Okotoks

Environment Canada has declared a Severe Thunderstorm Watch across much of Southern Alberta, including Foothills County.

Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon (Aug. 20), with potential for strong wind gusts, heavy rain, and hail.

The watch was issued for:

The High River Sunset Drive-In once again opened for the season on the August long weekend.

The drive-in operates as a non-profit organization, splitting the cost with the charity hosting it.

This weekend's charity is the High River United Way, with a showing of Shrek on Friday, followed by The Princess Bride.

Then on Saturday, the Museum of the Highwood is hosting Monsters vs. Aliens and Independence Day.

Regardless of how many people you can squeeze into the vehicle, it costs $40 per vehicle.

Someone known to be in the area is wanted by the RCMP, and is featured in an online campaign.

Each week, the Alberta RCMP takes to social media to let the public know about some of the individuals they are searching for.

As part of this week's Wanted Wednesday campaign, the RCMP are looking for a man who last last known to be in Fort Macleod.

Joshua Theodore Hibbs is wanted by the RCMP for various crimes.

Hibbs' known areas of activity include Fort Macleod, Lethbridge County, Willow Creek M.D., Coaldale, Granum, and Cardston.

The Town of Okotoks' Summer Round Up is happening this Saturday (August 23).

As part of Summer Round Up, there is a Chili Cookoff, which will have chili chefs competing for either the Judges' Choice or People's Choice award.

The Summer Round Up will be happening from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Elizabeth Street in Okotoks.

While the main stage of the event will be located at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Elk Ave, the Food Zone will be located in front of Elks Hall and to the west, toward Elizabeth Street Pet Hospital.

An Okotoks defenceman has signed with the Fort Wayne Komets.

The Edmonton Oilers' affiliate team announced the addition of Dru Krebs on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Krebs was selected by the Washington Capitals in 2021 and has since played for the Ontario Reign and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

He'll join the Komets for the 2025-2026 ECHL season, which is set to begin on Oct. 17

Dru's brother, Peyton, plays centre in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres.

Calgary police have laid a charge in connection with a domestic incident that led to an officer-involved shooting in the community of Yorkville on Monday.

Officers were called on Monday (Aug. 18) afternoon about a domestic incident involving a weapon at a residence on Yorkville Road S.W.

According to the Calgary Police Service (CPS), officers used "a variety of use-of-force tools" during their response, including a service firearm.

The initial CPS release stated a man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are set to return to the bargaining table today.

Plans to rekindle talks late last week were delayed due to a lack of federal government mediators.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers claimed labour unrest at Air Canada was pulling attention from the postal service's dispute, which has stretched on for more than a year and a half.

Air Canada flights within North America are expected to ramp up this morning as the airline continues its operational restart following a three-day flight attendants' strike.

The company resumed flights Tuesday afternoon after a complete halt to Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge routes that began early Saturday morning.

It said it was focusing on outbound international flights to start.

In a partial policy reversal, Alberta's government said Tuesday it will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers.

Maddison McKee, spokesperson to Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange, said in an email that COVID-19 vaccine coverage will be extended to all health-care workers this fall under the first phase of the province's vaccination rollout.

"Immunization will remain voluntary," said McKee.