September 8 Edmonton Headlines
Good Thursday morning to you, Edmonton.
It’s nice to see that taking the LRT is such a good option that you can’t get a parking spot at Century Park station. More transit please!
An Old Strathcona parking lot looks to lose just over half of its parking spots. Tie that into some transit tweaks, including bus lanes on 99 Street, and I think you’d be just fine.
Is Edmonton forgetting its fallen soldiers? Or is this weekend, the anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on the U.S. just taking people to other events?
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Guys, I keep telling you, if we’re going to talk about important issues our government department is working on you send the e-mails to JordanFan789@hotmail.com.
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In the “Does not bode well for the future of the oilsands” category; Nobel Peace Prize winners are lining up in protest of the Keystone XL pipeline which would take oil from Alberta to the Texas coast.
If you want more, and stable, funding for education in Alberta, the opposition Liberals and NDP have ways for you to voice that opinion.
Meanwhile…in the crowded classrooms…more students enrolled in Edmonton schools, which means both the Public and Catholic boards can hire a few extra teachers…
Alberta is going to offer more surgeries to obese people to combat the many health problems associated with being so overweight. Also, some more food and exercise education in schools.
A judge in Calgary says the war on drugs is one that cannot be won, so our best hope is to keep casualties to a minimum.
While smoking is down across the country, more Albertans are taking up the habit, especially teens.
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(And FC Edmonton is headed to the playoffs in their first year.)
August 24 Edmonton Headlines
Good day, Edmonton.
Yes, yes, yes! I’ve been saying Edmonton needs 24-hour transit. That Toronto would be used as a model is even better, since that’s the model I see working. It’s a few routes running on reduced scheduled through the overnight hours (1:30-5:30 in Edmonton). If 6-12 routes, and possibly the LRT, ran every 30 or 60 minutes you could cross most of the city and provide a real transit option to shift workers, people heading across town to medical appointments (my orthodontist was across town and it was a pain to get there early on ETS), and offer a choice to people drinking that’s not their own vehicle or a cab (which becomes an issue with large nightlife districts like Whyte and Jasper Avenues).
Ben Henderson, today I’m glad to have voted for you.
Now, if the rest of council, and ETS administration can just follow this great, and long, long overdue, idea, we’re all set.
As the City prepares to build out our LRT system, the mayor is considering shifting some road construction money into the southeast LRT line. Might I suggest holding back on one or two new developments on the edge of city limits to try and encourage in-fill development that doesn’t require brand new roads and sewers?
High school students who may still be unfamiliar with Edmonton, and Canada, can get help adjusting to a new life.
Have some fruit growing on your property? Get that fruit rescued!
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Jack Layton is now lying-in-state in Ottawa, prior to a state funeral in Toronto on Saturday.
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This summer’s massive Slave Lake (area) fire is going to be investigated. It’s been 10 years since an official investigation into a wildfire in Alberta. The hope is that looking at conditions around the time of the fire, and how it spread, could help prevent another such fire doing so much damage.
Speaking of emergencies…the provincial government’s emergency alert system, which handles everything from tornados to Amber Alerts, is making the digital switch. Be sure to bookmark the site or subscribe to its RSS, become a fan on Facebook, and follow on Twitter. You’ll still hear alerts broadcast over television and radio (they cut into the regular programming) but you’re also likely to be online or using your smartphone when something goes down.
Soon all of southern Alberta will belong to the humans!
An Alberta woman is suing the provincial government for accidentally releasing their identities. They had changed identities to flee a violent relationship. Since that mistake, she claims to have received strange phones calls and had attempted break-ins. Whether those claims are true or not, she probably deserved another new identity, not just an apology.
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A new book, written by a local author, is going to help the Little Warriors organization. $1 from each book sold will go to the group that helps young victims of sexual abuse.
If you were at the Edmonton International Airport Monday night, you might have measles. So, you get to stay home for a couple of weeks, on order of Edmonton’s Medical Officer of Health.
Speaking of being on the lookout…if you spot a gold Chevy Cavalier, with the first three license plate digits being NVU, you could have some information police want in catching jewelery store robbers.
