Okotoks

Millions of enthusiastic, English football fans were glued to their televisions on Sunday, including hundreds in the Okotoks area.

The UEFA European Championship Final took place that day with Spain meeting England in the penultimate match. For England supporters, they hoped to witness their nation's first Euro title ever and first international championship since the 1966 FIFA Men's World Cup.

Sadly, it wasn't meant to be, as fans saw those dreams crushed in the 86th minute. Spain broke a 1-1 draw to lead 2-1 and eventually win its first European title since 2012.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ukraine should be allowed to strike deep inside Russia, regardless of Moscow threatening that this would draw Canada and its allies into direct war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the NATO military alliance would draw itself into war if it allows Ukraine to use donated weapons to make long-range strikes inside Russia.

His comments come five weeks after Ukrainian forces stormed the border and put parts of Russian territory under foreign occupation for the first time since the Second World War.

Due to current conditions, Foothills County has moved to a Fire Advisory.

The Foothills Fire Department declared a Fire Ban on July 23, which was moved to a Fire Restriction on August 7, and most recently moved to a Fire Advisory on September 12.

While an Advisory is not as severe as a Ban or a Restriction, the County is still asking people to use caution and remain vigilant.

Practices such as thoroughly soaking fire pits once they're extinguished are encouraged, and fires must immediately be extinguished if a Fire Ban or Restriction is imposed.

What a summer it's been!

From fairs and festivals to BBQs and beyond, we’ve loved seeing you all enjoying our RAM 1500 Classic, a truck worth an eye-popping $76,000! 🚗💨

But, here’s the scoop: today is your last chance to enter for a shot at driving away in this beast of a ride. The clock is ticking -- entries close at 11:59 p.m. tonight (Sept. 13), so don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers!

After 45 days of evidence and legal arguments the criminal trial of "Freedom Convoy" organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber is finally at an end.

A verdict could be as much as six months away.

"I don’t know in this moment when I will be in a position to give my decision," Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said Friday.

She said "it's a little daunting," given the unusually great volume of evidence and legal questions associated with the case. 

Several fire stations and local farmers battled a large fire in a farmer's field northeast of Vulcan on Monday afternoon.

It started at around 2 p.m. and quickly grew, with neighbouring farmers soon noticing the thick plumes of smoke.

Brett Schierman, whose family owns a farm about a mile south of where the fire broke out, recalls the alarming rate at which it spread.

Residents of High River have been calling the fire department directly when they have had an emergency, but Fire Chief Cody Zebedee asks citizens to use 9-1-1.

While people in High River may think calling the Fire Department directly could help solve an issue sooner, Zebedee explains why it's not the best route.

The second-ever Sheep River Artist in Residence began earlier this month.

Wanru Kemp was chosen as this year's Artist in Residence, and she says that the work she will be creating during the residency will be based on what she sees on her walk into the art gallery.

"I live close by, so every morning I take a walk and then I take a photo of what I see, along the river," explained Kemp. "Then I make sketches of the photo I took that day. So, it's kind of like a sketch diary. I want to document every day."

High River's annual Terry Fox run is ready to roll out at George Lane Park this Sunday.

You've seen the signs around town and organizer Brenda McCredie, who's been doing it for 10 years now, is still enthusiastic about raising funds for cancer.

"The run is in High River at George Lane on Sunday, September 15th. We do pre-registration at 9:30. The run begins at 10. It's a 5-kilometre route, you can walk, jog, run, rollerblade, it's wheelchair accessible. It's all on the berm."

The Carstar Okotoks Bisons hit the ice for the first time Friday (Sept. 13) since winning Provincial gold last season and completing the Heritage Junior B (HJHL) three-peat as champions.

The Herd will play hosts as the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings will be in town with the game being played at Murray Arena with a 7:30 pm puck drop. It will be the first and last pre-season game for the Bisons as the regular season starts on September 20 when Okotoks welcomes the High River Flyers to Murray Arena.