June 23 Edmonton Headlines
Hey, you, uh, got $50-million the City of Edmonton can have, to keep the 2012 tax hike at 4.5%? There may be a cut or two (or three) if more money isn’t found. I know you have it in coffee cans buried in the yard!
Meanwhile…the City announced $56-million to get the east Jasper redevelopment moving along…
And there will be a new statue in, or around, Churchill Square.
If I’m reading this story on the downtown arena correctly, Councillor Ed Gibbons will meet with the City Manager to ask a list of questions but that meeting would happen outside of a public meeting. Weird. (Or I’ve got it wrong.)
The chair of the Edmonton Public School Board wants longer-term funding from the provincial government, to allow a little more stability in school board budgeting.
TELUS is putting in $20-million worth of work into one of its two towers on 100 Street, and also a bit of green space right beside the plaza.
100 years of flight in Edmonton, the City Centre Airport, and aviation are being talked about and celebrated this week.
Speaking of the City Centre Airport…we know who will be designing a neighbourhood planned to take over the land. The Charrette has a further look at the design plans.
As soon as I saw that police had made an arrest in a Whyte Avenue stabbing my brain started to try and guess at the story. There hadn’t been any homicides recently. Could it be the Dylan McGillis killing from four-and-a-half years ago? A homicide I covered when still working the daily news beat? Yes! Edmonton police have made a long-awaited, long sought-after arrest.
The homicide was among the violence that sparked some change on Whyte to try and attract more live music, more street life (and not just drunk people eating pizza street life), and campaigns to enjoy a night out without violence.
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There are more nurses being hired in Alberta, but a lot of them aren’t working full-time. This is, essentially, a good news story though.
The Alberta government is spending some money educating you about carbon capture and storage. Whether we’ll ever end up building the systems to trap carbon emissions underground is another story.
Canada’s western premiers are talking disasters and disaster funding. Our premier (still Ed Stelmach until fall, when Progressive Conservatives choose a new one) wants more foreign workers, and to get them here faster.
Speaking of leadership races…Bill Harvey is running to lead the Alberta Liberals. I know…NOW you’re excited about that race.
Alberta author Robert Kroetsch died in a car crash this week, and is being remembered for his literary contributions to Alberta, Edmonton, and Canada.
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Canada’s approach to asbestos is very “do as I say not as I do” since we won’t be doing a whole with the known cancer-causer but will gladly export it. I guess The Daily Show cares more than our federal government.
June 22 Edmonton Headlines
I am digging all this blue sky!
Potentially good news for those hoping the provincial government will help pay for a new downtown arena in Edmonton as Red Deer lands some cash.
Ah, the irony of building and refurbishing schools while the school boards look at cutting teachers and staff. This is why we stopped calling it the Alberta Advantage, right?
Castrol Raceway is expanding. While they aren’t planning to host the Indy anytime soon it probably bodes well for the race sticking around this area when it can’t run at the City Centre Airport anymore (We’re supposed to find out today who won the design contract for the new neighbourhood going there.)
A group of Edmonton students have caught the attention of chef Jamie Oliver, currently on a food revolution in Los Angeles (on TV at least, they might be done filming). The Westglen students are kicking the sugary-milk habit.
I feel like we could keep going. Yeah, there’s lots more. Let’s keep going. (more…)
June 7 Edmonton Headlines
Let’s Tuesday up your news, Edmonton.
The Canada Post strike is beginning to affect Edmonton. And we haven’t even seen postal workers head out on the picket line yet.
Edmonton’s downtown arena hopes are now pinned on the provincial government coming up with money, because Edmonton-Spruce Grove MP Rona Ambrose says the new federal budget is not for arenas.
The Archdiocese of Edmonton is trying to figure out how to work social media into the sermon.
Edmonton City Centre Mall is joining the campaign to “white out” domestic violence. An Edmonton street will get re-named in a similar effort.
The best in Edmonton theatre will soon be awarded. Sterling Award nominations were announced Monday. This story in the Journal doesn’t detail every category, but the Sterling site still says we should get ready to hear the nominations Monday, so I’ll take what I can get.
