August 31 Edmonton Headlines
Old and new co-exist for just a little bit.
Good morning, Edmonton. We were so close to making it to September before really having to think about fall…but that morning chill is reality.
Edmonton’s city council wants a little more time for the municipal election and spending rules for third-party advertisers (like Envision Edmonton campaigning to keep the City Centre Airport open, during the 2010 election).
I’m yet to be won over by the idea of Edmonton’s open boundary school system, so I agree with the sentiment of kids going to their local school.
Pregnant homeless women have a new service just for them at Boyle Street.
We were just talking about naming things around the city the other day, and now a stretch of train tracks is getting a new name.
Edmonton’s Alley of Light should be among our first moves to beautify, and occupy, the many unused and forgotten spaces around out city.
An Edmonton author is set to release her new book this weekend. Yay for Edmonton writers!
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Nobody likes how the Alberta government is protecting our province’s rivers. Except maybe the Alberta government. And people who own water licenses.
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Hey, companies and businesses, jump into social media already.
Short Week Headlines
Click for more terrible front pages.
Good morning, Edmonton.
While we’re not trying to doom and gloom you, we are going to begin with homicides; stories that are most prevalent in Edmonton news right now.
Overall, Edmonton’s got 33 homicides on record in 2011. That’s the most of any city in Canada. Though, with stories like this and this from the Edmonton Sun you’d think we lived in a war zone. I doubt a death penalty would reduce one year’s higher than usual homicide rate. Let’s remember – ALL newsrooms - that our crime rate is down,down, down.
Also, I think I’ve mentioned this before in Headlines, but the Sun’s staffers should know that the highest penalty for murder in Canada is life in prison with no chance at parole for 25 years. Not 25 years and you’re out. We can also send people away as “dangerous offenders” in Canada, which means they do not have a release date at all. These tiny bits of information, usually added at the end of a story or an opinion piece, do have an impact on how people perceive crime and criminals.
After this weekend’s (and today’s) stories I am now officially pleading with Edmonton newsrooms to stop talking to criminologist Bill Pitt. “Everybody in this city is armed” sounds like the worst crime research ever.
There are connections to Edmonton’s Somali community within our high homicide rate, and within the homicide rate for the last number of years. Police continue to try and work with members of the community to solve the many murders and killings within this population. Though, the crimes reach right across Canada inside of Somali gangs. There are, of course, many Somali-Edmontonians willing to help police, and who want to see the city operate in a peaceful manner.
Detectives, and extra Edmonton Police officers brought in to help solve homicides, are busy. An excellent point made in this story that paramedics and medical staff likely help keep the homicide number down.
While police try to solve as many killings as they can, prevention of crime is going to be the key to keeping homicide rates down on a more permanent basis.
We might have started things off with homicide, though I do hope you don’t think I’ve switched to a “If it bleeds, it leads” approach with the Headlines. I mean, I don’t want to scare anyone into thinking Edmonton has a murder around every corner. It doesn’t.
Hopefully, by compiling a lot of the weekend stories (good ones, interesting ones, ones the Edmonton Sun had) we can have a fuller conversation about what’s going on in our city, and see the work of police, community groups, and individuals to bring killers to justice and keep things as safe as possible.
Now, just for criminologist Bill Pitt, let’s put away all of our knives and continue with the day’s stories. (more…)
June 16 Edmonton Headlines
Good morning to you, Edmonton.
When you’re driving around the city, do you find those new(ish) electronic billboards annoying, too bright, distracting?
Poverty is still hitting Edmonton’s kids, especially during the recent recession.
A new team is hitting the streets to help homeless individuals with addictions.
You can now fly from Edmonton to Cranbrook, British Columbia. Cranbrook party, anyone? Speaking of flying…the Edmonton International Airport’s new hotel will open next year…
There is a milk revolution happening at one Edmonton school.
