- A Court of King's Bench justice granted Coun. Jennifer Rice a judicial review and a court order, preventing Edmonton city council from sanctioning Rice for alleged code of conduct violations until the judicial review is finished. Earlier this month, court documents confirmed that integrity commissioner Jamie Pytel investigated allegations against Rice for bullying and creating a hostile work environment, allegations that were first reported in November, and that Pytel substantiated four allegations of harassment and one of discrimination. Rice's lawyer says she argues the investigation lacked procedural fairness and wants the report thrown out.
- EPCOR announced it will match donations up to $250,000 to the Build with Boyle Legacy Campaign, which Boyle Street Community Services will put toward the operating costs of the new King Thunderbird Centre. Boyle Street's executive director Jordan Reiniger said the organization had a "very successful" capital campaign, and is now transitioning to an endowment to meet the building's operational needs. The Build with Boyle campaign raised $24 million from the community and $21 million from the Canadian government, while the province is one of the largest funders of ongoing programming and services, Reiniger said.
- The City of Edmonton says rehabilitation work on William Hawrelak Park is on schedule and on budget. The City closed the park last year for extensive renovations, including updating electrical systems, repaving roads, and grading the lake. So far crews have completed the replacement of deep utility services, built a new retaining wall by the main pavilion, and installed infrastructure for pathway lighting. The City also said crews have removed fewer trees than expected. The project is expected to be done in late 2025, with the park scheduled to reopen in 2026.
- EPCOR paused its treatment of a west Edmonton stormwater pond with rotenone, a chemical used to destroy invasive species like goldfish, after residents expressed concern to a provincial agency. Residents asked EPCOR to implement an "alternative management approach" by next year, and some dispute EPCOR's claim that rotenone is not harmful to humans. EPCOR said it expects a response from the provincial agency "in the near future."
- The inaugural Black Business Edmonton Trade Fair is set for Aug. 24 at Fort Edmonton Park. Organized by Black Business Edmonton (BBE), the event expects to host 90 vendors and more than 1,000 attendees. BBE founder Ibukun Orefuja and lead event planner Ajibike Akinrinwale spoke to CTV News about the trade fair.
- The Edmonton Valley Zoo has euthanized a 16-year-old tiger named Taiga due to age-related medical issues. The tiger came to Edmonton from Ontario as a kitten in 2008. She was known for her "outgoing personality and goofy nature," and she would often greet her care team and the zoo's other tiger, Amba, the zoo said in a social media post.
- A new 1.5-acre park in Sherwood Park dedicated to Strathcona County resident Helen Lavender will officially open on Aug. 25. Lavender, who died in 2015, contributed to the community as a municipal councillor, volunteer, and storyteller. She was, among other things, the first-ever driver of the county's Library Bookmobile, which remains in use, and founder of the Strathcona chapter of Storytelling Alberta. The park was built in the Hearthstone community by developer Mattamy Homes.
Headlines: Aug. 22, 2024
By Kevin Holowack