HighRiver

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.

Despite finding a way to break through the Penticton Vees' defence, the Okotoks Oilers suffered a third loss in the opening round of the BCHL playoffs on Tuesday, April 8.

The Oilers had the home-ice advantage in Game 3 following two prior shutout defeats in Penticton.

The Vees had a 2-0 lead just over five minutes into the first period, with two power-play goals in the second increasing their lead to 4-0.

Construction has officially begun on the Okotoks Pickleball & Tennis Centre.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the occasion on Tuesday, April 8.

Among those in attendance were members of Okotoks Town Council, including Mayor Tanya Thorn, and members of the centre's board.

An online trend surrounding A Minecraft Movie has reached Okotoks Cinemas, prompting action from the local business.

The "chicken jockey" meme is a trend that started over the course of the movie's opening weekend, quickly spreading and escalating to the point where countless theatres have posted signage and even banned unaccompanied minors from viewing the film.

A Minecraft Movie is an adaptation of the immensely popular game and has been the subject of online memes since it was first revealed.

Canadians will have picked their next Prime Minister by the end of the month, so keep an eye out for your voter information card.

Elections Canada is mailing out personalized voter information cards to every registered voter in the country.

This card has information on where and when the person can vote, including the accessibility of their polling location.

Most Canadians who are eligible to vote are already registered in the National Register of Electors, and they should receive the voter information card in the mail by this Friday (April 11).

The Alberta government is planning on updating the Emergency Management Act.

Alberta's robust emergency management system helps to safeguard lives and property in the event of wildfires, floods, and other disasters.

During emergencies, the elected officials and emergency management teams are making difficult decisions to keep Albertans safe.

The Alberta government received feedback from the Public Health Emergencies Governance Review Panel about the Emergency Management Act and is now introducing Bill 49, which includes updates to the Emergency Management Act.

Parking bans are on the way in Okotoks, with street sweeping operations soon to begin in full.

Parking bans were initially declared to begin on April 2, though last week's snowfall caused a delay, with the first closures pushed a week up.

The first set of parking bans will be in place on Wednesday, April 9, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the following locations:

Some electoral signs were recently defaced in Coaldale, which has prompted an RCMP investigation.

Lethbridge Liberal Federal Candidate Chris Spearman took to Facebook on April 6 to let the public know several of his electoral signs were defaced.

Pictures posted by Spearman show swastikas and other symbols spray-painted on his signs near the entrance to Coaldale.

According to a media release from the Coaldale RCMP, during the night of April 5/6, suspects had vandalized and stolen numerous political signs from various locations throughout the town.

Blue Rodeo is now on a Canada Post stamp.

The longtime Canadian staple has toured extensively across the country, winning its way into the hearts of Canadians and music lovers around the world.

The Canadian country-rock-folk band have now been performing for 40 years, having formed in 1984 and first performing live in front of an audience in Toronto back in February of 1985.  

The High River Salvation Army Food Bank shelves are getting low and could use some replenishing.

Community & Family Services Program Manager Shiela MacDonald said food security is getting harder and harder for people in our community.

"So, with inflation going up, we have more clients that are coming in too, so we have fewer donations that are coming in as well which is understandable. So, what the food bank needs right now, and the most common items that people ask for, are juice, rice, coffee, canned fruits, canned pasta, ketchup, cooking oil and jam."