There’s a call out to those who would design Edmonton’s new Royal Alberta Museum.
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While critics may say allegations of people jumping the healthcare line are rumour, a new memo dates this practice, or allegations of the practice, to 2009.
Education Minister Dave Hancock may yet turn out to be a negotiating genius. He’s making sure teachers know there’s no more money coming to education but is ready to sign a new five-year contract. I’m intrigued to see how that contract talk plays out. (Or it could all play out like the Alberta Progressive Conservative are likely hoping; that a bunch of new energy and tax money comes in this summer, they top up the education budget, and quickly get a new deal with teachers when the bank account is full.)
Hey, I can appreciate historical land and burial grounds as much as the next guy, but I need a place to plug in my RV and launch my boat too.
On land use…the Alberta government’s push for more oil and energy development, and fast, isn’t sitting well with other people and groups.
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If you’ve got some time, or some furniture, Slave Lake relief efforts could use both.
Think you have a concussion? There’s an app for that.
Monday was the anniversary of D-Day, the World War II offensive that was said to turn the tide in favour of the allied nations (including Canada). On this anniversary, we truly began Canada’s military wind-down in Afghanistan.
June 6 Edmonton Headlines
Welcome to the new week, Edmonton.
City Hall saw a protest this weekend, as Edmontonians rallied against the use of tax dollars to pay for the Oilers’ new downtown arena and the abruptness of the decision from city council to move ahead. Another rally happened this weekend (what a political weekend!) at the Alberta Legislature (though it made its way to City Hall), as the “Slut Walk” hit Edmonton. And Edmontonians also walked, and raised money, to fight poverty.
On the arena…while many tout that the City will only be paying $125-million to build it (updated from $100-million, thanks to that City comment…a Monday morning math slip on my part),with $100-million from Oilers owner Daryl Katz, $125-million in a ticket tax, and $100-million in mystery money, the actual construction costs have to be paid by someone which may call for more City tax money or more provincial money. Perhaps in a loan.
A third Somali-Edmontonian has been killed this year. The Somali community has seen a dozen young men murdered or killed in the last few years, mostly due to connections to drugs and gangs. Meanwhile…at police headquarters…the Acting Police Chief is reassuring us that if we steer clear of street drugs and criminals we shouldn’t be at a high-risk to be murdered. (And he’s not the acting chief after today, since our new police chief begins work Monday.)
Nine years later…an Edmonton police officer will indeed face disciplinary charges for a 2002 Tasering…
Next up, CYCLOTRONS! (more…)
Let The Festivals Begin
This is when summer really gets going, Edmonton, when there are festivals – plural – to talk about.
In festivals…Dreamspeakers continues through Saturday night…the International Children’s Festival is on in St. Albert…on Sunday, the Highlands neighbourhood has a street festival…Opera Nuova presents the Vocal Arts Festival…NextFest runs through next week…
Community league members will be out all weekend trying to earn their neighbourhood some much-needed money in the Edmonton Community Challenge.
On the political side…Saturday is the Slut Walk and Sunday is a rally against public money going to a new downtown arena.
In music…this weekend, Heart of the City fills Giovanni Caboto Park with music, music, music. Musicians and bands that live in the “heart of the city” will be playing this annual festival. 2011′s got another great lineup. NextFest also has plenty of young, up and coming, and new musicians playing all around the city.
There are a few Slave Lake fire benefit shows…at the Rendevous Pub…at the City Centre Church…and at The ARTery (with Tanner Gordon among those on the bill)…
Friday…The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’s got Late Night 1900s (with conductor Bill Eddins). Always a good time. Winnipeg’s The Details play the Haven Social Club with Michou…the Wild Rose Orchestra is at Wunderbar, with Zero Cool…
Saturday…Feast or Famine is at Wunderbar with The Old Sins, and the Weekend Kids (and more!…The Details are still at the Haven Social Club, but with Fish & Bird, and Kaley Bird…100 Mile House is at The Empress…No Witness has a CD release at the Starlite Room, with Shelbi and Soundscape…Ol’ Smashy (formerly the F.D. Jones Soap Co.) is at Filthy McNasty’s…and the ESO’s got Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony…
On Sunday…Supertramp is at Rexall Place. SUPERTRAMP!
