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· The Pulse
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  • The Edmonton Police Service has launched Project Connection, which it said will focus on "addressing the increased violence, property, and disorder-related incidents" in the areas of downtown, Alberta Avenue, Chinatown, and some LRT stations. The first phase of the project will involve "a high visibility and high saturation of police resources" drawn from existing teams that focus on crime suppression, disruption, and encampments, according to an EPS release.
  • In a new blog post about the Edmonton Police Service budget, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi seems opposed to the restoration of a funding formula. "I think it is incredibly important that Council understands the value of what we pay for before locking-in increases to the largest line item year-over-year," he wrote. City council will resume its discussion about police funding on Friday morning.
  • The city has sent out over 400,000 property tax notices which are also available on the MyProperty portal for those who prefer paperless. Edmonton is expecting to collect almost $2.3 billion this year, while property owners can expect an average increase of $14 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. The payment deadline is June 30.
  • Tyler Shandro, Alberta's justice minister, is facing a flood of criticism for remarks he made in response to a question from Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood MLA Janis Irwin about community safety in Chinatown. Shandro stated — incorrectly — that the two men who died in Chinatown last week were victims of shootings, that city council cut the police budget by $22 million, and that councillors didn't work with the police commission on the budget. An autopsy on Tuesday confirmed that both men died of "blunt force injuries." In a blog post explaining recent discussions about police funding, Coun. Andrew Knack wrote that "the idea that council is considering a cut to EPS' funding is not accurate."
  • Hangar 11 at the former Edmonton City Centre Airport has been designated a municipal historic resource. Built in 1942, the city said Hangar 11 is believed to be the last remaining building of its kind in western Canada. The owners will receive a $5 million grant over 10 years to rehabilitate the building.
  • MacEwan University has welcomed two new professors as it gears up to apply for two new Tier 2 Canada Research Chair positions, which are five-year federally-funded stints awarded to "exceptional emerging researchers whose potential for leadership in their field is acknowledged by their peers." Dr. Leanne Hedberg's work revolves around community-engaged scholarship for a more equitable future, and Dr. Marielle Papin studies the role of cities in global climate governance. MacEwan president Dr. Annette Trimbee said the appointments "position MacEwan as a leader on a national and international level."
  • Smudge, a yellow Labrador Retriever who was a staple sight in the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald lobby, has died. "She was ambassador, raised funds for charity, a family member of the hotel and my personal family, and will probably be most remembered for crashing the premiers conference a few years ago," general manager Garrett Turta told Global News.
  • A large sign saying "Play La Bamba, Baby" has appeared by the Walterdale Bridge. Ritchie Valens's 1958 hit was the favourite song of Joey Moss, the iconic Oilers dressing room attendant who passed away in 2020.
  • Alphonso Davies is returning from an extended COVID-related medical leave to play for Canada in three games next month as the team prepares for the FIFA World Cup.