HighRiver

A new spy watchdog report says an overseas Canadian Security Intelligence Service operation was suddenly halted by government officials, "creating unnecessary danger for the CSIS team" and raising questions about ministerial accountability.

The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency found no written records indicating the decision to suspend the operation had been made by the CSIS director or the minister of public safety.

National defence is becoming an increasingly thorny topic for Prime Minister Mark Carney's government as Canada comes under heavy pressure from its allies to do more and spend more.

But with just weeks to go until NATO member nations assemble in the Netherlands for a summit that could put Ottawa in the hot seat on defence spending, several of his ministers took the unusual step of removing themselves from discussions with defence reporters this week at Canada's largest defence industry show.

The Town of Okotoks is offering some respite from this week's high temperatures.

They've set up cooling stations at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, Viking Rentals Centre, Okotoks Art Gallery and Okotoks Museum & Archives.

Water bottles will be available at each station, which will be open from May 29 to June 1 during each of the buildings' regular hours.

The hours of operation have been extended at the Okotoks Spray Park, which will now be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Flags will be flown at half-mast to honour a High River Town Councillor who recently passed away.

The flags at High River's Town Hall will be flown at half-mast until Monday, June 2, to honour former Town Councillor Cyril Abbot.

Councillor Abbot passed away this past Sunday, May 25 and had served from 1995-1998 and then again from 2004-2007.

Foothills County has extended their sympathies to his family and friends, as well as to the Town of High River Council and administration.

Local school divisions recently wrote to the Town of Okotoks to voice concerns over a local roadway.

A joint letter from the board chairs of the Foothills School Division (FSD) and Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools (CTR) highlights concerns around 32nd Street East, specifically near Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) and Meadow Ridge School.

The hot and dry conditions the region has been experiencing has put a damper on some outdoor activities.

The M.D. of Willow Creek moved to a Fire Restriction on Wednesday (May 28), which has caused all existing Fire Permits to be cancelled, and no new permits will be issued while this Fire Restriction is still in place.

According to Willow Creek, the Fire Restriction will remain in effect until the region has experienced significant moisture.

A possible teacher strike is looming following the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) strike authorization vote.    

With a vote of 99 per cent, teachers across the province are calling for support from the provincial government.    

Nearly 38,000 teachers cast their ballots online between May 22 - 26.   

A Vulcan County Community Peace Officer (CPO) has been recognized for her leadership in Emergency Social Services (ESS).   

Gabby Trudel received provincial recognition from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), for her leadership in mitigation efforts during last year’s Jasper Wildfire and for her role in developing the local ESS plan.  

A special documentary about Stoney Nakoda First Nation will be shown tonight, for one night only, at the Wales Theatre in downtown High River.

Cody Lefthand, from the Eden Valley Bearspaw First Nation, co-wrote, directed and co-produced Stories We Have Earned: The Stoney Nakoda Film Project along with Gary Burns. This is Lefthand's first documentary.

A portion of Big Rock Trail is going to be closed until the end of August.

Big Rock Trail between Sheep River Boulevard and just west of Westland Street, adjacent to the Okotoks Cemetery, is expected to be closed from June 4 to August 31, weather permitting.

This closure is due to some shallow utility installations, deep utility connections, and road widening that is necessary.

The work is being completed on behalf of the Tillotson subdivision developer, Tristar Communities.