- The Alberta Court of Appeal has dismissed the City of Edmonton's $10-million lawsuit against Clara Industrial Services Limited over deteriorating paint on the Low Level Bridge. The City was attempting to hold the contractor responsible for the paint job done nearly 20 years ago, but the court upheld a previous decision that procedural delays had compromised the case. The City said it is reviewing the decision, while rehabilitation work on the bridge is planned to begin in 2026.
- Some business owners in Edmonton's Chinatown say they are worried about community safety because of increased crime and disorder. The concerns have prompted some to hire security and implement measures like door buzzers. A City of Edmonton pilot project that paired police officers with social workers in Chinatown ended in December. Business owners and community leaders are calling for more consistent police presence and the decentralization of social services. "We have to lobby and advocate through the city and also through the Alberta government that we do need more law enforcement in the area," said Sandy Pon with the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society.
- Canadian Blood Services is aiming for 5,300 donations in Edmonton by the end of January as part of its new "450 Challenge" to recruit 450 new blood and plasma donors daily. The organization is aiming for 12,000 donations across the country. Donation appointments can be made online.
- The Northern Alberta Brewers Alliance is hosting the Wyrd Bier Adventure, a beer-centric scavenger hunt across 19 tap rooms in the greater Edmonton area. Participants can collect stubs from breweries to earn a Wyrd Bier chalice by visiting 16 locations, or a Medal of Absolute Coolness by visiting all 19. The event runs until Feb. 16.
- As Edmonton experiences rapid population growth, the City is working to accelerate the creation of new housing to accommodate the increase by issuing more building and development permits. Last year, the City introduced automated permits for single and semi-detached housing in new neighbourhoods. "You can have your permit in one day instead of 14 to 20 days in previous years," Travis Pawlyk, with the development services branch, told Global News.
- British Columbia wineries can once again sell directly to Alberta consumers under a new one-year agreement. The arrangement allows Albertans to order from more than 300 B.C. wineries while ensuring the Alberta government receives applicable taxes. The agreement follows a previous impasse over direct-to-consumer sales that began when Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis announced it would no longer stock wine from B.C. wineries that were selling directly to consumers.
- The Edmonton Elks have signed American receiver Tre Odoms-Dukes to a one-year contract for the 2025 season. Odoms-Dukes, who previously played for the Calgary Stampeders, aims to have a comeback season after not having any playing time in 2024. In 2023, he recorded 686 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Headlines: Jan. 8, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim