Town of Okotoks program registration system will be unavailable for a few days

The Town of Okotoks' registration system will be unavailable for a few days, while the system is upgraded.

From July 22 to 24, the system will be upgraded to make it easier to register for programs in Okotoks and improve the overall online experience.

While the system is being upgraded, people won't be able to register for programs or drop-in times in-person or online, as well as view the drop-in schedule, book facilities, or purchase memberships and passes.

During the upgrade, payments for violation tags will also be unavailable.

Video: Suspect seen giving Nazi salute before tearing down Pride flag in High River

High River RCMP are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect who was seen making a Nazi salute before stealing a Pride flag from a home.

The incident happened around 11 p.m. on July 13.

Security footage shows a male suspect approaching the house and appearing to make a ‘Sieg Heil’ gesture.

He then grabs a Pride flag from the front porch, displaying a middle finger as he leaves the scene.

High River Council responds to social media backlash on potential development

A developer’s sign announcing the intent to relocate an old house to make way for multifamily housing has sparked concern online.  

The online controversy prompted clarification from High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass during the July 14 Regular Council Meeting.  

The developer of the 605 MacLeod Trail project purchased the property and submitted a development permit last week.   

Calgary Stampede almost breaks attendance record

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth wrapped up on Championship Sunday with a full house.

While hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the Calgary Stampede this year, they were just shy of breaking an attendance record.

Just over 1.47 million came through the turnstiles at 1,470,288, which is about 7,000 people short of last year's attendance.

Calgary Stampede CEO Joel Crowley was pleased with the attendance but said it's more important that every visitor has a good time.

Youth celebrates birthday by giving back to local animal rescue, with help from friends

Instead of asking for gifts, eight-year-old Nate Leskiw recently chose to donate his birthday money to help animals in need at a local shelter.  

Leskiw asked each of his friends attending his birthday party to bring $5 to be donated to Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation.  

Kim Hessel, Founder of Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation, received an email from Leskiw’s mother, Amelia, explaining what Nate had done.  

How much rain has the Foothills received this summer?

Given the significant rainfall we have been experiencing this summer, how does it compare to previous years?

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada Scientist Christy Climenhaga, we have seen almost a full summer's worth of rain in the last couple of months.

"We've been seeing soggy conditions through much of southern Alberta, especially over the last 24 hours, but even so into June," Climenhaga explains. "I mean, just looking at some of the totals from yesterday, seeing 30 to 50 millimetres around the Calgary area of precipitation."

An encounter with a grizzly and cubs has caused a trail closure in K-Country

A grizzly bear with cubs recently bluff charged hikers in K-Country, prompting a trail closure.

The bluff charge happened at the Rawson Lake trail and Sarrail Ridge route in Kananaskis Country, prompting Alberta parks to issue a trail closure for that area on July 11.

While this bear encounter happened at the Rawson Lake trail and Sarrail Ridge route, people can encounter bears anywhere in the Kananaskis region, at any time.

Three dogs died in RV fire south of Okotoks: investigation ongoing

Okotoks Fire & Rescue responded to a fire just south of town on Friday, July 11.

The fire broke out shortly before 8 p.m. on Range Road 293, off 32nd Street.

A black plume of smoke from the blaze was visible across Okotoks.

"It came in as a structure fire," said Okotoks Fire Chief Trevor Brice. Crews arrived on the scene in about 10 minutes.

Inflation rises to 1.9% in June as vehicle price hikes accelerate

The annual pace of inflation accelerated to 1.9 per cent in June as consumers were paying more at car dealerships, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

The June price hike is up from 1.7 per cent in May and was largely in line with economists’ expectations.

StatCan said gasoline prices were nearly unchanged in June as higher crude oil prices and geopolitical conflicts ratcheted up pressure at the pumps. Motorists saw a steeper monthly decline in prices this time last year, which the agency said led to a rise in headline inflation.

Carney to meet with Incident Response Group to discuss the wildfire situation

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to convene the Incident Response Group in Ottawa today to discuss the ongoing wildfire situation across the country.

Carney also convened the group of ministers and senior officials a little over a month ago in response to an earlier wave of wildfires, which peaked in May and June, then receded, and have now flared up again.

More than 6,000 people are currently out of their homes in Manitoba, and the communities of Lynn Lake and Snow Lake ordered residents to flee for the second time in just weeks.