St. Albert news

• Premier Rachel Notley says province will consider buying Trans Mountain outright

  10-04-2018 23:23 via edmontonjournal.com
  Premier Rachel Notley says Alberta will buy the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion if necessary in order to build a pipeline to tidewater. 
  “We are considering a number of financial options to ensure that the Trans Mountain expansion is built, up to and including purchasing the pipeline outright if it was to come to that,” she said in a statement Tuesday. 
  Her comments come on the heels of Kinder Morgan Inc.’s announcement that stopped non-essential spending
  
  Read more

• Sorrentino's annual Garlic Fest kicks off with a stink

  10-04-2018 23:18 via edmontonjournal.com
  For 27 years, Sorrentino’s has been hosting a Garlic Fest at its numerous locations. This year, proceeds from the festival go to support the work of Sorrentino’s Compassion House, where women and their families dealing with breast cancer can enjoy a warm and welcoming place to stay during medical treatments.
  Garlic Fest runs until May 11, offering a host of special, garlic-based dishes on menus at participating restaurants, as well as the festival’s signature event, the Garlic
  
  Read more

• Another incredible lineup of docs for NorthwestFest May 3-13

  10-04-2018 23:15 via edmontonjournal.com
  Women make up more than half the world — and obviously have important things to say — so NorthwestFest’s 2018 linuep of documentary films makes a lot of sense: around half of its shorts and features are directed by or about women.
  Among these films in the May 3 – 13 lineup is RBG — about the life of celebrity U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen. Love, Gilda, meanwhile, weaves together recently found audiotapes
  
  Read more

• Councillor introduces motion for additional public engagement tool

  10-04-2018 22:55 via edmontonjournal.com
  There just might be an easier way to find out about all those city building activities.
  Ward 1 Coun. Andrew Knack introduced a motion at city council Tuesday to keep Edmontonians informed about notifications on permits, lot subdivision updates and traffic diversions throughout the city.
  Knack gave the example of a website, citygram.org, which aggregates information about foreclosures, building permits, traffic diversions and other information and delivers it to people in palatable pellets of not
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Lance Blanchard appeals sex assault conviction, dangerous offender designation

  10-04-2018 20:37 via edmontonjournal.com
  A man serving an indeterminate sentence as a dangerous offender is appealing both his sentence and the convictions in the high profile Edmonton sexual assault case.
  Lance David Blanchard, 60, filed his application with the Court of Appeal of Alberta on Tuesday.
  Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Eric Macklin ruled in March that Blanchard is a dangerous offender who poses a high risk of committing violent and sexual offences if released, and that he constitutes a threat to the public.
  
  Read more

• Major crimes investigating suspicious death on Edmonton's outskirts

  10-04-2018 20:16 via edmontonjournal.com
  The RCMP major crimes unit is investigating the suspicious death of a 24-year-old man whose body was found on a rural road on the outskirts of Edmonton Monday night. 
  Mounties and city police were dispatched to the scene at Township Road 515 and Range Road 234 about 9:20 p.m. 
  The investigation is in its preliminary stages, said police in a Tuesday afternoon news release.
  Edmonton major crimes is leading the investigation with the assistance of Strathcona County RCMP and the RCMP
  
  Read more

• Crews battle grassfire along railway line

  10-04-2018 20:08 via edmontonjournal.com
  Four fire crews are dousing a grassfire near the railway line in an industrial area on the east side of the city, fire officials said Tuesday.
  Firefighters were called at 11:34 a.m. and arrived five minutes later.
  The fire is confined to dry grass near the railway line in the area of 76 Avenue and 33 Street. No cause has been identified.
  
  Read more

• NDP says new salary rules for Alberta university brass will save $5 million a year

  10-04-2018 19:38 via edmontonjournal.com
  The NDP is bringing in new salary guidelines for Alberta post-secondary institutions that the government says will save $5 million a year on executive pay beginning in 2020.
  Currently University of Alberta President David Turpin takes a home around $824,000 in salary and benefits. His base salary is around $500,000. Under the new rules, a University of Alberta president would earn no more than $447,000 in base salary plus around 20 per cent in additional benefits.
  Here are the new base salaries
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Edmonton set to be centre for augmented reality industry

  10-04-2018 18:58 via edmontonjournal.com
  Edmonton could soon be home to at least 1,000 jobs in the growing high-tech world of augmented reality (AR), a leader in the field says.
  The city has about 100 people working for companies providing augmented reality systems, which superimpose computer-generated images over real objects, such as the yellow first-down line on TV football coverage, Scope AR co-founder David Nedohin said.
  Scope — which produces AR applications that let non-technical staff create interactive training material
  
