Local News Stories Making Headlines From June 12 - June 25, 2025

The Olds Municipal Library is a good deal, saving about $3.5 million for the community, returning about $6.10 for every dollar invested, library manager Lesley Moody says. 

Council

A Chance For Olds Residents To Say What Town's Priorities Should Be 

Residents are urged to provide feedback on what they believe priorities should be for things like service levels, funding priorities and infrastructure planning, via the municipality’s annual budget engagement survey, now live on the town’s website. 

Residents can complete the survey online by visiting http://www.olds.ca/engagement. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until July 17. 

Olds Approves $43,100 Worth Of Mountain View Power Spring Grants 

Requests for grants totaling $123,610.75 were received from 10 groups in the community; four were deemed ineligible. 

Town of Olds Looking To Replace Water Meters Town-Wide After 'Substantial' Water Loss Due To Aging Infrastructure 

The Town of Olds is looking to replace water meters town-wide over the next few years in an effort to reduce leaks in homes and improve the accuracy of meter readings. 

Community News

Province Underfunding Firefighting, EMS Services: Olds CAO

The provincial government wants municipalities like Olds to help battle wildfires but has cut back on the funding for that, putting the town in a real bind, CAO Brent Williams told council. 

Big Wynn and We Are The Champions: Oldstoberfest 2025 Artist Announcement 

Gillian Grant with C5 Rodeo made the announcement on Thursday, June 19th of who will be performing the country concert on Saturday, September 13th at Oldstoberfest. She says “very exciting, all the way from Texas, we have Wynn Williams with his Canadian debut here at Oldstoberfest. He is a former rodeo star and he has got that Zach Top, Garth Brooks, George Strait vibe. He is a gentleman and we are so excited to have him for his first appearance up here in Canada.” 

Olds GrizzlysHome Opener Set for Sept. 20 

The Olds Grizzlys will play five exhibition games beginning on Aug. 30, against the defending league and national champion Calgary Canucks at Ken Bracko Arena at 5 p.m.. The next day, the two teams will face off in a rematch at 5 p.m. at the Olds Sportsplex. 

Staged Train Derailment Exercise in Mountain View County All About Teamwork 

A recent emergency management functional exercise involving a simulated train derailment and the use of an evacuation centre was a success, say officials. 

The exercise involved the Mountain View Regional Emergency Management Agency, which includes the Town of Olds, Didsbury, Carstairs, Sundre, the Village of Cremona and Mountain View County, as well as RCMP and local fire department members 

Olds RCMP

Expect Summertime Crackdown On Impaired Drivers: Olds RCMP 

Cpl. Leif Svendsen told town council that under a law passed in 2018, police can conduct mandatory screening for impairment. 

Public Asked To Use New Hotline For Non-Emergency Police Reporting 

“Whether you need to report a suspicious person, property damage, or a minor theft, this number connects you directly to the appropriate RCMP detachment – no area code required,” reads part of the statement. 

Man Sentenced to Three Years In Major Drug and Weapons Seizure in Olds

Eric Donald Becker, 36, was sentenced in Calgary Court of Justice on June 23, 2025, after being convicted on charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm. 

Olds RCMP Seize $60,000 in Illegal Cigarettes 

Information was received that the vehicle was traveling over 150 km/hr and almost side swiped another vehicle, passed unsafely and veered into other lanes of travel. 

Olds RCMP located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on Highway 2. Officers observed illegal cigarettes in plain view during the traffic stop. 

Olds College & Chinooks Edge

Momentum Grows To Do It Again: First-Ever Americas Ag Forum Wraps Up At Olds College 

 Le Vallee says all of their partners, industry, government, partners outside of Canada, and others all responded positively that the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture should run this forum on an annual basis. 

Olds College Announces Dalin Bullock as Vice President, Academic After Nine Months As The Interim 

Bullock is known around campus for his commitment to students and new, industry-standard education. Bullock says throughout the past nine months, he has gained a thorough understanding of the significance of the role, and the importance of strong leadership in the academic division, especially as Olds College rolls out its three-year strategic plan. 

AI Technology That Could Transform Human, Animal Health Tested At Olds College 

Researchers at an Alberta college are testing new artificial intelligence (AI) technology that listens to “symphonies” of organs in sheep that could protect the health of livestock and people. 

Regional, Provincial & Federal:  

Alberta Government to Start Charging Residents For COVID-19 Shots This Fall 

Citing $135 million in wasted COVID-19 vaccine doses, Alberta is shifting the cost burden to residents. The province says those who are not immunocompromised or on social programs will soon have to pay for the shots.