Okotoks

Three workers who were trapped in a remote northern British Columbia mine have been rescued after more than 60 hours underground.

Red Chris mine operator Newmont Corp. said the three men were safely bought to the surface at about 10:40 p.m. on Thursday.

It said Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke and Jesse Chubaty — contractors for B.C.-based Hy-Tech Drilling — were in good health and spirits after being trapped underground by two rockfalls on Tuesday morning.

"This was a carefully planned and meticulously executed rescue plan," the company said in a statement.

The Executive Director of the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce has received provincial recognition for her leadership and impact. Dawn LeMaistre has been named the Alberta Chamber Executive of the Year for 2025.

The award was presented by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Alberta and recognizes excellence in leadership, innovation, and service across the province's 106 local chambers.

Since taking on the executive director role four years ago, LeMaistre has led the Okotoks Chamber through what the association calls "transformative growth."

A new water feature was unveiled at Okotoks' Arts and Learning Campus on Wednesday (July 24).

The interactive addition to Ethel Tucker Park was welcomed with a grand opening ceremony hosted by the Town of Okotoks, where the family behind the feature was introduced.

The water feature was made possible through a philanthropic donation from the Robert R. Hartley and Lillian P. Hartley Foundation.

Lillian Hartley approached the Town in 2020, offering a $1 million donation to support the Arts and Learning Campus.

The month of July has brought cool, wet weather and smoke from forest fires to the majority of the Prairies.

Rain has been reported in some of the drier areas, but its coming too late for drought stressed crops and forage, with RM's across Manitoba, and Saskatchewan and  Alberta County's now declaring agricultural disaster areas.

Taking a regional look at what's happening:

Manitoba

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture & Food.

The agreement is designed to build stronger collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous agricultural producers.

Keith Currie, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture says by working together, we can amplify Indigenous voices, support agricultural entrepreneurs, and promote food production in ways that benefit all Canadians.

The provincial government recently announced two conservation programs: the Private Land Conservation Program and Ecosystems Grant Program 

The government of Alberta is investing $10 million to improve private land conservation, with the launch of two new and improved programs.

The enhanced Private Land Conservation Program and the new Ecosystems Grant Program will enable better protection of natural areas across the province, while allowing landowners to use their land for farming and ranching, the province has said.

A $3.3 million investment from the provincial government will be used to support affordable housing in Okotoks.  

Funding through the Affordable Housing Partnership Program (AHPP) will be allocated for the construction of a 40-unit apartment building in the D’Arcy neighbourhood for AISH recipients and those with modest incomes.  

An Ontario judge is delivering her ruling in the sexual assault trial for five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team.

Content warning: This live blog includes graphic descriptions of sexual acts and explicit testimony from a court proceeding that some readers may find disturbing or triggering. Reader discretion is advised.

An affordable housing investment from the federal and Alberta governments is providing millions for affordable housing in Okotoks.

The $203 million investment was announced earlier this month, with the funding to support 25 affordable housing projects across Alberta through Alberta's Affordable Housing Partnership Program.

Over 2,300 affordable housing units are expected to be built as a result.

It includes $3.3 million for Westwinds Communities for housing units in Okotoks.