In sports…the Edmonton Energy play a couple more games against the Oregon Waves…and the Edmonton Capitals are home to the Calgary Vipers. Saturday night’s baseball game is followed by movies at Telus Field. And Saturday is the “Fresh Meat Frolic,” with the Oil City Derby Girls, at the Grindhouse (14420 – 112 Street).
And on Saturday…it’s Bugs and Brunch – a fundraiser for YESS, hosted by Expressionz Cafe and the Vintage VW Association.
June 2 Edmonton Headlines
Thursday, June 2 and we’ve still got that new month smell.
Councillor Ed Gibbons will be pushing for public answers on downtown arena questions at City Council’s next meeting, June 22. Gibbons is one of five councillors who voted against a late-night, closed-door, out-of-nowhere vote on the downtown arena.
Some of the downtown connections of the LRT, and the proposed southeast line, may yet go underground.
City Council has agreed to help expand the Telus World of Science.
Edmonton’s Slut Walk is this weekend (words I’m sure Bob Layton and Gord Steinke never thought they’d be saying on air). The Traveling Tickle Trunk’s Brenda Kerber, writing in her Vue Weekly column, gets into the facts of victim-blaming. Slut Walk started in Toronto, after a police officer told a university group that girls shouldn’t dress like sluts if they didn’t want to get assaulted, and the walks are spreading around the world. In Edmonton, I think the Garneau Sisterhood, which sprang up after sexual violence in the Garneau area, and others are putting our city in a better position on victim-blaming. Even the Edmonton Police are starting to target the potential rapists, instead of telling women to dress differently or lock their doors.
Want a weekend pass to Edmonton’s Folk Fest? Too bad. (So, I hope you got one already.)
Don’t worry, you will get to see cattle roam the streets of Edmonton after all.
And…click the more button. (more…)
June 1 Edmonton Headlines
Welcome to Bike Month, Edmonton. Get out there and ride!
The City is going after “tags” in this summer’s anti-graffiti campaign. That’s exactly what they should be targeting; wipe out gang tags, not listen birds and street art.
630CHED/iNews880 looked at what the Capital Region’s cities and municipalities would be asked to chip in, if the downtown arena was viewed as a regional project. I’d rather they chip in to build a more regional transit system if we’re asking them for money.
Edmonton’s taxes and utilities aren’t the most expensive in the country. But we’re on our way!
A handful of Edmonton community projects are up for your vote in a new program from The Keg. So get online and vote!
Edmonton’s Stollery Children’s Hospital is sending home a little girl, after two years at the hospital. Two. Years. Speaking of hearts…researchers at the University of Alberta are trying to prevent heart damage from some cancer treatments…
Operation Red Nose is looking for a non-profit partner for a winter 2011 return to Edmonton.
The Journal’s look at Edmonton bakeries continues, with a taste of Poland at Baltyk Bakery.
Sidney Poitier is coming to our city.
You think Edmonton’s got a lot of news, wait until you see what else is going on around this place. (more…)
May 31 Edmonton Headlines
Good morning, Edmonton. Today, it seems, is all about Alberta news. But, that will tend to happen when you’ve got the provincial seat of power in your downtown.
A couple of Edmonton-specific items are in the news though:
Northlands still doesn’t know what to do about the fact they’re being told asked to leave the arena business.
Mayor Mandel isn’t going to a meeting of the Big City Mayors, saying they don’t get anything done.
Now…about that Alberta stuff… (more…)
Edmonton Headlines
Parking rates are going up. (Click for details.)
Well, Edmonton, we made it through the short week. Now its five-day weeks for a month. But it’s the weekend now, so that’s something.
While this story may be about Garneau residents trying to keep bars from spilling off of Whyte Avenue, I like the part about the City’s planning and development department keeping closer tabs on what’s happening with business licenses.
The Edmonton Sun says Councillor Karen Leibovici should not be voting on downtown arena deals, because her husband is an executive with a Katz pharmacy chain.
An inner city crisis team is touting its successes on the streets of Edmonton.
