okotoks.news

Tag: Public Safety

  • 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.

  • High River murder case scheduled for Okotoks court appearance

    The case now moves from High River to Okotoks court, where the next steps will be heard.

    A High River man charged with second-degree murder is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks on July 31.

    High River RCMP responded at 9:24 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, to a disturbance at a residence on 112 Street E. Officers found 36-year-old Cayla Bleeker of High River suffering from gunshot wounds.

    EMS took Bleeker to High River General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

    RCMP said a male suspect was arrested immediately. The Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit later took over the investigation.

    Police charged 36-year-old Jarrett Stobbe of High River with second-degree murder. He was remanded into custody after a judicial interim release hearing.

    RCMP said officers had also been called to the same residence earlier that evening, at 5:54 p.m., after the suspect made allegations involving the victim. Police said they investigated and found the allegations were unfounded.

    Alberta RCMP offered condolences to Bleeker’s loved ones.

  • Okotoks RCMP seize vehicle after Tuesday morning impaired driving report

    This Highway 2 stop kept a bad trip from going any farther.

    Okotoks RCMP say a driver was taken off the road Tuesday morning after reports of dangerous driving on Highway 2.

    Police received reports at about 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, that a vehicle was travelling north toward Calgary while speeding and being driven erratically.

    Okotoks RCMP traffic officers, with help from High River RCMP, found and stopped the vehicle on Highway 2 before it reached Calgary.

    During the investigation, officers noted signs of impairment and conducted a Standardized Field Sobriety Test. Police said the results led them to believe the driver was impaired by a drug, and the driver was later assessed by a Drug Recognition Expert.

    The driver received an Immediate Roadside Sanction, including a 30-day vehicle seizure, a licence suspension and applicable fines.

    Okotoks RCMP said reports from the public helped officers respond to the incident.

  • Woman charged in firearm investigation tied to homicide of Okotoks woman Madisson Cobb

    Investigators are still tracing every barrel of evidence.

    Calgary police have laid another charge in connection with the 2025 homicide of Madisson Cobb, a 23-year-old Okotoks woman who was fatally shot in Calgary.

    According to the Calgary Police Service, investigators have charged Reanna Mader, 38, of Calgary, with firearms trafficking. Police allege she helped arrange the sale of a firearm that was later used in Cobb’s death.

    Police said officers were called at about 4:30 p.m. on July 19, 2025, after reports of gunfire in a parking garage at The Shops at Heritage on Macleod Trail S.W. Cobb was found with gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Devon Bradley Malik, 27, was arrested two days later and charged with first-degree murder.

    The firearm used in the homicide was later recovered with its serial number removed, prompting a separate investigation by the Calgary Police Service Firearms Investigative Team.

    On Feb. 3, investigators searched a home on 16 Avenue S.W. and seized seven firearms, several air guns and ammunition. Gordon Kesh Cameron, 44, was arrested on April 28 and charged with firearms trafficking, failing to report a firearm lost or stolen, and possession of prohibited devices.

    Mader was arrested on June 9 and has been released from custody. She is scheduled to appear in court on July 9.

    Calgary police said the homicide investigation remains focused on anyone alleged to have had a role in the firearm’s movement before Cobb’s death.

  • Okotoks limits facility access after criminal charges tied to child exploitation investigation

    That is the local angle, with no need to headline in circles.

    The Town of Okotoks says it has issued a trespass notice barring access to Town facilities following recent criminal charges connected to an Okotoks RCMP investigation into possession of child sexual exploitation materials.

    The Town said the matter is now before the courts, and decisions about release conditions and court proceedings are handled through the judicial system. Public safety responsibilities remain with law enforcement.

    Municipal officials said they are working with Okotoks RCMP to stay informed and share verified information with residents as it becomes available. The Town also said it is seeking clarity about community concerns over the coming 63 days.

    Residents are being asked to avoid speculation, remain respectful, and not take action themselves. Anyone with information or safety concerns can contact Okotoks RCMP at 403-995-6400.

    <PUN: The Town is keeping this response within its jurisdictional bounds.

  • Sheep River flow easing as Okotoks keeps stream advisory active

    The river may be running high, but Okotoks is trying to keep residents current.

    The Town of Okotoks says the Sheep River is continuing to drop, though a high streamflow advisory remains in effect for the Sheep River basin.

    As of 9 a.m. on June 4, the river had fallen another 0.35 metres and was flowing at 76.89 cubic metres per second. The town said levels were continuing to taper.

    Okotoks remains in Stage 1, or High Stream Advisory, under its Emergency Management Plan. The town’s emergency management team is continuing to monitor river conditions.

    The Sheep River peaked on June 2 at 188.65 cubic metres per second before beginning to decline. Earlier in the week, heavy rain and a special weather statement from Environment Canada had prompted the town to activate Stage 1.

    Residents are being asked to stay away from the river and nearby areas while water remains high and fast-moving. The town says riverbanks may be unstable, and debris can be carried downstream.

