The Olds Fire Department's second annual Bucket Challenge raised $14,151 dollars and 1200 pounds of food for local charitable organizations.

The 23rd annual Innisfail RCMP Charity Checkstop on Saturday, December 8th was a big success.

Nathan Cooper hopes Premier Notley calls the provincial election on February 1st, 2019 and sets the earliest possible date for Albertans to go to the polls on March 1st.

It is the busiest time of year for the Olds & District Christmas Angels Society and you can make donations at the Alberta Junior Hockey League game between the Olds Grizzlys and the Camrose Kodiaks at 7:30 on Friday, December 14th or by stopping by the annual stuff a bus event in the Canadian Tire parking lot from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, December 15th.

The upcoming budgets for the town of Olds were approved as presented during the regular town council meeting on Monday, December 10th. The 2019 operating budget is $29.5 million dollars while the 2019 capital budget is $7.8 million and for 2020 its $11.8 million. Chief Administrative Officer Michael Merritt says a large portion of the 2020 budget is earmarked for the operations centre. He adds a cost of living adjustment (COLA) had to be made and as a result there will be a 2.5 percent tax increase in 2019.

Olds RCMP say 37 year old Robert John Poole from Wimborne - who was wanted on several outstanding warrants for arrest - was apprehended by Sherwood Park RCMP and RCMP Police Dog Services on December 8th.

President Jim Everson says a new work plan for the Canola Council of Canada will focus more on the industry's priorities and council programs that are most valued by its members.

A 35 year old male from Ottawa, Ontario was arrested after police confirmed the vehicle he was driving in Penhold was stolen.

68 families in the town of Carstairs received Christmas hampers in 2017, according to the Carstairs & District Lions Club.

The Olds Fire Department extinguished a structure fire which occurred at Sundial Growers on Monday, December 10th.

The Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society continues to offer support in the region. Chair of the Society Carol Johnston says they currently offer individual consultations and they make referrals.

A business directory, volunteering, tourism, business information and more are all on the newly revamped www.everythingolds.ca website.

A 39 year old male from Red Deer County is facing dozens of charges after being arrested at a motel in the town of Innisfail.

Devin Dreeshen has been acclaimed as the UCP candidate for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake for next year's Alberta election. United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney issued a statement following Dreeshen's nomination as the party's candidate for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake on Friday, November 30th. Dreeshen says anytime between February and May of 2019 is when Premier Rachel Notley could call a provincial election.

The 2018 edition of the Crazy Carstairs Christmas is slated for Friday, December 7th. Businesses will be open later to help you get your holiday shopping done, plus there are many fun activities, entertainment and more.

About 90 presents were handed out to residents at the Mountain View Lodge last year thanks to the Senior Secret Santa program, according to Steven Bowie with the CLC Fitness Centre. He says they are back to do it again as 2018 will be the program's third year.

The 2018 Alberta Milk Dairy Conference was held in Calgary on November 21st and the East of Olds Dairy Farmer Study Club was recognized with the Dairy Industry Achievement Award (DIAA). According to Alberta Milk, the award seeks to convey the respect that Alberta's dairy farmers hold for the people and organizations that go above and beyond to help sustain and grow the dairy industry.

The grade 6 class at Olds Koinonia Christian School is busy with its own Junior ATB Financial branch. Grade 6 teacher Chelsea Hopse says it is a financial literacy program that allows students to learn about saving money. She adds, students also applied for a job for their junior bank and they have two shifts a month with their friends from Olds ATB at the school. The branch is managed and operated by the students. It includes a board of directors, marketing team, tellers, back cash and customer care representatives.

Innisfail's 2018 Charity Checkstop is coming up this weekend.

Brianne Jenner - a two time women's hockey Olympian - was in Olds for the Olds College Broncos Scholarship Breakfast on Monday, December 3rd. The 27 year old forward won gold with Team Canada in 2014 in Sochi and silver in 2018 in Pyeongchang. Jenner has also captured five IIHF World Championship medals.

The 52nd annual Olds Kiwanis Auction is set for Thursday, December 6th at the Olds Royal Canadian Legion.

A 34 year old male from Buck Lake is facing charges after a suspicious vehicle was pulled over and searched by Rocky Mountain House RCMP on Friday, December 1st.

A 42 year old male and a 61 year old male - both from Rocky Mountain House - have been charged following an investigation into drug trafficking at a local residence.

A process which began last January to ensure the Grain Growers of Canada are truly the united voice of Canada's grain farmers was recently completed. The organization's new governance structure has been unveiled following a strategic review.

Let There Be Peace On Earth is the 2018 Christmas concert performance for the Olds Community Chorus. It starts at 7:30 on Tuesday, December 4th at the Olds First Baptist Church.