The Edmonton International Airport has shifted from “stopping the Calgary habit” to getting Edmontonians to “Unite for More Flights.” Essentially, the EIA’s new campaign to get people to fly out of Edmonton is centered on the fact more people flying from here could mean more flight options.
A couple of missing men in uniform have been found. It’s not clear what happened to an EPS officer reported missing, and it’s a sad end to the story of a missing soldier.
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Teachers are going to be cut because of tight education budgets, and the fight to get the Alberta government to pay for better education is on.
Slave Lake residents – those with homes to go back to anyway – are returning to the town after a devastating wildfire.
A couple of front-runners in the Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership (or, Premiership) race are talking about new rules and changes to improve government transparency.
As northern Alberta burns, southern Alberta is soaked.
Alberta’s only non-Conservative MP, Edmonton-Strathcona’s Linda Duncan, is going to be in the NDP’s shadow cabinet.
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Former Edmonton Eskimo quarterback Jason Maas is retiring from football.
May 26 Edmonton Headlines
Good day to you, Edmonton. There’s lots going on today, including the final words from one of our newsrooms.
Potential LRT lines through Chinatown and the MacEwan campus aren’t pleasing people who live and work in those areas. So, City Council is being asked to re-think the alignments of the new tracks.
The late night, closed-door vote on the downtown arena is back in the news, because it’s Thursday and that means a fresh copy of SEE Magazine and Vue Weekly. (More on all of that at the end of today’s Headlines.)
If the Edmonton Public School Board makes big cuts it won’t just be teachers being pushed out of classrooms.
The Edmonton Police Service has some new tools in tracking down criminals. I think a high-five comment might be appropriate.
Backyard chickens are still a possibility in Edmonton, under a larger plan.
And on the chicken note, we’ll jump ahead. (more…)
Late Headlines
Good day, Edmonton. As Sally mentioned earlier, I was out and about and got hung up. But, fear not, I still love me some Headlines.
Hundreds of Edmonton teaching jobs could be cut, as the Edmonton Public School Board tries to balance a budget that’s not getting any extra love from the Alberta government. The same Alberta government that’s going to be asked to put in up to $100-million for our city’s new downtown arena.
I guess education and teaching degrees do make one qualified to work an arena concession stand.
Speaking of provincial education dollars, Beaumont is getting a pair of new schools.
Meanwhile…the closed-door, after-hours vote to approve the arena deal isn’t getting a whole lotta love.
Starting with the arena again…you’d think that was some kind of big deal or something. (more…)
Long Tuesday Headlines
How was that long weekend for you, Edmonton? Ready to kick things off with some downtown arena? Of course you are.
There are people upset about the downtown arena decision, including some councillors who feel the vote came out of nowhere and was forced upon them in a private meeting. Can’t wait for the instant revitalization of an arena? Perhaps look at some smaller projects and initiatives that would do a lot. Northlands is broke. That’s probably not going to help their arguments in all of this.
The downtown LRT connector through Chinatown (specifically, along 102 Avenue) continues to be a point of contention.
I’m not sure if more police on the street will help prevent crimes of passion; murders that happen between family or friends, but Edmonton sure needs something different. We had homicides 22 and 23 last week and on the weekend.
An Edmonton doctor is working on some really big stem-cell research which could help improve the lungs of prematurely born children.
Smaller, independent restaurants are a little shocked at how much it costs to get a Heart and Stroke Foundation checkmark on their menus.
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With the Slave Lake fire occupying much of our news space the last couple of weeks, it’s good to have a little historical context and look back at one of the biggest-ever…
Meanwhile…evacuees are looking at what remains of their town…finding new places to call temporary home…and landing some relief money from the Alberta government…cool, rainier weather is helpful in fighting forest fires…many people have been opening their wallets to help…And Slave Lake resident, Cousin, was at Hip Hop in the Park this weekend, representing his hometown…
Sometimes a story like the current fire happens, and you’re the guy steps away from the big one…This weekend the Edmonton Journal put out a special insert on Slave Lake.
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Alberta teachers are being asked to accept five-years of fixed salary increases. And these one wouldn’t be tied into average weekly earnings (as the most recent deal was).
