HighRiver

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is urging workers to reject Canada Post's latest contract offer.

Union national president Jan Simpson says a strong no vote would not only reject the offer, but also protect the integrity of the bargaining process.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board will hold the vote on the proposed deal starting next week.

Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after more than a year and a half of talks.

Alberta's auditor general says the provincial government has not done the work to ensure daycares getting public funds use them to lower fees for parents or top up staff wages.

Doug Wylie, in a report released Thursday, says without proper verification, Alberta could be overcompensating operators with federal and provincial funds meant to lower the average cost of daycare to $10 per day.

"There is a risk that public funds may not be used as intended — leading to parents overpaying for child-care and educators being under-compensated," the report says.

A junior girls' football coach in Lethbridge has been charged with child exploitation offences.

Those charges include the allegation that he used artificial intelligence to make child pornography.

ALERT's Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) arrested 38-year-old Justin Tillery, who is charged with making, distributing, possessing, and accessing child pornography.

Tillery also transmitted an intimate image without consent.

On top of that, Tillerly has allegedly used AI to manipulate and sexualize photos of underage girls.

Even though there is a chance of showers all weekend, there is still plenty to do in the Foothills this weekend.

There is fun for everyone this weekend, so let's see what's going on:

Friday, July 18:

From 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Okotoks Public Library, they are hosting Freezie Fridays, which is a story time filled with songs and stories.

An Independent candidate running in a rural Alberta byelection says she has stopped door-knocking because of death threats.

Sarah Spanier, 33, of Castor, Alta., says she has told Mounties about the online threats, which include a social media comment saying she would be met with a shotgun if she showed up at someone's door.

She attributes the threats and other derogatory messages she has received to her advocacy for transgender people during her campaign in the Battle River-Crowfoot riding, which encompasses communities such as Camrose, Drumheller and Wainwright.

There was a missing 14-year-old from Gleichen, prompting Gleichen RCMP to put out a missing person's report for the teenager.

They were last seen in Siksika on Friday, July 11, at approximately 10 p.m.

RCMP say there was concern for his well-being, but on Monday, July 21, the RCMP reported that the missing teen was found safe.

Information about missing people can be given to the RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

The head of an Ottawa-based Canadian Army regiment has been temporarily removed as part of an investigation into alleged online behaviour that the commander of the army says disgraced the military.

The commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa has been removed from his post in connection with a probe into the "Blue Hackle Mafia" social media group, Lt-Gen Michael Wright said in a statement to army ranks Wednesday and shared with The Canadian Press Thursday.

Systematic government collection and analysis of data about mysterious sightings in the sky could help Canada better prepare for incidents like the sudden appearance of several high-altitude balloons over North America two years ago, says a report from the federal science adviser.

One of the balloons, which wafted above western Canada in early 2023 before being shot down off the U.S. coast, apparently originated from China and carried sophisticated equipment.

The balloon episodes generated intense public speculation before fading from the headlines.

The All Canada Classic Sheep Show returned to Brandon this past weekend, bringing together sheep producers from across the country to showcase breeding stock and connect with fellow industry members.

With about 250 sheep for sale and attendees from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, the event marked a milestone for the national sheep industry.

A local success story

Brandon last hosted the national show in 1981, and the event remained here for three years before moving westward across the country.

The Highwood Current Swim Club is seeking community support in anticipation of the upcoming extended pool closure.  

The club has approximately 60 competitive swimmers, ranging in age between four and 17, at all skill levels, training out of the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex.