July 29 Edmonton Headlines
I know plenty of Edmontonians will be happy to have Langano Skies back.
Can you feel that, Edmonton? It feels like the end of a week with a long weekend looming. Sorry if you’re the only guy in the office today.
Recent missing Alberta Hospital patients – one of whom has not been found – have sparked a review of safety and security at mental health facilities across the province. Let’s hope this begins a look at our entire mental health system, including interactions with police and the courts.
A new downtown development (yes, we have those without the arena even being built) is looking at a slightly later completion date, but it should spruce up the crap out of 109 Street and Jasper Avenue.
The City of Edmonton’s power bill will be going down as it replaces street lights with more efficient LED light bulbs.
You car insurance rates aren’t going up. Well, your basic rates, anyway.
An Amber Alert issued Thursday ended with a little boy being found safe with a family member. Police didn’t have a report of a missing child, but still felt there was enough information to warrant the city-wide search.
That story I linked to, from the Sun, gives a nice explanation of what police did and why. It’s exactly the kind of follow-up people need after an Amber Alert – especially one that didn’t result in criminal charges because of a kidnapping or other crimes – and other newsrooms should follow the example. We can’t have people walking away from an Amber Alert without stories clearly explaining what happened, or folks might be left to think we’re living in a city of kidnappers.
Edmonton Police are hailing the actions of a delivery man who helped run down a man after a boy reported a sexual assault.
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RCMP in Strathcona County will not face charges after shooting a man last winter.
The company behind the second-largest oil spill in Alberta history is ready to get pumping again.
Oil and gas companies are being warned about a fake environmental registry which is trying to scam them. Don’t worry, there is yet to be a company to pay any such fees.
The lack of public education in Morinville is now looking at the potential of being a civil liberties case.
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Riding the streetcar across the High Level Bridge is always fun. But riding an original 1912 Edmonton streetcar would be even more fun.
The dragonfly population is rising, and they’re eating all of our mosquitoes. I think I saw two dragonflies mating yesterday.
July 21 Northlands Headlines
Not yet.
Good morning, Edmonton. You know a day with downtown arena stories is going to be a busy day. So, dig in.
Among the news and notes from City administration’s answers to Councillor Ed Gibbons:
- Daryl Katz’s $100-million for the arena is more like $80 or $90-million, with the rest covering management over decades
- The City (you and me) will likely have to put up the money, probably borrowed, to cover the $125-million that will eventually be paid back through a ticket tax (that’s you again, if you go to anything at the arena)
- Katz Group and Oilers financials are yet to be fully opened up to City Council
- There’s nothing binding Daryl Katz to spend $100-million in development around the arena
- A community rink would be fully paid for by the City (why don’t we just build a couple of community rinks on the parking lot and call it a day?)
- The arena will cost more than $450-million when you factor in “soft costs” like design, street lights, LRT, transit, that community rink, sewers, and a bunch of other stuff I’m not smart enough to think of.
Northlands isn’t backing down. The non-profit agency wants to keep running Rexall Place if there’s a downtown arena. That likely doesn’t bode well for you and I making back any of the tax money council wants to throw into the downtown arena. There could be too much competition for arena events in a city Edmonton’s size.
On Northlands: They wanted council approval of $770,000 for new seats at Rexall Place. They got that. It’s money already in the Northlands budget, but anything over $750,000 needs a look by city council.
There were questions about Northlands’ finances (sure, councillors, I just happened to bring our audited statements with us to a meeting for a seat rubber-stamp…) and I suspect councillors will have an easier time to see the money details of Northlands than the Katz Group. Also, with council members sitting on the Northlands board, at least a few folks in City Hall yesterday should know how the non-profit is doing with cash.
Even a downtown arena fan thinks Daryl Katz could be the guy making all the wrong moves, and asking for too much money, on the deal.
Whew. That’s a lot of Northlands and arena talk. How about we shift gears for the rest of today’s Headlines? (more…)
July 20 Edmonton Headlines
It’s a big day at City Hall. There’s a new downtown arena report before council, with a few more details about how much more it’s going to cost to build a replacement for Rexall Place and that Northlands won’t sign a non-compete clause.
