Headlines: Sept. 8, 2023

Sept. 8, 2023 · The Pulse
By Kevin Holowack

TransEd, the consortium building the Valley Line Southeast LRT, says it is done replacing the hundreds of oxidized copper cables it discovered in June and is now anticipating an opening date this fall. The cables were replaced with higher-quality cables expected to improve safety and reliability for the next 30 years, TransEd said. Over the next few weeks, testing will imitate regular passenger service along the route as independent certifiers complete their audit. The $1.8-bilion line was originally supposed to open in December 2020.
The University of Alberta announced the 2023 Alumni Award recipients, who will be celebrated at an event at the Citadel Theatre on Oct. 25. Among the recipients are former Alumni Association president Mary Pat Barry, Edmonton Public Schools superintendent Darrel Robertson, Inuk writer Norma Dunning, criminologist Temitope Oriola, novelist and poet Thomas Trofimuk, Kemet Group founder Morẹ́nikẹ́ Ẹniọlá Ọláòṣebìkan, Areto Labs co-founder Lana Cuthbertson, and former Chief Medical Officer of Health Deena Hinshaw.
Residents of Castledowns Pointe, a northwest Edmonton condo that was evacuated this week after engineers discovered it was at risk of collapsing, are facing an uncertain future and must continue to pay condo fees and mortgage payments. In its inspection, engineering firm Read Jones Christoffersen discovered the building's construction didn't follow original architectural and design drawings and was inappropriate for the load. Property manager Simco Management is exploring legal action against the parties involved in construction. Coun. Erin Rutherford, whose ward includes the condo, said she wants to see those responsible held accountable to ensure public trust in builders and city processes.
Parks Canada has added more speed bumps and signage in Elk Island National Park to protect wildlife from motorists, who have killed six bison in the park since 2020. Park superintendent Dale Kirkland told CBC's Edmonton AM speeding has become a big issue throughout the area, including in the evenings. Elk Island has recorded 534 deaths of frogs, rabbits, squirrels, coyotes, and other creatures since it launched an initiative in June to monitor road-related animal fatalities in and around the park.
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Black, African and Caribbean (CHABAC) Network, a national organization based at HIV Edmonton, and the Sexuality Education Resource Centre in Manitoba are receiving a combined $1.3 million from Health Canada's SRH Fund. The money will support projects that improve access to sexual and reproductive health services in underserved communities.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid asked the team to be in Edmonton two weeks before the start of training camp for informal skates at Rogers Place. "Everybody is dialed in, everybody is super motivated, everybody is determined, and everybody is in it together," said McDavid, who wants the team to get a jump start on the 2023-2024 season after their playoffs loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The 2023 inductees to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame include wheelchair basketball player Danielle Peers, who was born and raised in Edmonton, along with Edmonton-born curler Randy Ferbey and his team. Ferbey said he hopes the honour will lead to more recognition for Canadian curling teams in the future.