Okotoks

New Beef Cattle Research Council chair at the U of M to focus on best environmental practices and economic viability

A new beef-focused research chair will soon begin work at the University of Manitoba.

The 10-year role has been named the BCRC Chair in Beef Cattle Economic Sustainability.

“I believe this is the fourth chair position that we’ve developed,” said Craig Lehr, chair of the BCRC’s producer council.

Now that the British government has vowed to lower its voting age to 16 by the next general election, one Canadian senator says it's past time for Canada to do the same.

The U.K. announced last week that it would lower its voting age from 18 to 16 in a bid to strengthen British democracy and restore trust in politics.

Sen. Marilou McPhedran said the issue has been her "top parliamentary priority" since she joined the Red Chamber. She said lowering the voting age to 16 would be good for democracy and that the only arguments against it are "based on stereotypes."

Conservative Agriculture Critic John Barlow is warning that the Liberal's Clean Fuel Standard will hit Canadians hard at the gas pump and the grocery store.

Citing a recent Department of Agriculture briefing, Barlow said the policy will raise fuel prices by 13 cents per litre for gasoline and 16 cents per litre for diesel by 2030. He criticized the government for downplaying the impact on consumers.

The man accused of ramming an SUV into a crowd and killing 11 people at the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival is set to appear in court today, with a judge determining if he's fit to stand trial.

RJ Aquino, the chair of festival organizer Filipino BC, says the court proceedings could prove "traumatizing" for victims and members of the Filipino community.

He says many have expressed anger and frustration since the April 26 attack and still find it difficult to cope with the tragedy almost three months later.

The volume and severity of police-reported crime in Canada decreased four per cent last year after three annual increases in a row, the national statistics agency said Tuesday.

Statistics Canada said non-violent crime had a significant effect on the decline in the overall crime severity index in 2024.

The non-violent crime severity index — which includes such crimes as property and drug offences — dropped six per cent last year, following a nine per cent increase from 2021 to 2023.

Panelists agree that maintaining access under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement should be priority among other trade noise

Canadian trade negotiators should be cautious and be prepared to weather further abrupt policy changes from U.S. president Donald Trump.

A panel on trade and politics at the Seeds Canada conference in Quebec City heard that Canada’s ability to delay trade negotiations could be valuable in finding a way to a successful renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

The RCMP has made an arrest in connection with the theft of some irrigation equipment in Southern Alberta.

Last May, the RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU), along with the Strathmore and Brooks RCMP, began investigating a series of damage to and theft from irrigation pivots from various farms.

The thefts began in the Wheatland County area, and this investigation led to a suspect being identified.

In the early morning hours of July 16, officers from SAD CRU witnessed the suspect stealing irrigation equipment from a farm in Newell County.

One year to the day a wind-whipped fire forced thousands to flee in the dark of night along one smoke-choked road, the mayor of Jasper acknowledged it was a day of remembrance that some would much rather forget.

An Okotoks town councillor has announced she won't be seeking re-election this fall.

On Monday, July 21, Councillor Rachel Swendseid shared a post on social media announcing she will not be running in the upcoming municipal election for personal reasons.

"This was a difficult decision as I love this town dearly and serving this community has been an immense honor. However, I know that this decision is the next right thing for my young family and I," the post reads.

The Okotoks Dawgs double header has been postponed today (July 22) due to the weather.  

The game against the Fort McMurray Giants was originally set for Monday but had to be postponed because of the rain.  

The game has been rescheduled to July 28.