HighRiver

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is releasing an update with April stats on federally reportable diseases.

As of April 30th, there have been 17 cases of avian influenza, with three in British Columbia, one in Alberta, three in Saskatchewan, and two in Manitoba.

Foothills County has scaled back its Fire Restriction to a Fire Advisory.

They cited a change in conditions, likely due to the recent rain, along with lower temperatures and wind speeds compared to one week prior, when the Fire Restriction was issued.

Fire Advisories allow for a wide range of fires, including safe residential fire pits and safe campground campfires, open flame torches and lanterns, wood pellet smokers, and gas or propane barbecues.

The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Bernadette McIntyre, and her husband, Mr. Rich McIntyre had a private audience with King Charles today at Buckingham Palace.

Their Honours presented the King with lentil and chickpea snacks from the Three Farmers company of Saskatoon. Saskatchewan is a major producer of pulse crops.

A jar of Savoury Dill Pickle Mustard from Gravelbourg Mustard. The province is the world’s largest exporter of mustard seed.

Alberta's Agriculture Financial Services Corporation put together the first crop report of the season. 

Manglai a product coordinator with AFSC, says provincially there's now 23 per cent of the 2025 crop is now in the ground, thawhich t's well ahead of the 5-year average of 12 per cent, and the 10-year average of 14 per cent.

"Regionally - the South leads with 50 per cent of all crops seeded, followed by the Central Region at 22 per cent, the Peace Region at 10 per cent, the North West at 8 per cent, and the North East at 6 per cent."

Okotoks town council approved the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan at its May 12 meeting.

Developed using concepts from previous town plans and extensive community feedback, the plan will guide the gradual redevelopment of the downtown core over several years.

It places emphasis on maintaining a walkable environment, preserving the area’s character, encouraging diverse housing options, and nurturing a vibrant economy.

Two suspects are facing charges for their involvement in a Southern Alberta theft network.  

In April, the RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU) began an investigation following a series of commercial break and enters in the region.  

The suspects used stolen vehicles to target cannabis dispensaries, liquor stores, convenience stores, and other rural businesses.  

Production is expected to recover by 70 million tonnes due to favourable conditions, while demand will rise by 45 million tonnes

SASKATOON — The global grain outlook for 2025-26 is incredibly balanced, says an analyst.

The International Grains Council (IGC) is forecasting 2.373 billion tonnes of production and an identical 2.373 billion tonnes of demand.

“We’re looking at quite a finely balanced fundamental picture for grains,” Helen Plant, senior analyst for the United Kingdom’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, said in a recent webinar.

A Fixed-Route Transit Service is coming to Okotoks.

The new service was approved during the May 12 Okotoks Town Council Regular Meeting.  

The system will run alongside the On-Demand Transit Service and focus on areas with high ridership demand during peak hours.  

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Keith Currie says Canadian agriculture is at a critical juncture, with the recent dramatic rise of trade uncertainty, high costs, and more frequent extreme weather events.

He notes during the recent election, the CFA made the priorities of Canadian farmers very clear: farmers need to see a focus on competitiveness, resiliency, and maintaining rule-based trade.

The new Midway lineup has been announced by the Calgary Stampede, and fans of Spam will be overjoyed.

If you've been to Hawaii, you might recognize this new treat they're calling the 'Spam-pede Bao'.

The dish is filled with SPAM, garlic shrimp, pineapple, cucumbers, seaweed, and teriyaki sauce.

Your tongue also might be on fire if you try the fiery dill Coke.

Freaky Tzatziki Twisted Pickles are also on the menu, along with Mopane Worm Poutine. Yes, there are crispy worms with your poutine.