Lethbridge news

• Calls for Kenney’s vacation to end early grow as pandemic pressure mounts

  25-08-2021 23:47
  
  Premier Jason Kenney is away on vacation and has not been seen or heard from publicly since Aug. 9. Hospitalizations and ICU admissions for COVID-19 have more than doubled since then, with cases surging amid a fourth wave, something the premier predicted would not happen.  “We just don’t see that scenario,” Kenney said June 18 when he announced the province would "open for good." “I fully expect that we will see an increase in cases, particularly with a typical seaso
  
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• Lack of opioid prescriptions contributing to spike in Calgary pharmacy robberies: Expert

  25-08-2021 23:35
  
  The increasing trend of pharmacy thefts hasn’t let up during the COVID-19 pandemic and some substance use experts suggest drug users are running out of options. Calgary police have reported 23 pharmacy robberies in the city since June as owners, employees, and customers have been the victim of a rash increase in violent attacks to obtain illicit drugs. Rebecca Haines-Saah, an associate professor of community health at the University of Calgary noted that the pandemic has cut off some of th
  
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• 'Inclusive of a significant term of incarceration': Kevin J. Johnston to be sentenced Sept. 8

  25-08-2021 23:30
  
  Controversial Calgary mayoralty candidate Kevin J. Johnston will learn his fate Sept. 8 after he was found guilty of violating three COVID-19 court orders. Johnston's Lawyer, Ian McCuaig and Alberta Health Services lawyer Mark Jackson expect to have an agreed position on what the sentence should be. “We are ... close to a sanction that's inclusive of a significant term of incarceration, without getting into specific details,” said Jackson. McCuaig said his client wants the matter res
  
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• Man fined $2,500 for posting photos of Alberta judge online

  25-08-2021 23:23
  
  A Toronto man has been fined and must cover court costs for taking photos of an Alberta judge and an Alberta Health Services lawyer, then posting them online. Donald Smith, who appeared in court via video before Justice Adam Germain on Wednesday, had taken screenshots of a virtual court hearing hosted on Webex that was related to violations of Alberta's COVID-19 rules. He told his followers that he realized he could go to jail for his actions. He also questioned the judge's integrity. His lawyer
  
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• Is the timing of Alberta's premier's vacation related to COVID-19? The federal election? Pundits weigh in

  25-08-2021 23:23
  
  "First of all, let's make sure: the premier is entitled to a vacation," Stephen Carter says early Wednesday morning. The campaign strategist who once worked for an Alberta premier is steadfast in his belief the job of a leader is a taxing one, and best done by someone who's not burnt out. However, Aug. 25 marks a little more than two weeks since current Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has made a public appearance, as well as the early days of a fourth COVID-19 wave – the premise of which, whe
  
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• Calgary-area children fundraising for kidney disease research as classmate awaits transplant

  25-08-2021 22:46
  
  With matching pink shirts, the members of the Princess Warriors team are well on track to reach their 100 kilometre target by Sept. 10, the date the annual Kidney March is celebrated. The mini-marchers are supporting their classmate and fellow marcher, six-year-old Alysha Somji, who has kidney disease and is on dialysis 16 hours a day. "But dialysis only gives you eight to 10 per cent kidney function, so we need to get that transplant which we just got a date yesterday," Robin Somji, Alysha's mo
  
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• Alberta, Saskatchewan not planning to follow B.C. and Manitoba on broad mask mandates

  25-08-2021 22:40
  
  Alberta and Saskatchewan say they are not planning to follow broad mask mandates announced this week by neighbouring western provinces. Manitoba and British Columbia are reintroducing mask rules to arrest a rise in COVID-19 case numbers. Both Alberta and Saskatchewan say that vaccination is the best, most effective route out of the pandemic and continue to urge residents who have not done so to get the two-jab protection. Alberta Health spokesman Steve Buick notes that mask rules still apply in
  
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• City officially makes October 4 “Sisters in Spirit Day” - Lethbridge News Now

  25-08-2021 22:26
  
  City officially makes October 4 “Sisters in Spirit Day”  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Union accuses Alberta Health Services of denying staff new statutory holiday

  25-08-2021 21:50
  
  The union that represents Alberta Health Services workers as well as many other provincial employees says it is filing grievances over the agency's decision to ignore the new statutory holiday, meant to honour the victims and survivors of Canada's residential school system. The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, announced earlier this year by the federal government, is set to take place on Sept. 30. While many employers already have agreements to recognize newly created holidays, the Albe
  
