St. Albert news

• Edmonton roads: 1,300 tickets given for breaking parking ban

  30-01-2018 22:22 via edmontonjournal.com
  The City of Edmonton gave an update on neighbourhood blading Tuesday morning.
  This winter’s first parking ban was lifted Monday night. A total of 1,318 tickets were issued for breaking the ban. 
  “Although we are removing the seasonal parking ban, we’re continuing to clear snow in residential areas. We encourage people to still drive with care and caution as we are seeing high humidity with low temperatures,” said Janet Tecklenborg, the city’s director of i
  
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• Council ready to rewrite rules for new high-rise towers across Edmonton

  30-01-2018 22:22 via edmontonjournal.com
  City council is poised to revamp a part of the zoning bylaw that will make it dramatically easier to build modest high-rise towers in many parts of the city.
  Both community groups and developers spoke in favour of the new plan at council’s urban planning committee Tuesday morning, asking for slight changes but endorsing the general city vision.
  The new plan would apply to high-density areas such as Garneau and Oliver, and also to specifically-zoned sites near transit centres, LRT stations
  
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• Notley blasts B.C. government's move against Trans Mountain pipeline

  30-01-2018 22:12 via edmontonjournal.com
  Alberta Premier Rachel Notley blasted British Columbia’s provincial government Tuesday over its latest attempt to stall progress on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, calling the move an overreach of constitutional authority that will erode investor confidence. 
  “It is so far beyond the scope of what they have the legal authority to do they are creating a mockery out of our legal system,” an angry Notley told reporters in Edmonton.
  “The B.C. government has every
  
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• Disciplinary hearing begins for officer convicted of punching man

  30-01-2018 21:32 via edmontonjournal.com
  Discrepancies between a constable’s notes and video surveillance from a 2014 arrest where the officer punched a suspect in the face, fracturing his eye socket, are at the heart of arguments heard Tuesday during a city police disciplinary hearing.
  Const. Sean Briegel, 33, has pleaded guilty under the Police Act to a charge of discreditable conduct and a charge of unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority was dropped as part of the Edmonton Police Service internal review. Arguments are b
  
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• Kijiji scammer defrauds seven people out of $6,600: Edmonton police

  30-01-2018 21:17 via edmontonjournal.com
  Edmonton police have charged a Kijiji scammer with seven counts of fraud after police say a woman defrauded at least seven people of more than $6,000.
  In October 2017, the EPS Economic Crimes Section began investigating allegations from buyers on Kijiji who paid deposits for items like vehicles, RVs and cargo trailers, only to have the ad pulled from the website and the seller vanish after payment was received.
  The investigation revealed that between April 10 and May 30, 2017, a woman had defrau
  
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• Flu numbers on record pace

  30-01-2018 20:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  The number of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths across the province has climbed well ahead of last year’s pace, according to Alberta Health Services.
  “When you get vaccinated it’s not just to protect yourself. It’s to protect those others around you that might be at higher risk of disease,” says Dr. Gerry Predy, Senior Medical Officer of Health with Alberta Health Services.
   While people may develop immunity to one particular strain, subsequent flu season
  
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• Edmonton roads: City giving update on neighbourhood blading

  30-01-2018 19:40 via edmontonjournal.com
  The City of Edmonton gave an update on neighbourhood blading Tuesday morning.
  This winter’s first parking ban was lifted Monday night. A total of 1,318 tickets were issued for breaking the ban. 
  “Although we are removing the seasonal parking ban, we’re continuing to clear snow in residential areas. We encourage people to still drive with care and caution as we are seeing high humidity with low temperatures,” said Janet Tecklenborg, the city’s director of i
  
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• Edmonton weather: Plunging temperatures postpones Full Moon Birkie

  30-01-2018 19:35 via edmontonjournal.com
  Winter weather is bent on sticking around for a while, with snow and dropping temperatures in the forecast.
  The plunging mercury has led to the Jan. 31 Full Moon Birkie — a pre-event for the cross-country ski Birkebeiner about 45 minutes east of Edmonton on Feb. 10 — pushed to March 2.
  The Full Moon ski organizing committee issued a release Tuesday, saying the event had to be postponed due to the anticipated forecast. 
  Today: Mainly cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of snow. The
  
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• New funding to attract top talent in artificial intelligence to U of A

  30-01-2018 16:40 via edmontonjournal.com
  Hoping to accelerate developments in artificial intelligence by attracting top research talent, DeepMind has announced funding for an endowed chair in the University of Alberta’s Department of Computing Science.
  “The DeepMind endowed chair, together with additional funding to support AI research at the Department of Computing Science, is a sign of our continued commitment to this cause, and we look forward to the research breakthroughs this deep collaboration will bring,” said
  
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• What to make of the short-term Oilers optimism of Cam Talbot and long-term optimism of Brian Lawton?

