Airdrie

A government push to steer Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 mail workers toward common ground hit a big pothole Monday.

As an increasingly acrimonious impasse drags on, Canada Post rejected a framework put forward by the union for a binding arbitration process, which Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asked the parties to work toward just five days earlier.

Alberta Parks has issued a bear warning for the Burstall Pass Trail and surrounding areas in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park after a close encounter and multiple grizzly bear sightings near the trailhead.

The advisory took effect June 8 and remains in place until further notice.

Affected areas include the Burstall Pass Trail, Burstall Pass Day Use area, and the surrounding area of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.

"Although an advisory is in place for this area, bears can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis Region at any time," Alberta Parks stated.

Thijs Gordon Vogelzang, a Crossfield resident and former educational assistant previously employed by Rocky View Schools, was sentenced to 258 days in custody for possession of child pornography. With 168 days credited as time already served, he has 90 days remaining.

Related Stories:

• Local man previously arrested on child pornography offences has trial date set

Sixty-three per cent of respondents in Alberta say there is an even split between those downsizing and those opting to stay in their current homes, according to a Royal LePage survey released May 27.

The figure was the highest reported among provinces cited. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, 46 per cent of respondents said most retirees are choosing to downsize. In Ontario and Quebec, 24 per cent said most are staying in their current homes.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has ordered the closure of a whirlpool at the CottageClub Ghost Lake Recreation Centre in Rocky View County after three bacteriological water samples exceeded the allowable bacterial count under provincial pool standards.

A verbal closure order was issued on June 5, 2025. A written order of an executive officer followed the next day.

The affected facility is the whirlpool located at 501 CottageClub Drive inside the CottageClub Ghost Lake Recreation Centre.

A fire ban is now in effect for all of Mountain View County as of Monday, June 9.

"This requires that all outdoor fires presently burning be extinguished and the lighting of any outdoor fires is banned," the county stated in its advisory. "The only exceptions currently are internal household fireplaces; barbeques; and AER flaring."

The advisory clarified that propane appliances are "deemed as acceptable for use," but cautioned users to exercise "extreme caution for any type of ignition source during a fire ban."

The ongoing wildfire situation stretches from northern Ontario right across the prairies, with the threat to homes and communities and thousands of people being evacuated.

The Assistant Vice-President of Grain for CN, David Przednowek, says they are monitoring the situation very closely as their rail lines run through the north.

CN reports they've had some delays moving grain in and out of the Port at Thunder Bay but are also doing what they can to help with the wildfires. 

Three Airdrie firefighters climbed 57 storeys — 1,370 steps — at Brookfield Place in Calgary on Sunday, joining more than 400 others in the annual Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge. The event raises funds for cancer support programs through Wellspring Alberta and for firefighter wellness through the Firefighters Assistance Charitable Society.

Defence lawyers representing five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team have begun their final submissions to the judge overseeing the players' sexual assault trial.

Prosecutors will follow later this week with their submissions to Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia, who will then set a date to deliver her ruling.

Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Callan Foote have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.

McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

Owen George was a 21-year-old lacrosse player from Cochrane — a quiet leader, a loyal friend, and remembered by one teammate simply as a brother.

He played offence for the Junior B Rockyview Silvertips in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League and was drafted in 2020, following years in the Rockyview Rage system. The Silvertips are based out of Airdrie after moving from Cochrane in 2024.

George died on Saturday, May 31. The team confirmed it publicly in a social media post published Tuesday, June 3.