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• Air Canada mandates COVID-19 vaccination for all employees

  25-08-2021 21:35
  
  Air Canada said on Wednesday it would require all employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as the fast-spreading Delta variant drives an increase in infections. The move by Canada's largest carrier was in line with a government mandate that workers in the transportation sector be vaccinated by the end of October and follows similar moves by other major companies, including United Airlines . Workers who are not vaccinated by Oct. 30 will face termination or be sent on unpaid leave, Air Canad
  
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• 'Didn't sit back and feel sorry for herself': Calgary dancer's battle with cancer comes to an end

  25-08-2021 21:27
  
  A Calgary dancer who spent time raising money for brain cancer research, while also battling the disease, has died. Rochelle Gartner, co-owner of the long-running Calgary studio, Dance With France, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a brain tumour, in 2019 and passed away this week. She was 46. Gartner underwent numerous surgeries after the diagnosis, along with radiation and more than a dozen rounds of chemotherapy, while at the same time working to raise funds to help others affected by cancer.
  
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• Sisters in Spirit Day permanently proclaimed by Lethbridge City Council - My Lethbridge Now

  25-08-2021 21:25
  
  Sisters in Spirit Day permanently proclaimed by Lethbridge City Council  My Lethbridge Now
  
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• Hockey Canada ‘maltreatment’ rule outlines enforcement for discrimination on and off ice

  25-08-2021 21:12 via globalnews.ca
  
  "We believe this... will allow players of all ages to enjoy our game free from abuse, discrimination, racism and all forms of maltreatment."
  
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• New bus service connecting Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Canmore and Banff

  25-08-2021 21:04 via globalnews.ca
  
  The new Canada Bus service will transport Albertans between Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary, and from there to Banff and Canmore.
  
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• Canadian imams urge Muslim community to get vaccinated against COVID-19

  25-08-2021 20:51
  
  Canadian imams are urging members of the Muslim community to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Twenty-five religious leaders have issued a joint statement pointing to "overwhelming, undeniable scientific evidence" of vaccine protection as a fourth wave targets mostly unvaccinated people. The group says delaying or avoiding vaccination - unless under the advice of a medical expert - puts lives in danger, which goes against the teachings of Islam. It says COVID-19 and
  
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• Lethbridge's iconic bridge named in list of Alberta's top sites to visit

  25-08-2021 20:40
  
  It's about 1,600 metres long and 96 metres high but it's also the province's most impressive manmade structure, says an association of engineers and geoscientists. Lethbridge's High Level Bridge, which was built between 1907 and 1909 for about $1.3 million ($30 million modern standards), spans the Oldman River, says the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). The organization released a list of Alberta's top 10 engineering and geoscience marvels early this mon
  
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• Devon Hargreaves running for federal Liberals in Lethbridge - Lethbridge News Now

  25-08-2021 20:13
  
  Devon Hargreaves running for federal Liberals in Lethbridge  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• GlobalFest offers half-price Thursday night tickets to frontline workers

  25-08-2021 20:07
  
  Organizers of GlobalFest are offering discounted tickets to Thursday night's Team Philippines Fireworks performance at Elliston Park. General admission tickets are available for 50 per cent off the regular price for Aug. 26 using the discount code FRONTLINE when purchasing online at GlobalFest. The Team Philippines performance, titled A Lorica (Our Fight Song), pays tribute to the efforts of frontline workers while honouring the victims and survivors of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's GlobalF
  
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• Hurricanes individual game tickets available September 7 - Lethbridge News Now

  25-08-2021 20:06
  
  Hurricanes individual game tickets available September 7  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Imperial Oil to produce renewable diesel at Strathcona refinery using locally grown crops

  25-08-2021 19:57 via globalnews.ca
  
  Imperial Oil says the Edmonton-area facility will be the largest of its kind in Canada, using blue hydrogen and locally grown crops to produce low-carbon diesel fuel.
  
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• Abandoned truck investigation leads to arrest for theft in Olds, Alta.

