Headlines: Sept. 28, 2023

Sept. 28, 2023 · The Pulse
By Kevin Holowack

The city is organizing a series of events for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, marked annually on Sept. 30. Artist Lance Cardinal will unveil a new decorative crosswalk at ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11 on Sept. 28, the Edmonton Police Service will serve food and host performances in Churchill Square on Sept. 29, and the third annual Orange Shirt Day Run & Walk will happen at Kinsmen Park on Sept. 30. A full list of events is available online.
The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a possible hate crime that happened during the "1 Million March for Children" rally outside the Alberta Teachers' Association building on Sept. 20. Police said a 10-by-20-foot Pride flag attached to the building's parkade was destroyed and left on the ground. ATA president Jason Schilling said the incident happened after police left the area that day, adding the ATA plans to replace the flag.
The Alberta Hospital Edmonton, one of the largest mental health facilities in the Edmonton area, has been experiencing a recurring mice infestation. Patients at the Helen Hunley Forensic Pavilion say the problem has worsened as the weather cools and that their freedoms have been restricted due to the infestation. Alberta Health Services said it is aware of the problem and is working to address it, with a pest control company on site five days a week. The facility has had issues for decades with mice, broken elevators, and heating and cooling issues.
CTV News flew a drone on Sept. 27 to see progress on the William Hawrelak Park Rehabilitation Project. Crews are currently replacing all the park's utilities and pavement, and the replacement of storm and sanitary sewers is nearing completion. Construction is also underway on buildings, the main pavilion plaza, and the boardwalk. The lake will be refilled, and additional landscaping will happen once construction is done. The park is scheduled to reopen in 2025 or early 2026.
Blenderz Garment Recyclers, a second-hand clothing store on Gateway Boulevard, had its power shut off this week as its bills pile up. Community members donated money to turn the lights back on after owner Sarah Janzen shared her struggles on social media. Janzen said bills have risen 20% or more in the past three to four months, and the rent has increased by $500 per month. She encouraged other small businesses facing similar struggles to speak up and support each other.
ESPN's latest future power rankings put the Edmonton Oilers at 20th in the league based on their roster, prospects, contracts, and management. The article says that while Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl get "massive amounts of respect and adulation," everything else about the team is "seen as mid." Sports writer Devon Hladunewich took issue with the ranking.
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Canada announced it is doubling the grand prize at the upcoming Canada National Finals to $100,000, giving this year's event the largest prize purse in PBR's history. The event takes place at Rogers Place from Nov. 17-18.
The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police announced that all police agencies in the province will now waive fees associated with criminal record checks and fingerprints required by Indigenous people who wish to reclaim their Indigenous names. In a release, the association said the decision supports a call in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action report to enable residential school survivors and their families to reclaim names changed by the residential school system.
Alberta Municipalities launched its annual convention in Edmonton on Sept. 27, where delegates are expected to vote on a resolution to advocate for the province to drastically increase capital funding for municipalities. The existing Local Government Fiscal Framework will provide municipalities $725 million per year for three years for infrastructure. St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron, who is the association's president, says the number is $1 billion short per year. The organization has also estimated Alberta has a $30-billion infrastructure deficit.