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  • Okotoks residents encouraged to connect across cultures during Welcoming Week

    "Connecting the dots" in Okotoks, one culture at a time.

    Okotoks is participating in the international Welcoming Week campaign, which aims to bring together newcomers, immigrants, and longtime residents. The campaign, running from Sept. 10 to 19, encourages communities to create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to meet and build relationships.

    Stacey Trim, Foothills Local Immigration Partnership Coordinator, explained that the intent behind Welcoming Week is to connect with neighbors who have moved to Okotoks from around the world and let them know they are welcomed in the community.

    • A Social Gathering will take place at the Okotoks Public Library on Sept. 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., providing an informal opportunity for residents to meet and chat.
    • A cross-cultural movie night will be held at the Okotoks Cinema on Sept. 18, featuring the film Blinded by the Light, which was intentionally selected to represent multiple cultures.

    Admission to the movie night will be free, with popcorn and pop provided. The Rowan House Society will have a donation bin available for shelf-stable food items.

    Trim emphasized the importance of events like Welcoming Week in finding connections, building community, and celebrating multiculturalism. She noted that connecting across cultures can also help residents better understand their community and create a healthy, friendly, and welcoming environment.

  • Okotoks Skating Community Rallies Around Coach Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer

    It's clear that Okotoks' skating community is "on thin ice" when it comes to supporting their beloved coach, Milara Okabe.

    The Okotoks skating community is coming together to support one of their own, Milara Okabe, a 22-year-old skating coach who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that begins in glandular cells and can affect different parts of the body.

    The Okotoks Skating Club (OSC) has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Okabe and her family as they navigate treatment. The campaign, which has already reached $91,000, aims to ease some of the financial pressure and allow Okabe to focus on her care and well-being.

    OSC is also collecting cards from skaters, where Okabe’s students can write, draw, or share one of their favorite memories of her. The club will then send a care basket to help brighten Okabe’s days as she continues treatment.

    Okabe’s boyfriend, NHL prospect Austin Roest, has been promoting the GoFundMe campaign and sharing updates on her condition. The hockey community has also rallied around Okabe, with publications like the Daily Mail, E! News, and New York Post Sports sharing the story.

    Okabe announced the news of her diagnosis on Sept. 3, saying there is a lot of fear of the unknown, but that she is extremely lucky to have her friends and family. She expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported her in any way.

  • RCMP seek Okotoks-area woman in Wanted Wednesday campaign

    Keith's whereabouts are a "crime" to know.

    A woman with ties to Okotoks is featured in the Alberta RCMP’s latest Wanted Wednesday campaign. Lindsay Ann Keith is wanted by police in connection with various crimes.

    According to the RCMP, Keith’s last known location is High River, but she is known to frequent Nanton, High River, Okotoks, Diamond Valley, and Foothills County.

    The RCMP warns the public not to approach Keith if she is seen. Anyone with information on Keith or her whereabouts is encouraged to contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) to remain anonymous.

    For more information on the RCMP’s Wanted Wednesday campaign, visit the RCMP’s Facebook page.

  • Okotoks man faces assault charges, 16 firearms seized from family home

    The man's gun troubles are firing up a court case.

    An intimate partner violence incident in Okotoks led to the seizure of 16 firearms from a family home, according to the Okotoks RCMP.

    On July 27, at approximately 1 p.m., the Okotoks RCMP responded to a report of an incident in the D’Arcy community.

    During the response, police observed three firearms that were unsafely stored in the house, with children present.

    A search warrant was issued, resulting in the seizure of 16 firearms.

    A 37-year-old Okotoks man was arrested and charged with careless storage of a firearm, assault against an intimate partner, and mischief under $5,000.

    The man was held for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing and was released with conditions.

    His next court appearance is scheduled for September 11 in Okotoks.

    The name of the man will not be released to protect the identities of the victim and children involved.

  • Okotoks Public Library hosts free vehicle maintenance workshop for newcomers

    "Gear-ing up" for success in Okotoks.

    A free workshop aimed at helping newcomers learn the basics of vehicle maintenance is returning to Okotoks. Car Maintenance 101, hosted by the Foothills Community Immigrant Services (FCIS) and the Foothills Local Immigration Partnership (FLIP), will take place on September 12 at the Okotoks Public Library from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

    The workshop follows a previous sold-out session in June and is designed to help participants learn basic maintenance skills, including tire and brake awareness, vehicle safety checks, and when to seek professional help.

    The session will be led by John Patrick Ballon, an immigrant from the Philippines with experience in the auto repair industry, whose family owns an auto repair shop.

    Admission is free, but registration is required. The workshop is made possible through funding by Okotoks Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).

    For more information and to register, visit the Okotoks Public Library website.

  • Okotoks community comes together to name Kingfisher Lodge

    The kingfisher's got a new nest to call home.

    On September 8, the Okotoks community gathered for the Kingfisher Lodge Naming Ceremony, a celebration of connection, community, and culture. The ceremony was led by Mike Bruised Head, who opened with prayers and was followed by words from Mayor Tanya Thorn and Foothills School Division Board of Trustees Chair Theresa Letendre.

