HighRiver

It was a smoky weekend in the Foothills.

So much so that Environment and Climate Change Canada issued an Air Quality Statement on Saturday that lasted until late Sunday afternoon.

It was due to all the wildfire smoke blowing down from northern Alberta.

Visibility was reduced, and warnings were issued for people with breathing issues.

While there still may be the smell of wildfire in the air, it's expected to dissipate today.

Follow our seven-day weather forecast page, which also includes live radar weather, on our website.

Plant 2025 is virtually complete in Alberta, other than a few acres in the Peace region.

Manglai a product co-ordinator with the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation put together the latest report, adding there were very few weather interruptions, just a few localized showers.

In terms of crop development, almost all crops are ahead of average. The soil conditions are trending drier, but there's hope that producers could see some significant impact with June rains.

Members of Okotoks Fire & Rescue are once again suiting up for the FireFit Championships, a high-intensity competition testing firefighters’ strength, endurance, and teamwork.

The annual event sees firefighters from across Canada take on a series of physical challenges, all while wearing full turnout gear.

Fire Captain Ryan Chigol, a FireFit veteran with nearly 20 years of experience, rallied several colleagues to join him in last year’s competition and is doing so again this season.

Canada has unveiled its priorities for the G7 leaders' summit just one week before it gets underway in Alberta as the government defends its decision to invite India to the summit.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's office says Ottawa's top priority for the summit will be strengthening global peace and security, which includes countering foreign interference and transnational crime, as well as improving responses to wildfires.

Alberta is buying American alcohol and gambling machines again, three months after Premier Danielle Smith announced restrictions aimed at fighting back against U.S. tariffs.

Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said Friday that the move signals a "renewed commitment to open and fair trade" with the United States.

Smith said in March that the province would no longer buy U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals, or sign contracts with American companies. Alberta's liquor stores are privately owned but must order stock through the provincial government.

The final four have been decided for the Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship.

The top four wagons in the aggregate after Saturday night's races are:

$23,500.00 Championship Final Heat (By Qualification Order)

1 - Kris Molle - Benoit Oilfield Construction (1997) Ltd.

2 - Kurt Bensmiller - Heart Lake First Nation Construction/Location Cats

3 - Jamie Laboucane - Wild Rows Pump & Compression Ltd.

4 - Jason Glass - Birchcliff Energy Ltd.

Tiff Macklem is wearing an Edmonton Oilers pin as he reflects on coming very close to beating big odds.

It's a significant day for the governor of the Bank of Canada: he's just laid out his reasons to the entire country and a global audience for keeping the central bank's benchmark interest rate steady for a second straight time.

That night is also Game 1 of the NHL's Stanley Cup finals; Macklem ends his press conference with a hearty "Go Oilers!"

Wildfire smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in areas of the Foothills.   

A Special Air Quality Statement was issued on June 7 at 4:30 p.m. by Environment Canada, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Alberta Health, and Alberta Health Services (AHS).  

The statement is in effect for the following areas: 

• Foothills Co. near Blackie

The RCMP are reminding seniors about online safety, as part of Seniors Week.

Seniors Week is from June 2 to 8 this year, and the Okotoks, High River, and Turner Valley RCMP are encouraging older adults and their caregivers to learn about how they can stay safe online and avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

High River's Jason Glass continues to have an outstanding start in the WPCA season.

At the second event of the season, Glass is now sitting in second in the aggregate after two nights of racing, after finishing in first on Day One and seventh on Day Two.

Dayton Sutherland from DeWinton also had a fast night, coming in 9th and now sits in 9th in the aggregate with an outside chance of making the final four.

The top four drivers after Saturday night's heats will qualify for the $22,000 final heat on Sunday for the Championship.