Another day another report questioning the health risks of the oilsands.
It only took a couple of years, but the Alberta government is finally rolling out a campaign to try and educate people about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), of which we are tops in Canada. Meanwhile…in other health news…The Calgary Herald wants the provincial government to fund fertility treatments.
Alberta’s film and television industry is trying to remain a big deal. (Hey, next weekend is the Rosies.)
Don’t forget that we’re getting a new Premier of Alberta this year (whether there’s a general election or not). Well, look at that. And that too.
Service Alberta’s got a couple of consumer warnings about a pair of contractors.
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If you’re hearing about the massive tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri (among the deadline in U.S. history – in an already busy tornado season) wondering what you can do, you can always look online for ways to help.
Alright, let’s end things on a good note, with this story about Catholic Social Services and the Rotary Centre for New Canadians, and this one about a U of A student picking up a prestigious scholarship.
Arena Rant
By Gregg Beever
Over the past 24 hours I’ve had to listen to some ridiculous arguments against the proposed arena district. I understand when public money is involved there is bound to be rather strong viewpoints for or against, and I believe there are valid arguments to be made on either side.
For those who are compiling thoughtful, cogent arguments based on fact and logic, I applaud you. However, if you have made one of the following cases against the arena, give your head a shake! (more…)
May 20 Edmonton Headlines
Good Friday to you, Edmonton. Start with the downtown arena? OK!
The downtown arena is going to need money from the provincial and/or federal governments. While the provincial government says they won’t give money to a private business, I wonder if that’s not why the potential deal has the City of Edmonton owning the land and building, so it could be argued it’s a public facility. The ask better come quick, since a couple of potential Conservative premiers are ruling out the money.
The spend-crazy NDP don’t want tax money to go to the Katz Group’s new Oilers home. Because they hate the Oilers? Edmonton? Freedom? What’s with everyone wanting questions answered on this thing? Just get excited already. And, I’m sure school boards considering cutting teachers and staff to balance their budgets would agree, the Alberta government should fund the arena.
Does the arena herald a new era for downtown Edmonton? I would have argued 104 Street, a centralizing MacEwan University campus, LRT connections to the west and southeast, Capital Boulevard, and 109 Street’s makeover were doing that already.
OK, that’s the arena, now let’s see what else is going on. And there really is other stuff going on. (more…)
Edmonton Framework Agreement Headlines
So…they’re building a downtown arena.
What’s that?
The odd 9:30pm news conference caught you off guard? The vote behind closed-doors feels a little off? The fact nothing really changed from the last, seemingly tentative, steps forward, leaving construction costs $100-million short doesn’t sound like sound city planning?
I believe that is anti-Oiler, Anti-Edmonton talk.
Don’t you love the downtown, don’t you love your city?!
(I do recognize the deal uses terms like “framework” and “agreement in principle” but come on…)
On the plus-side, one can hope the City sticks to its guns and doesn’t move forward without making up the $100-million in missing money. Right now that is tied into asking the federal and provincial governments. A seat sale won’t be part of it. (We also have a pretty good idea for funding the arena.) The provincial government also has to approve a community revitalization levy (CRL) that can use taxes from a specified zone to help pay for the arena (the City has identified a pretty large swatch of the downtown for this). There has to be a public hearing on the CRL.
One can also hope Edmonton doesn’t become just another example of a city that handed money to a sports franchise to try and invigorate it’s downtown, only to be looking for ways to in invigorate it’s downtown a couple of years later. Design, and the “entertainment district” around the arena are going to be the most important parts of this.
Also, regardless of other reports and math, Daryl Katz is putting in $100-million, which is fantastic, but does account for less than 1/4 of the construction costs. That means the City of Edmonton (and/or other levels of taxpayer-funded government) must pay the majority of costs to build the arena. Katz may eventually pay $125-million of that back through a ticket tax, but you and I are paying to build his team’s arena.
Oh, and Northlands is gonna be pissed, because the Katz Group wants a non-competition clause, so Northlands doesn’t keep booking concerts, sports, the rodeo, etc… at Rexall Place. Which I presume will become some sort of housing location for wigs. (Northlands could end up non-existent, totally reinvented, or rolled into Edmonton Economic Development, as a result of all this.)
