- A program based out of the Royal Alexandra Hospital is receiving $1.1 million from the federal government to provide community-level overdose response training and trauma support as well as direct at-risk people to treatment and prevention resources. The government said in a release that the Preventing Drug Poisoning in Edmonton project will "provide support to those disproportionately affected by substance use issues or who face barriers accessing services." Last year, 674 Edmontonians died of drug poisoning.
- Nine new transit peace officers graduated in a ceremony at city hall on July 12, bringing the city's total to about 90 officers, Postmedia reports. "I feel like being a transit police officer is the best way to connect with the vulnerable population in the city," said graduate Jethro Dagas.
- Edmonton's formula for determining the value of trees — which comes from the Guide for Plant Appraisal from the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers — fails to reflect environmental benefits, according to a handful of experts including Jacqueline Butler with the city's forestry department. While the formula allows courts to easily determine a tree's monetary value as property, some municipalities have begun assessing urban forests for their carbon storage capacity. Nature-based carbon sequestration is a key part of Edmonton's City Plan, which contains a goal of two million new trees by 2050.
- The Semi-Social Cycling Club is offering casual guided bike rides in Edmonton, which range from 10 to 30 kilometres and always end at a local brewery. Paul Manning-Hunter said he started the club as an alternative to conventional cycling clubs that require tryouts and a regular commitment. "We just wanted it to be for everybody," he told CTV News. "No pressure on skill level, age, ability, or anything like that."
- Two University of Alberta astrophysicists are among the Canadian scientists guaranteed 5% of the new James Webb Telescope's working time. Erik Rosolowsky intends to study how diffuse clouds of gas become stars while Gregory Sivakoff will look for the "stellar undead" — former stars that have exhausted their fuel and collapsed.
- Duncan Keith has announced his retirement after 16 years playing for the Chicago Blackhawks followed by one for the Edmonton Oilers. The 38-year-old from Winnipeg won three Stanley Cups, two Norris Trophies, and the Conn Smythe Trophy, and played for Canada in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics.
- Beginning July 18, Albertans who need a COVID-19 PCR test to inform their clinical treatment must get a medical referral. Some PCR testing locations have also changed. "These updates to our PCR testing program help facilitate care closer to Albertans' medical homes, allow us to direct Alberta's testing capacity toward those who are most at risk, and allow some health-care workers who have been deployed to assessment centres for the last two years to return to their regular roles to support other health services," said Health Minister Jason Copping.
Headlines
By Kevin Holowack and Mack Male