July 27 Edmonton Headlines
Good morning, Edmonton, and welcome to the middle of the week.
So, the Premier is considering boosting a municipal fund to help Edmonton pay for a downtown arena. Man, we could use that money to keep building our LRT system too.
But, I guess, since Ed Stelmach enjoyed the mess Ralph Klein left him he wants to leave a little something for his replacement. All of the candidates to be Progressive Conservative premier have said they won’t help fund the downtown arena. Even though this isn’t necessarily direct funding, but Stelmach openly tying the idea of an increase to the Municipal Sustainability Initiative to the Mayor’s request for arena money, he puts the new premier into a tough position.
For Calgary, however, it bodes well for their looming request for arena money.
Oh, and while the outgoing premier seems all-too-ready to help pay for a downtown arena, students in Morinville are without promised temporary classrooms in September. Maybe if they could play hockey really well…
A man who attacked city bus driver Tom Bregg is going to prison. And he does not have a release date. The fact the attacker did not have the worst record of violent offences says that transit drivers deserve a higher level of respect and protection.
Spruce Avenue School’s got an innovative summer program to keep kids caught up on their lessons, have something to do in the summer, and enjoy some play time.
Habitat for Humanity has its largest ever Edmonton-area donation: $1-million.
It’s going to cost you an extra $5 to fly out of the Edmonton International Airport. Have we built high-speed rail yet?
You’d think that’d be lots of news. But there’s lots more. (more…)
Monday Headlines
It's a double rainbow dudes. (Photo: Deja Springfield)
Welcome to a new week, a sunnier week, Edmonton.
So, last week there was a bit in the Progressive Conservative leadership debate about not funding a new downtown arena in Edmonton. Now the wording is getting a little, let us say, tricky.
Now, for the second time in a week, a columnist who was in favour of a downtown arena is having second thoughts.
Chinatown is again at the centre of debate and discussion around the downtown LRT connnector.
There’s been a lot of talk about historic and heritage buildings in the news recently. Another way we could lose these great old gems is the same way we can lose any building; fire.
This is one of the worst summers for mosquitoes in recent memory, and Mike Jenkins is among those at the head of the battle against the bug.
Edmonton newsrooms need a new crime expert. The one always cited, Bill Pitt, doesn’t believe the crime rate is going down. I haven’t seen any studies or figures he might have to back that up though.
There was some sort of car race this weekend. I’ll find out what kind after the jump. (more…)
July 19 Edmonton Headlines
No crazy-ass storms this morning. So, that’s a good thing.
The cost of a new downtown arena will be more than the $450-million pricetag currently tossed about. Of course, roads, sewers, LRT and transit connections (and lots of other stuff the City will have to build) were always going to be needed, it’s just more official now in a report back to Councillor Ed Gibbons. And with Northlands not ready to stop booking concerts and events things could get messy (and even more expensive). Maybe things will get so complicated billionaire Oilers owner Daryl Katz will just build the arena himself.
What? It’s possible…
I’m not sure I buy the headline on this story that members of Edmonton’s Somali community are fleeing the city but it is a group that’s seeing constant homicides, mostly due to drug and gang connections of younger Somali men.
There won’t be a Weekend to End Breast Cancer in Edmonton. Also, how did it cost $2.1-million to feed under 800 people, staff medical tents and run a website. Did the website cost $1.2-million?
Edmonton’s Ronald McDonald House is looking to expand. Again.
A giant apartment fire last week started because of bed bug extermination.
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Canada’s energy ministers are meeting in Alberta, talking about a national energy plan. Oh, oil companies are sponsoring a big portion of the conference, so I’m sure the environment will be on that agenda somewhere.
Speaking of energy companies running the show…the Premier’s promise to keep bitumen upgrading jobs in Alberta meant nothing…
It was so hot in Alberta yesterday…that we set a new power record.
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West Edmonton Mall’s got some renovations going on, and will be adding more U.S. stores.
If we get out of this rainy weather, there’s a new place for you to go swimming in the river valley.
Two Years of Edmonton Headlines
Stick around and we'll play some tunes.
Good Wednesday to you, Edmonton. Today marks two years of these here Headlines. How’s it going to for you, still digging them?
Since we first started I’ve tweaked one or two things, including moving away from slotting in the stories under the newsrooms they’re from, and zinging the newsrooms all of the time. Now I try to just zing the newsmakers and stories.
Thoughts, comments, and requests are always welcome.
Now, on with the news!