St. Albert is losing one of its two newspapers. (The remaining paper is the twice-weekly St. Albert Gazette.)
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Alberta’s wildfire fighting budget is going to be high. And this prediction comes before summer even officially starts.
Our province has a new Chief Medical Examiner. I wonder if shows like CSI and Bones have made it easier to publish a profile like this.
The RCMP are going to look into allegations of people jumping the healthcare line. Meanwhile…the Alberta Health Services CEO can make a little extra money if he reduces some medical wait times.
An Alberta company is now facing charges in importing foreign workers, in a case that’s already seen a lawsuit and counter-suit filed.
It seems the dating website Plenty of Fish isn’t too happy about the government of Alberta’s new website aimed at increasing awareness of sexually transmitted infections; Plenty of Syph.
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That Air Canada strike appears to be over before it really got going.
Canada Post, on the other hand, isn’t going to be delivering your jams of the month anytime soon. (Unless the federal government steps in.) The Alberta government’s launched its backup mail plan!
Haha…the Conservative government might have trouble reforming the Senate because of…Conservative senators.
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…)
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.
Puddle-Jumping Headlines
Hello there, Edmonton. Plenty of good stuff in the news today, including the City’s battle to keep your neighbourhood from flooding with this warm temperatures.
This nice weather does mean having to leap large puddles in a single bound. Puddles like this:
Let me know if you come across puddles that beat this one.
Speaking of snow (melting), contracting out more of Edmonton’s snow removal probably wouldn’t save money.
Now, shifting away from weather, there’s still plenty more to talk about. (more…)
Monday Edmonton Headlines
For a Monday, we’ve got a lot of news to catch up on. So let’s get to it, Edmonton.
It sort of quietly happened on Friday afternoon, but Envision Edmonton lost its court bid over the City Centre Airport. Pending appeal, and probably a lawsuit or two, this means the re-development goes ahead. We should find out in spring which design the new neighbourhood will get.
The Journal’s Gary Lamphier has some good questions about the downtown arena. Namely, for a project that’s kicked around for a few years, how can so many questions remain unanswered? And why are no other business owners stepping forward to say they want to be a part of the downtown arena district?
That last one gives me serious concerns about what kind of tax lift a community revitazlization levy would be able to produce to pay off all the city tax dollars proposed with the current Katz Group plan.
Still with the downtown arena, how about that City communications plan?
Now, away from two of the most contentious projects in recent times… (more…)
Happy Birthday, Homeless Eddie
By Amanda Bennett
It was at least-25 outside as I set out to find out how some of our homeless cope with this extreme cold. My heels dug into the snow on the icy sidewalk and I blew clouds of white breath as I made my way down the side streets. My hair hung down in half-frozen icicles on either side of my face and my double layered coat crinkled as the frost attempted to inch its icy fingers in…According to the label, I was prepared for the ascent to Everest and up to -65!
Opposite the church…
The last time I had been to the step outside the church it was fall, and several men had gathered out there to enjoy the last warm temperatures before the winter chill. Tonight it was barren. All that remained was a sign telling people to gather up their belongings or the items would be tossed into the neighbouring dumpster.
Next to the Library…
I saw a young woman hugging the wall by the library who asked me for some money for something hot and she looked so very forlorn and cold. I thought she was not so very old and felt her desperation as we spoke a little. She likes that the library lets her stay for awhile to warm up. She likes to see the posters in the children’s section and sometimes takes advantage of community programs in the area, to get a bowl of soup and a hot coffee. “Jackie” bid me a good night and hoped that it would warm up soon.
At the gas pumps… I met Eddie. (more…)
ID Cards for the Homeless
It is an oft-overlooked problem, one without a visible face. But now, that is changing.
A new program in Edmonton is helping homeless people have an identity, at least in the eyes of the provincial government, and is doing so in a literal fashion: helping them get ID cards. The new program allows the homeless to list homeless shelters and other agencies as residences and is going to great lengths to help them find documentation to prove their identities.
The thinking behind the program is that not only will it help the government track the number of homeless individuals in the province, but will also help them get back on their feet. Without proper identification, many resources are unavailable to them, such as opening bank accounts or even going to the food bank. It has symbolic implications as well: those who have too often been ignored now have an identity, and now are being treated as people like any citizen with a home, job, and proper ID.
Of course, the program is not without its faults. (more…)
May 26 YEG Headlines
I’m not sure I’ve ever thrown our Twitter/International Airport identifier into the Headlines subject before. I feel like I should have, since I freakin’ love Twitter so much.
So I guess that times are still tough, especially when it comes to the rising cost of items.
For example, the seemingly homeless guy asking for “Two bucks to get a slice of pizza,” around Whyte Avenue is now asking for “Three bucks.” Inflation stinks.
He also had a hand, completely, full of change when he asked me for $3. I’m pretty sure he had more than that already. It’s sad really. I saw him offered food, from an event I was at, when he was asking for money – for food – last summer. He could not have been more disgusted with the offer of food.
I’m glad the city is continuing to look at ways to help Edmonton’s less-fortunate and street people, without just handing over money.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Tree service $1M cheaper if city did it
Ward 6 Coun.Thiele’s record left for others to assess (My favourite thing is that Dave Thiele says term limits should be implemented for councillors.)
NAIT faculty drops grievance against president
A treacherous field (Farmers had a tough 2009.)
Second man sought in cold-case murder
Former Edmonton Sun columnist sues employer (Surprisingly, or not, this isn’t in the Sun today. I did a quick couple of searches to make sure they just didn’t have it earlier too.)
Second Apple store and iPad arrive together (So here’s what you do, you go down to Southgate Friday and wait in line and buy me an iPad.)
Edmonton’s BioWare expands to Ireland
Metric, Stereos, Canyon to his Telus Stage at Capital Ex (Don’t call it Ed Fest.)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Province performs unauthorized credit checks
Beaten bus driver blinded: dangerous offender hearing (The crown is trying to have the man who beat bus driver Tom Bregg declared a dangerous offender, meaning he would go to prison with no clear release date.)
Duckett taken to hospital (There’s also info in this story about some bed closures and new beds opening to replace them.)
from Metro Edmonton:
2010 hockey teams to help raise funds for outdoor rink (The gold medal winning teams from Vancouver.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
City looks to LRT cams to catch criminals
Edmonton job prospects improving
Stats Can reveals its population projections (Come on, one to two million people.)
from CBC Edmonton:
Flaherty to unveil single securities regulator (Alberta, Quebec and, sort of, Manitoba are against this idea. They like our current system of provincial regulators.)
Man, 19, arrested in LRT slaying (So, I was all ready to link this story to CHED/iNews this morning, since they looked to break the news yesterday, but they never followed up. I want to showcase your good work, newsrooms! Oh, and don’t blame LRT.)
Youth charged in Edmonton slaying ward of province (As Paula Simons detailed, the victim also spent time in provincial care.)
from CTV Edmonton:
Job cuts hinted for Alberta teachers (The provincial budget, and its deficit, is starting to loom large for teachers and schools.)
City’s safety compliance team looks to target problem bar patrons (I’ve said it recently, I’ll say it again, I like the new gusto of this team. Meanwhile…at the Blush Lounge…owners think about how to re-open…And at least one city councillor is musing about bar and entertainment districts leading to problems.)
Salads recalled over salmonella contamination concern (Is packaged and processed food getting worse, or are reporting and recall methods getting better?)
Weeeeeee….
An update: The Edmonton Folk Music Festival’s full lineup has been announced.
Edmonton Headlines for Friday, May 7, 2010
That's a nice view. Thanks to our friend Ryan for this shot capturing the, umm, natural beauty of the river valley.
We are going to end this week with a bang.