Alright, these are Edmonton Headlines, not just Arena headlines. Let’s dig in. (more…)
May 6 Edmonton Headlines
Another week is in the books Edmonton. And after that federal election on Monday, it’s been a little quieter in the news.
The Health Quality Council of Alberta says more has to be done at the Edmonton International Airport before the City Centre Airport can shut-down to medevac flights. That’s not all that’s happening on the City Centre Airport front…Envision Edmonton is appealing the latest court ruling that its year-late petition wasn’t valid…and the Edmonton Flying Club is suing the City over the pending closure of the municipal airport.
On Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Quebec City and the NHL: “If somebody is willing to write off all your expenses, you don’t need quite as much revenue to cover those expenses.” Yeah, that pretty much sums up the downtown arena debate. What private business WOULDN’T want government to pay for its new office? Also to keep in mind, the capital budget is going to be full of tough decisions for future City projects.
The City is going to be looking at covering up smoking products and bongs in window displays.
The city is supposed to be one of the hottest economies by year’s end.
An Edmonton bus driver, viciously beaten by a passenger, says he isn’t ready to go back to work and that’s put his Workers Compensation benefits in jeopardy.
Edmonton police have released a sketch of a person of interest in reports of the latest attempted abduction at Montrose School.
Get ready for the last phase of the 23 Avenue interchange construction. Which means some diversion for drivers.
An Edmonton soldier disappeared while on a run in the river valley.
The Alberta government is being told not to rely on oil and energy revenues for day-to-day stuff. Oh, now that it’s in a report I’m sure they’ll listen.
Speaking of oil…the Premier’s criticizing the company behind the largest oil spill in the last four decades…
And speaking of energy…coal is potentially going to be a hot topic if the federal government moves to shut down plants that 45-years-old.
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The Telus World of Science is going to expand. Big time.
The University of Alberta is looking at better design, to help make our homes accessible to all.
May 4 Edmonton Headlines
Good day, Edmonton. Looks like another fine, spring day in the city, though I blame the Conservative majority for my raging allergies.
The Katz Group was chatting about the downtown arena with business folks, in a closed meeting. It was reported to be a “positive” meeting. For something that seems so welcome I can’t understand how no other developers or businesses have stepped forward with money or the intention to build in the “entertainment district.”
Edmonton’s capital budget (infrastructure like roads, LRT, and recreation facilities) is up for renewal this year, and councillors may have to make some tough calls about taking on debt and prioritizing Edmonton’s projects.
Nothing like a 300% fee hike to start the school year.
12 Edmontonians (one in each of the city’s electoral wards) will be applauded for being good neighbours. Edmonton is well represented in this year’s Alberta Order of Excellence inductions. Included in the list of recipients is longtime CFRN (CTV) broadcaster Bruce Hogle.
An Edmonton war hero has died.
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Alberta’s got its largest oil spill in 36 years.
Speaking of oil and energy… (more…)
April 28 Edmonton Headlines
It’s time to clean up this city.
No, I’m not talking about sweeping changes, or tossing out a bunch of corrupt public officials, I’m just talking about street sweeping. Check the City’s schedule to find out when your neighbourhood gets a good scrubbing.
Speaking of public officials…you can check the donations to all councillor and mayoral campaigns from the fall election. I recommend you peek into the disclosure statements of a few fringe candidates, it’s much more interesting than seeing all the usual big names, companies, and developers who gave money to all the usual candidates.
Get ready to see your tax bill in the mail.
After city councillors heard a proposal to sell some of the seats in a new downtown arena (and I mean sell them, for hundreds of thousands of dollars), they decided to see what the Katz Group thought about the plan. I’m going to guess that will go nowhere since the Katz Group issued a statement later in the day saying “…such a scheme would sacrifice the Oilers’ long-term financial viability in order to fund arena construction costs. For this – and many other reasons – neither the Katz Group nor the NHL will support it.”
I don’t know how to read that without coming to the conclusion that the Katz Group cares more about the Oilers than Edmonton getting a new arena. That may sound like an obvious conclusion, but it’s one to keep in mind when considering the City of Edmonton may be paying for the majority of construction on what is supposed to be an arena for all of us, not just a private company.
