Okotoks

The Okotoks Dawgs had more bite than the Beavers in Weyburn on Wednesday night, winning 9-3 and sweeping the two-game season series.

Trent Wastler started on the mound and punched out two Beaver batters with strikeouts. Cam Stephens, Chase Tucker, Zane Morrison, and Greg Ross came in as relievers.

The 2024 WCBL All-Star Chase Tucker would get credit for the win while only allowing one hit while on the mound.

The Grain Growers of Canada executive director Kyle Larkin has been on the road this week driving from Winnipeg to Calgary as part of the GGC's Summer Tour.

The tour kicked off on Monday, when he visited Doug Martin's farm at East Selkirk, Manitoba with MP Kevin Lamoureux.

"We discussed a number of issues, including the Capital Gains Tax increase, the carbon tax, potential rail strike. You know, there's a lot of issues out there right now impacting grain farmers and we're just here to raise awareness of them over the summer."

Foothills County RCMP are asking for the public's help in locating a missing man.

They're searching for 47-year-old Michael William Vanstockum of Turner Valley, who was last heard from on June 25, 2024.

His family is concerned for his wellbeing.

Michael is described as 6' 1'' tall, weighing 205 pounds, with a light complexion, brown hair, and green eyes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Foothills RCMP at (403) 933-4262.

One of two raging, wind-whipped wildfires bearing down on the historic Jasper townsite reached its southern outskirts early Wednesday night as a last-ditch attempt to reroute it failed.

Around the same time, all first responders were ordered out of Jasper National Park for their safety and to give fire crews more room to operate.

Firefighters remained in the town to douse spot fires and maintain sprinkler lines. Everyone else was reminded to get out.

The Town of Okotoks is looking for input from the public for the redesign of the Okotoks Recreation Centre's Youth Centre.

Last November, Okotoks Town Council committed $1250,000 to reimagine the Youth Centre.

Part of that reimaging is moving the Youth Centre from the lower level of the recreation centre to the main level to improve accessibility and safety, following input the Town received from the community.

Now, people can provide even more feedback on the Youth Centre.

The Canadian-American Junior Hockey League (CAJHL) is putting itself on ice for the 2024-2025 season.

On July 23, the league announced that due to a lack of commitments for new teams, it would be taking time to work with stakeholders to develop a stronger owner and community presence.

The Can-Am league was established in 2022 following the departure of six teams from the Western States Hockey League.

The Okotoks Oilers are asking residents of the town for some help in billeting some of the players for their upcoming season.

For those interested, there are benefits to bringing in a player as a part of your family. Those include a monthly allowance provided to the bill at home to help offset the cost of food, grocery store discount cards provided for the season, season tickets with one ticket per family member, Okotoks merchandise discount at 15 per cent, Billet Appreciation Night and building lifelong relationships with the player you offer your home to.

Dressed in red and marching with flags and megaphones, members of an Alberta union made their presence known in High River. 

Different Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) branches are bargaining for a new contract demanding fair compensation amid high inflation and the rising cost of living. 

Curtis Jackson is Vice President of AUPE for the South Region and says workers are also feeling burnout and need relief. 

The Okotoks Oilers announced today that they have sent forward Hayden Fechner to Cowichan Valley Capitals for London Ontario's own Ethan DeKay.

Fechner played for the Oilers during the 2023-2024 season both in the AJHL and the BCHL, posting 24 points in 43 games. 11 of his points came from goals. In the playoffs, Fechner suited up for nine games playing primarily on a line with Dean Spak, and accumulated two points in the post-season.

The 18-year-old played two years before joining the Oilers in the AJHL with the Drayton Valley Thunder and put up 24 points in 75 games.

Vulcan County is now under a Fire Ban thanks to the extreme heat and dry conditions the area has experienced.

The fire ban took effect on July 23rd, and now burning of any kind is now prohibited.

Recreational fires, including backyard fire pits, campfires, backcountry/random camping areas, outdoor fireplaces, burn barrels, incinerators, charcoal briquette barbecues, burning of yard debris, fireworks, and exploding targets are included in the fire ban.