  25-08-2021 19:49
  
  While investigating reports of an abandoned truck parked near a John Deere dealership in the town, Olds RCMP learned it had been reported stolen out of Camrose, Alta. Witnesses were then able to point police toward the alleged driver at a nearby motel and a man was arrested. Daniel Peter Conway, 25, of Sundre, Alta., has been charged with:Theft over $5,000; Theft under $5,000; Two counts of possession of stolen property obtained by crime over $5,000; Two counts of possession of stolen property o
  
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• Seventh candidate, Keean Lehtinen, added to Lethbridge's mayoral race - Lethbridge News Now

  25-08-2021 19:23
  
  Seventh candidate, Keean Lehtinen, added to Lethbridge's mayoral race  Lethbridge News Now
  
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• Imperial to produce renewable diesel at Strathcona refinery using locally grown crops

  25-08-2021 19:14
  
  Imperial Oil Ltd. is planning to build a renewable diesel complex at its Strathcona refinery near Edmonton, using locally grown vegetable oils to meet growing customer demand for cleaner burning fuel products. Calgary-based Imperial - a subsidiary of ExxonMobil and Canada's largest petroleum refiner - said Wednesday its proposed project would be the largest facility of its kind in Canada, capable of producing more than 1 billion litres per year of biofuel annually. That works out to the equivale
  
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• 'An air conditioner hanging out a Beltline apartment': Mixed reviews for new Calgary arena renderings

  25-08-2021 18:09
  
  New renderings of the proposed new Calgary arena are receiving mixed reviews online. Coun. Jeff Davison took to social media to post photos, which are part of the development application submitted to the city, and received nearly 200 replies, many critical of the design. The renderings feature an exterior look of the proposed arena, depicting it as a rectangular-shaped structure with several curves in a ribbon pattern. There are also pedestrian plazas at the northwest and southwest entry gates.
  
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• 2 more positives in Elks organization; tally up to 11: TSN

  25-08-2021 17:52
  
  CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie has confirmed the Edmonton Elks saw two more people test positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. In an interview with TSN CFL Insider Dave Naylor, Ambrosie said the CFL is learning it can't let its guard down even after months of planning for possible coronavirus outbreaks. "The second lesson is you gotta get everybody vaccinated. It's absolutely clear that that is the number one priority," Ambrosie told Naylor. Coming home from a game against the B.C. Lions, the Edmont
  
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• With last Canadian military flight expected to leave Kabul on Thursday, Afghans plead for help

  25-08-2021 17:50
  
  With the Canadian military wrapping up its mission at the Kabul airport and the last Canadian flight expected to leave on Thursday, the lifeline for thousands of Afghans with Canadian connections is slipping away. On Wednesday, thousands of Afghans pleaded for one of the few seats left aboard flights out of Afghanistan. The Taliban now have a tight and brutal grip on the airport perimeter. Still, those with Canadian VISAs have continued to try to fight through, while some other countries bussed
  
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• Minnesota Supreme Court delivers blow to Line 3 opponents

  25-08-2021 17:24
  
  The Minnesota Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear an appeal by opponents of Enbridge Energy's Line 3 oil pipeline, letting stand a key decision by independent regulators to allow construction on the project to proceed. Without comment, the state's highest court declined to take the case, issuing a one-page order that effectively affirmed a decision in June by the Minnesota Court of Appeals. And it left the Native American and environmental groups that have been protesting at construction s
  
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• Lethbridge Exhibition discussing health protocols ahead of Whoop-Up Days - Lethbrige Herald

  25-08-2021 17:11
  
  Lethbridge Exhibition discussing health protocols ahead of Whoop-Up Days  Lethbrige Herald
  
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• Bobcats make residents nervous in southwest Calgary

  25-08-2021 16:23
  
  A family living in the southwest community of Killarney say they are concerned about a family of bobcats that have taken up residence in their neighbourhood. Jason Hastie has lived in in area for the last 16 years and says this is the first time he's seen wildlife in the inner-city.  The cats were first noticed about a week ago, when Hastie's Ring doorbell camera picked up motion. His wife checked it out, and saw the bobcats. "We've got young kids, so concern for that, and we have a family
  
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• Reuse Rendezvous back on in Lethbridge September 10 weekend - My Lethbridge Now

  25-08-2021 16:15
  
  Reuse Rendezvous back on in Lethbridge September 10 weekend  My Lethbridge Now
  
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• Workplace racism could make Black, racialized Canadians dread returning to the office