Do you volunteer? Do you find you’re volunteering less time these days?
August 18 Edmonton Headlines
Good morning, Edmonton. Let’s ignore that slight chill in the air and keep our minds focused on summer. Though, we can hear the gears grinding to life over at the Long John Index.
Edmonton’s streets have been safer this year (so far).
Building housing and neighbourhoods around LRT stations would go a long way toward densifying communities within the Henday’s boundaries, and increase transit usage. The City just has to get it right this time. (Though, to be fair, Clareview isn’t that bad.)
Edmonton’s got a little star power involved in the Boyle Renassaince project. Not sure yet if that means a higher contract price, but it could be worth the camera appeal that Mike Holmes will bring to affordable housing and the revitalization project.
Some days I have to take a deep breath before diving into the crime stories to see if there’s anything that speaks to trends, and information that might add more value to the Edmonton conversation. Most days it just seems like “…journalists believe that the world gets better if you remind people that the world is broken every day.”
We’re a terrible city – Crime can be frightening, but put it into context, tell people what they can do about, offer solutions.
Murder at the Max – an inmate at the Edmonton Institution (a prison at northeast city limits) is dead after a fight. Nobody’s been charged with murder, but it sounds like the headline writer here knows it’s coming.
“Axe Attack” – Maybe.
Knives, shanks, and slashing throats with paper – I like to think this story is about how a crackdown on knives, and concealed weapons, cannot be the only measure taken to combat violent crime in Edmonton. (Prevention of crime, and the causes of crime – like homelessness, drugs, and gangs – are way more important. And court sentences are something the federal government may be asked to look at.) Though, I could be wrong and that story could just be about knives.
Are all the bleeding leads done? Good. (more…)
Fringe Events
Alright, so there’s no getting around the big event happening right now in Edmonton. The 30th Edmonton International Fringe Festival; Fringeopolis is on this weekend and until August 21. Almost all of the 180 plays will be happening in the Old Strathcona neighbourhood, but watch for venues in other parts of the city, like the Edmonton Public Library, downtown, and 118 Avenue.
We’re posting videos for Fringe plays, so keep your eyes on our “From the Web” category.
Now, that is not the only thing happening in Edmonton. A couple of smaller festival/street party items this weekend:
- Art in the Alley – art, music, an outdoor movie, and more, all happening in the Alley of Light. That’s the backlane that runs from Beaver Hills House Park, past the Sobeys, across 104 Street, over to the U of A’s downtown campus.
- Eastwoodfest – Back for another summer, this celebrates all things Eastwood (118 Avenue, betweem 85 and 87 Street)
- There’s a tea party at the U of A’s environmental students group naturalized site, which was top community garden in the Front Yards in Bloom contest.
In sports…the Edmonton Capitals are back home, hosting the Yuma Scorpions this weekend…FC Edmonton is home to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers…the Oil City Derby Girls’ rookies are taking on the Yukon Roller Girls…northwest of Edmonton, the St. Albert Heavenly Rollers take on the Cold Lake Lakeland Lady Killers (such a good name), on the 76th anniversary of roller derby…this weekend is also the kick off to the Prairie Football Conference season, with the Edmonton Wildcats home to the Calgary Colts, at Clarke Park (beside Commonwealth Stadium)…
In Friday music…it actually kicks serious butt…The Edmonton Show is back for a VIth run (that would be 6th), with Ann Vriend and Liam Trimble leading the way…Whiskeyface kicks off their tour at Brixx with The Sorels…Michael Rault and Sans AIDS are at The ARTery…Romi Mayes is releasing a CD tonight at the Haven Social Club…Carrie Day is at The Carrot (don’t forget about The Carrot!)…All Time Low is at the Edmonton Events Centre…
Saturday…The AwesomeHots get the day going with a Hair of the Dog afternoon show at the Black Dog…Paperplanes and Dragonboats release an EP, with The Paronomasiac, at The ARTery…
You'll be screaming with excitement over The Room.
