July 22 Edmonton Headlines
Welcome to a rainy Friday, Edmonton.
A bunch of new apartments to be built in Edmonton, and the region, will include homes available for less than market value.
The Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership candidates began a tour of debates last night in Vermilion. Nothing crazy or outlandish happened, so take a peek through the story to start getting a sense of the people that would be premier.
Strange that I would mention that here, right off the top, where I usually have Edmonton news. Maybe there’s something in this story about the downtown arena and its snowball’s chances of provincial money. Speaking of paying for fancy things…
Police are trying to work with the Somali community to solve all of the homicides that population has suffered in recent years, including four this year.
Two Edmonton Police officers are under investigation after drunk driving charges were dismissed because a suspect was badly beaten during the arrest and police testimony left the judge feeling like there was a “circle of silence” from the arresting officers.
It’s the Indy weekend (I’m sure that you didn’t need a reminder), but what does the race say to the world about Edmonton? Does it say anything at all?
A man with Edmonton connections, and alleged tied to war crimes, is among the most wanted immigration fugitives in Canada.
Edmonton author Gloria Sawai – an award-winning author – has died.
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Are Ottawa and Alberta on the same page when it comes to environmental monitoring, particularly of the oil industry? Yes? Yes. Maybe?
As the newest Alberta oil spill is being cleaned up, National Geographic is setting its sites on pipelines that will run from the capital region to the B.C. coast. (I got the link to the National Geographic story after seeing a story in the Journal.)
A legal case about Metis and Status Indian registration, and living on a Metis settlement, went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. Basically, you can only register for benefits once.
All of this rain has meant a rise in river and lake levels across Alberta.
A Sherwood Park man is fighting hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud allegations. Here’s a quote that stood out to me: “…his latest business was legal.”
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As mentioned yesterday, crime is down. In Edmonton. In Alberta. In Canada (there are some crimes that saw an increase last year though, but overall things are getting better). So, I’m sure you’re glad the federal Conservative government is getting tough on crime.
And I’m sure tonight’s news will have lotsa crime stories. But crime is down.
Hold on a second…I know my soapbox is around here somewhere…Ah, here it is.
This story and at least one more has begun with lines like “You might not believe it…” but crime stories in the news is THE reason people wouldn’t believe it. So, aren’t you saying you’re getting it wrong?
Here’s a better opening: “It might contradict everything we put in the news every day, but crime is continually dropping…”
This is the biggest reason I don’t link out to a lot of crime stories. They lack context. Homicides are about the only story that include references to how many have happened overall, if that’s up or down for this time of year, or over a period of years. That doesn’t happen with sex crimes, robberies, or many other crimes. That lack of context is what leaves people with a feeling things aren’t safe.
That’s not to say everything is perfect and I’d feel perfectly happy counting stacks of money out on every street corner or wandering around every neighbourhood at 3am, but without context people in charge – in neighbourhoods, in community groups, in government, in policing – don’t get to focus on real problems and prevention because they’re reacting to front pages and 6 o’clock news reports.
Jumps off soapbox.
Let’s end on an up-note: dinosaurs and celebrities!
Edmonton Parade Headlines
Don’t forget about the Capital Ex parade this morning. Mostly because it will be causing some traffic delays in downtown Edmonton.
This ain't your daddy's hockey rink.
So…I don’t know if you’ve heard anything about the downtown arena and entertainment district proposal from the Katz Group. If you haven’t, then we’re about to school you.
The most interesting items include Daryl Katz now offering $100-million for the arena AND $100-million for the entertainment district.
Say, if we keep waiting does he just end up paying for all of it? Or, because we heard the Oilers will not play in a renovated Rexall Place, does he throw that money to another city?
If you are updated, this will be a chance to learn just a little bit more. Each newsroom’s story on the big meeting at City Hall is included today.
Arena-up!
from the Edmonton Journal:
Oilers owner commits $200M to arena project
Oilers won’t play at Rexall, Katz Group says
Non-threat helps focus debate (The threat that wasn’t a threat. And, more importantly, the Batman or Joker question.)
Katz takes crowbar to Rexall option
Early start to Edmonton LRT paid parking turned down by council
Court appoints caretakers for Alberta Soccer Association (What an example they’re setting for the kids.)
Tailings ponds pose toxic threat: report
from the Edmonton Sun:
Katz says renovated Rexall not an option
Tough to separate arena fact from fiction (The Hicks on Six take.)
from Metro Edmonton:
Katz commits ‘no less than $400M’ to downtown arena project (That includes the $200-million he’s spent on the Oilers. Not that $200-million for an arena and stuff isn’t a fantastic offer.)
from The Canadian Press:
Oilers owner Daryl Katz urges city council to help pay for new NHL rink
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Katz willing to double investment in arena district (At least one group isn’t pleased to hear about a levy to pay for the potential project.)
Honda Indy staying put (A new group will be running the race, not Northlands. Which should get taxpayers off the hook. Meanwhile…on runway 30 of the City Centre Airport…)
from CBC Edmonton:
Oilers owner pitches new arena to council
Alberta midway inspection flawed: U.S. Expert (Those who inspected the ride before it crashed are inspecting it after.)
from CTV Edmonton:
Oilers will not play in a “renovated Rexall Place”: Katz Group
from Global Edmonton:
from Vue Weekly:
To the poorhouse (Why not giving money to the homeless is just to relieve our uncomfortableness with the situation.)
The big party (The Alberta Party begins becoming an actual political machine.)
from SEE Magazine:
How many arena stories did you read?
Skinny Morning Headlines with extra foam
This reminds me, I need a coffee.
Good Wednesday to you, Edmonton.
Here we are, the middle of the work week, and it usually means the news production has picked up.
There are plenty of stories to get to, including a potential Via strike that could deter holiday plans, an iconic Edmonton Motor Inn is shut down (not iconic for good reasons, mind you) and I need to find a new restaurant where I can get one of my favourites; mouse skeleton soup.
The news is always full of interesting facts and surprises.
from the Edmonton Journal
Storm squeezes gasoline supply
U of A gets $7M in research funds
Via Rail cancels trains across Canada after strike threat
from the Edmonton Sun
from 630 CHED/iNews880
Edmonton restaurant is facing a hefty fine
from CTV Edmonton
Shaw Conference Centre in need of expansion?
from CBC Edmonton:
And I’ll use the CBC story to link you to the one everybody had, which clearly makes it important: Eskimos’ linebacker takes on thief
If you think we’ve overlooked anything, feel free to leave a link in the comments.
