HighRiver

The number of emergency department visits for pneumonia more than doubled last fall over the previous year, the Canadian Institute for Health Information says.    

The new data released Thursday said young people between five and 19 years old were the hardest hit. 

"This is actually the largest increase in pneumonia-related emergency department visits that we've seen post-COVID," said Tanya Khan, CIHI's manager of hospital data advancement and engagement, in an interview. 

Politicians in Canada are speaking out about political violence after Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event.

Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences to Kirk's family and friends.

"There is no justification for political violence and every act of it threatens democracy," he said on social media.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Kirk's shooting must be strongly denounced.

Alberta teachers have officially started the countdown clock toward an Oct. 6 provincewide strike, with both sides accusing the other of failing students.

"Teachers’ patience has run out," Jason Schilling, head of the Alberta Teachers' Association, told reporters Wednesday.

He announced that if there is no deal in place by Oct. 6, the union's 51,000 members will hit the picket lines.

“What teachers want is simple: classrooms that are properly funded, respect for the work that they do, and wages that reflect their value to Alberta's future," Schilling said.

The federal Conservatives are pressing the Liberal government to allow provinces emergency access to strychnine, a pesticide previously used to control Richardson’s ground squirrels (commonly called gophers).

In a statement released Friday, Foothills MP and Conservative Shadow Agriculture Minister John Barlow said without the use of strychnine, farmers and rural municipalities are struggling with widespread infestations and mounting costs.

A renewable energy company is expanding clean energy practices with a solar energy project near Claresholm.    

Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI) announced the acquisition of the Homestead Solar Project from Kiwetinohk Energy (KEC) on Sept. 9.  

The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming municipal election is quickly approaching.  

This year, voters must be registered by Sept. 15 to appear on the Permanent Electors Register.  

Voters who are registered must provide a valid ID with their name and address before casting their vote.  

To cast a ballot, voters must have a valid ID.   

Harvest is well underway across the province, and while cold weather may still be a little way off, now is the time to start planning for fall soil testing, which is a key step in setting up next season’s success.

The Rotary Clubs of Okotoks and High River have announced the return of the Rotary Art Gala, in collaboration with the Foothills Country Hospice.

Over 50 artists from around Southern Alberta will showcase their work, which will be available for purchase, at the Viking Rentals Centre on Sept. 19 from 5-9 p.m. and Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Half of the proceeds will support the hospice’s expansion, which will increase its capacity from eight to 16 beds to meet the growing need for no-cost, end-of-life care.

Curling season is now just days away.

Registration opens on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and their annual general meeting is less than a week away.

The president of the club, Kate Renz, is really looking forward to getting back on the ice.

"We're having our AGM on Tuesday, the 16th of Sept., 7 p.m. in the Ice House Lounge at the curling club. We've revamped the whole lounge area so it's nice, it's upstairs at 7 o'clock, and anyone is welcome."

The club is also bringing back 'The Great Scot' on Sept. 20th and 21st, and Renz explains what it's about.

It's that time of year again to lace up the running shoes, get some donations, and head down to George Lane Memorial Park for the Terry Fox Run.

The annual event hits the 45-year mark on Sunday, Sept. 14.

High River's Brenda McReadie, who's been organizing the run for the last 11 years, is looking forward to it.

"It is! It's coming up fast at group site B, and thanks to the Lions for donating that spot again."

You've probably seen all the lawn signs she's placed throughout High River.