All weekend…the Edmonton Rock Music Festival, a collaboration of The Rock and Roll Society of Edmonton and K-97, takes over Hawrelak Park. There will be plenty of, uh, rock.
You can always catch a movie in the cool confines of a theatre. And The Room is at Metro Cinema tonight at 11:20pm. If you haven’t seen The Room yet, YOU NEED TO SEE The Room. (Metro Cinema is now in the Garneau Theatre.)
You can hug your way to donated peanut butter, at West Edmonton Mall.
Oh, and if you’re using the LRT this weekend, remember that the train will not stop at Coliseum station because of work on the station platform.
Weekend Events
If you happen to look at Gallagher Park and wonder what the heck all those people are up to, it’s cool, it’s Folk Fest.
But that’s not the only festival in Edmonton this weekend. Heck no! It’s also Cariwest, so expect Jasper Avenue to be flooded with colour for the parade tomorrow, and then party all day at Churchill Square.
It also happens to be Animethon weekend.
And today is International Beer Day! So, drink some beer.
Now, outside of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival there’s still music to be had.
You can’t much more opposite folk than metal. The Starlite Room and Brixx are hosting Metal Fest 2011 tonight. Down at Hawrelak Park tonight you can help raise money for the Canadian Liver Foundation at a concert with Sister Gray and The Apresnos. Also tonight…The Secretaries, Hellfire Special, Throttle, and Nature are at the Pawn Shop…Over at Wunderbar, you can help Hang Loose raise money for a “Solidarity Rock” trip to Cuba. They’re playing with with Service:Fair and The Frolics.
Tomorrow night at Wunderbar it’s Field + Stream, Extra Happy Ghost, and Lab Coast…Dragonette is at the Edmonton Events Centre, with Dirty Radio…and The Weekend Kids, with Old Sins, Liv, and The National Security Council are all at Brixx.
This weekend also officially opens the Garneau Theatre as the new home of Metro Cinema. (For non-Metro movies, Gregg’s got some thoughts.)
FC Edmonton is home to the Puerto Rico Islands Saturday night, at Foote Field.
And a reminder: The LRT does not stop at Coliseum station this weekend, but still runs Clareview to Century Park.
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…)
Shopping carts of Edmonton
You know, we like to wander around and take photos of Edmonton over here. Sometimes we take photos of things that seem pretty pointless and random.
But then, can’t that be fun too?
I feel that cart's pain; waiting for buses that never come.
I’m just getting warmed up. There are way weirder places to find shopping carts. (more…)
June 24 Edmonton Headlines
The river is high and fast. And kind of cool to look at.
Edmonton Transit is serious about making things better.
Not necessarily their service or routes, but fining people more for putting their feet on seats. Or eating on transit property. (WHAT?!) And not paying fares.
I shall take this time to repeat my oft-made comment about installing turnstiles in the LRT stations. A little more money right now, but you’d make more from everyone who currently skips onto the train without paying, which is, let’s be honest, really easy and without much consequence. Then security officers could focus on transit station and trouble spots more.
You might not have to move to Chicago, and live near Wrigley Field, to see a ball game from your home. Speaking of new neighbourhoods…think the City Centre Airport lands could be one of the next great communities around? And surplus school sites could continue to be built up as places to live.
As an add-on to the story about TELUS putting $20-million into fixing up and expanding one of its two towers (Ha! Lord of the Rings pun.) at 100 Street, ATB is sticking around Edmonton’s downtown.
The next stop for Edmonton garbage is into the Mr. Fusion.
More police officers are being sent to 107 Avenue neighbourhoods to try and stem the violent crime in that area.
A pair of Edmonton police officers may be looking at internal investigations, at least, after a judge tossed out one of two charges against a man who took a beating during an arrest.
The use of Twitter is being credited with finding a missing Edmonton boy. And folks say social media and the Internet are time-wasters…
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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, saving money is for suckers.
In the aftermath of a criminal case against an RCMP officer, the Alberta government is being asked to review the crown’s work in court.
In Ottawa, the Supreme Court of Canada just gave the crown attorney more power in plea bargains by saying the deal could be changed or yanked after agreement with the defence.
