Okotoks

With the grazing season underway there are some things producers can look at to help gauge the health of their rangelands. One indicator is the species composition; this includes which species and types of plants you are seeing as well as amount of each species. 3 terms that we often hear when talking about range health are decreaser, increaser, and invader which can be used to describe how plants respond to grazing pressure.

The Old West will be on full display as thousands clad in tassels, boots and buckles march through city streets today to kick off the Calgary Stampede.

Country superstar Shania Twain will saddle up and lead the parade on horseback before performing Saturday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Stampede runs until July 13.

The “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” singer, who was raised in Timmins, Ont., last took the stage at the Stampede in 2014.

Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Blackie region, Siksika and Vulcan County just after 6 p.m. 

They say conditions could lead to severe thunderstorms tonight, producing strong wind gusts and large hail.

Thunderstorms developing near Calgary will move eastward, and some of them may become severe. 

Go to our weather page for the latest. It also includes live radar weather tracking.

Premier Danielle Smith was in Okotoks on Wednesday (July 2) for a public town hall event.

Hundreds attended the event at the Viking Rentals Centre, with the line for entry stretching around the corner of the building.

Many attendees held signs critical of the UCP, including messages like "Hands off our CPP" and "Save Grassy Mountain." Supporters of Smith held signs reading "I stand with Danielle," which were distributed inside the venue.

The Town of Claresholm is reassuring residents that the water in the town remains safe to drink and for daily use.  

The town was made aware that some residents may have noticed an earthy taste or odour in the water.  

“This is a naturally occurring issue, often due to seasonal conditions in the source of water,” the town said in a Facebook post.   

Two coal companies suing Alberta's government over its mining policy flip-flop say they've reached a settlement agreement with the province.

Notices published online by Evolve Power and Atrum Coal dated last month say details are confidential, and no dollar figures are disclosed.

Atrum, in its notice, said its agreement is definitive, though Evolve's notice says the terms of its own settlement are being finalized.

Following an unexpected closure, the pool at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex (BSRC) will remain closed until further notice.  

The facility was closed on June 24 due to an unscheduled heating system shutdown in the mechanical room.    

Repairs to the heating system are now underway, and a reopening update is expected to be announced next week.   

It’s farmers’ market season, and there are several weekly markets across Foothills County to explore.

Here’s a look at some of the local markets happening each week.

High River

Inclusion Foothills runs the High River Farmers' Market, which runs each Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

It's located at 4th Avenue SW, and will run weekly until September 18.

Increased black bear activity has led to a warning from Alberta Parks in K-Country.

According to Alberta Parks, there has been an increase in black bear activity in the Grassi Lakes Trail System and the surrounding area, which has prompted a bear warning to be put in place on July 1.

Even though this advisory is in place for the Grassi Lakes Trail System, Alberta Parks is reminding everyone that bear encounters can occur anywhere in Kananaskis at any time.

Canadian Country music superstar Shania Twain is this year's Calgary Stampede parade marshal, and she'll help kick off this year's 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'.

The iconic parade winds through downtown Calgary on Friday starting at 9 a.m., but watch for road closures by 7:30 a.m.

The parade usually takes a few hours, and then the gates at Stampede Park open at 11 a.m. with free gate entry until 1:30 p.m.

Rodeo action starts at 1:30 p.m. with Ladies Breakaway Roping making its debut this year, bringing the rodeo events now to seven.