Town of Okotoks pipe ceremony will honour victims of residential schools

The Town of Okotoks will be hosting a Pipe Ceremony as part of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is intended to honour and pay respect to the victims, survivors, and those who have been affected by the residential school system.

"On September 30th, the Town of Okotoks, we're going to be hosting a Pipe Ceremony that will be run by two Blackfoot elders from the Piikani First Nation," explains the Town of Okotoks Indigenous Relations Advisor, Desmond Jackson. 

CSIS says a former parliamentarian may have worked on behalf of a foreign government

A former parliamentarian is suspected of "having worked to influence parliamentary business" on behalf of an unnamed foreign government, Canada's spy service told a federal inquiry Friday.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service also cited indications that an unspecified foreign government engaged in meddling to reduce the likelihood of a specific Liberal candidate of being elected federally.

No balloon flights this morning but the Balloon Glow tonight should be fantastic

Due to windy conditions, the hot air balloons were unable to fly this morning, but conditions look very favourable for an excellent show at tonight's Balloon Glow.

Organizer Jamie Kinghorn made the announcement this morning at 7 a.m. during a live Facebook feed.

However, Kinghorn added that it looks like it should be a great night for the Balloon Glow.

The Balloon Glow will have about a dozen or so balloons fill up the open field in Wallaceville and then while still grounded the pilots fill up the balloons and welcome everyone onto the field.

Disability rights groups launch Charter challenge against MAID law

A coalition of disability rights organizations has launched a Charter challenge against a part of Canada's law on medical assistance in dying, calling it an "abandonment” of people with disabilities. 

The group announced Thursday that it had filed a notice of application to challenge what's known as track two of the MAID law, which it argues has resulted in premature deaths.  

Flags in Foothills County are at half-mast for the weekend

Flags at the Foothills County administration building will be at half-mast this weekend.

They will be lowered to honour the Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day on Sunday, September 29.

Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day is a day to remember all police and peace officers who have died in the line of duty.

They will remain lowered on Monday, September 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The flags will return to full height on Tuesday, August 1st.

The 3rd annual High River Show and Shine has something new this year

Hundreds of gorgeous cars and trucks of every make and model will be rolling into High River this weekend. 

Over 1,100 vehicles entered last year with more expected this year.

The 3rd annual Brian Chipchase Sr. Memorial Show N' Shine hosted by River City Classics is set for this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There's something new this year too with a dinner and dance happening on Saturday night.

Local youth recognized for performances in Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show

Five local performers were presented with Awesome Kid Awards at Monday's (Sept. 23) Okotoks Town Council Meeting.

Jack Leathwaite, Natalli Bencharski, Nash Bencharski, Hadley Janssen, and Cleavon Laquibla were among the over 100 Young Canadians School of Performing Arts performers to participate in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show.

Foothills County cautions locals to watch for mountain lions

With recent cougar activity in the Foothills, residents are asked to keep watch and stay safe.

Foothill County stated in a recent release that with the cool temperatures making a presence, predator activity can increase.

Two recent incidents involved cougars attacking family pets, with one resulting in the death of a house cat.

When and how to see Comet A3

A comet has gotten a lot of attention recently.

The comet C/2023 A3 was discovered by the Purple Mountain Observatory in China on January 9, 2023, and was also found independently by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in South Africa on February 22, 2023.

This is the first time that this comet has been seen, because of how far away the comet came from.

Tugboat ends the year with All-Star selection

Former Okotoks Dawg Matt "Tugboat" Wilkinson was not only named as a Midwest League's (MWL) All-Star but also announced as one of the four captains.

The Vancouver-born pitcher put up impressive numbers in the single-A league under the Cleveland Guardians of the MLB with eight wins and six losses in the 24 games he played this season. Tugboat had an ERA of 1.90 while pitching in 118 and two-thirds innings with 174 strikeouts on the year.