Okotoks

A union representing 30,000 health-care workers in Alberta is calling on Premier Danielle Smith's government to reverse course and provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all front-line workers and any other Albertan who wants the shot.

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta says that is the best way to protect patients, reduce hospitalizations, and keep the health-care system strong.

Smith says the aim of the new policy, announced last week, is to prevent wastage, recover costs, and protect those who need it the most by giving them the COVID shot for free.

A longtime lottery player from High River has scored a six-figure win.

Wayne Hosmer bagged $100,000 in the January 28 LOTTO MAX EXTRA draw.

According to a June 16 news release from Lotto Spot, Hosmer always checks his tickets in-store.

“I think it’s more fun at the checker to just put it underneath the scanner and see,” said Hosmer.

Upon seeing he'd won, he snapped a picture of the screen and rushed home to show his wife.

The fourth annual Swinging for Change golf tournament charity fundraiser for Rowan House tees off Tuesday at the Highwood Golf Course.

The Western Financial Group, with its headquarters in High River, are proud to present it this year.

The non-profit emergency women's shelter has filled up its golf card with many local businesses and people signing up to show their support.

There's even one hole you can test your golf and hockey skills at the same time with the High River Flyers Happy Gilmore hockey stick hole.

The Town of High River will be busy this week, as crews turn it into the fictional town of Hudson.

Heartland crews will be in town on Wednesday, June 18, to film scenes for their upcoming season.

Crews will be filming along 3 Ave SW for several hours, so the Town is asking residents to plan ahead, because parking restrictions will be in effect while they are working.

There may also be some brief disruptions to traffic and pedestrian access in town.

Vulcan County is no longer under a Fire Ban, but not all fires will be permitted for the time being.

On May 29, Vulcan County implemented a Fire Ban, restricting fires to those that are contained in a cooking or heating appliance that is fueled by fluids or gases.

On June 16, though, Vulcan County downgraded the Fire Ban to a Fire Restriction.

While they have removed the ban, County officials will be monitoring moisture levels and the fire risk throughout the County, which could change the Restriction.

Some areas of the prairies have received some rain over the past few days, but the weeks of hot, dry weather have had an impact on crops, hay, and pastureland. 

With the dry conditions across so much of the Prairies, there's been an increased concern about grasshopper infestations.

Dr. Meghan Vankosky, a research scientist in field crop entomology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, says grasshoppers could be shaping up to be an important story again this year.

To address housing insecurity in the Town of Claresholm, local organizations conducted a Housing and Service Needs Estimation to support local decision-making, advocacy, and program development.  

The report was completed in partnership with the Rural Development Network (RDN) and the Claresholm Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).  

The High River District Health Care Foundation is once again the lucky recipient of the Longview 4-H Club's donation steer, Donny.

Donny raised $61,110 for the foundation, with the club now surpassing half a million dollars raised for the foundation over the last 13 years.

With all the money raised over the years, the foundation surprised the club when they made their cheque presentation earlier this month.

A new family room is being created on Unit 300, which is named in the club's honour.

Farmers across the G7 are confronting unprecedented pressures as the world faces overlapping geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges. Inflation, high interest rates, and continued fallout from recent financial shocks have destabilized farm economies. At the same time, trade disruptions, and fractured supply chains are compounding uncertainty in the agricultural sector. Meanwhile, the impacts of climate change—more frequent droughts, floods, and extreme weather—are threatening productivity and straining rural infrastructure.

Monday, June 16th, was opening day for most anglers wanting to hit up Alberta's rivers and streams.

While many dads were hoping that was the case on Father's Day, Monday is when most of the streams opened.

The price of a fishing licence hasn't changed in quite a few years now, so it's still $28 if you're between 16 and 64, but it's free for seniors 65 and over and teens 15 and under.