The Kingsway Legion is coming down, to make way for an LRT line to NAIT.
We’re getting that new arch bridge to replace the old Walterdale Bridge.
An Edmonton grocery legend, with a last name instantly recognizable in Old Strathcona, is being remembered.
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SEE Magazine’s got a full election package today, including some explanations of who becomes Prime Minister and how election reforms might work.
Vue is asking if coalition governments are our future. I kind of hope so.
While this column calls for more aboriginal candidates in the federal election, I just think it’s interesting to note the many reasons aboriginal Canadians would want to vote – especially considering how recently they got the right to vote freely,
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Alberta Education’s looking at a new School Act. It likely won’t be passed until the end of the year or later, but includes changes to how the provincial government deals with school boards, when schools can be closed, bus transportation, the drop-out age, and bullying.
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I had no idea the distance of a mailbox from a home’s entrance was a rule for Canada Post. And what about mailboxes at the end of a driveway? Perhaps there are details left out of the story, but it also appears Canada Post has some wonky rules.
April 18 Edmonton Headlines
How was the weekend, Edmonton? We’ve got to be near the end of wintry weather…right?
RIGHT?!
Trying to figure out how to keep Edmonton schools from closing may seem like an easy thing to solve (just don’t close them) but there are lots of items to consider (urban sprawl, where people live, open boundary policies). The work of the Edmonton Public School Board to keep schools open begins this week.
Big news in Edmonton downtown last week with the arena talks moving forward and the Royal Alberta Museum to head over from Glenora. The Federal Building will actually be used soon too.
A couple more recreation centres are in the works (Terwillegar just opened and Abbotsfield was recently approved). And five parks might get new pavilions.
The Edmonton International Airport is looking to double in size in the next 25 years. I’m not so sure it will need to be that big if gas prices keep going up and that high-speed rail line that continually gets mused about is actually built.
A University of Alberta study finds heart attack victims should get exercising sooner.
The Wildrose Alliance gives the Edmonton-Manning riding a Bonar. (Thank you, I’m here all week.)
It’s a sad end to the story of a missing Edmonton couple.
No more winter beyond the jump. (more…)
Edmonton on April 12
Good morning, Edmonton. Another fine spring morning, eh?
Parking tickets will cost you an extra $15. Moving violations (speeding, no signal on turning, etc…) may also go up $15. This is all because of new provincial fees charged to municipalities and police for looking up license information.
I wonder if the Journal’s Gary Lamphier will get his interview with the Katz Group on his long list of questions, after publishing a column where he points out he’s been waiting more than a month for an interview. I’m still waiting to hear from the developers who want to build in the proposed arena’s entertainment district too. Some of those guys step up and I might start to feel good about all the tax money to go to the Oilers.
An Edmonton man who went after a police officer with a knife won’t be going to jail. Partly because he was shot a couple of times during the “acute psychotic episode.”
Edmonton Police are dealing with a lot more industrial thefts. I’m not sure what you do with all those stolen Bobcats and copper wire.
Let’s see what else we’ve got going on. Ooh, looks like quite a bit. (more…)
April 11 Edmonton Headlines
Welcome to a new week, Edmonton. I am starting to get my hopes up that spring is really, truly here.
Edmonton’s new police chief is now officially known. While he’s currently the top uniformed RCMP officer in the country Rod Knecht does have Edmonton, and Alberta, connections.
A city council committee will look at the LRT expansion plans this week, considering building it in six stages.
Beyond the new Royal Alberta Museum, how much of downtown’s redevelopment has to come from tax dollars? While Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto are larger cities, they did see new arenas go up without public money.
The City of Edmonton is weighing in on a controversial powerline to built outside the city. Like a lot of others, the City wants to see power lines goes underground.
Edmonton is the site of an interesting study on the cost of eating healthy, and when money doesn’t necessarily mean the best diet.
A big mortgage fraud bust has been made here by the RCMP.
After hearing the hockey program at Concordia would be canceled an Edmonton businessman is throwing some money to the school to keep players on the ice.
