HighRiver

A man has been charged in connection with a hit and run on Siksika Nation that killed two people and left another in critical condition over the weekend.

Gleichen RCMP responded to the incident around 9:30 p.m. on July 26, after a vehicle drove into a group of five people, striking three of them.

On Monday evening (July 28), the RCMP Major Crimes Unit identified the deceased as 27-year-old Trayton Runningbird and 45-year-old Clifton Saddleback.

The third victim, a 45-year-old woman, remains in hospital in critical condition.

The Okotoks Dawgs were set to host the Fort McMurray Giants for a doubleheader on Monday night (July 28), but the games didn’t end up happening.

The matchups were originally scheduled for July 22 but were postponed due to rain.

Rain played a role in Monday’s cancellation too, though for a different reason.

Just before 5 p.m., the Dawgs posted on Facebook announcing that the Giants had forfeited, and that fans would instead be treated to a Dawgs vs. Dawgs matchup.

The WCBL website lists both games as "Away forfeits."

Commuters are dealing with thick fog across much of the Foothills on Tuesday morning (July 29).

Environment Canada has issued a Fog Advisory for parts of Foothills County near Priddis, warning that fog patches are reducing visibility to near zero in some areas.

The advisory was issued early Tuesday and is expected to remain in effect through the morning, with conditions improving by early afternoon.

The Town of Okotoks is warning the public about the effects a plant found in Okotoks has on pets.

Hordeum Jubatum, otherwise known as foxtail barley or bobtail barley, is a perennial plant in the grass family Poaceae, which occurs in the wild in northern North America and northeastern Siberia.

Foxtail Barley is described as being fluffy with green-to-golden seed heads, which can be found around the Town of Okotoks.

These can be problematic for dogs, because the seeds are barbed and can become lodged in the animal's paws, ears, nose, or mouth.

Today marks the start of AgSmart 2025, the educational agriculture expo is now being held at Olds College.

The event falls under the direction of the Agri Trade Equipment Expo Group. Show Manager Tracy Gardner says this year's event is going to look a little different. 

Reproductive health advocates say the federal government's failure to commit to funding pharmacare in all provinces and territories is leaving people with a lot of uncertainty, and could create inequality across the country.

"It's really disappointing, honestly," said Liz Thompson, advocacy lead for Cover Contraception.

"It seems like they don't really know what they're going to do."

Alberta and the union representing thousands of provincial government employees say they have agreed to a new round of mediated bargaining.

Alberta Union of Provincial Employees president Guy Smith says the renewed talks are considered the final opportunity for getting a new deal for some 23,000 government workers after 18 months of bargaining.

Smith credits Finance Minister Nate Horner for stepping in to restart talks and recognizing the importance of continuing negotiations.

The pace of auto theft is dropping in Canada thanks to collective efforts to crack down on thieves, says an industry group focused on insurance fraud and crime.

Équité Association said in a report released Monday that the number of vehicles reported stolen nationally dropped 19.1 per cent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Just over 23,000 vehicles were reported stolen in the first six months of the year in Canada, the report said.

The Siksika Nation Tribal Administration has released a statement regarding the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the lives of two Siksika Nation members and left another with serious injuries on July 26.

The move to accept Australian shipments comes as China conducts an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola

Canada’s canola growers could soon be facing stiff competition in their top seed market.

Reuters is reporting that Australia is close to finalizing an agreement that will reopen the Chinese market to canola shipments from Down Under.

The world’s second-largest canola exporter has been shut out of the largest import market since 2020 due to phytosanitary requirements aimed at preventing the spread of blackleg disease.