Okotoks

The RCMP is introducing a drone corridor along part of the Canada-U.S. border in an effort to boost security.

Drones are to patrol the border in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in what the RCMP says is a trial.

The force says the corridor has been established with help from Transport Canada and drone patrols will target illegal activity including smuggling and drug trafficking.

It says the corridor extends from the ground to 500 feet in the air and one nautical mile north of the border, or just under two kilometres.

Southern Albertans will have the opportunity to learn how their food is grown during Open Farm Days this weekend.  

Open Farm Days showcases the farmers, ranchers, and processors that produce food for Albertans and Canadians.   

There are a variety of ways to take part, from picking fruits and vegetables, purchasing locally grown products, to taking part in educational activities.  

Albertans can begin pre-ordering COVID-19 shots for the fall after a recent policy shift.

Those looking to get vaccinated will still need to book an appointment and most will have to pay more than $100 to get it.

Premier Danielle Smith's government announced the policy shift in June.

Smith has said $135 million got "flushed down the drain" last year, with doses wasted in part because Albertans are increasingly choosing to not get them.

A planned power outage is happening in Diamond Valley this week.

The power outage is scheduled for Tuesday (Aug. 12) from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., so crews can do some construction work.

Those who live in the Royalite Way SE/NE and Dingman Close SE could be affected by the power outage.

For those who are impacted by the planned power outage have already been contacted directly by phone through the phone number they provided to their electrical billing company.

Unlike other children growing up, Alex Marshall didn’t dream of becoming a firefighter, but after moving to High River, teammates on his hockey team talked him into joining a few practices at the fire department.   

“I started going to some practices and just fell in love with it,” Marshall said. “I didn't dream of this as a career, but it's been about 20 years, and it just blossomed into this career.”  

Livestock farms often need to use their land carefully in order to get the best results for their animals, which is why the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment is sharing some tips on good grazing practices. Trevor Lennox, a Range Management Extension Specialist, talks about one of the biggest potential mistakes a farm operation can make: overgrazing.

WestJet says some personal data including information about travel documents such as passports was stolen in a cyberattack earlier this year, but credit and debit card numbers as well as user passwords were not compromised.

In a note to customers, WestJet says the personal information taken varies from person to person but may include name, date of birth, e‑mail address, mailing address, phone number, gender and recent travel booking history including travel booking numbers.

There were a couple more grizzly encounters in Kananaskis late last week, involving one bluff charging a person with a dog.

On Aug. 8, Alberta Parks issued a Bear Warming for Ribbon Creek Trail and the parking area, because of a grizzly bear bluff charge.

A grizzly bear bluff charged a hiker near the parking lot, in addition to a grizzly bear being sighted along the Ribbon Creek Trail multiple times.

On Aug. 10, a Bear Warning was issued for Canyon Creek Road, because a grizzly bluff charged a person with a dog.

The next phase of preparation work for the new skatepark and accessible playground project is now underway in Okotoks.  

Preparations for the Southside All Wheel Skatepark and new, inclusive and accessible playground in Howard Park began at the end of June.  

The work included removing the current playground, excavation, and removing aggregate material.  

Highway 40 in K-Country has reopened to traffic.

Both lanes were closed last week due to a mudslide caused by all the rain the Foothills and the Rockies experienced.