More information on what’s happening today, with answers to Councillor Ed Gibbons’ questions, here at this PDF. Some of the (non)answers, even if you’re in favour of the downtown arena, might make you groan.
Councillors will also discuss whether to give Northlands a little more than $700,000 to fix seats in Rexall Place.
The Way We Green, the City’s 30-year environmental policy is also up for debate. I don’t see why it wouldn’t pass. A few developers and pesticide-users were complaining about losing money, but Edmonton needs to have a document that helps shape our environmental policies – and we should have such policies underlying big decisions and projects.
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, man of the people Kerry Diotte wants to talk about mosquitoes.
Don’t forget about the war on weeds. Councillor Bryan Anderson is trying to lead that for the City of Edmonton.
Another day, another historic building in the news.
Five years after a man died following a police chase, the fatality inquiry report carries a recommendation for emergency CPR training for officers.
Hey kid. Psst. Hey kid. You want some candy?
Alberta Hospital is trying to find a missing patient, and an escaped patient.
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We’re about a third through a ten-year plan to end homelessness in Alberta. That should stay in place for the new premier, and poverty has to become part of the plan.
Big oilsands equipment won’t be making its way to Alberta through Montana right now. I like that the Montana Department of Transportation took the time to have Imperial Oil fill out an environmental assessment. That shows dedication to preserving the environment.
Meanwhile…on the side of the border…China is making its moves to get into the oilsands game…Oh, and energy ministers want to find ways to send more oil and gas to places other than the U.S.
The Premiers are going to talk about the economy.
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Eight Edmonton restaurants, and one in St. Albert, made it into “Where to Eat in Canada.”
It’s Edmonton: The Musical, at the Avenue Theatre.
Get some weekend
Hello there, Edmonton.
Yes, it’s the weekend. You’ve earned a little rest and relaxation.
You know, there’s going to be some mighty fine football on television if you just want to watch that.
Oh, you’d like something a little more? How about this then…
The Royal Bison Craft Fair takes over your life Saturday and Sunday. And David Berry and Josh Holinaty will be selling chapter 1 of their serialized graphic novel too.
Don’t forget to get your pre-craft fair party on.
Oh, and if that’s not enough to keep you from handing over your Christmas present money to giant corporations (who are welcome to advertise here, a lot) there’s a fair trade fair as well.
If you’ve got some non-perishable foods just sitting around your house, how about dragging that stuff down to a Save-On Foods location Saturday and helping the ETS “Stuff-a-Bus,” for the Edmonton Food Bank. Money is good too.
You can always check out the Festival of Trees. That’s a good time.
The Hidden Cameras and Gentleman Reg are playing the Avenue Theatre, Friday.
There’s a “Save Alberta Hospital” concert Saturday, at the Edmonton Events Centre.
It’s Band of the Month time at the Pawn Shop. Thanks, Sonic!
And The Artery has a couple of cool shows. There’s blues tonight with Bombchan’s CD release and Kinnie Starr Saturday.
Bombchan is also playing the 2nd anniversary party of The Empress Ale House next Tuesday.
Plus, New City has You say party! We say die!, with Christian Hansen & The Autistics and Little Girls.
And ZZ Top is playing the Jube Saturday night to top off a weekend of great music.
Alberta Hospital Town Hall
I haven’t noticed a lot of action on the blogosphere about last night’s Alberta Hospital Town Hall, but did see one video. (above) If you see any blogs talking about it, point them our way in the comments.
That’s from Brent Welch, and gives you some flavour of how many people came out (500 estimated) and some of the speakers.
If you’re not familiar with the story, basically the provincial government was going to put some money into redevelopment, but with a ballooning deficit the decision has been made not to do that. Without that money, the plan is to move 100+ patients to community care (though, what that means is still being debated) so the hospital doesn’t require all that money. Critics of the plan say the patients will end up in shelters, jail or the streets.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) sponsored last night’s town hall, and also has a Twitter account about this issue. The Alberta NDP is also asking for people to sign a petition to keep the beds open.
You can also keep track of future events (AUPE-sponsored and otherwise) at this Facebook group.
