okotoks Regional Water Project, which is happening in the Sheep River Valley.