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Category: Public Safety

  • Modified hours and closures for Okotoks facilities on Thanksgiving Monday

    We're thankful for the modified hours, but not for the closures!

    The long weekend has arrived, and several Okotoks facilities will have modified hours or be closed on Thanksgiving Monday. The closures include the Municipal Centre, Operations Centre, Fire Station #1, RCMP and Municipal administration offices, Okotoks Eco Centre, Okotoks Art Gallery, Okotoks Museum & Archives, the Okotoks Family Resource Centre, and the Okotoks Public Library.

    However, there will be no disruptions to emergency services during the closure. Some facilities will operate with modified hours, including the Okotoks Recreation Centre and the Fitness Centre, which will be open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

    The walking track at the Viking Rental Centre will be open from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. For those looking to stay active, the drop-in schedule is available here.

  • Okotoks Town Offices Closed for Thanksgiving, Recreation Facilities Open with Modified Hours

    We're thankful for the town's efforts to make the holiday weekend a little more accessible!

    Town of Okotoks residents can enjoy a relaxing Thanksgiving long weekend, with some adjustments to town services. While town administrative buildings will be closed on Monday, October 12, emergency services will remain fully operational, and select recreation facilities will open with modified hours.

    • The Okotoks Recreation Centre will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • The Fitness Centre will also be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • The Viking Rentals Centre and Arenas will have their walking track open from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can check the drop-in schedule for more information.

    The following facilities will be closed on Monday, October 12:

    • Municipal Centre, Operations Centre, and Fire Station No. 1
    • RCMP / Municipal Enforcement
    • Okotoks Eco Centre
    • Okotoks Art Gallery and Okotoks Museum and Archives
    • Okotoks Family Resource Centre

  • Okotoks-area driver faces charges after reaching 195 km/h on Hwy. 2

    Speeding through life, but not through the fine print.

    Foothills County Enforcement Services recently stopped a driver travelling at an excessive speed on Highway 2 near Okotoks. The incident began when an officer observed the vehicle merging onto southbound Highway 2 from Highway 2A at an estimated 150 km/h.

    As the officer attempted to catch up, the vehicle accelerated to 178 km/h, which was confirmed by radar. The driver continued to increase speed, ultimately reaching a maximum speed of 195 km/h in heavy traffic.

    The driver was issued a court summons for speeding and a $243 fine for failing to produce a valid certificate of registration. Foothills County emphasized the dangers of excessive speed, particularly in heavy traffic, and the importance of speed limits in protecting road users.

    According to Foothills County, excessive speed significantly increases the risk of serious collisions, and at high speeds, there is little room for error. The consequences of speeding can be devastating, and the County encourages drivers to adhere to speed limits.

    For those who wish to report excessive speeding or other traffic concerns, the Foothills Enforcement 24-hour complaint line is available at 403-603-6300.

  • Lethbridge pair charged with first-degree murder of Calgary man found in Foothills County

    It looks like justice is burning a hole in the suspects' alibis.

    Two Lethbridge residents have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a Calgary man whose human remains were found in a burned vehicle in Foothills County last winter.

    On February 4, 2026, emergency crews responded to a grass fire south of Eden Valley, where responders found a burned vehicle containing unidentified human remains. The vehicle was later identified as belonging to 24-year-old Frans Faras, a Calgary resident.

    Thirty-seven-year-old Vance Pidborochynski and 30-year-old Shelby Filkowski, both residents of Lethbridge, have been charged with the first-degree murder of Faras. Following judicial interim release hearings and a first appearance in court on October 5, both have been remanded into custody.

    The burned vehicle was discovered after Foothills, Diamond Valley, and High River fire departments responded to a grass fire south of Eden Valley around 8:30 p.m. on February 4, 2026. RCMP Major Crimes took charge of the investigation and asked anyone with information regarding the case to contact local RCMP.

    RCMP previously sought assistance in the investigation, looking for anyone who had surveillance or dashcam footage from February 4, 2026, between 7 and 8:30 p.m. in Foothills County on roads near the intersection of Highway 22 and 540, south of Longview, near the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site.

    Specifically, RCMP was looking for footage of a blue/grey 2022 Dodge Ram pickup with a tonneau cover.

  • Okotoks Food Bank’s truck targeted in catalytic converter theft

    It looks like the food bank's truck was a "hot" target for thieves.

    Volunteers at the Okotoks Food Bank were left stunned after discovering that their truck’s catalytic converter had been stolen from a secure facility on October 1. According to executive director Bente Yanota, the truck was being kept at a secure location with security measures in place, but the thief was still able to saw off the converter in two places.

    The theft has left the food bank to navigate the process of filing a police report and working through insurance to resolve the issue. In the meantime, the food bank has arranged to rent another truck to continue its regular pickups, which are essential to its operations.

    The catalytic converter, which is typically worth between $100 and $1,800 in Calgary, depending on the vehicle make and model, was stolen despite the food bank’s efforts to keep it secure. Yanota has since had to learn more about catalytic converters and is exploring preventative measures, such as etching a vehicle’s VIN into the converter.

    The Okotoks Food Bank will continue to operate as usual while it waits for its truck to be fixed and will receive a rented replacement truck next week. The food bank will also continue collecting donations as it prepares for its Christmas hamper campaigns.

  • Okotoks Fire & Rescue Hosts Fire Prevention Week Open House

    Sparking interest in fire safety is a burning ambition.

    Residents of Okotoks are invited to join Okotoks Fire & Rescue for a free, family-friendly event celebrating Fire Prevention Week. The open house will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 1, located at 132 Milligan Drive.