  30-01-2018 16:35 via edmontonjournal.com
  This in from Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, who told Sportsnet’s Mark Spector: “We’re going to make the playoffs….We’re going to play like our lives are on the line every single night. Until eight teams have an ‘X’ beside their name we’re not out of it. That’s how we have to approach it.”
  And this in from former Tampa GM Brian Lawton, talking to Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now: “Edmonton fans, stay true, you’re going to
  
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• 'The media doesn't have the right to know everything': Readers side with police on naming homicide victims

  30-01-2018 16:29 via edmontonjournal.com
  Edmonton police are not releasing the name of the man killed after a robbery on 118 Avenue. Respecting the privacy of the family is one reason given.
  “At this time, investigators do not believe releasing the name and photograph of the victim will assist with finding witnesses,” police spokeswoman Carolin Maran told columnist Paula Simons via email Monday. 
  “The family of the victim has also requested that the name not be released and their privacy be respected.”
  Simo
  
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• Puppy TV hopes viewers can't get enough of canine cuteness

  30-01-2018 15:55 via edmontonjournal.com
  Coming soon to a television near you – Puppy TV. The show, being produced for Telus On Demand, features puppies frolicking on the set of a miniature boardwalk and beach. 
  “We are making all of our movie stars little animals. So we are potentially in for a very long day, but we are also in for the most adorable day ever,” Puppy TV director Katrina Beatty.
  Puppy TV is a spinoff of the already popular Kitten TV, which is currently in its sixth season. A baby goat show is also
  
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• Edmonton weather: Snow on the way as temperatures keep falling

  30-01-2018 14:37 via edmontonjournal.com
  Apparently winter weather is bent on sticking around for awhile, as today features a high chance of snow and dropping temperatures.
  At least the seasonal parking ban has been lifted.
  Today: Mainly cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of snow. The high is -11 C, with temperatures dropping to -14 C this afternoon.
  Tonight: A few scattered flurries, with a low of -18 C and a wind chill of -25.
  Tomorrow: Mainly cloudy with a low of -19 C and a 40 per cent chance of snow.
  Tomorrow night: A 40 per cent ch
  
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• Tuesday's letters: School boards need their own elections

  30-01-2018 14:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  Perhaps the impasse between the Catholic and public school boards in trying to approve a joint Student Transportation Authority can be traced to the method in which school trustees are elected.
  While it has been pointed out that the bickering between the two boards can be likened to children fighting, the question is who are these trustees?
  Our system of voting for mayor, councillors and school trustees all in one shot may result in some trustees being elected who shouldn’t be there. Most
  
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• Thomson: Jason Kenney is now an MLA — let the fun begin

  30-01-2018 14:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  I had thought that for a few moments Monday afternoon the political guns in Alberta might fall silent.
  You know, just as a gesture of goodwill from the NDP toward United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney as he was being sworn in as MLA in the legislature chambers.
  But no. A few hours before the swearing-in ceremony, the NDP launched a radio ad attacking Kenney’s “plan” to lower taxes for the wealthiest Albertans by reintroducing the old PC government’s 10 per cent fl
  
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• Opinion: Tommy Banks knew the value of mentoring musicians

  30-01-2018 14:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  As a young high school student playing piano in Strathcona High School’s jazz band, the Tommy Banks I knew was a gentle giant. He was a monster of a pianist, he had incredible musicianship, he was sharp as a whip, but more than anything, he had a heart made out of gold.
  I remember after one performance he adjudicated, I worked up the nerve to ask “Mr. Banks” if I could watch his big band rehearse. The pride I had as a 17-year-old kid, smugly telling the stage-door security guar
  
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• Graham Thomson: The political fallout from the #MeToo movement

  30-01-2018 04:26 via edmontonjournal.com
  The MeToo movement has hit Canadian politics hard, knocking over politicians like dominoes.
  This week alone we’ve seen politicians from Nova Scotia to Ontario to Alberta step down or step aside over allegations of sexual misconduct. The scandals won’t just affect individual political careers but provincial and national politics.
  The procession started Wednesday in Nova Scotia with the resignation of Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie, moved to Ontario with PC leader Patric
  
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• 'Those are the only lanes left': Jasper Avenue changes have some councillors concerned

  30-01-2018 04:11 via edmontonjournal.com
  West-end commuters face a rough ride with two major projects threatening to cut access, warned several councillors while weighing options Monday for Jasper Avenue. 
  The west LRT is expected to reduce 104 Avenue west of 121 Street to one lane in each direction. That construction could be just around the corner.
  Changes to make Jasper Avenue more pedestrian friendly are also lengthening commutes, said Coun. Tim Cartmell, responding to a report that found two-minute delays during the morning t
  
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• Fate of City Hall pool now in limbo after committee debate

