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Headlines: Aug. 20, 2024

· The Pulse
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  • The City of Edmonton's support centre for Jasper evacuees is set to stay open until Sept. 3 to help people who fled the wildfires that destroyed parts of Jasper and Jasper National Park. Jasper residents can continue to access services in person at the Kennedale Site from 8am to 4pm daily. The Municipality of Jasper is coordinating transportation back to the town for those who complete a survey, with daily trips currently scheduled to happen from Aug. 21 to 23. Lodging is also being extended to Sept. 3, and those who need additional assistance are advised to contact the Canadian Red Cross.
  • The checkpoints at the entrance to the Jasper townsite have been removed but visitors are advised to stay away as the community recovers from a devastating wildfire. Essential services are reserved for residents, business owners, and first responders as the town remains under a state of emergency and damage is assessed. The province said schools in the town will be ready to welcome students back by Sept. 17. Jasper National Park remains largely closed, though some portions and services are gradually reopening. The wildfire, which is now 33,000 hectares, is classified as being held.
  • Stony Plain Road will remain closed between 131 and 139 Streets until the end of November to expedite construction on the Valley Line West LRT. Despite completing scheduled summer work, Marigold Infrastructure Partners, which is constructing the LRT project, says the extended closure will help minimize future disruptions. Construction is set to continue mostly during the day. Valley Line West, expected to be completed by 2028, will connect Mill Woods to Lewis Farms.
  • Edmonton Transit Service will introduce service adjustments beginning Sept. 1 to accommodate fall ridership patterns and new school schedules. Some transit centres will have bus bay reassignments, On Demand Transit service is expanding to Rundle Park and Enoch Cree First Nation, and school special routes will be expanded to several schools. Riders are advised to check updated transit centre maps and plan their trips online.
  • Edmonton criminal defense lawyer and outspoken police critic Tom Engel has learned through a freedom of information request that his social media posts were monitored by a special unit of the Edmonton Police Service, The Tyee reported. The monitoring, ordered by then-deputy police chief Kevin Brezinski, came after Engel in 2022 publicly named officers involved in a fatal shooting. Engel says the surveillance was unnecessary, noting that his posts contained no threats or sensitive information. He has requested further review after the police service provided incomplete responses to his information request.
  • The University of Alberta has enhanced its safety protocols for field research in the wake of the death of Maya Bhatia, a biogeochemist who died while collecting water samples in Nunavut last year. Her husband, Ben Gready, criticized the lack of proper safety equipment and excessive work pressure. He is also advocating for mandatory mountain guides on remote expeditions. The university's new safety measures include a mandatory course and a "no-go tool," but Bhatia's family is still seeking transparency regarding the fatality report into her death, which they say they have not been able to view.
  • The iconic Western Cycle sign has been restored and installed at the Edmonton Neon Sign Museum after being removed in 2020 when the popular bike shop was demolished. The Alberta Sign Association celebrated its return, which was helped by a $7,700 GoFundMe campaign.
  • Alberta Health Services has issued a blue-green algae health advisory for Wabamun Lake. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid contact with the algae, not to swim or let pets swim in affected areas, and to limit consumption of fish from the lake. Untreated lake water should not be used for drinking or cooking. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
  • Flair Airlines is celebrating its 19th anniversary with a week-long promotion offering 19% off base fares on all flights and 25% off for members of its frequent flyer club on transborder and international flights. Edmontonians can access discounted flights to various destinations, including Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta.
  • The Edmonton Marathon released its race results following the 33rd annual race on Aug. 18. Melina Kuerschner won the women's marathon, while David Mutai finished first in the men's marathon. Full results are available online.
  • The 11th annual Lemonade Stand Day on Aug. 25 is expected to be the largest ever, with a record 620 stands and 2,500 youth signed up. The event will raise funds to support Edmonton's Stollery Pediatric Diabetes Education Centre, continuing a tradition that has raised $2.1 million for the Stollery Children's Hospital over the past 10 years.