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Tag: Okotoks

  • High River homicide suspect due in Okotoks court as fundraiser supports victim’s family

    The community is helping carry the weight, one High River ripple at a time.

    A fundraiser has been started for the family of Cayla Bleeker, a High River mother of two who died after a domestic homicide on July 28.

    The GoFundMe was created by close friend Cory Rockley to help Bleeker’s family with expenses, including possible legal costs.

    Bleeker leaves behind two daughters, ages 10 months and six years. Rockley described her as a single mother and sole provider whose children were central to her life.

    The fundraiser had raised more than $7,000 within 18 hours toward a $24,000 goal.

    Jarrett Stobbe, 36, of High River has been charged with second-degree murder in Bleeker’s death. Police said Stobbe called 911 at 9:24 p.m. on July 28. Officers found Bleeker with gunshot wounds, and she later died at High River General Hospital.

    Stobbe was remanded into custody after being held for a judicial interim release hearing. He is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks on July 31.

  • Air quality warning includes Foothills County near Okotoks as wildfire smoke arrives

    This smoky forecast is a clear reminder to keep the air care front and centre.

    An air quality warning has been issued for parts of the Foothills, including Foothills County near Okotoks and De Winton, as wildfire smoke from British Columbia moves into the region.

    Environment Canada says smoke conditions can change quickly, with air quality and visibility varying over short distances and from hour to hour.

    Residents are being advised to limit time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events as smoke levels rise.

    Officials say mild symptoms can include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches or a mild cough. More serious symptoms can include wheezing, chest pain or a severe cough. Anyone who believes they are having a medical emergency should seek immediate medical help.

    People at higher risk from wildfire smoke include seniors, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with existing illnesses or chronic health conditions, and those who work outdoors.

    Environment Canada recommends keeping windows and doors closed where possible. If extreme heat occurs at the same time as poor air quality, staying cool should take priority.

    Residents are also encouraged to improve indoor air quality by using the best air filter their ventilation system can handle or a certified portable air cleaner that filters fine particles, and to check on neighbours, relatives and others who may be more vulnerable.

    The warning covers several areas, including Kananaskis Improvement District near Highwood House, multiple parts of Foothills County, the M.D. of Willow Creek, the M.D. of Ranchland and the M.D. of Pincher Creek.

  • Okotoks events anchor Heritage Day weekend plans across the Foothills

    With art, baseball and rodeo on deck, the Foothills weekend has all its bases covered.

    Okotoks residents have several local and regional options for the Heritage Day long weekend, with events running from Saturday, Aug. 1, through Monday, Aug. 3.

    In downtown Okotoks, the Nooks and Crannies Festival continues through the weekend with nine installations by local artists using discarded and repurposed materials.

    Families can also try Mouse Adventures, a self-guided scavenger hunt with seven downtown stops inspired by Okotoks author Laurie Carmichael’s The Longtail Brothers Misadventures book series.

    The Okotoks Art Gallery is hosting two family-friendly shows: Colour Your World, where visitors can add to oversized colouring pages, and the annual Members Show and Sale, featuring original work by local gallery members.

    Saturday’s Okotoks events include the free Okotoks Cemetery Tour at 10 a.m. Karen Petres will lead the walk through the older section of the cemetery, with this year’s theme focused on Chinook Country influences and icons.

    The Okotoks Dawgs host the Cactus Rats at Seaman Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. as the Western Canadian Baseball League regular season nears its close. The Dawgs are back at Seaman Stadium Sunday at 2 p.m. against the 57’s.

    Other weekend events in the region include the Millarville Farmers’ Market on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Millarville Racing and Agriculture Society, with more than 100 vendors.

    Nanton Round-Up Days runs all weekend with rodeo events, entertainment and family activities. Saturday includes a morning farmers’ market, a children’s festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., open swim and Nite Rodeo at 5 p.m. Sunday features a free pancake breakfast, festival activities, a chili cook-off, family dance and fireworks. Monday includes parade day, with a pancake breakfast, the Nanton Boosters Parade at 10 a.m., the Bomber Command Museum Engine Run at 2 p.m. and Nanton Nite Rodeo Finals at 3 p.m.

    On Sunday, a backyard concert in Crystalridge will feature musicians Celin and Regina Espina. Tickets are $40 and include desserts and refreshments, with proceeds supporting the performers. More information is available by emailing [email protected].

    On Monday, High River will mark Heritage Day at Sheppard Family Park. Admission is by donation, with a vintage sale, live music, old-time games, blacksmith demonstrations, a barbecue lunch and other activities planned.

  • Okotoks fall recreation registration opens Aug. 6 for residents

    Residents hoping to get active this fall may want to make registration their first exercise.

    Okotoks residents will be able to register for the Town of Okotoks’ fall recreation programs starting Aug. 6 at 8 a.m.

    Registration for non-residents opens one week later, on Aug. 13 at 8 a.m.

    The fall program lineup includes creative, cultural, fitness and recreation options for all ages. Children and youth programs include fitness, wellness, dance, sports, skating, creativity and adaptive options, while adults and seniors will also have fitness and creative programs available.

    The town says its fall program guide will be released soon in digital and print formats. More information will be available through ActiveOkotoks.ca.

  • Okotoks campaign gathers school supplies for Foothills students

    This drive is helping students rule the first day of school.

    MyCityCare Okotoks is collecting school supplies for families who need extra support ahead of the new school year.