  25-08-2021 15:57
  
  As vaccination rates rise and COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, many offices are returning to in-person work, but a human resources expert says many racialized workers are dreading it because there is still unaddressed racism in the workplace. “A lot of what individuals are experiencing has not changed,” Tanya Sinclair, founder of Black Human Resources Professionals of Canada, told CTV’s Your Morning on Wednesday. Despite many companies’ public pledges against racism last
  
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• Riding the waves: Calgary's long-range weather trends aren't going anywhere

  25-08-2021 15:54
  
  In yesterday's article, I wrote a paragraph about the conditions we'll be going through and it holds true today. Here's a look at the model guidance for our nation – you'll spot the jet by the thick, black line. Today and tomorrow, we're curled under a ridge of high pressure, which will keep our temperatures in a "swing state" – warm highs and cool lows make an extra layer prudent in the early hours of the day. Or, as Joelle and I have been saying, the seat warmers in the car. The ne
  
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• No word on potential return of restrictions to Alberta as B.C. reintroduces pandemic measures

  25-08-2021 15:19
  
  While health officials in British Columbia are taking emergency action as COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb, Alberta has made no changes to its health protocols amid a strengthening fourth wave. Some of the pandemic numbers are comparably worse in Alberta over B.C. According to data released Tuesday, Alberta added 629 new cases after about 6,000 tests while B.C. added 641 cases after almost double the number of tests. Alberta currently has 7,931 active case while B.C. has 5,357 There are m
  
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• Biologist calls for return of restrictions to Alberta as B.C. reintroduces pandemic measures

  25-08-2021 15:19
  
  While health officials in British Columbia are taking emergency action as COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb, Alberta has made no changes to its health protocols amid a strengthening fourth wave. Some of the pandemic numbers are comparably worse in Alberta over B.C. According to data released Tuesday, Alberta added 629 new cases after about 6,000 tests while B.C. added 641 cases after almost double the number of tests. Alberta currently has 7,931 active case while B.C. has 5,357 There are m
  
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• Alberta stays the course as B.C. reintroduces pandemic measures

  25-08-2021 15:19
  
  While health officials in British Columbia are taking emergency action as COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb, Alberta has made no changes to its health protocols amid a strengthening fourth wave. Some of the pandemic numbers are comparably worse in Alberta over B.C. According to data released Tuesday, Alberta added 629 new cases after about 6,000 tests while B.C. added 641 cases after almost double the number of tests. Alberta currently has 7,931 active case while B.C. has 5,357 There are m
  
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• Keean Lehtinen announces Lethbridge mayoral candidacy - My Lethbridge Now

  25-08-2021 14:30
  Keean Lehtinen announces Lethbridge mayoral candidacy  My Lethbridge Now
  
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• Natalie Spooner scores twice for Canada in 5-0 win over Swiss in women's world hockey

  25-08-2021 14:03
  
  Natalie Spooner is warming to her job of creating havoc in front of the opposition's net to generate scoring chances from close range. The 30-year-old from Toronto scored two goals tipping in teammates' shots in Canada's 5-0 win over Switzerland in the women's world hockey championship Tuesday. "The longer your career goes, you always kind of have to evolve as a player to maintain and stay at this level," Spooner said. "If you look back at my game, oh, eight to 10 years ago, I definitely was a m
  
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• 'Herd immunity' no longer possible without vaccinating young children, Public Health Ontario says

  25-08-2021 14:00
  
  Achieving herd immunity against COVID-19 will not be possible without an approved vaccine for children under 12, Public Health Ontario says in a new report about what the pandemic will look like this fall and winter. Due to the increased transmissibility and partial vaccine escape ability of the Delta B.1.617.2 variant now dominant in Ontario and much of the world, the report says the percentage of the population requiring vaccination to hit a point where virus transmission enters long-term decl
  
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• Lethbridge's High Level Bridge Alberta's top engineering marvel to check out - My Lethbridge Now

  25-08-2021 09:00
  
  Lethbridge's High Level Bridge Alberta's top engineering marvel to check out  My Lethbridge Now
  
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• 2 separate robberies attempted at same northwest Calgary pharmacy within 24 hours

  25-08-2021 06:02
  
  Police are investigating two separate attempted robberies at the same northwest Calgary pharmacy Monday night and Tuesday morning. Police confirmed suspects tried to rob the Cambrian Pharmacy Monday around 7 p.m., then again Tuesday around 11 a.m., when a group entered and threatened a clerk with pepper spray. A short time later, after the second attempted robbery, police stopped a vehicle a few blocks away, although it was unclear whether that was linked to the robbery attempt. Police said in b
  
