HighRiver

Environment Canada has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for much of Southern Alberta, including Foothills County.

Severe storms may develop this afternoon and early evening, potentially bringing strong wind gusts, hail, and heavy rain.

The alert is in effect for the following areas:

It will be warm all weekend, which will be great for all that's happening in the Foothills this weekend.

Let's take a look at what's happening:

Friday, July 25:

The Nooks & Crannies Festival has caused art to be hidden around the Town of Okotoks. This event will run until Aug. 23, and people are able to take in the public art for free.

The Town of High River is seeking public input to shape the future of High Country Drive (HCD).  

To address concerns raised by the community, High River Town Council initiated a HCD NW Corridor Study to identify opportunities for residents to drive, walk, or bike. 

The study area includes Longview Trail NW to Centre Street N/Highway 2A.  

The Banff RCMP have confirmed that an overdue hiker from B.C. has been found safe.

They'd like to thank the public for their assistance.

The Okotoks Dawgs of the WCBL are looking for win #31 of the season this weekend with three games lined up at Seaman Stadium.

The Brooks Bombers tangle with the Dawgs tonight and tomorrow before hosting the Lethbridge Bulls on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Both of the games against the Bombers start at 7:05 p.m.

The Dawgs currently have a record of 30 wins and 14 losses.

Thursday night kicked off the Battle of the Foothills chuckwagon races at the High River Ag grounds.

Jamie Laboucane came through with the top time of the night, with defending champion Chanse Vigen placing in 5th, and High River's own Jason Glass coming in 6th on the night.

Other local favourites had solid times too, with Jordie Fike from Blackie coming in 11th and DeWinton's Dayton Sutherland coming in 14th.

The top four drivers in the aggregate after Saturday night's heats will qualify for the final championship heat on Sunday.

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two leaders of the Freedom Convoy protest, are scheduled to be sentenced for mischief on Oct. 7 in an Ottawa courtroom.

In addition to lengthy prison sentences, the Crown wants to seize Barber's truck, which was used in the protest.

A forfeiture hearing on that matter is scheduled for Sept. 12.

Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said Thursday she wants to rule on the mischief sentence and truck forfeiture at the same time so that she does not deliver "piecemeal" decisions.

Three workers who were trapped in a remote northern British Columbia mine have been rescued after more than 60 hours underground.

Red Chris mine operator Newmont Corp. said the three men were safely bought to the surface at about 10:40 p.m. on Thursday.

It said Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke and Jesse Chubaty — contractors for B.C.-based Hy-Tech Drilling — were in good health and spirits after being trapped underground by two rockfalls on Tuesday morning.

"This was a carefully planned and meticulously executed rescue plan," the company said in a statement.

The Executive Director of the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce has received provincial recognition for her leadership and impact. Dawn LeMaistre has been named the Alberta Chamber Executive of the Year for 2025.

The award was presented by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Alberta and recognizes excellence in leadership, innovation, and service across the province's 106 local chambers.

Since taking on the executive director role four years ago, LeMaistre has led the Okotoks Chamber through what the association calls "transformative growth."

A new water feature was unveiled at Okotoks' Arts and Learning Campus on Wednesday (July 24).

The interactive addition to Ethel Tucker Park was welcomed with a grand opening ceremony hosted by the Town of Okotoks, where the family behind the feature was introduced.

The water feature was made possible through a philanthropic donation from the Robert R. Hartley and Lillian P. Hartley Foundation.

Lillian Hartley approached the Town in 2020, offering a $1 million donation to support the Arts and Learning Campus.