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Category: Community

  • Rowan House urges Okotoks-area residents to seek support after domestic homicide of woman who grew up near town

    They’re saddling up support for those who need a stable place to turn.

    Rowan House Society is reminding residents of Okotoks and surrounding Foothills communities that help is available for anyone experiencing domestic violence, following the death of a woman who grew up in the area.

    Cayla Bleeker, 36, died July 28 in what police describe as a domestic homicide at a High River residence. She was the mother of two young daughters and their sole provider. Bleeker grew up in the Foothills around Okotoks, where her love of horses and country life helped shape her, according to her obituary.

    A celebration of life is being held at the DeWinton Riding Club on Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to an animal welfare organization or a domestic violence support service.

    Jarrett Stobbe, 36, of High River has been charged with second-degree murder. Police say Stobbe called 911 at 9:24 p.m. on July 28, and responding officers found Bleeker suffering from gunshot wounds. She later died at High River General Hospital.

    Rowan House Society said the tragedy is a reminder that domestic violence can affect any family, in any neighbourhood, at any time. The organization stressed that safety begins with awareness, and that recognizing the signs of abuse, knowing where to turn for help, and having access to supportive resources can save lives.

    The society offers emergency shelter, a 24-hour support line at 403-652-3311, safety planning, outreach programs, children’s supports, and community education. It serves communities across southern Alberta, including the Okotoks area.

    “While we cannot change what has happened, we can work together to prevent future tragedies through education, awareness, early intervention, and accessible support services,” the society said.

  • Okotoks RCMP respond to fatal drowning near Foothills County campground

    These tragedies are a sobering reminder that cliff jumping can be a leap of no faith.

    A 35-year-old man from Mexico drowned Saturday afternoon after jumping from a cliff into the water near Nature’s Hideaway Family Campground in Foothills County, according to Okotoks RCMP.

    Police were called at about 12:23 p.m. on Aug. 1 following a report of a missing swimmer. Witnesses said the man jumped from a cliff and did not resurface.

    Okotoks RCMP and Foothills Fire and Emergency Services responded, with assistance from a Calgary Police Service helicopter. The man was located in the water and pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

    RCMP warned against cliff jumping, citing strong currents and submerged rock hazards that may not be visible from the surface.

    In a separate incident the same day, a 33-year-old Rocky View County man drowned at Quarry Lake in Canmore. Canmore RCMP said the man was swimming without a life jacket when he went under and did not resurface. His body was also taken to the medical examiner.

    Police extended condolences to the families and friends of both victims and reminded the public to make water safety a priority.

  • Okotoks to welcome 200 motorcycles as PTSD fundraiser Rolling Barrage arrives Aug. 19

    It’s a rolling fundraiser that really puts the “cycle” in “recycle” — turning miles into mental‑health support.

    About 200 motorcycles will reach Okotoks on Aug. 19 as part of the 10th‑anniversary Rolling Barrage cross‑Canada ride supporting PTSD programs.

    The annual coast‑to‑coast journey began Aug. 1 in St. John’s, N.L., with 142 full‑route riders this year — up from the usual 40 — and will finish Aug. 22 in Aldergrove, B.C. Casual riders joining along the way are expected to bring the Okotoks contingent to roughly 200 motorcycles.

    Rob Calvert, co‑coordinator of the Okotoks reception, said participants include former military members, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency workers. Since 2016 the ride has raised more than $600,000 for PTSD initiatives across Canada.

    Riders are expected to travel down Veterans Way around 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 19, followed by a community reception at the Viking Rentals Centre supported by the Town of Okotoks. The following morning they will head to Diamond Valley for breakfast at the Turner Valley Legion before continuing to Cranbrook, B.C.

    Okotoks Legion Branch 291, which is organizing the local reception, is contributing $2,000 toward fuel costs. Calvert noted that fuel expenses for the cross‑country trip will exceed $100,000 this year, with some costs covered by riders themselves and some by sponsors.

    Calvert, who is vice‑president of training with Veterans Elite Drone Training Services, plans to capture drone footage of the motorcycles on Veterans Way and will ride with the group on Aug. 20 as far as the Highway 1 turnoff toward Radium Hot Springs before returning to assist with post‑event cleanup.

  • Okotoks Recreation Centre and local rivers offer ways to beat the Heritage Day heat

    Hope everyone has a splashing good long weekend.

    With Heritage Day weekend temperatures expected to hit the mid-30s on Saturday, Okotoks residents have several nearby options to cool off, from local pools to the Sheep River.