Which is good, since we started the week with a bang. A bang of comments on all kinds of items. Thanks for being part of the conversation, Edmonton.
Sounds like someone else tried to close things out in a big way over on the stock market. Seems somebody with “fat fingers” might have accidentally typed “billion” when they meant “million,” sending the markets into a tailspin. Oops.
Except, if you ask me, it wasn’t an accident. I know what happened.
Clearly, this is all what I’m going to call a “Trading Places” trade, in an imitation of the big move made by Eddie Murphy and Dan
Aykroyd at the end of that film. Someone was probably just trying to get back at aging hucksters who had forced them to trade lives in some sort of stupid bet.
I’m no market analyst but I think I’m onto something.
Also, they are totally going to remake this movie. Mark my words.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Edmonton trustee wants special tax for school building maintenance (Bah, just bulldoze the old schools every 3 or 4 years and build new ones. There, I just wiped out your maintenance budget.)
Construction to begin on Sherwood Park hospital (Shovel-ready? This baby was shovel-ready in 2007. The Alberta Conservative Government: We’ll get around to it, eventually.)
Edmonton building permits plummet
Shift in natural gas prices ‘bodes well’
Edmonton writer wins Canadian Mental Health Association’s media award (It’s great to see mental health stigmas starting to be tackled. It’s important stuff. It’s also nice to see Mari win this.)
Two stabbings in downtown Edmonton Thursday (This doesn’t happen in cities with downtown arenas. Just sayin’. Speaking of such, Scott McKeen wasn’t too convinced yesterday.)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Man admits to brutal attack on Edmonton bus driver (The crown is going to try and put the guy away indefinitely.)
Lack of mortgage regulations opens Alberta up to fraud: Liberals (I don’t know what giant example anyone could point to about tightening up mortgage rules being a good idea.)
Alta. cancer researchers get $750K in battle for cure
from Metro Edmonton:
Don’t overreact to cyber threat: Police (This scam sounds so flimsy, I think they’re running out of ideas.)
from the Edmonton Examiner:
Renovated Grand Trunk Pool reopens
from The Canadian Press:
Counterfeit American $100 bills circulating in Edmonton
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Hancock prefers deficits to job cuts (This Conservative government sure doesn’t know what a conservative would do.)
Alberta boosts job growth in April
Olympic champions signing autographs at West Ed
from CBC Edmonton:
Edmonton Police slammed over racist email (Meanwhile…at the hall of provincial justice…your input is sought.)
from CTV Edmonton:
Edmontonians get glimps of Katz Group’s plan for new arena (Yeaaaaah, baby! *Ahem* I don’t know where that came from. Anyway, we’ll give you more on this later.)
Group seeks city ban on pesticides (I can’t believe this debate is still going on. I covered this issue, in London, Ontario, a decade ago.)
from Global Edmonton:
I can only access the video player on our Mac. The laptop doesn’t work, the work computer doesn’t work. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
Moisture report (Did this snow help, or was it just a kick in the crotch for nothing?)
Behind the scenes at airport security (Will we ever learn to stop bringing our kitchen knives on the flight?)
Happy Birthday, Devon Peacock.
Opinion: Don’t give money to the homeless
The givers not knowing where their money’s going
Is as sinful as throwing away
- Cold War Kids, “Passing the hat”
By: Janine Edwards
We’ve established already that I’m an uncaring human being. If you are unaware of this, perhaps you should pay closer attention to my Letters to the Editors. If you’ve previously been offended by my point of view… you really aren’t going to like this.
Homeless people are ruining our city.
‘But Janine! They can’t help it. They’re addicts, they’ve had a bum deal, they are victims of an uncaring society.’ Bah.
There are places out there to help them. Lots of places. Okay, now we’re all recessionary… But there were tons of homeless even when we had staff shortages.
Now, in the style of our soon to be ruler of Colberta, I’m putting the Homeless on notice. (more…)
