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Headlines: April 29, 2024

· The Pulse
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  • Some members of Edmonton city council say there is a need for more transparency after the Edmonton Police Commission declined to cooperate with an audit proposed by councillors. During a meeting last week, councillors voted to allow the Edmonton Police Service to replenish its operating reserve with expenditures from 2024-2026 because of a $1.414 million net deficit from 2023. With police funding the City's largest budget expense, some councillors said more information is needed to understand how that funding is being spent, especially with property taxes increasing by 8.9% this year. However, the commission, which is responsible for helping the police service develop its annual budget, said "a public-facing audit program will diminish overall effectiveness."
  • Stony Plain Road between 131 Street and 139 Street will be fully closed starting at 7am on April 29 because of construction work on the Valley Line West LRT project. Marigold Infrastructure Partners, which is building the project, says it expects the closure will last until the end of August. During that time, workers will install pavement, sidewalks, street lights, and the first rail.
  • The Edmonton Police Service and City of Edmonton automated traffic enforcement issued 1,323 tickets during a one-day blitz on April 18, with 997 handed out for speeding. There were also 85 red light infractions, 217 Traffic Safety Act infractions, 16 distracted driving violations, one Criminal Code driving offence, and seven other Criminal Code charges.
  • The City of Edmonton is assuring residents that drivers will not face additional convenience or membership fees under its new HotSpot parking payment system. The confusion arose after some people noticed the HotSpot app charges user fees to park, however the City said it will not be charging the fees under its system. While the new system launches April 29, a new HotSpot app for Edmonton drivers won't be available until May 15. In the meantime, drivers can pay for parking via QR code, online, or at EPark machines.
  • Documentarian Rishi Sharma was in the Edmonton area to interview Second World War veterans for his YouTube documentary series Remember WWII with Rishi Sharma. Among those Sharma interviewed was Sherwood Park resident Lloyd Brown, a centenarian and combat veteran who served with the Loyal Edmonton Rifles. Sharma, whose project aims to interview "every single WWII veteran" has travelled the world in search of interviewees. "It gives these veterans the opportunity to live forever," he said.
  • Linda Dumont, an influential Edmonton-based community advocate for the homeless and marginalized, died on April 15 after a battle with cancer. She was 79. Dumont founded the Alberta Street News in 2003 and was celebrated for her community and volunteer work. "The paper is more than a paper," Dumont told Taproot for a 2022 story about efforts to digitize the paper's archives. "I have been there to visit vendors in jail, help with funerals, and to give a voice to issues about homelessness and poverty." Dumont also founded the Shattered Rainbows Creative Society to support creativity among marginalized groups. A celebration of life is scheduled for May 2.
  • Edmonton radio host Jenna Winterburn launched a tongue-in-cheek petition in an effort to prevent country singer Brett Kissel from singing the United States national anthem at Edmonton Oilers playoff games because the team usually loses when he does. Kissel played along by adding his name to the petition and blaming past Oilers losses on the so-called #KisselCurse.
  • The Ukrainian Newcomer Furniture Warehouse in Edmonton closed its doors on April 28 after providing free furniture to more 16,000 Ukrainian newcomers over the past two years. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council said it decided to shut down operations because demand had dropped over the past few months. Those who are still in need or who want to make a donation are asked to contact Habitat for Humanity.
  • LA Sparks guard Kia Nurse will play her first WNBA game in Canada at Edmonton's Rogers Place on May 4 in a pre-season match against the Seattle Storm. Nurse has travelled to Edmonton frequently because the Canadian women's national team trains at the Saville Community Sports Centre at the University of Alberta. Nurse highlighted her excitement to play in front of friends and family, including her brother, Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse.
  • Shasily Matowe, an Edmontonian who competed on the latest season of Canada's Ultimate Challenge, appeared on CBC's Edmonton AM to talk about her experience on the show. "This entire competition challenged me in more ways than I could have ever imagined," she said.