HighRiver

That's the question many scientists and wolf lovers have been asking.

A report surfaced earlier last week from Colossal Biosciences claiming they had altered a gray wolf's DNA with dire wolf characteristics.

The bioengineering company claims to have bred three gray wolves with dire wolf characteristics using DNA from extinct dire wolves, which died off between 13,000 and 10,000 years ago. Dire wolves were much larger, more aggressive apex predators, but they are a completely different species from today's gray wolf.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney said Thursday he would pass tougher laws to stop people from being harassed at their places of worship, part of a suite of crime and justice measures he unveiled at a campaign stop in southern Ontario.

The promise comes after more than a year of reports of rising hate targeting Jews and Muslims in Canada following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, and the war in Gaza.

The Manitoba Crop Alliance has a new leader at the helm as Jonathan Hodson recently stepped into the role of board chair. Farming near Lenore in western Manitoba, Hodson brings years of experience to the position and a deep understanding of the organization, having been involved since its formation five years ago. 

Hodson has served in various roles over the years, including most recently as vice-chair. Before the formation of the MCA, he was a director with the Manitoba Corn Growers Association, one of the organizations that merged to form the alliance. 

Costco in Okotoks was evacuated due to a fire alarm on Thursday (April 10) evening

Okotoks Fire & Rescue responded just after 5 p.m., giving the all-clear after checking the building.

The warehouse reopened and resumed operations soon after.

The Claresholm RCMP are looking for information on a person and vehicle after a young girl was approached by a man driving a white van.

It happened between 9 and 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9.

A young female student from Willow Creek Composite High School was out for a run off school grounds as part of P.E. class, when a man driving a white van offered her a ride.

According to the RCMP, the driver persisted after the girl refused, only driving away when the student threatened to take down his license plate information.

As Alberta heads into the heart of wildfire season, the province is committing almost $1 million to upgrade its early-warning systems.

Forestry Minister Todd Loewen says $900,000 is being allocated to upgrade and expand its network of 150 weather stations.

These stations monitor environmental conditions, like temperature, humidity, wind and moisture, in real time to help fire crews know where they will be needed when the weather gets hot and dry.

The Town of Okotoks is continuing to sweep up the dirt and gravel from the streets after winter.

While the street sweepers are out, the Town will implement some parking bans, to ensure the sweepers don't miss a spot.

On Friday, April 11, crews will be sweeping the following areas from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says the government's proposed bill to wipe out municipal councils' codes of conduct could create a free-for-all of delinquency and grift. 

"This bill is an affront to local voters. It basically says to local voters, ‘We don't trust you,’" Nenshi told reporters at the legislature Wednesday.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver proposed the bill in the house Tuesday. He said the change had to be made because codes of conduct were being weaponized to silence dissent on municipal councils.

Do you see the Diamond Valley firefighters in action? They could just be doing some training.

The Diamond Valley Fire Rescue took to Facebook this week to let people know of some upcoming training.

Their firefighters will be conducting search and rescue training drills at the arena in Black Diamond, as well as at a business in Longview.

According to the Diamond Valley Fire Department, they are doing fire ground survival and fire search and rescue drills.

The Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation recently held a fundraiser to help upgrade palliative care in Vulcan County.

They held the fundraiser last Saturday (April 5) to raise funds for upgrades to Vulcan County Community Health Centre's palliative care.

Those planned upgrades include adding some tracks from the bed to the bathroom.

Because of the cost, the Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation stepped up to help fundraise the money for the upgrades.