Edmonton’s Rwandan community is remembering the genocide that destroyed their homeland.
Women, and their children, leaving abusive situations will soon have a new, affordable place to live.
Let’s take a peek deeper into the news bag to see what’s happening… (more…)
April 8 Edmonton Headlines
It’s all about being downtown. Our core is slowly building into an amazing, livable space and everyone wants to get in on that action.
The Oilers want a new arena downtown, the Royal Alberta Museum is moving in from Glenora. Oh, you didn’t hear?
It was announced the new Royal Alberta Museum (New!) will be built behind City Hall, north of 104 Avenue. It looks like it will be quite the new digs.
Though, while architecture may have imrpoved since the late 70-early 80s let’s try and not get crazy with tearing down everything to build new. That’s how we got the beige rectangle invasion around Jasper and 100 Street.
Speaking of downtown arenas…Northlands is ready to fight for concerts and large events. Which would throw the whole Katz Group plan into a mess; its those concerts and events they really want revenue from. And that would throw your tax dollars into a mess because the City of Edmonton is trying to work out a way to help pay for the downtown arena. It doesn’t necessarily mean bad things for Edmonton, heck we might get more concerts, but it certainly affects the profit of the Katz Group with a new arena.
The provincial government, spending on that museum, must be in a spending mood because the premier is expecting to talk with Edmonton’s mayor about some arena funding.
Oh, and while there’s plenty of parking downtown, some of it even free after 6pm, that may change with a new arena.
Outside of the downtown… (more…)
Busy Headlines – no, seriously, there’s a lot going on in Edmonton
Wow. A federal election, an all-day city council meeting on the downtown arena, a sensational murder trial, and a fire this morning. I do not miss the panic of being in a daily newsroom today. It is sweet indeed to be able to sit back and take a wider look at what’s going on. (Still took me all morning though.)
Speaking of that fire…we received this report, and photos from Amanda, this morning:
FIRE!
I was awakened to the thrum of engines running just outside my window. During the winter that meant snow-clearing was in progress. Surely not today…I went to the balcony and looked out to see what the commotion was: there were fire trucks lined up north of 99th St. and when I looked towards Whyte Ave I saw flames, smoke and a huge jet of water being directed to the fire! I thought about what businesses those were – it must be the beauty shop, the restaurant and a few offices up on the second floor. All this next to The Empress Ale House and the laundromat on the corner.I saw the pool of water on the street gathering volume as the water pump truck continued to jettison its powerful spray on to the roof of the building. Flames kept curling up relentlessly as the water attempted to douse them. There were men up on the roof, as well, attempting to douse the flames. Emergency lights blinked, firefighters barked out orders, and early morning risers were glued to their windows or were out on the street getting a closer look. I certainly hope that there were no people inside and that the damage will be minimal.
The traffic today down Whyte Avenue and down 99th Street will be more than a bit hectic. Perhaps this is a good day to walk to work. The smell of smoke and burning fills my nostrils as I finish writing this…
And that’s just where we begin today’s look at Edmonton.
April 6 Edmonton Headlines
It’s a big day in Edmonton, Edmonton. At least, it could be big.
City councillors are gathering at City Hall to discuss the downtown arena proposal from the Katz Group. The Mayor wants a decision on moving forward with talks between the City and the owner of the Oilers. A lot of councillors, and probably a lot of people in general, don’t know if there’s even enough information to make a decision. Plus, Daryl Katz seems to want the city to come up with more ways to recoup construction costs.
The mayor says he’d go to the Legislature to ask for some money, even though the province hasn’t been too keen on throwing around arena cash. That came in his State of the City address.
After the address he spoke with the Edmonton Journal’s editorial board (a selection of editors and writers from the paper) and said if this downtown arena doesn’t go ahead the Oilers are gone. If that’s the case I hope to one day ride our LRT to the northwest or Mill Woods, and write a lovely e-mail to Daryl Katz, informing him of how Edmonton’s tax dollars funded a great LRT system. And I’ll wish him well in Quebec City or Kansas or wherever.
Alright, we’ll all be watching that arena stuff today. Now let’s see what else we’ve got…