    Residents were also reminded to reduce flood risk around their properties by clearing eavestroughs and downspouts, directing water away from foundations, checking sump pumps and backflow valves, and watching for pooling water in low-lying areas.

    Free sandbags are available at the Okotoks Operations Centre parking lot at 1118 N Railway St. The town also directs residents to its flood planning page.

  • Okotoks RCMP urge lawful response after accused man released on conditions

    In a case this serious, staying within the lines matters.

    Okotoks RCMP say they are addressing public concern after Corey Airhart, a local man charged with possessing and accessing child sexual abuse material, was released from custody by the courts following a judicial interim release hearing.

    Police said Airhart’s release includes court-ordered conditions intended to protect community safety.

    Those conditions include:

    • He must stay at least 50 metres away from public swimming areas, schools and school yards, daycares, playgrounds, youth shelters, public libraries, and any place where children under 16 may be present.
    • He must not communicate directly with anyone under 16.
    • He must not possess devices with internet access or cameras.

    RCMP said they understand residents may have strong concerns about the case, but police have received reports of threats and comments suggesting some people may try to act outside the law.

    Police said threats, harassment, intimidation, or vigilante actions are illegal and will be investigated. Residents are being asked to raise concerns through lawful and respectful means.

    Okotoks RCMP said they will continue to monitor the situation.

  • Okotoks-area representatives comment after child exploitation charge

    For Okotoks residents looking for answers, this case has put bail reform back on the docket.

    Local elected officials have issued statements after an Okotoks man was charged in a child exploitation investigation.

    Corey Airhart was charged on May 26 with possession of child pornography and accessing child pornography. After his arrest, he was held for a judicial interim release hearing and was later released from custody by the court.

    The arrest and release became public on June 3. Statements from the Town of Okotoks, Okotoks RCMP, Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson and Foothills MP John Barlow followed on June 4.

    Sigurdson said he has heard concerns from residents about safety and security, particularly in a smaller community. He encouraged residents with questions to contact his office.

    Sigurdson said he would not comment on the specific case while it is before the courts, but said he supports broader changes to the justice system and stronger bail measures. He noted that bail legislation is under federal jurisdiction and said he wants residents’ concerns in Highwood reflected in federal law.

    Barlow said he and his office were disturbed by the allegations. He said people charged and convicted of such offences should be held accountable under the law.

    Barlow criticized federal justice legislation, including Bills C-5 and C-75, saying he believes they weakened bail and sentencing rules. He also pointed to a Conservative proposal called the “Jail Not Bail” act, which he said would have made public safety the main consideration in bail decisions and required violent offenders to show why they should be released.

    Barlow also referenced Bill C-291, a Conservative bill dealing with child sexual abuse and exploitation material that passed in 2024. He encouraged residents with questions or concerns to contact his office.

  • Highwood and Sheep rivers still under advisory as flows ease

    For now, Okotoks residents should let caution flow downstream.

    The Highwood River and Sheep River remained under a high streamflow advisory Friday morning, with water levels still above normal but continuing to decline as rainfall eased in the region.

    According to Alberta River Basins preliminary reports, the Highwood River below the Little Bow Canal was flowing at 100 cubic metres per second at 10:05 a.m. Friday, down from 109 cubic metres per second at 6 p.m. Thursday. Its level was 2.355 metres at 10 a.m.

    The Sheep River at Okotoks was reported at 60.88 cubic metres per second at 10:30 a.m. Friday, compared with 66.19 cubic metres per second Thursday evening.

    Okotoks remained in Stage 1, High Stream Advisory, under its Emergency Management Plan. The town’s emergency management team was continuing to monitor river levels.

    Residents were advised to avoid the rivers and nearby areas while water remains high and fast-moving. Unstable riverbanks and downstream debris can pose hazards.

    Some high streamflow advisories elsewhere in Alberta were being lifted gradually. Alberta River Basins forecasters expected a fast-moving weather system to bring 10 to 30 millimetres of precipitation this weekend to an area between Sundre and Edmonton, with scattered showers possible across much of the province.

  • Foothills County included in regional wildlife movement study

    This project is helping wildlife stay on the right track.

    A conservation project in the Calgary region is collecting data on how wildlife moves through developed and high-traffic areas, including parts of Foothills County.

    The Miistakis Institute has launched Nature’s Network, building on the Calgary Connect wildlife camera monitoring project. The initiative uses trail cameras near known animal-vehicle collision hotspots to track wildlife activity and identify areas where road safety measures may be needed.

    The project is intended to help map important habitats, movement corridors for land mammals, and priority locations for wildlife-road mitigation. Miistakis says the information can support efforts to maintain ecological connections while improving safety for both animals and people.

    Nature’s Network also uses amphibian information gathered through acoustic recording units to help identify key wetland habitats and links between wetlands.

    The institute says understanding where natural connections remain in urban and regional landscapes is important for deciding how to protect them.