Okotoks

The Sheep River Artist in Residence program will be returning this September.

Allan Boss, the Town of Okotoks' Culture, Heritage, and Events Team Leader, says the Town has a strategic initiative plan where arts and culture is an economic driver for the community.

Daggett Street in Okotoks has recently had some work completed.

This Improved Parking Project began on July 16th and included paving a parking area, installing fences, Electronic Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and landscaping.

With this project, they installed fencing along the CPKC railway right-of-way, cleaned up town-owned property, and added parking stalls along Daggett Street.

For years, this area has been used as an informal parking spot, but the Town wishes to formalize the parking area.

A tourist visiting Canada is questioning the safety of Via Rail after he says his phone was snatched from him by an employee when he was documenting a train delay that left passengers stranded as they ran out of food, water and working toilets.

Chip Malt was in Quebec over the long weekend to celebrate his father's 70th birthday in the province's capital, and said he boarded a Via Rail train from Montreal to Quebec City on Saturday.

Three new Green and Gold members were named to the roster Monday (September 2nd) after the Okotoks Oilers' weekend training camp.

The first new face announced to the Oilers was forward Coy Pighin. The 18-year-old is coming off two seasons with the Drumheller Dragons of the AJHL. In the two seasons Pighin played, he accumulated 67 points in 86 games. 

In post-season play, Pighin was a force for the Dragons with nine points in nine games last year and nine points in 13 games in the 2023 AJHL playoffs.

The Calgary Stampeders were handed their second loss in 12 years at the Labour Day Classic with the Edmonton Elks winning 35-20 in their CFL clash on Monday (September, 2nd). 

The Stampeders paid tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau before the game started in a nice touch to show respect to a man who meant a lot to the City of Calgary.

The Okotoks Oilers put on a show over the weekend's training camp with new and familiar faces hitting the ice.

The competition was hot with players trying to earn an extra look or a spot on the first full season in the BCHL for the Green and Gold.

Some familiar faces were on the ice with Jackson Rowland, Ryder DeNys, Brennan Hocher, Brett Wilson, Kade Duell, Christian Green, Hunter Sawka, and Allen Sherpa. The new trade additions Otto Hanson and Ethan DeKay also made appearances.

Jason Glass' climb to the top continued on night four of the Wild West WPCA World Chuckwagon Finals in Ponoka.

The High River driver has been climbing the ranks of both the aggregate and the Century Downs "Winners' Zone" Series Playoff Standings and currently sits atop both.

Glass claimed the 2024 Wild West WPCA World Chuckwagon Finals Aggregate Championship title along with outsiders Dayton Sutherland and Tyson Whitehead after taking the top time on night four, securing his place at the top of the aggregate from the day prior.

When August rolled around, April Hicke realized the $100 she typically gives her 13-year-old son to update his wardrobe in time for school to start was no longer enough.

"Even on the sale racks, a pair of sweatpants at SportChek, they're still $25 a pair. You used to be able to go and buy a pair of sweatpants for $10," said the Calgary-based mother of two. "I am shocked at the (price) increase of kids' clothes."

Despite castigation from provincial premiers over lagging federal contributions to health spending, an analysis of 20 years of health funding data shows that federal transfers have mostly outpaced increases to provincial health budgets. 

In 2023, federal health transfers amounted to $47.1 billion, a 212 per cent increase over 2005, when the transfers were $15.1 billion. Total spending by all 10 provinces grew in that time to $221.9 billion up from $86.2 billion, an increase of 158 per cent.

The first-ever concert at Seaman Stadium was an astounding success with great music, local talent showcased, and a packed Stadium with attentive listeners.

Mayor Tanya Thorn opened up the show thanking all those who came out and mentioning that if anyone has more ideas like another concert to get in touch with her.

Local Talents Brettyn Rose and Chase Morgan opened up the show with just over 45 minutes of easy listening and high-energy songs. They played rock, paper, and scissors to determine who would sing first, and Rose came out on the winning end.