HighRiver

Member of the Foothills Fire Department, Nelson Dechant, has been promoted to Fire Captain for the Longview Station.  

The Foothills Fire Department described Dechant in a Facebook post as having a strong work ethic, a calm presence, and a willingness to always step up when needed.  

Dechant first began fire service in 2018 at the Priddis Fire Hall.  

The ongoing fire situation in Manitoba, resulted in the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers meeting virtually last week.

They discussed a number of issues, from the weather impacts to international trade, improving interprovincial trade opportunities, and enhancements to AgriStability.

For the 2025 program year only, they agreed to increase the AgriStability compensation rate from 80 per cent to 90 per cent and increased the maximum payment limit from $3 million to $6 million. 

Tariffs and trade are top of the agenda as the country's premiers arrive in Ontario's cottage country for a three-day meeting that comes at a pivotal time for both Canada-U.S. and domestic relations.

The premiers' summer gathering in Muskoka will also feature a Tuesday meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, as trade talks with the United States are expected to intensify.

After 45 years in their Jasper home, it took mere minutes for Wes Bradford's quaint mountain abode to burn to a pile of ash.

A year later, he and his wife are itching to rebuild. They've hired a contractor and designer, and their insurance will cover the expected $1-million price tag. But they can't start yet — not until their empty lot, currently a flat mound of dirt, has been declared contaminant-free.

"We're up against the wall," says Bradford, after meeting their builder in Jasper the day before.

Choosing the right replacement heifers is more important than ever for cattle producers, especially with today’s record-high calf prices.

“Replacement heifers represent the genetic potential of a producer’s operation,” says Alexis DeCorby, Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Yorkton office.

“They’re a costly investment that requires about two years of inputs before they produce a live calf.”

An Okotoks summer tradition returned on Saturday, July 19.

Taste of Okotoks is a showcase of the town's restaurants and eateries, giving attendees a chance to try a little bit of everything.

The annual outdoor festival was held in a new location this year: the Arts & Learning Campus and Riverside Drive.

Along with local delicacies, the event also featured an artisan market and live music.

Over 5,000 baseball fans packed Seaman Stadium in Okotoks on Saturday night.

The West versus the East matchup had fans rooting for hometown Dawgs players, but everyone was there for the event, regardless of who won the game.

Okotoks Dawgs that made the West All-Star team included Connor Crowson, Ricky Sanchez, Austin Eaton, Barry Eiseman, Zane Skanski, Nash Crowell and Logan Grant.

Kids had their faces painted, tables of players were lined up for autographs, and food and beverages were available.

The Bank of Canada has largely kept to the sidelines as it tries to get a sense of how U.S. tariffs will impact the economy — and some economists think it might just stay there.

After a quarter-point cut in March, the central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady at 2.75 per cent in April and June.

With last month's jobs figures showing a surprise gain and core inflation levels holding steady at around three per cent, economists now broadly expect the central bank will continue its holding pattern at its next decision on July 30.

The Town of Longview is celebrating Little New York Daze this weekend.

The weekend kicked off with a pancake breakfast and the Longview Country Market, quickly followed by a parade.

After the parade, attendees were delighted with a visit from Stan the Man, a local buffalo, a petting zoo, and an outdoor concert.

Little New York Daze continues on Sunday in Longview.

The Fort Macleod RCMP were trying to find a missing teen from Fort Macleod.

The teenage was last seen on July 18 in Fort Macleod, and there had been concern for her wellbeing.

On Sunday, July 20, the Fort Macleod RCMP reported that the teenager was located safe.