HighRiver

Charlie Mayer, a prominent figure in Canadian agriculture and politics, has passed away at the age of 89. Born in Saskatoon in 1936, Mayer attended the University of Saskatchewan before purchasing a farm in Manitoba in 1965. He grew grain, potatoes, and raised Simmental cattle, becoming active in the Manitoba Beef Growers Association. Mayer played a key role in opposing the introduction of supply management to the beef industry.

A fundraiser gala to provide a local veteran with a service dog returns this weekend.

This is the second Dinner for a Dog fundraiser, which will feature a live auction, dinner, and entertainment, including a DJ, dance floor, and photo booth.

Dinner for a Dog is returning largely due to the success of last year's event.

The inaugural gala was held to benefit Okotoks veteran Paris Douglas.

Service dogs can be specialized to address a wide variety of mental health conditions for veterans with PTSD, says Douglas.

The Canadian cattle industry is experiencing unprecedented profitability, with cattle prices reaching all-time highs. Despite this positive outlook, there are significant concerns about the ongoing trade war with the United States and its impact on the industry's stability.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he’s a true Canadian but wouldn’t stop a public vote on separating from the country if it came forward.

Moe says residents are allowed to trigger provincial legislation for a plebiscite on the issue.

He says he does not judge people for having different opinions, but says he supports a united Canada.

Saskatchewan law allows the public to bring forward a petition for a plebiscite as long as 15 per cent of eligible voters sign on.

Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck says Moe should rule out a vote on separation.

Over the years, certain areas in Canada have seen an increase in wild pig populations. Wayne Lees from Squeal on Pigs Manitoba highlights the difficulty in tracking these animals, especially on foot. "In our experience, finding the pigs is the single hardest thing that we have to do. Our situation in Canada is very, very much different than the US under cold climate conditions. We don't have the large numbers of wild pigs that they experience in warmer climates.

Local reaction to the federal election has been mixed however, John Barlow's re-election has been positive.

Incumbent Conservative member John Barlow won again in a landslide, getting over 75 per cent of the vote.

Lisa Szabon-Smith, the High River Chamber of Commerce's executive director, looks forward to continuing to work with the long-serving MP.

The community-favourite event, Light Up Okotoks, has won the 2025 Canadian Event Award for Best Event for a City or Municipality.  

Mayor Tanya Thorn and Connie Drake, Community Events Specialist, accepted the award in Toronto on April 30.  

WINNIPEG — Wheat growers in North Dakota have altered how they use fungicides to control fusarium head blight.

Many farmers now apply fungicides later, after flowers first appear on wheat heads, to cut the risk of fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) and reduce levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) in cereals.

Western Canadian farmers should make a similar switch, says a plant pathologist with Agriculture Canada in Alberta.

Right now, some agronomists and grower groups say the ideal fungicide timing starts when 75 per cent of wheat heads are fully emerged.

There's a Chinook blowing into these parts over the next couple of days.

Stephen Berg with Environment and Climate Change Canada explains where this heat is coming from.

"It's largely from a ridge of high pressure aloft, there's also a low that's developing over northeastern B.C., that'll also have a bit of a Chinook effect with more of a southwesterly flow."

We're expecting to hit a high of 27 tomorrow and then up to 28 on Saturday, and the wind is expected to be somewhat gentle, but there's a cold front on its way.

Communal grief following the ramming attack at a Filipino festival in Vancouver that killed 11 people on the weekend will likely persist for months, mental health experts in British Columbia warn. 

"Traumatic events, grief, is not something that is resolved in a week or two weeks, or a couple of months," said Heather Mohan, a clinical counsellor and executive director of the charity Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society.