The U of A has its first-ever female neurosurgery graduate. The first in 50 years of the program.
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Canada Post, I have just about forgotten you existed.
June 17 Edmonton Headlines
Yeah, this is what I’d call a Friday.
Edmonton’s City Centre Airport redevelopment should take a big step forward with the selection of the design firm which will plan the new neighbourhood. (City councillors couldn’t decide the last time this was before them, so let’s wait and see if they really can make the call next week.)
LRT planning continues, and City staff will be asking for money to buy land to lay down the new tracks. Meanwhile…on the current LRT line…yes, yes, yes! get some businesses into the stations.
Members of Edmonton’s Somali community say the Edmonton Police Service should hire some Somali-Edmontonians to help solve the many murders involving young men in their neighbourhoods. Speaking homicide…half of Edmonton high number of 2011 killings have been solved by police. Speaking of police…they’ll be training officers to better deal with drunk people in the downtown.
Sewer and water fees, your sewer and water fees, are likely to jump way up.
There won’t be a “Big Garbage Pick-Up” day anytime soon. Speaking of garbage…how much “junk” can you have in your yard before neighbours ask the City to ask you to clean it up.
The University of Alberta’s, allegedly, plagiarizing medical dean is stepping down from the position, and will have a four month leave of absence before he likely returns to the school in a teaching position.
Edmonton’s BioWare has been hacked.
Check out this crazy moth found around Edmonton.
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Will Alberta be one of the first places to slap a pricetag on water?
Some doctors are trying to make it easier for immigrants and people who don’t speak English or French to navigate the healthcare system, while others are trying to lower your expectations (they can’t all be Dr. House).
After earlier confirming that missing woman Rene Gunning, last seen at West Edmonton Mall, had been found dead in northwestern Alberta, the medical examiner is now confirming the remains found close by were that of Gunning’s companion, Krystle Knott. Project KARE, a police task force investing the death and disappearance of people in high-risk lifestyles (drugs, prostitution, hitchhiking) is on this case.
How does Alberta private liquor industry stack up against government-owned B.C. and Ontario? Why isn’t anyone else privatizing?
CN’s going to be riding more rails in Alberta.
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The Vancouver riot “kissing couple” have been identified.
And finally, a former Canadian Sentator is off to jail.
June 3 Edmonton Headlines
It’s the end of another week, Edmonton, but there’s plenty of news to get to on this Friday.
The City will get a few more months to tack on $15 to parking and driving fines. The $15 will cover a provincial fee to run people’s license plate numbers through Alberta databases.
Complaints against police were down in 2010.
A former police chief candidate has dropped his lawsuit against the City of Edmonton.
Edmonton’s special drug court is continuing to celebrate successes.
We have a body found downtown, which could be second homicide this week. The first of the week was a 70-year-old man found dead in his apartment. I don’t know what’s going on this year to already see two-dozen homicides. That’s a year’s worth in just over five months!
An earlier homicide may not result in any charges.
If you’ve got a noisy motorcyle (and I think you know who you are) you can head down to the NAIT Souch Campus (on Gateway Boulevard, near 71 Avenue) and get your noise levels tested by the Edmonton Police.
If you were at the U2 concert and found your cellphone wasn’t working, you weren’t alone. And our increasing use of smartphones may be outpacing the cell networks we’re using. Meanwhile…the U2 concert was setting records for transit use…
Strathcona Composite High School wants into the Guinness Book of World Records. But will first have to get Guinness to add a category.
We’re serious. There’s a lot more to get to this Friday. (more…)
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…)
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…)
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.
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…)
Election Day Headlines
GO VOTE!
I am lobbying Parliament to pass a law allowing me to punch people in the face if they don't vote. You can bet Gregg Beever is voting today.
No, seriously, go vote. It’s the federal election today.
Seems like all the papers and newsrooms issuing editorials are backing the Conservatives, and calling for a Conservative majority. We here at the edmontonian are going to get all objective on this one (I know, journalism irony) and just tell you to vote. Get informed and vote.
