HighRiver

A local charity was recently presented with a cheque from Tim Hortons.

Baby It’s Cold Outside (BCO) was this year’s beneficiary of the Smile Cookie campaign in Okotoks, which ran from April 28 to May 4.

Over the course of the week, 8,238 cookies were sold, raising $16,725 for the organization.

BCO is dedicated to ensuring Foothills residents have access to basic necessities and mental health support.

The charity’s president, Pamela Morgan, said community support has allowed BCO to grow significantly and, in turn, help more people.

Town councillor and local business owner Brenda Walsh has officially entered the race to become High River’s next mayor.

First elected to council in 2021, Walsh is now looking to bring what she calls a more people-focused approach to municipal leadership.

"I believe that it's time for a change in leadership that's inclusive, transparent, and collaborative," said Walsh. "In a lot of cases, it isn't just about politics, it's about progress. It's about working side by side and building a stronger, more connected High River."

The move is part of the Canola Council of Canada's new strategic framework, 'Canola Forward: A Strategic Framework for 2025-2030.'

The news came in a press release announcing the new framework. Chris Davison, president & CEO, says the framework is focused on priorities identified by the Canadian canola industry and is aligned to help the industry seize emerging opportunities while navigating changing industry and trade dynamics.

An audit of Alberta medical clinics charging membership fees found no significant cases of patients paying out of pocket for covered medical treatment but paying members are likely getting more thorough care.

The province launched the audit in 2023 in response to concerns over a Calgary medical clinic switching to a membership model and planning to charge annual fees of about $5,000 for families and $2,000 for an adult.

The Calgary Police are looking for help identifying suspects involved in a break-in in the Sundance neighbourhood of Calgary.

At roughly 4:20 a.m. on Friday, July 18, two people allegedly forced their way into the storage garage of the Lake Sundance community centre, which is located at 62 Suncrest Way S.E.

Once they were inside, it's believed they took a 2024 Gator utility vehicle and drove it into an alleyway roughly two blocks north, near Sunhurst Crescent S.E.

With it being the Heritage Day Long weekend in Alberta, there is plenty to do in the Foothills.

Let's check out what's happening:

Friday, August 1:

In Okotoks, as part of the Nooks & Crannies Festival, there is art hidden in various parts of town. The art pieces will be on display until Aug. 23, and people are able to check them out for free.

It’s the Heritage Day long weekend, and there are planned facility closures in High River for the Civic Holiday on Monday, Aug. 4.  

The closures include the High River Town Office, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Resource Centre, Greater Foothills Family Centre, Public Works Administration Office, Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex, and the Recycling Centre.  

With it being the Heritage Day long weekend in Alberta, there will be facility closures in Okotoks on Monday.

Due to the holiday, the Municipal Centre and Operations Centre, Fire Station No. 1 and the RCMP/Municipal Enforcement offices, the Okotoks Eco Centre, the Okotoks Art Gallery, the Okotoks Museum & Archives, the Okotoks Public Library, and the Okotoks Family Resource Centre will all be closed on Monday, Aug. 4.

Meanwhile, the Okotoks Rec Centre and Natural High will be open, but only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nanton Round-Up Days is returning this weekend.

According to the Nanton Mayor, Jennifer Handley, there is plenty happening all weekend long.

"Every day has numerous events that are happening, all planned by local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce and the volunteers here in town," Mayor Handley explains. "We've got a rodeo that's happening Friday to Monday. We've got our parade that happens on Monday morning."

They also have fireworks on the Sunday evening, as well as the Chili Cook-Off.

Unionized workers at Canada Post are entering their final day to vote on the Crown corporation's latest contract offer.

Voting is set to wrap up today at 5 p.m., with results expected to be shared shortly after.

The offer includes wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years but also adds part-time workers that Canada Post has said are necessary to keep the postal service afloat.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has urged the roughly 55,000 postal service workers it represents to reject the proposal.