    The Okotoks Recreation Centre is running public swim sessions throughout the long weekend. Saturday hours are 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m., Sunday from 12:30 to 5 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. A Public Toonie Swim is also available earlier in the day.

    For those who prefer the outdoors, the Sheep River in Okotoks provides wading spots along local pathways. However, the High River Fire Department cautions that rivers can be unpredictable after recent high water levels. They advise checking conditions before entering, wearing a lifejacket regardless of swimming ability, and closely supervising children.

    Other nearby outdoor options include the Dr. Lander Memorial Swimming Pool and Spray Park in Diamond Valley, with public swim from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and holiday hours on Monday. The Tom Hornecker Recreation Centre in Nanton is also offering open swim times, including a free public swim from 1 to 8 p.m. on Heritage Day Monday.

    For a beach experience, Little Bow Provincial Park is just over an hour from Okotoks, with a sandy beach on Travers Reservoir. In Calgary, the Sikome Aquatic Facility at Fish Creek Provincial Park offers a supervised beach for a fee.

    Wading areas are available at Lake McGregor, Ghost Lake Provincial Recreation Area, Chain Lakes Provincial Park, and Pine Coulee Reservoir, though these locations do not have designated swimming beaches.

  • Okotoks opens cooling stations and extends spray park hours during heat warning

    We hope residents find these cooling stations a breeze to use.

    The Town of Okotoks has opened several air-conditioned cooling stations and extended spray park hours in response to a heat warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada. The stations will be available from Wednesday, July 29 through Tuesday, August 4 during regular business hours.

    Residents can find relief at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, Okotoks Municipal Centre, Viking Rentals Centre, Okotoks Public Library, Okotoks Art Gallery, and the Okotoks Museum & Archives. Free water bottles are provided at all locations. Town officials also noted the spaces can offer a break from poor air quality.

    The Okotoks Spray Park hours have been extended to 9 a.m. through 9 p.m. Residents are advised to check okotoks.ca/getactive for any schedule updates.

    The town shared several safety tips for extreme heat, including avoiding intense outdoor exercise, staying hydrated, wearing loose-fitting clothing and sunscreen, and never leaving people or pets inside a parked vehicle. Residents are urged to check on family, friends, and neighbours who may be alone or without air conditioning.

    Information on recognizing heat-related illness is available through Alberta Health Services. The town also reminded pet owners to watch for hot surfaces and ensure animals have plenty of water, and to call 9-1-1 if an animal is seen in a parked vehicle.

    River safety precautions include wearing a properly fitting life jacket and exercising caution around riverbanks. Swimming in storm ponds is prohibited. The outdoor watering schedule remains in effect, with details at okotoks.ca/water.

  • Okotoks enforcement officers step up pathway patrols as e-dirt bike confusion grows

    It’s a charged topic, but knowing the rules keeps everyone on the right path.

    Okotoks Municipal Enforcement officers are spending more time on local pathways to educate riders about provincial rules for small vehicles, as the popularity of e-scooters and high-powered e-dirt bikes continues to rise.

    The Town of Okotoks is reminding residents that “Sur-Ron style” e-dirt bikes are not legal on any public roads or pathways in the community. These devices, often sold online, do not meet the requirements for street-legal operation under Alberta’s traffic safety laws.

    Rules for e-bikes, e-scooters, mobility aids and other small vehicles are set by the Province of Alberta, not the municipality. The provincial handbook, Rules and Regulations Applying to Small Vehicles, outlines which devices are permitted and where they can be used. Okotoks Municipal Enforcement officers focus on education, safe riding promotion and enforcement of those provincial standards.

    The town urges parents and riders to verify a device’s legal status before purchasing and to discuss safe, lawful riding with children. Officials say every safe choice on roads and pathways helps protect the community.

  • Okotoks RCMP confirm drowning death of 35-year-old man at Nature’s Hideaway Campground

    This tragedy is a sobering reminder that cliff jumping can be a leap of faith with no safety net.

    A 35-year-old man from Mexico died Saturday after jumping from a cliff into the water at Nature’s Hideaway Campground in Foothills County.

    Okotoks RCMP responded to a report of a missing swimmer around 12:23 p.m. Witnesses told police the man did not resurface after the jump.

    Okotoks RCMP, Foothills Fire and Emergency Services, and the Calgary Police Service HAWCS helicopter searched the area and located the man in the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. RCMP offered condolences to the man’s family, friends, and community.

    Police are warning the public to avoid cliff jumping, citing dangers such as submerged rocks that may not be visible from the surface and strong water currents.