Remember that you elect a local MP, not the Prime Minister, so choose a representative that you can get a hold of, you see in the neighbourhood, aligns with your values, and won’t just tow the party line (that last one does eliminate most of the Conservatives under a strict Stephen Harper).
Oh, and I personally think we should get on board with the idea of minority governments and coalitions. You won’t have unpredictable election dates if MPs know they have just about zero-chance at forming a majority.
Now, outside of the election, let’s see what else is going on… (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.
Back from Easter break Headlines
I always forget how much news there is to catch up on when I take a few days off. Let’s go!
Edmonton Public students may be looking at a shorter summer vacation to help create a November break. A lot of this “fall break” stuff going around. The public board is also joining the Catholic schools, and Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, in asking for slower speed limits around schools.
Both school boards are looking at tough decisions with budget shortfalls.
One Edmonton school is dealing with mental health issues right where students are.
Let the City of Edmonton know your thoughts on the downtown LRT connections, Thursday afternoon and evening, at an open house at City Hall.
NAIT students could be seeing their recreation and sports fees jump in the next school year.
It is dry out there. So be sure not to set anything on fire.
It’s Capital City Clean Up time. Are you going to take 15 to clean?
Edmontonian productions are leading the way in nominations for this year’s Alberta Film and Television awards – the Rosies.
We are just getting warmed up today… (more…)
April 15 Edmonton Headlines
- insert weather complaint here –
Road construction on Scona Road will be delayed until after the federal election (May 2) to allow voters to head over to a polling station at the Old Timer’s Cabin.
I like Councillor Ben Henderson’s gusto. The LRT extension to NAIT is moving ahead and he just doesn’t want to stop.
The Jasper Avenue building that currently houses Oil City Roadhouse has been sold.
Edmonton police are looking for any information that could help them find a man accused of beating a robbery victim into a coma.
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Alberta Health Services has a new boss and he’s already throwing money at emergency rooms and wait times. I just want to know what his favourite cookie is.
Another doctor reports intimidation for speaking out about healthcare troubles. You let me know what number it has to get to before we call an inquiry…
Some questions are arising about a new treatment for MS. The Alberta government is still going to study the vein therapy.
Meet the new AG. Same as the old AG. Same in the sense that he also thinks our provincial government needs to get better and figuring out what it’s charging royalties for, how it collects them, and whether it’s an efficient system. He does think things are getting better though.
The Auditor General also wants Grant MacEwan University to sign a construction contract now and then.
If you’re ever at the sea of Alberta, be sure to stop in at Port Alberta.
Hey, energy company guy, you dropped this pool of oil!
And the Premier says this place is better off without him. I mean, better off after his work here is done.
Thursday Headlines
Back into snow, eh. You can never trust spring (or fall, or parts of summer).
The City of Edmonton is looking at cracking down on certain types of “touching” and “stimulation” in massage parlours. Basically, they don’t want a massage in this city to have a “happy ending.”
Birds are among the animals that will be F'd up by the return of winter. Humans are included.
It’s gonna get noisy, it’s gonna get road-delayed, but it’s gonna mean more LRT.
When word went out about a potential risk to students, did the Catholic School District overreact, did the Public School Board play it too cool, did the school boards get different instructions from the Edmonton Police Service? I wouldn’t want to be the guy answering all the calls from angry, scared parents while this gets sorted out.
And the Edmonton Public School Board has more problems, after losing personal information of thousands of staff members.
Edmonton is going to be one of the world’s 600 urban economic engines.
Heavy snow isn’t the only reason part of the roof of the Northgate Lions Seniors Recreation Centre collapsed. Lawsuit pending.
Earth Day is cancelled (in Edmonton).
There’s a warning out about a plumber you shouldn’t use.
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We heard power bills were going up, now the might go down…NDP leader Brian Mason says a little energy regulation might solve that.
One of the Premier-hopefuls is talking about taking healthcare out of hospitals just a little more. Meanwhile…doctors keep piling up the reasons to have a public inquiry into our current healthcare and emergency room woes…
Former Premier Ralph Klein and his finance minister, Jim Dinning, are being lauded for their “tax-fighting.”
