Okotoks

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.

On Tuesday, the Canadian Grain Commission revoked the grain dealer licence of LSM Grain Ltd. in Saskatoon.

Grain farmers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta may be owed money by this company for grain deliveries.

According to the company's website they handle Organic and Conventional cereals, pulses and oilseeds.

Grain farmers who may be affected could be eligible for compensation through the CGC's Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program. 

An Air Quality Advisory has been issued for Foothills County.

Environment Canada issued the advisory on the morning of Wednesday, July 24th due to wildfire smoke causing or expected to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility.

Due to the wildfire smoke, air quality and visibility can fluctuate over short distances, as well as from hour to hour.

The particles in the air from the wildfire smoke pose a health risk, and if the smoky conditions are heavy.

The Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate for a second consecutive time on Wednesday, but warned the path back to two per cent inflation may be uneven and would ultimately determine the pace of future rate cuts.

The central bank says its decision to lower its policy rate by a quarter percentage point was motivated by easing price pressures and weakening economic conditions.

Its key interest rate now stands at 4.5 per cent.

Current AEW wrestler and future WWE Hall of Famer Chris Jericho was in the Okotoks area last week and took some time to reminisce.

Jericho filmed several videos in Okotoks where he talked about how he first cut his teeth in the business while training with the Hart family in the early 1990s.

One video was filmed in front of the Royal Duke Hotel, where Jericho used to live there for a time when it was still called the "Willie Hotel".

"It may have a different name but, it looks exactly the same," Jericho said in the post.

The new officers for the Salvation Army in High River have arrived.

Married couple Captain Bill Mailman and Lieutenant Renee Mailman are now leading their congregation as well as the Thrift Store and the Food Bank.

The couple and their two children aged 9 and 11 actually arrived a few weeks ago from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, but they're no strangers to the area.

Due to the high temperatures Foothills County continues to see, the Town of Okotoks is making sure residents stay cool.

The Town is extending its cooling stations this week to help people escape the heat.

From July 23rd to July 28th, cooling stations are being set up at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, the Centennial Arena, the Okotoks Art Gallery, and the Okotoks Museum.

The cooling stations will be open during regular business hours, and the Town will have water bottles available at all stations.

The August long weekend is going to be a busy one in Nanton.

For over 60 years, the Nanton Booster Club has organized the Nanton Parade.

This year, the parade will take place on Monday, August 5th.

"The Nanton Booster Club is a service group in Nanton," explains booster member Sean Christie. "It's a group of 25 guys. We just volunteer our time to help fundraise money for various events, and so on."

Christie says that anyone who wishes to be part of the parade just has to show up early on the day to get included.

An Okotoks man says he was pleasantly surprised to receive one of Hockey Alberta’s biggest honours of the year. 

Geoff Stewart, a longtime coach and board member with the Okotoks Minor Hockey Association, was named Hockey Alberta’s Volunteer of the Year at a special ceremony last weekend. 

Stewart has served on the Minor Hockey Board for 10 years on top of 12 years coaching in the community.