    The ceremony featured a pipe ceremony and a painting ceremony, where Monica Crane, principal at Cameron Crossing School, was chosen to receive the paint and represent the name Kingfisher Lodge. Crane was given the Blackfoot name Siikamm, meaning crane, as part of the ceremony.

    Kingfisher Lodge is a shared gathering place designed for learning, connection, and community events, and is a partnership between the Town of Okotoks and Foothills School Division. The name was chosen to reflect the connection to the land, the Blackfoot territory, and the community being built.

    “It’s an amazing opportunity for us to come together and celebrate education for all peoples of Alberta,” said Crane. “Today was extra special because I was given my own Blackfoot name to carry as part of the painting ceremony.”

    Following the ceremony, attendees shared berry soup and Bannock. The event was seen as more than just naming a building, but as a celebration of the relationships and trust that have made the moment possible.

    “It is about the journey that has brought this place together, and the trust, learning, and generosity that have made this moment possible,” said Letendre. “Relationships grounded in respect, in listening, in curiosity, in humility, and in a willingness to learn from perspectives beyond our own.”

  • Lane closure planned for Big Rock Trail pathway construction in Okotoks

    It's a rock-solid plan for a smoother commute!

    A section of Big Rock Trail in Okotoks will be reduced to one lane this week as crews begin working on a new pathway connection.

    The closure will affect the south side of Big Rock Trail between Southridge Drive and Westland Road, starting today (Sept. 8).

    The project involves building a new pathway extension along the south side of Big Rock Trail near the Ford dealership, connecting the existing pathway from Westland Road to Westland Street.

    • Crews will be on site weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Residents should expect traffic delays during peak travel times.

    The Town of Okotoks notes that pedestrians will not be impacted due to an existing connection along the north side.

    The pathway extension is part of ongoing work to connect the existing Tillotson Phase 1 pathway along Big Rock Trail, making a full connection from Southridge Drive to Sheep River Boulevard.

    Drivers are reminded to slow down, use caution while in the area, and follow posted signs and detours.

    The project is expected to be completed by Oct. 3.

  • Okotoks residents encouraged to participate in annual Community Food Drive

    Food for thought – let's fill those donation bags!

    The Okotoks Food Bank is gearing up for its annual Community Food Drive, which takes place this September. Residents are being asked to fill donation bags with non-perishable food and household essentials to help stock the food bank shelves.

    Volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will deliver donation bags to homes throughout Okotoks starting September 12. Residents are asked to fill the bags and leave them in a visible spot by 9 a.m. on September 19 for volunteers to collect.

    Last year’s Community Food Drive collected over 30,000 lbs. of food for the Okotoks Food Bank. The most needed items include canned meat, tuna, fruit, baked beans, spaghetti sauce, baby and children’s snacks, and personal hygiene items.

    Before donating, residents are asked to check best-before dates to help volunteers spend less time sorting and more time getting food to families. Donations will be collected by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteers and brought to the Okotoks Food Bank for sorting.

    For more information on the Community Food Drive, visit the Okotoks Food Bank website.

  • 72 km/h speeder caught in Okotoks school zone, faces $596 fine

    Speeding through school zones is a "slow" way to learn a lesson.

    On September 4, a traffic enforcement operation was conducted by Okotoks RCMP Traffic Services and Okotoks Municipal Enforcement along Big Rock Trail, a busy route near Okotoks schools. The operation aimed to ensure drivers were adhering to speed limits in school zones.

    During the enforcement, officers identified a driver travelling at 72 km/h in a posted 30 km/h school zone. The motorist was issued a $596 fine for exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 km/h in a school zone and received four demerit points.

    According to the Okotoks RCMP, school zones are high-risk areas where children can be difficult to see and may act unpredictably. The police emphasize the importance of slowing down and remaining attentive to keep students, families, and other road users safe.

    As students return to school, the Okotoks RCMP and Okotoks Municipal Enforcement will continue to conduct traffic safety initiatives to promote safe driving behaviors and improve road safety in the community.

    Key safety tips for drivers include reducing speed, being alert while travelling through school zones, and paying attention to crosswalks, intersections, and areas where children may be entering or leaving the roadway.

  • Okotoks Residents Can Recycle Batteries Curbside Starting September 14

    Batteries are charged to be recycled.

    A new initiative is set to make it easier for Okotoks residents to recycle their household batteries. The Town of Okotoks has partnered with Call2Recycle Canada to launch a three-year pilot curbside battery collection program, which will run for two weeks each fall.

    The program, which starts on September 14 and runs until September 25, will accept most single-use household batteries weighing less than five kilograms, including AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt batteries. Residents can place used household batteries in a sealed plastic bag and leave it on top of their black cart on their regular garbage collection day.

    According to Jason London, Waste Solutions manager for the Town of Okotoks, the new program aims to make it easier for residents to safely dispose of batteries and keep them out of waste carts. “It’s a simple action that helps protect our collection crews, facilities and environment, while supporting a more convenient recycling service for the community,” he said.

    The Okotoks Eco Centre and participating private drop-off locations will continue to accept used batteries throughout the pilot. For more information on the program and what can be recycled, visit the Town of Okotoks website.