Okotoks

It's auction time, and you've still got a couple of days to lay down some bids on hundreds of local deals.

Whether this is your first time taking part in one of our auctions or you're a seasoned veteran, here are some items to keep an eye on:

Albertans are encouraged to support one another during this time of financial uncertainty, with a new provincial campaign zeroing in on Alberta's agriculture producers and processors.

The Government of Alberta has launched the 'Buy Local' campaign to promote the province's homegrown goods.

It's being led by Alberta's Agriculture and Irrigation, RJ SIgurdson, who is also the MLA for Highwood.

Canada's first tornado of the season touched down near Rolling Hills on Saturday night (April 12).

Rolling Hills is a hamlet just southwest of Brooks, and the landspout touched down about 10 km north of the hamlet.

It happened at approximately 5:20 p.m. and was confirmed by Environment and Climate Change Canada on Sunday.

At that time, there were no reports of injuries or damage. 

Environment Canada said landspout tornadoes are generally not as dangerous as other tornadoes but can still cause significant damage.

They gave it a rating of EF0.

The High River Fire Department was put into action on Saturday.

A hay bale fire broke out just on the west edge of town on the Longview Trail.

Once the firefighters got the fire under control, the landowner took over, but smoke and flames were visible into the night.

There's no word yet on the cause.

Dr. Wade Abbott and his research team at AAFC Lethbridge are embarking on a groundbreaking study aimed at unlocking new possibilities for the humble field pea, a crop primarily known for its use in food production.

The project will explore underutilized aspects of the legume, including its protein, starch, and fibre, with an eye on developing new food and non-food products that could benefit both the agricultural and industrial sectors.

The Alberta government and its auditor general are at odds over the province’s decision to bring lawyers directly into the investigation surrounding multimillion-dollar health contracts.

The issue arose after the Opposition NDP revealed a leaked email this week from Alberta Health that directs public servants to contact a lawyer to co-ordinate if auditor general Doug Wylie requests an interview as part of his investigation.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising to tighten financial transparency rules for elected officials — and is using that promise to take aim at Liberal Leader Mark Carney.

Poilievre told a press conference in Ottawa on Sunday that if his party forms government, he'll ban what he calls "shadow lobbying."

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promised to cut red tape and step up support for veterans Saturday, while Liberal Leader Mark Carney pledged to make visiting national parks and museums more affordable for Canadian families.

Poilievre unveiled his party's plan for veterans during a press conference in Nepean, the suburban Ottawa community that contains the neighbouring ridings where he and Carney are running. 

Carney did not have any public events scheduled. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's itinerary shows he will hold an evening event in Timmins, Ont.

Okotoks Fire & Rescue responded to another grass fire on Friday (April 11) afternoon.

At around 3:30 p.m. they were called to a fire near the Sheep River just behind the Okotoks Public Library.

According to emergency personnel at the scene, a passerby reported a small tipi structure made of logs and branches that was fully engulfed.

Crews arrived shortly after and were soon able to get the fire under control.

The cause is under investigation.

Local water polo players recently took home some hardware in a provincial tournament.

Members of the Foothills-based Prairie Dolphins Water Polo Club were in Edmonton over the weekend to compete in the Alberta Water Polo Winter Provincial League.

Three groups of Prairie Dolphins players competed each of them paired with other teams.

The U12 girls were paired with the Calgary Wild, the U14 boys played with the Edmonton Riptides to form the Riptides Blue and Riptides Teal teams, and the U18 boys were paired with Calgary Mako.