Will we have two Walterdale Bridges? Could the old one (the current, green one) become a hub of food and shops for people crossing the river and enjoying a built-up Rossdale neighbourhood once the EPCOR building is gone? Sounds neat, but the timelines might not match up.
We do have a new food spot in the river valley though, in Louise McKinney Park.
OK…the Mayor was talking about making it easier to move to the suburbs, and now he wants to get rid of traffic lights so he can get around in his car without having to be driven “nuts.” What’s up with all this?
You might have noticed a lot of black smoke over the downtown yesterday afternoon. There was a big apartment fire that sent four residents and two firefighters to hospital.
The University of Alberta’s leading the way with its National Institute for Nanotechnology.
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We were talking yesterday about the need to turn away from gangs and criminals, report them to police when they break the law or kill someone, and an elder on the Samson Cree First Nation is saying just that in Hobbema. He’s saying it because a child was shot dead while sleeping inside a home. People may fear retaliation, but the larger the problem gets, the longer things go on without killers going to prison, the larger the risk of dying while doing nothing.
Edmonton also had a man killed this year who was not the intended target.
I’d still call triathlete Paula Findlay’s MRI a healthcare queue jump. Sure, it’s nice she’s a sports star and chose to have it done in the public healthcare system, but if she could have gotten “an immediate MRI scan if she had gone to an emergency room…” she should have gone to an emergency room.
Perhaps an answer here is to ensure athletes, professional and amateur have a line to healthcare since it’s part of their job. In terms of amateur athletes, maybe representatives on provincial or national teams and levels could land that pseudo-workers’ comp.
It has been a tough year in Alberta for disasters. Central Alberta is now flooded (there’s flooding in northern Alberta too, and fires).
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If you’re looking for patios (you know, when the sun eventually returns) Edmonton’s got three new ones – at three restaurants I quite enjoy.
June 27 Edmonton Headlines
Click on the photo for a better look at what people want to see at this old gas station site.
Hello, Edmonton!
Police are meeting with people from the central neighbourhoods which have seen the majority of homicides this year.
The Edmonton Transit System will not be installing safety shields on buses, to ensure drivers have interactions with passengers. Trust me, the customer service of some of those drivers doesn’t need a shield to be hindered. The idea for the shields came after driver Tom Bregg was beaten. I hope ETS will keep looking at safety options.
Edmonton needs more flexibility when it comes to dealing with older buildings, and their owners. The Bank of Montreal building on Jasper, at 101 Street, is slated to be demolished. If the previous owners had been forced to take better care of an aging building, maybe the new owners wouldn’t be readying the wrecking ball. And maybe we can accept a 48-year-old building that has some personality instead of holding fast to the 50-year rule for historical designation.
Speaking of owners who could do a better job…could there really be hope for the abandoned gas station at 105 Street and Whyte Avenue? Really?!
Can you believe there’s still lots to get to? Believe it! (more…)
May 17 Edmonton Headlines
Good morning, Edmonton. We’ll begin again with the fire in Slave Lake.
It's been a little while since I posted a river shot.
Edmonton’s got roles in helping the people of Slave Lake. That northwestern Alberta town is burning because of forest fires. The City is putting up residents at the Northlands Expo Centre. (Nearby towns and cities are also taking in those fleeing the fires.) The Edmonton Humane Society is looking after pets. Edmontonians are rallying to donate any needed items. (The Corus radio stations are holding a BBQ on Wednesday for relief efforts.) Edmonton firefighters are among those fighting wildfires north of our city.
The fires already shut down cleanup on Alberta’s largest oil spill in decades, and now more energy sources will be affected.
These fires are far from the only ones in the province. Is it a freakish fire season? Have we waited too long to combat climate change?
Locally, CTV Edmonton, the Edmonton Journal, and Global Edmonton look to be providing lots of coverage on the fire.
Alright, let’s check on the rest of Edmonton. (more…)
Helping Slave Lake
(Photo: CTV Edmonton)
Hi Edmonton.
As news of the devastating fire in Slave Lake, Alberta continues to come in, you might be wondering what you can do, sitting here in non-burning Edmonton, to help folks in this northwestern Alberta town. There are a few things you can do. And they are really simple, but could mean a lot to someone who has lost everything. (You also don’t have to feel any pressure to donate, we just want to let you know there are a few options out there in case you’re sitting like us, staring at the terrifying images of fire and burned-out buildings, feeling a lousy combination of terror, sympathy, and powerlessness.)