  30-01-2018 03:48 via edmontonjournal.com
  A knee-deep City Hall wading pool narrowly avoided the axe Monday with its fate left in limbo by split opinions among councillors. 
  Council’s executive committee voted 4-1 to explore the option of using 24-hour security to retain a deeper pool. But any decision to spend money needs support from the full council. It heads to a vote Feb. 13.
  City officials say the status quo is not an option. The 25-year-old pool is aging. It needs major rehabilitation, which means it needs to comp
  
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• Edmonton vigil marks one year since Quebec City mosque killings

  30-01-2018 03:17 via edmontonjournal.com
  A small group of Edmontonians gathered outside the Alberta legislature late Monday afternoon to commemorate the first anniversary of the fatal Quebec mosque shooting.
  Six men — Ibrahima Barry, Azzedine Soufiane, Abdoubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry and Khaled Belkacemi — were killed by a gunman inside the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City in 2017. Another 19 people were injured in the attack.
  Cradling signs that read Honour Their Lives and Uni
  
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• Edmonton Oilers to take three practices to dig in for the Avalanche

  30-01-2018 03:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  The Edmonton Oilers speak about the training regimen that they’ll use to prepare for the Colorado Avalanche over the next three days during practice at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Jan. 29, 2018.
  
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• Edmonton Oilers speak about the excitement of opening next season in Europe

  30-01-2018 02:15 via edmontonjournal.com
  Edmonton Oilers players and head coach Todd McLellan speak about the excitement of opening next season in Europe during practice at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Jan. 29, 2018.
  
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• UCP Leader Jason Kenney promises 'civility,' 'decorum' as he takes seat in legislature

  30-01-2018 01:34 via edmontonjournal.com
  United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney was sworn in as an official member of the Alberta legislative assembly Monday afternoon.
  Kenney was elected MLA of the Calgary-Lougheed riding on Dec. 14, capturing more than 70 per cent of 11,000 ballots cast. 
  The byelection marked the fourth major win for Kenney in the past several months — his victory in the Progressive Conservative leadership in March, a successful vote to unite the PC and Wildrose parties last summer, and his tr
  
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• Paula Simons: A very public crime; a very private investigation

  30-01-2018 01:30 via edmontonjournal.com
  It happened last Wednesday at about 10:30 p.m. 
  Two 28-year-old brothers —  twins — were standing in a bus shelter on 118 Avenue at 83 Street, near the Catholic Social Services building. According to police, the 28-year-old men had just gotten off one bus and were waiting for a transfer.
  They were approached by a mugger, who tried to rob them. But the robbery went wrong, and one brother was stabbed. The robber took off, and the twins chased him east along the avenue. B
  
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• Drayton Valley woman charged with producing pornographic pictures in Cambodia

  30-01-2018 01:16 via edmontonjournal.com
  A 20-year-old woman from Drayton Valley is one of 10 foreigners in Cambodia charged with producing pornographic photos after posting pictures of themselves dancing at a party near the famed Angkor Wat temple.
  Eden Kazoleas, 20, of Drayton Valley was arrested with another Canadian, Jessica Drolet, 25, alongside eight men of various nationalities who were being detained in the northwestern town of Siem Reap in Cambodia, according to the Cambodian National Police.
  Five of the men were from the Unit
  
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• Edmonton band Dungarees enjoys unexpected overseas success in Australia

  30-01-2018 01:14 via edmontonjournal.com
  It’s not every day that one of your songs comes in just ahead of Taylor Swift, and right behind Garth Brooks, on the country charts.
  Edmonton’s The Dungarees can make that claim now, as their latest single, Anywhere With You, continues to hold on in the Australian Top Ten over a four-week span. The five-piece is currently in New South Wales, making good on this unexpected overseas success by playing at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and sliding off for smaller gigs in and aroun
  
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• Seasonal parking ban to be lifted late Monday night

  30-01-2018 00:29 via edmontonjournal.com
  The seasonal parking ban implemented on Saturday will be lifted at 11:59 p.m. Monday.
  “We’ve completed clearing the main and collector roads, the sidewalks and bus stops. We’d like to thank the crews for the long hours they’ve worked and the public for giving our people the room to work,” said Janet Tecklenborg, the city’s director of infrastructure operations, in a news release on Monday.
  “Although we are removing the seasonal parking ban, we’re c
  
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• Fate of City Hall pool still in limbo after committee debate

  30-01-2018 00:13 via edmontonjournal.com
  The City Hall wading pool narrowly avoided the axe Monday but its fate is still in limbo. 
  Council’s executive committee voted to explore the option of 24-hour security to retain a knee-deep pool. That still needs council support. 
  City officials want to drop the water levels to ankle-deep, or 15 cm, in order to conform to Alberta Health and building code regulations. But some families and councillors worry that will risk ruining one of Edmonton’s most popular downtown attr
  
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