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• Frost advisory issued for communities north of Calgary

  25-08-2021 05:47
  
  A frost advisory was issued for areas just north of Calgary Tuesday evening including the following communities:Mountain View Co. near Carstairs and Stirlingville; Mountain View Co. near Cremona and Water Valley; Mountain View Co. near Olds and Didsbury; Mountain View Co. near Sundre; Rocky View Co. near Airdrie and Crossfield; Rocky View Co. near Bottrel and Madden; and Rocky View Co. near Cochrane;Patchy frost is in the forecast. Gardeners are advised to take preventative measures to protect f
  
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• Options for the unvaccinated narrowing as province remains mum

  25-08-2021 03:20
  
  An increasing number of Alberta businesses are announcing proof of vaccination requirements, limiting choices for the unvaccinated. One Calgary counselling office has joined a growing list of businesses in limiting inperson appointments to people who are fully-vaccinated. "We wanted access to vaccinations to be around for some time to give as many people as possible a chance to take those up," said Jessy Roos, executive director of Cultivate. She said they haven't yet decided if they will requir
  
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• The legality of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace

  25-08-2021 02:50 via globalnews.ca
  
  Can Alberta employers demand their workers be vaccinated against COVID-19? And what if they refuse? Lisa MacGregor looks at the legal concerns and what your rights are when it comes to mandatory vaccinations.
  
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• Calls grow louder for Alberta Premier Jason Kenney to return to work

  25-08-2021 02:50 via globalnews.ca
  
  As COVID-19 numbers keep climbing in Alberta, there’s no sign of Premier Jason Kenney. It’s been more than two weeks since Albertans last heard from Kenney, who has been on vacation. As Tom Vernon explains, there are growing calls for him to come back to work.
  
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• OEG says Edmonton Oilers fans need to get vaccinated or test negative for COVID-19

  25-08-2021 02:46 via globalnews.ca
  
  If you’re hoping to attend an Edmonton Oilers game, or a concert at Rogers Place anytime soon, you’ll need to show proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test. Sarah Ryan explains.
  
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• Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce to survey businesses on COVID-19 vaccine passports

  25-08-2021 02:29
  
  The Lethbridge business community is preparing to have a tough conversation over whether proof of vaccination or other COVID-19 testing should be required for the public to attend events, take in a movie or dine out. The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce will be sending out a survey this week, seeking input from its more than 800 members before establishing a formal position. “We want to see what the local business voice is saying,” said chamber CEO Cindy Vos. “How they can adapt,
  
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• Canadian travellers fined $5,700 each for getting wrong COVID-19 test before returning from U.S.

  25-08-2021 02:29
  
  It was a trip that cost a Vancouver nurse a lot more than she bargained for. Brittany North, a registered nurse, says after a stressful year-and-a-half working during the pandemic, she needed a break. “So I booked a trip to L.A. to visit a friend for about a week,” she said. But just before she returned home, she tested positive for COVID-19, despite being double vaccinated and spending most of her time in California outdoors. “I ended up getting quite sick for about a week to
  
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• Edmonton’s Starlite Room music venue will require proof of vaccination when it reopens

  25-08-2021 02:25 via globalnews.ca
  
  'There's no chance of socially distancing properly. We have to make our audience feel as comfortable as possible returning,' said Starlite Room co-owner Tyson Boyd.
  
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• More Alberta music venues choose to require guests to show proof of vaccination

  25-08-2021 02:17 via globalnews.ca
  
  It’s not just sports teams demanding proof of vaccination — more and more live music venues are, too. The Starlite Room in Edmonton is one of the first, but the venue’s owner says he likely won’t be the last. Fletcher Kent has more.
  
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• Calgary-area Salvation Army thrift stores starting to see donations ease after busy pandemic period

  25-08-2021 01:55
  
  It was hard for Salvation Army distribution manager Darren Franson to find storage for all the donations to the charity last year when COVID-19 first surfaced in Calgary. "It was an absolute avalanche," said Franson. "We had this facility stuffed, plus we had another 30 trailers of product that we couldn't fit anywhere, and we can't process it fast enough at the stores," he said. "So yeah, it was unbelievable the amount of stuff, you lock people up for three months, they find all kinds of things
  
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