    The annual Stuff the Bus campaign gathers backpacks and classroom supplies, which are packed and distributed to hundreds of students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

    Backpacks and general stationery items are being accepted. The organization says rulers, Sharpies and erasers are among the supplies especially needed this year.

    Donations can be dropped off at Foothills Cleaners at 71 Riverside Dr. or McMan Youth, Family and Community Services at 72 North Railway St. Residents can also contribute money or buy items through MyCityCare Okotoks’ online Amazon wish list.

    Donations will be accepted until Aug. 17. Filled backpacks are scheduled to be distributed to families on Aug. 21 and 22.

    Families looking to receive supplies, or residents wanting to donate, can visit MyCityCare’s website.

  • Big Rock Grade 3/4 class gets year-end pizza party

    That class ended the year on a well-earned pizza mind.

    A Grade 3/4 class at Big Rock School received a year-end celebration as Eagle 100.9’s June Classroom of the Month.

    Chantelle Stevens’ Grade 3/4S class was selected for the final Classroom of the Month visit of the school year after being nominated by Kim Mabee.

    The radio station crew brought prizes from program sponsors and lunch from Tom’s House of Pizza for the students before summer break.

    The Classroom of the Month event was sponsored by Tom’s House of Pizza, Cobs Bread, Murray Jeep Ram Chrysler, Kids’ Stop Children’s Centre, Firehouse Subs, Alberta Dance & Drama Academy, Armadillo Acupuncture, Select Floors, Rim 2 Rim Tire Centre, My Pizza Steak House, Music Central, Okotoks Sobey’s, and Carstar.

  • South Railway Street work expected to continue into September in Okotoks

    Railway work can be inconvenient, but this project appears to be staying on track.

    Infrastructure upgrades on South Railway Street in Okotoks are expected to continue until mid-September.

    The source material did not provide further details about the scope of the work, traffic impacts, or specific construction dates.

    A project graphic is available from the Town of Okotoks.

  • Okotoks landfill pilot diverts 21 per cent of construction waste

    Okotoks is building momentum by wasting less.

    A Town of Okotoks pilot project diverted 21 per cent of construction waste from the landfill during its first phase, with officials saying improved sorting could push future diversion rates above 50 per cent.

    The Pop-Up Landfill Pilot Project tested ways to recover and recycle materials from construction and demolition work, which the town says accounts for about 45 per cent of landfill waste.

    The project found that on-site sorting could be added to construction sites without disrupting work. It also identified potential long-term savings through better separation of materials before disposal.

    Azimuth Builders took part in the first phase. Future phases are expected to expand into residential construction, working with Okotoks builders and exploring opportunities with neighbouring municipalities.

    The town says the initiative supports its sustainability, waste reduction and circular economy goals, as well as objectives in its Corporate Business Plan, Environmental Master Plan and Climate Action Plan.

    Builders and developers interested in future waste diversion initiatives can contact the town through okotoks.ca/environment-sustainability.

  • Okotoks Ford Classic Car Show showcases century of Ford vehicles at local dealership

    The show really had a model citizen in attendance.

    Car enthusiasts gathered Saturday at Okotoks Ford Lincoln for the Okotoks Ford Classic Car Show, a free community event featuring classic Ford vehicles spanning more than 100 years of automotive history.

    The dealership on Southridge Drive hosted live music from local blues rock duo Arizona Pony, food trucks, and balloon artists alongside rows of restored and customized vehicles.

    A 1930 Ford Model A Town Sedan was among the displayed classics, with a commemorative puzzle featuring the vehicle available for attendees.

    One notable vehicle was a 1936 Ford coupe owned by Ben Ostrander. According to its display plaque, Ostrander purchased the car in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, in 1950 at age 16. After decades of use followed by years of abandonment, the car underwent extensive restoration and returned to its original owner.

    Other featured vehicles included a red 1957 Ford Thunderbird with its original 312-cubic-inch Y-block V8 engine, and a customized 1957 Ford Custom that had been transformed from its original six-cylinder sedan configuration with a Ford V8 crate engine, four-speed automatic transmission, and multiple custom modifications.

    An attendee in Al Capone costume appeared alongside his classic Ford, adding to the vintage atmosphere.

    The event ranged from early Model A automobiles to modern Ford models.

  • New water pipeline begins limited seasonal service to Okotoks

    For Okotoks, this milestone is a clear sign the future is starting to flow.

    The Town of Okotoks and Foothills County marked a milestone Thursday in the Foothills Okotoks Regional Water Project, celebrating the completion of about 25 kilometres of watermain and the start of interim seasonal water delivery to Okotoks.

    Town, county, regional and provincial representatives gathered for a ceremonial valve turning as water from the new pipeline began flowing in Okotoks.

    The new line connects an interim well on the intake lands to the Okotoks Water Treatment Plant. It will provide limited seasonal water while work continues on the remaining parts of the regional system.

    Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn said the project reflects cooperation between municipalities on a shared regional issue. She said water supply has been a recurring topic for council since she was first elected in 2013, with multiple options and challenges considered over the years.

    Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson said the region has dealt with water constraints for decades, affecting growth, investment, businesses and families. He said the province has committed more than $30.2 million to the project, with another $5.8 million provided through the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

    Foothills County Deputy Reeve Suzanne Oel said the county is working on another part of the system known as Pipe D, and that its water treatment plant is expected to come online this summer. She said the broader regional project is expected to expand water service to additional areas as it is completed.