Okotoks

A grizzly bear bluff charged a pair of hikers at Troll Falls on Saturday.

The popular tourist hiking spot in Kananaskis Country now has a warning sign posted by Alberta Parks.

The warning also covers the lower portion of Skogan, Hay Meadows and the south portion of Stoney Trail.

The trail remains open as this is only an advisory.

There have been a number of warnings, advisories and closures due to bears this year. See our related stories below for more.

High River Town Council defeated a $400,000 budget increase for the Outdoor Skating Rink Renovation Project at the July 14 regular meeting.   

The project at 820 Highwood Trail SW was previously awarded to Bry Sand Ice Arena Ltd for $750,000 to build the outdoor skating rink.   

Following a preliminary geotechnical evaluation, no major risks were identified.   

Some paving work in Okotoks will cause a road closure for several days.

From July 21 to July 26, Waldron Ave between Visser Way and Robinson Drive will be closed while crews do some paving.

They are paving this section of road, because it is gravel, and this is part of the Town's dust mitigation efforts during construction.

While the work is being completed, there will be temporary detours in place for both vehicles and pedestrians, but access to the homes in the area will be maintained for residents.

The Gleichen RCMP had been looking for a missing teenager from Gleichen over the weekend.

This teenager had been last seen on Friday, July 11 in Siksika and was reported as missing on Friday, July 18.

There had been some concern for his well-being.

On Monday, July 21, the Gleichen RCMP reported that the missing teenager was located safe.

Member of the Foothills Fire Department, Nelson Dechant, has been promoted to Fire Captain for the Longview Station.  

The Foothills Fire Department described Dechant in a Facebook post as having a strong work ethic, a calm presence, and a willingness to always step up when needed.  

Dechant first began fire service in 2018 at the Priddis Fire Hall.  

The ongoing fire situation in Manitoba, resulted in the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers meeting virtually last week.

They discussed a number of issues, from the weather impacts to international trade, improving interprovincial trade opportunities, and enhancements to AgriStability.

For the 2025 program year only, they agreed to increase the AgriStability compensation rate from 80 per cent to 90 per cent and increased the maximum payment limit from $3 million to $6 million. 

Tariffs and trade are top of the agenda as the country's premiers arrive in Ontario's cottage country for a three-day meeting that comes at a pivotal time for both Canada-U.S. and domestic relations.

The premiers' summer gathering in Muskoka will also feature a Tuesday meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, as trade talks with the United States are expected to intensify.

After 45 years in their Jasper home, it took mere minutes for Wes Bradford's quaint mountain abode to burn to a pile of ash.

A year later, he and his wife are itching to rebuild. They've hired a contractor and designer, and their insurance will cover the expected $1-million price tag. But they can't start yet — not until their empty lot, currently a flat mound of dirt, has been declared contaminant-free.

"We're up against the wall," says Bradford, after meeting their builder in Jasper the day before.

Choosing the right replacement heifers is more important than ever for cattle producers, especially with today’s record-high calf prices.

“Replacement heifers represent the genetic potential of a producer’s operation,” says Alexis DeCorby, Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Yorkton office.

“They’re a costly investment that requires about two years of inputs before they produce a live calf.”

An Okotoks summer tradition returned on Saturday, July 19.

Taste of Okotoks is a showcase of the town's restaurants and eateries, giving attendees a chance to try a little bit of everything.

The annual outdoor festival was held in a new location this year: the Arts & Learning Campus and Riverside Drive.

Along with local delicacies, the event also featured an artisan market and live music.