Headlines: Sept. 17, 2024

Sept. 17, 2024 · The Pulse
By Mariam Ibrahim

City council's community and public services committee reviewed new regulations to limit or ban the sale of knives in convenience stores following safety concerns from residents. The options councillors debated at their Sept. 16 meeting included introducing a new business licence with specific rules for handling and storing knives, or prohibiting their sale entirely. Any changes to business licences would take up to three years to implement fully. Councillors deferred their decision on the proposal to a city council meeting scheduled for Oct. 2.
Edmonton's Neon Sign Museum has unveiled a new sign commemorating music icon and Edmonton native k.d. lang, marking the museum's first sign dedicated to a person. The sign, created in collaboration with local organizations, celebrates lang's contributions to music and her connection to Edmonton's history, and marks her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame during the 2024 Canadian Country Music Awards.
Residents of Edmonton's Sweet Grass neighbourhood are worried about coyote sightings and the threat the animals pose to area residents and pets. Long-time resident Kinia Romanowska, who has experienced multiple close encounters with coyotes, is calling for the removal of the animals to ensure community safety. University of Alberta professor Colleen Cassady St. Clair suggests proactive measures like removing coyote attractants and using aversive conditioning, adding that relocating coyotes is generally ineffective.
Drivers around Edmonton are frustrated with construction delays, Global News reported. The City of Edmonton says it has more than 90 construction projects currently underway, including bridges, roads, buildings, and pathways. Coun. Tim Cartmell said there is "always the opportunity" to better coordinate the work.
Thousands of typically elusive tiger salamanders recently swarmed an Edmonton woman's childhood home. "It was like something you would read in the end times," said Chelsea Brown of their appearance. Experts say the normally subterranean salamanders are harmless and their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem. Residents are advised to gently relocate any trapped salamanders they discover to nearby bodies of water.
Teams at Edmonton International Airport took turns pulling a 30,000-kilogram WestJet plane 100 metres during a Sept. 16 fundraiser for Hope Air, a national charity that helps low-income Canadians travel for medical care. Hope Air says it has experienced a surge in demand, with trips increasing from 6,000 in 2021 to a projected 40,000 this year.
The potential for Northern Lights was high between Sept. 16 and 17, with peak viewing times between 9pm and 3am. Areas like Elk Island National Park and Bon Accord are ideal spots for viewing away from city lights. The high auroral activity was attributed to strong geomagnetic storms.
The provincial government's plan to expand online gambling by allowing private operators has raised concerns among casino operators and nonprofits that fear the change could reduce funding for charities and make it difficult for traditional casinos to compete. The province is still in discussions about how to regulate and manage revenue splits for these new iGaming ventures. Play Alberta, which is managed by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, is currently the only regulated online gambling site in the province.
Martin Cochingco, a stunt performer from Edmonton, won an Emmy for his work on the TV series Shōgun. Cochingco, who has also worked on productions like The Last of Us and Deadpool, shared the award with his team for their stunt performance in episode four of the series. He co-owns The Stunt Garage, an Edmonton gym which trains local talent.
Edmonton Oilers mascot Hunter the Lynx was ranked fifth-best among Canadian NHL mascots in a survey by Casino.ca, placing him above only Youppi from the Montreal Canadiens and Mick E. Moose from the Winnipeg Jets. Carlton the Bear from the Toronto Maple Leafs took the top spot, followed by Harvey the Hound from the Calgary Flames.
Alberta Parks issued an advisory for drivers in the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area and Miquelon Lake Provincial Park areas to watch out for garter snakes crossing the roads as they migrate to hibernation sites. The snakes are more active on roads during the fall season, the advisory says. While the snakes may bite if handled, their bites are harmless and unlikely to break the skin.
The Greater Edmonton Model Train Show drew 4,000 enthusiasts to Millennium Place over the weekend, featuring 32,000 square feet of train setups. The annual event takes place every September in Sherwood Park.