- Homelessness in Edmonton has surged by 47% this year, according to data collected by Homeward Trust. The organization's By Name List recorded 4,011 people living without stable housing in July, up from 2,728 in January. The increase may partly be due to more people seeking services, but Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness chair Nadine Chalifoux raised concerns about the increase in encampment removals, especially with winter approaching. The province said the numbers reflect better data collection rather than a significant increase in homelessness.
- Residents of Dovercourt in west Edmonton protested a new Hope Mission shelter set to open in an old warehouse near Yellowhead Trail and 149 Street. Protesters argued the industrial area is not suitable for a shelter because it lacks public transportation and essential services. Hope Mission says it will provide transportation to and from the shelter, which will operate round the clock, but residents remain concerned about the suitability and safety of the location.
- Edmonton's Earth's General Store, which announced last week it would have to close due to financial pressures, is now aiming to remain open thanks to community support and donations. The store launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $150,000, with more than $13,000 raised as of Sept. 22. The store, known for its eco-friendly products and community approach, has been in business for 33 years.
- Mayor Amarjeet Sohi declared Sept. 19 Day of Athletic Excellence to honour Edmonton athletes who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games, including silver medallists Marco Arop in the men's 800m race and Reid Maxwell in the men's S8 400m Para Swimming Freestyle. "The support from everyone in Edmonton has been tremendous and I am very grateful," Arop said.
- Two Edmonton Police Service officers were charged with assault in connection with an October 2023 incident in which an Indigenous man, Max Bird, sustained significant injuries. Bird told CTV News he was Tasered and assaulted by police while trying to help at what he believed was the scene of an accident. Bird and his lawyer argue the issue reflects broader systemic problems within the police force.
- The trial of a man accused in the 2022 murders of Hung Trang and Ban Phuc Hoang in Edmonton's Chinatown has been delayed due to his ongoing struggle to select a lawyer. Justin Bone has changed lawyers four times and was expected to hire his fifth, but expressed reservations during a court hearing. As a result, Court of King's Bench Justice John Henderson cancelled Bone's October trial dates, which he said could delay the trial to late 2025 or into 2026.
- The group 1 Million March 4 Children held a rally on Sept. 20 outside the Alberta Teachers' Association offices in Edmonton to protest sexual orientation and gender identity policies in schools. ATA President Jason Schilling said he was disappointed in the misinformation fuelling the protests, and that the policies are intended to make schools inclusive for all students. A group of counter-protesters held their own rally at the same time in support of 2SLGBTQ+ students.
- Postmedia published a profile of Ashley Callingbull, a 34-year-old actor, model, and sports host from Enoch Cree Nation near Edmonton. Callingbull is the first Indigenous woman to be crowned Miss Universe Canada and will compete for the Miss Universe title in Mexico City in November.
- Researchers at NAIT and Lakeland College have collaborated to create BisonSense, a monitoring station equipped with cameras and sensors to track the health of bison herds at Irish Creek Bison Ltd., about 200 kilometres east of Edmonton. The station allows researchers to gather extensive biometric data remotely, providing up to 15 weight measurements per day per bison, which is a significant improvement over the two to three checkups bison typically receive in their lifetimes. The project cost around $200,000 and took 14 months to build.
- The Edmonton Oilers announced several promotions and new additions to their hockey operations staff. Warren Rychel was promoted to director of pro scouting with former NHL player Zack Kassian joining the organization as a pro scout. Other appointments include Aaron Nagy as amateur scout, Erik Elenz as video and analytics coaching coordinator, Dominik Zrim as director of hockey strategy, and David Evanochko as lead solutions architect.
Headlines: Sept. 23, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim