HighRiver

Flags are lowered to half-mast across the Foothills today (April 9) to honour the National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

The battle, fought during the First World War from April 9 to 12, 1917, is considered by many as Canada's coming of age.

Part of the larger Battle of Arras in northern France, it saw Canadian forces tasked with capturing the strategic point of Vimy Ridge.

All four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought as one for the first time, capturing the ridge after three gruelling days.

The annual Okotoks Chamber of Commerce's Trade and Lifestyle show brought dozens of local businesses together over the weekend.

Not only were there almost 200 vendors, but the Okotoks Square Artisan Market was also part of the weekend festivities again this year.

Thousands of people poured into the Okotoks Rec Centre for the annual event, however, attendance was a bit down compared to previous years due to the 'summer-like' weather the Foothills experienced. It was the first real summer-like weekend of the year, and many people were busy enjoying it.

The aged, longtime resident grizzly bear in Banff known as 'The Boss' is out of hibernation.

The grizzly, also officially known as Grizzly #122, estimated to be about 20 years old, was spotted on a trail camera by Banff National Park employees on Monday and shared on Facebook.

He's known to be one of the early risers out of hibernation, and you can expect other bears to follow shortly, anywhere in the Rocky Mountains.

The Boss is a bit notorious too, as he's survived being hit by a train and his aggressive behaviour, especially amongst other bears. 

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The Famous 5 exhibit is coming to the High River Library.

The exhibit refers to the five pioneering Alberta women who fought for women to be recognized as persons in Canada.

The Famous 5 Foundation is presenting its 'Trailblazers Tour' right across Alberta this year.

This Saturday, a special 'Pink Tea' celebration is happening between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

'Pink Teas' were once used to disguise social gatherings where women would organize suffragette events without interference from men or other opponents.

The Alberta United Conservative government introduced two bills Tuesday to reduce the self-policing powers of elected public school boards and municipal councils.

One bill, if passed, would cancel local councils' codes of conduct and put an end to any ongoing complaints or sanctions that aren’t before the courts.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver, before introducing the legislation, told reporters that in some cases, codes of conduct had been weaponized to silence dissent on municipal councils.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says Alberta's measles outbreak isn't dire enough for the province's top public health doctor to address the public, despite mounting calls for the government to do more to stop the spread.

Alberta Health Services announced seven new cases of the highly infectious disease Tuesday, bringing the province's confirmed case total to 43 since early March. Cases have been reported in all five provincial health zones.

Canadian producers will have a new way to make sure they can say their product is upholding sustainability, as the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) is unveiling their participation in the Protein PACT Sustainability Framework. The initiative will look to uphold sustainability standards across the country for Canada's beef producers.

Lauren Martin, the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Corporate Council for CMC, says that it was made in cooperation with our southern neighbours.

The leaders of the top three federal parties were campaigning Tuesday in Western Canada, where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promised to crack down on offshore tax loopholes by appointing a tax task force.

The Conservatives said the task force would be asked to make the rules simpler and more fair and would ensure large companies can't "stash their money in offshore tax havens."

There has been a steady rise in the number of people seeking asylum at a major border crossing south of Montreal, border officials said Tuesday amid concerns that Trump administration policies could drive another massive influx of migrants to Canada.

The rise in would-be refugees at the St-Bernard-de-Lacolle crossing coincides with the looming expiration of the temporary status of hundreds of thousands of migrants in the United States.