- The Alberta Avenue Business Association recently secured a $100,000 loan for a collective snow-clearing initiative benefiting its 267 members along 118 Avenue between NAIT and Northlands. Erick Estrada of the Alberta Avenue Business Association said the program, which follows a successful 2024 pilot, aims to improve accessibility for patrons by coordinating sidewalk clearing, purchasing equipment like a walk-behind machine, and complementing city efforts. Members will fund the five-year loan through a levy.
- In an update on Jan. 16, the City of Edmonton said crews had completed 43% of residential roadway clearing during the Phase 2 parking ban, which began Jan. 12. The City of Edmonton resumed its residential parking ban on Jan. 17 to accelerate snow clearing operations and complete Phase 2 by Jan. 23. Originally paused for the entire weekend, the ban restarted sooner to maintain progress. The City urges residents to move parked vehicles, the biggest obstacle to clearing efforts, and will increase enforcement due to low compliance.
- Edmonton Fire Rescue Services issued a warning to residents about the increasing danger of lithium-ion battery fires, noting it responded to eight such fires in 2025 and two e-bike battery fires last week alone. Assistant Deputy Chief Justin Lallemand said these fires are extremely dangerous, burning at more than 2000°C and producing toxic smoke. To prevent incidents, the fire service encourages residents to use the correct chargers and advises against overnight charging and improper disposal. Residents can safely recycle batteries at Eco Stations or participating Edmonton retailer.
- Overcrowding in Alberta emergency departments has led to at least six preventable deaths and more than 30 "near-misses" since early 2026, according to documents, obtained by The Globe and Mail. This includes the Dec. 22 death of Prashant Sreekumar who waited eight hours for medical care at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital. Paul Parks of the Alberta Medical Association shared the cases on Jan. 12 with Minister Matt Jones, citing a provincial crisis. Edmonton doctors have called for the province to declare a state of emergency in response to hospital crowding. In response, Jones announced new physician roles for triage in Calgary and Edmonton emergency departments, starting in February.
- Members of Edmonton's Iranian community called for international intervention in Iran due to increasing reports of deaths within the country amid widespread protests and a communications blackout. "We call on the Government of Canada to take leadership in a coordinated international effort to apply effective pressure on the Iranian government, with the urgent aim of halting the killings of civilians," a statement read during a protest on Jan. 17 outside the Alberta legislature said.
- Edmonton Oilers player Leon Draisaitl is taking a brief leave of absence to attend to a family illness in Germany, the team said in a statement. He is expected to return sometime this week. The team requested privacy.
Headlines: Jan. 19, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim