Okotoks

McHappy Day in Okotoks raised over $36,000 on May 8, in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).  

“It was really great, we had a lot of volunteers, and we raised a lot for the Ronald McDonald House,” said Kristina Cockerill, Market People Lead.  

Throughout the day, a portion of all sales was allocated to support families across the county with injured or sick children.  

A fire fully engulfed a home in Longview and damaged two others early Friday morning (May 9).

Crews from the Foothills County and Diamond Valley fire departments responded at about 5:40 a.m. and noticed flames already spouting from the roof upon arrival.

The home's occupants had already evacuated, and crews evacuated people from the two neighbouring homes, given the size of the fire and the heat it was giving off.

Firefighters worked to contain the blaze to the one structure, and the two nearby houses sustained only minor damage.

The Town of Nanton is moving to a Level 2 Water Restriction due to an increase in groundwater flowing into the town’s collection system.   

In March, excessive water began backing up the sewer system east of Highway 2.    

Temporary storage tanks, vacuum trucks, and a containment cell were used to relieve the system.   

The Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce gathered for its annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 9.

Members voted to approve the 2026-2026 Board of Directors, welcomed their new president, and reviewed financials from 2024.

Chelsea Besuijen of Eyes 360 has completed her third term as president and now serves as past president.

Sherry Lindenback of 94 Take the Cake has taken on the role of president. She was sworn in by Mayor Tanya Thorn at the meeting.

Smile Cookie week in High River broke records last week for the most amount raised and the number of cookies made.

Cathy Couey, fund development & communications officer with the High River District Health Care Foundation (HRDHCF), was thrilled with the support from the community.

"What an incredible group of volunteers and the Tim's team to help us. The roughest estimate is about $19,870 raised for local health care."

For Emergency Preparedness Week (May 4 – 10), communities across the province are offering a variety of events and workshops on how to best be prepared for the unexpected.  

This year’s theme is: Be Prepared. Know Your Risks.  

New mandate called good time to overhaul business risk management programs and other policies that could help agriculture

Prime minister Mark Carney will name his cabinet May 12, and the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute has some advice for the incoming agriculture minister.

Kody Blois from the Nova Scotia riding of Kings-Hants served briefly after Carney replaced Justin Trudeau and is a strong candidate to continue.

Follow all our Federal Election 2025 coverage here

Claresholm Town Council is moving forward with a solar project to offset the cost of utilities for the arena.   

The roughly $513,000 Solar Photovoltaic System project was approved during the April 28 Regular Council Meeting.   

In the spring, the town requested companies to submit project proposals.  

CANTERRA SEEDS recently announced it would be acquiring Alliance Seed, saying the move would strengthen their seed business and expand distribution across Western Canada.

The pedigreed seed operation will continue to operate as a standalone brand under CANTERRA SEEDS’s umbrella, with key staff transitioning to maintain continuity and customer relationships.

Brent Derkatch, CEO of CANTERRA SEEDS says Alliance Seed has built an impressive portfolio and a network supported by committed seed growers. 

It appears the recent trade tensions between the U.S. and China are delaying the proposed merger between Bunge and Viterra.

China has not yet approved the $34 billion merger between the two ag giants. 

The deal has received antitrust clearance from the European Union and Canada, but the transaction remains stalled in China
 due to what many people say is a result of trade tensions between the United States and China.

The merger was originally announced in 2023.