Just a quick note to anyone who hasn’t seen much on the story: Slave Lake, Alberta is a natural resources town (primarily lumber and forestry products) a couple of hours northwest of Edmonton. Dry, windy conditions have contributed to wildfires in Alberta, and the town was preparing for this as it became surrounded by fires. This weekend, the fires moved into the town, and everyone was ordered to get out last night.
The Red Cross (still helping Japan after its earthquake and tsunami) has its Alberta branch working on relief in Slave Lake. You can always donate to the Red Cross at its website.
#YEGHelps is also organizing collections here in Edmonton. You can donate household items and clothes. There are plenty of donation sites in Edmonton, and around the Capital Region.
You can let us know if there are any other donation drives or ways to help in the comments.
Friday the 13th: Jason Writes Edmonton Headlines
That winter, and now gas prices, is really hitting Edmonton’s budget hard. We’ve gone from a surplus to a deficit in just a few months (and without doing all that much). Speaking of the City needing money…It’s going to cost you more to park in Edmonton (at meters anyway).
I enjoy the endless debate of LRT vs. BRT (that’s bus rapid transit). Yes, it’s likely cheaper to claim a lane as a bus lane and zip some buses around on more express routes. But, as this column mentions, while you can find plenty of folks who like taking a train, subway, maybe even a streetcar (in my opinion) you won’t find many people talking about how much the love public buses.
The Journal’s business section has a lot of stories on Stantec. But, I guess, Stantec does kick a lot of business butt.
Police in Edmonton and Leduc have used DNA to link a man, already charged with a sexual assault, with other assaults in Edmonton, Vegreville, and B.C.
Guards at the Edmonton Remand Centre have been complaining of unsafe conditions. Today, an inmate is dead and another is charged with his murder.
While wildfires begin to burn around Alberta, the City of Edmonton is reminding people to be careful with their cigarette butts, since firefighters were putting out fires all over Edmonton because of careless smoking.
The wind we’re experiencing is not helping contain those wildfires. And in Edmonton the wind is knocking out power.
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Do you miss Premier Ed Stelmach already? He says we’re ready for the next boom. This time.
What about David Swann as Liberal leader? Do you miss that yet?
Some of the early costs of an oilspill cleanup are starting to come in. With about one third of the spill cleaned, the costs will be going up. It’s the worst spill in Alberta in four decades.
Beginning this fall you can ask to see your home inspector’s license.
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Leduc is keeping it local. Which is kind of ironic since they’ve got the Edmonton International Airport right there.
Get ready for your parents to move in with you.
Laughter continues to be thought of as a good medicine.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is coming to Edmonton. I had to double-check this didn’t have anything to do with press junkets for the new Conan movie.
Watch out for black cats today.
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.
Women’s Headlines
Good morning to you, Edmonton. I hope you weren’t too adversely affected by the power outage in southwest Edmonton or the gas leak downtown Monday afternoon.
We are headed for single digits below zero, and, maybe, even above the freezing mark. Bring. It. On.
Edmonton’s motorcycle noise bylaw isn’t going anywhere. Police will be back out in the spring, testing the loudest motorcycles and handing out tickets to those that exceed the noise rules. A ticket had been thrown out of court, but the City says it will tweak how things are done and everything should be just fine (and legal).
The Edmonton International Airport is speeding things up.
The Villa Caritas has been under scrutiny for some time, but the mental health-facility for seniors is now open.
If you’re a student at the University of Alberta, you’ve got an election to vote in tomorrow or Thursday. The Gateway has broken down some of the election jargon for you.
Looks like Edmonton has the lowest gas prices in Canada (the provinces, anyway). We may not be so lucky with the price of beer.
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The Health Quality Council of Alberta wants to investigate why emergency rooms were so bad, why people had to wait so long for care in the Alberta health system. But the group has to be asked to investigate. The Alberta Conservative government isn’t asking. So, the Council is thinking about asking for changes to regulations that would allow it to investigate whenever it wants.
That comes as some hospital wait times are said to have improved.
Four men had to be brought into Edmonton by for medical treatment, one flown by STARS (the air ambulance) after a well explosion and fire near Edson that injured twelve.
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Global’s Trouble Shooter is being recognized for her, umm, trouble-shooting.
It’s International Women’s Day. So, show some respect.
And, I, for one, welcome our new(est) media overlords.
That Burning Sensation
Do these posters scare anyone else into thinking the Russians really do have that jock itch bomb that’s been rumoured for years?
Fiery Tuesday Headlines
I looked out my window and there was a fire. (Click for more photos.)