A Lac La Biche RCMP officer who assaulted a prisoner will not be going to jail. And I think he’s going to have a criminal record – though none of the news stories I’ve read have mentioned that one way or another. Either way, he’s got a hearing with the RCMP to determine whether he can return to duty.
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Four of the federal leaders had a second debate last night, in French, and now we head into the homestretch of the 2011 election. (Remember, you vote May 2.)
If you’re a parent, SEE’s got child care promises of this election covered.
While most of the talk in northern Alberta is about the race in Edmonton-Strathcona, Edmonton-Centre’s one to watch too.
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If you’re into guitars, you’ve probably already heard of Zeryab Guitars. If you’re not, or you haven’t, let SEE introduce you to one of Edmoton’s true guitar artists.
The Gateway may be done with the school year, but that just means it’s time for it to skewer another publication. This time out it’s the National Pest Post.
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 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…
March 29 Edmonton Headlines
Hello from Toronto, Edmonton. I’m using the two-hour time difference to my advantage. It’s the easiest way to get up this “early.”
With the federal election on, Edmonton politicians may clamour a little louder for more LRT and transit money. Maybe if that money comes through we won’t need another freeway.
Speaking of the federal election, Stephen Harper was just south of the city, asking for a blue Alberta.
Could be that we’re getting closer to a new police chief. Mike Boyd left at the end of 2010.
There’s already a date and location for the 2012 Edmonton Music Awards. Great stuff, Edmonton. Let’s keep recognizing our fantastic, local bands and artists.
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The inquiry report, looking into the death of four RCMP officers near Mayerthorpe in 2005, is out and says there’s nothing the police force could have done to prevent the murders.
This is nearly the end of the this story, as far as the court process goes. I’ve got links to multiple versions of the story:
From CBC, from the Edmonton Sun, from the Edmonton Journal, from CHED/iNews, from CityTV.
There will be plenty of reaction to this report, which is years in the making, including that of the officers’ families and the families of two men eventually convicted in connection with the shootings (though they weren’t there when the bullets were fired). Those two are currently asking the Supreme Court of Canada to reduce their sentences.
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More people are complaining about their doctors.
March 24 Edmonton Headlines
That's not the kind of iced coffee I meant.
Good day, Edmonton. How’s this spring weather treating you?
Don’t forget to keep your sidewalks clear of ice and snow, which can vary depending on the time of day with our early spring weather. Even though it is still snowy, pothole repair is underway.
The U of A’s Campus Saint-Jean is getting nowhere with a new parking lot over in Bonnie Doon.
Speaking of parking…which makes me think of driving…we’ve got to get transit-oriented here in Edmonton. And then we have to stick with that.
Now that reminds me of my favourite comment on a transit story we were talking about yesterday. Somebody replied to this Journal column by saying drivers subsidized transit. Ha…ha…oh man, people believe that?!
Put up toll booths and then we’ll talk about which form of transportation is subsidized. I mean, come on…
And, get ready, because we might just be heading into a federal election. The mayor thinks that might mean more money for our LRT expansion.
Alright, I’m done talking about transit now. (more…)
Edmonton Headlines
Good morning and good budget, Edmonton.
Yes, the federal budget came down Tuesday, with much fanfare. The budget itself isn’t all that much to write home about (Do people still write home about such things?) but it’s the reaction of the opposition parties – that they likely won’t support this budget – that means something. That means we could see an election.
Yippee!
I guess it also means the opposition parties could take another shot at a coalition government, if they brought down the Stephen Harper Conservative minority. I kind of wish our parliamentary system could use all of its tools before sending people back to the polls for another minority government. Who knows, maybe the new Governor General would understand it’s a totally legitimate and legal way for our system of government to run.
But enough about coalitions…check out the budget!
While generally supportive (what else are you going to do when you’re both big C Conservatives) the Premier would have liked to have seen more healthcare money from Ottawa. Alberta’s one, lonely non-Conservative, Edmonton-Strathcona’s New Democrat MP Linda Duncan, isn’t a fan of the budget.
Meanwhile…back in Edmonton… (more…)