    Attendees can expect a range of activities, including story time with the Fire Chief, live fire scenarios and demonstrations, and a best-dressed firefighter competition with prizes. Refreshments will also be available on site. Visitors can check out the fire trucks and meet the firefighters while learning more about fire prevention and safety.

    The event coincides with National Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 4 to 10, 2026. This year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe charging is a superpower,” focuses on helping families understand how to safely use and charge battery-powered devices in their homes.

    For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit okotoks.ca/fpw. Please note that visitors are encouraged to park across the street at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, and that fire crews may need to leave the event if emergency calls are received.

  • Okotoks-area Highway 2 collision causes traffic delays

    It's a crash course in traffic delays.

    A two-vehicle collision on southbound Highway 2 near the 306 Avenue East intersection, just south of the Highway 2A turnoff, caused traffic delays north of Okotoks earlier this afternoon.

    Traffic was reduced to one lane in the southbound direction, resulting in slowed northbound traffic in the area as well.

    The collision occurred shortly before noon, prompting an emergency response from crews at the scene.

    No further updates on the crash are currently available.

  • Okotoks facilities adjust hours for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

    It's a day to reflect on the truth, and the Town of Okotoks is taking a step in the right direction.

    Tomorrow, several Town of Okotoks facilities will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by adjusting their hours or closing entirely.

    The Municipal Centre, Operations Centre, Fire Station No. 1 administrative offices, RCMP/Municipal Enforcement offices, Okotoks Eco Centre, Okotoks Art Gallery, Okotoks Museum and Archives, and Okotoks Family Resource Centre will be closed.

    The Okotoks Recreation Centre will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Viking Rentals Centre will have reduced hours from 2:30 to 10 p.m.

    The Town of Okotoks has chosen to officially acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, despite it not being a legislated statutory holiday in Alberta.

    The Town is also hosting a Pipe Ceremony and gathering at the Viking Rentals Centre Events Hall tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon to acknowledge the day.

    For more information on Town of Okotoks facilities and hours, visit this link.

  • Okotoks driver faces six charges after fleeing from traffic stop on Milligan Drive

    Speeding through life, but not through the speed limit.

    A 31-year-old Okotoks resident is in trouble with the law after a high-speed incident on Milligan Drive last week.

    On September 25, at approximately 11 p.m., an Okotoks Municipal Enforcement Peace Officer spotted a vehicle speeding at 140 km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone near the Okotoks Recreation Centre.

    When the officer attempted to pull the driver over, they fled the scene. The Okotoks RCMP were called in to assist, and the driver was eventually apprehended.

    The driver is facing six charges, including excessive speeding, which could result in fines over $700, and a mandatory court summons.

    According to Vik Kulkarni, municipal enforcement manager, the incident highlights the importance of cooperation between Municipal Enforcement and RCMP in responding to dangerous driving.

    “The diligence of our Peace Officer and the prompt RCMP response helped bring this situation to a safe conclusion,” Kulkarni said.

    Cpl. Ryan Edwards with the Okotoks RCMP warned that fleeing from an officer who has activated their emergency lights can result in a Flight from Peace Officer charge.

    “Those driving behaviours put everyone on the road at risk,” Edwards said. “This incident highlights the work being done by our members and Municipal Enforcement in keeping our community safe.”

    Municipal Enforcement and Okotoks RCMP will continue to monitor local roads and respond to dangerous driving incidents.

  • Okotoks resident faces six charges after fleeing traffic stop on Milligan Drive

    Speeding through life, one ticket at a time.

    A 31-year-old Okotoks resident is facing six charges following a dangerous driving incident on Milligan Drive on Friday, September 25. At approximately 11 p.m., an Okotoks Municipal Enforcement Peace Officer observed a vehicle travelling approximately 140 km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone near the Okotoks Recreation Centre. When the officer initiated a traffic stop, the driver fled, prompting the officer to contact the Okotoks RCMP, who responded and assisted in apprehending the driver.

    The charges include excessive speeding, fines totalling more than $700, and the matter will proceed to mandatory court. Driving at nearly three times the posted speed limit puts the driver, passengers, and everyone else using the road at significant risk, with consequences that can be life-changing.

    “Travelling at this speed is extremely dangerous and leaves little room to react if something unexpected happens,” said Vik Kulkarni, municipal enforcement manager. “This incident shows why proactive enforcement, strong partnerships, and effective communication between agencies are so important. The diligence of our Peace Officer and the prompt RCMP response helped bring this situation to a safe conclusion.”

    “Aside from the significant safety risk and financial repercussions of driving carelessly, choosing to take off from a police officer who has their emergency lights activated can also lead to facing charges for Flight from Peace Officer, which is a Criminal Code offence. If convicted of those charges, it means you could start building yourself a Criminal Record,” said Cpl. Ryan Edwards with the Okotoks RCMP. “Those driving behaviours put everyone on the road at risk. This incident highlights the work being done by our members and Municipal Enforcement in keeping our community safe.”

    Traffic safety remains a top community priority with Municipal Enforcement and RCMP continuing to actively monitor Okotoks roads and respond to dangerous driving. Drivers can help protect everyone on the road by obeying posted speed limits, staying focused, and driving for the conditions.

    Residents can report speeding or unsafe driving to Municipal Enforcement at 403-938-8913. If you witness dangerous driving or there is an immediate risk to public safety, call 911. To learn more, visit okotoks.ca/traffic-safety.