Good morning, Edmonton. I trust we are all bundled up as we dart quickly from place to place. The less time spent outside on a day like today, the better. (Today’s Long John Index is set at 4. But we really close to 5.)
This morning was a morning of fires in Edmonton. You’ll see a lot of that on the news at 6pm tonight.
The big stories, however, are in healthcare and the Expo.
We saw Dr. Raj Sherman ejected from the Tory caucus yesterday. Even though the Premier said he was cool with Dr. Sherman lashing out at healthcare mismanagement. I guess other Tory MLAs were not so forgiving. (The Journal’s Graham Thomson says Dr. Sherman kind of brought this on himself.)
You have to wonder how badly all the opposition parties want to get Dr. Sherman to cross the floor to their party. If I was the Alberta Party I would be putting all efforts into this. That would be some way to instantly become a legitimate election choice.
So, a doctor calls out government and politicians for screwing up healthcare and he’s suspended by his party.
One of the top people in all the province when it comes to healthcare can’t be bothered to talk about how emergency room service will improve (or even offer a polite “no comment”) because he’s eating a cookie and the government decides this is the guy to keep around. (Granted, the politics of Sherman’s turfing are different than firing the head of Alberta Health Services.) hile most people would probably ask Stephen Duckett to take his cookies back to Australia, it sounds like Alberta Health Services’ bigwigs like his cookie-eating style.
Though, since they meet next week, if the criticism hasn’t subsided (or we have some auto-tunes of “I want to eat my coooookieee.”) I can see them asking him to leave. The Journal’s Paula Simons also thinks Duckett’s behavious is acceptable and doesn’t warrant turfing him. Over at The Gateway, John Kmech has a different recipe for the cookie affair.
Now, that’s not the only problem for the governing Alberta Progressive Conservatives (though, I checked, and a bitch is not one). Senator-in-Waiting Link Byfield is stepping down. Six years ago people in the province voted for a group of people to be “Senators.” We don’t elect the Canadian Senate, so they wait, hoping to be chosen when the Prime Minister of the day stocks up the Senate. Stephen Harper actually took one of Alberta’s Senators-in-Waiting to fill a recent vacancy.
But…the election for Senators-in-Waiting was supposed to happen last month, when we had our municipal elections. The Stelmach Tories said it would have been too expensive to run the vote and just appointed the current batch of S-i-Ws. (Which, of course, goes against the entire idea of electing Senators.) So, Link Byfield resigned. The other two S-i-Ws will stay on, in case something opens up in the Senate and we have a chance for a (somewhat) elected person to head to Ottawa.
Now, Byfield is also running as a Wildrose candidate in the next provincial election, so there’s a touch of politics to all of this. There’s going to be a lot more than touching when the next provincial election rolls around. Federal Tories (and Tory supporters) are going to have to choose between their provincial counterparts (the Stelmach Cokie Brigade) and the upstart Wildose Alliance. I’m sure the left-of-centre parties will enjoy not being the only ones seeing vote-splitting.
On to Edmonton news! (more…)
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em
We might as well rock out to some smoke-related tunes when we’re not outside in the haze.
Our smoky playlist includes:
This Fire – Franz Ferdinand
Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple (live)
Smoke baby – Hawksley Workman
Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix
Dust in the Wind – Kansas
Smokin’ – Boston
Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
Smoke gets in your eyes – The Platters
Marijuana – Reverend Horton Heat (Hey, there are a lot of “smoke” and 420 jokes flying.)
Cinder and Smoke – Iron & Wine (via hi54lofi)
B.C. is on Fire – The Pack A.D. (So obvious I didn’t think of it for hours.)
Burning down the house – Talking Heads (though I didn’t link to their version)
We didn’t start the fire – Billy Joel (Clearly we’re blaming B.C for this one.)
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em – Fun Lovin’ Criminals
The Motor City is Burnin’ – John Lee Hooker (I linked to MC5′s version.)
I Smell Smoke – Johnny Winter
I went all bluesy at the end there.
More today:
Disco Inferno – The Trammps (Burn, baby, burn)
That made me think of The Roof is on Fire by The Bloodhound Gang (NSFW)
Paris is Burning – Ladyhawke, Peaches remix (There’s also the St. Vincent song called Paris is Burning.)
Ashes to Ashes – David Bowie
Smoke Rings – Django Reinhardt
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Here’s one way to track the smoke: It’s a smoke radar.
And on the health side of things, you can always keep track of air quality through Alberta Health Services.