  Read more

• Live: Policing needs, cannabis regulation put pressure on Edmonton tax

  10-04-2018 17:53 via edmontonjournal.com
  Edmonton residents could see taxes increase next year specifically to cover the cost of regulating cannabis. 
  Eighteen new city staff and $4.3 million for 2018 alone will be required after cannabis is legalized this summer, say city officials, who are expected to place a funding request in front of city council for debate Tuesday.
  Council is trying to finalize the tax increase for 2018. It’s currently set at 3.2 per cent. That could drop to 3.1 per cent, but only if council leaves the
  
  Read more

• David Suzuki one of 13 people to receive honorary degree from U of A

  10-04-2018 17:50 via edmontonjournal.com
  Environmentalist David Suzuki will be one of the 13 people who are to be given an honorary degree from the University of Albert this spring, a news release said Tuesday.
  University of Manchester particle physicist who was a co-discoverer of the Higgs boson, Brian Cox, CBC foreign correspondent, Nahlah Ayed, and former New Zealand prime minister, Helen Clark are also being honoured by the U of A.
  “An honorary degree is our learning community’s highest honour,” Douglas Stoll
  
  Read more

• Wood Buffalo food bank should be considered essential service, new report recommends

  10-04-2018 17:24 via edmontonjournal.com
  Wood Buffalo’s food bank should be considered an essential service in the region in a move that will help it be better prepared ahead of any new natural disaster, a new report into the 2016 wildfire recommends. 
  The report, titled Food Banks, Disaster Response and Recovery: What did we learn from the 2016 Horse River fire? was produced by the food bank association and was based on a series of stakeholder interviews.
  Those interviews revealed many people recognized the “food bank
  
  Read more

• It's time for speculation to end that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be traded

  10-04-2018 16:59 via edmontonjournal.com
  This in from Jeff Gordon, sports columnist for St. Louis Today, his hope that the St. Louis Blues might acquire Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers this summer: “Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would be an interesting trade target. So would Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly. Both guys are good fits for a second line. Both of their teams need major defensive upgrades, and the Sabres could use a goaltender too.”
  My takeIt’s no surprise that Ryan Nugent-
  
  Read more

• ATB gives nearly $1 million to U of A to study fraud detection

  10-04-2018 16:35 via edmontonjournal.com
  Scientists and researchers at the University of Alberta will benefit from a new four-year, $940,000 partnership with ATB Financial, the organizations said Tuesday.
  Three initial projects are already underway between ATB’s data scientists and university scientists who are looking at real-time fraud detection, predictive analytics and a recommendation system similar to Amazon focused around financial literacy and health.
  “All of the projects are designed to enhance human capabilit
  
  Read more

• Today's Top Three: Stony Plain grieves; Feds eye pipeline investment; Oilers coach blames himself

  10-04-2018 16:30 via edmontonjournal.com
  Today’s Top Three is a daily online feature highlighting a few of the most interesting and newsworthy stories you can expect to see on edmontonjournal.com.
  Parker Tobin mourned
  Family and officials originally believed Parker Tobin survived the Friday crash between the Humboldt Broncos team bus and a semi that killed 15 people. However, Saskatchewan RCMP issued a statement Monday saying the coroner had mistaken Tobin for another player, survivor Xavier Labelle, 18. 
   
  A memorial o
  
  Read more

• Alberta, Edmonton officials target China in latest trade mission

  10-04-2018 15:57 via edmontonjournal.com
  In something akin to an extreme cultural exchange, Alberta will send a mayor and trade minister to China next month, just as the Asian nation dispatches four pandas to the Calgary Zoo. 
  The May missions for Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and Alberta Trade Minister Deron Bilous were planned separately, but by coincidence, intersect in Asia. 
  Bilous’ trip also coincides with artificial intelligence (AI) trade and investment workshops in Hong Kong and Singapore, and with the China Nation
  
  Read more

• Edmonton weather: Don't worry spring is just teasing us, as snow is in the forecast

  10-04-2018 15:52 via edmontonjournal.com
  Tuesday’s weather is going to be relatively warm, but don’t let the mildness fool you, snow is in the forecast.
  Today: Increasing cloudiness, with a 20 kilometre per hour wind this afternoon. High of 6 C with a UV index of 5.
  Tonight: Cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of rain this evening. Snow is expected later in the evening, with about 2 to 4 centimetres. Low of -2 C.
  Tomorrow: Light snow ending in the morning, high of 3 C. Low of -4 C.
  Traffic updates
  Before you head out the door,
  
  Read more

• Tuesday's letters: Team bus supposed to be a safe haven

  10-04-2018 14:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  The hockey fraternity is a close-knit family and I mourn with all of the families and friends that lost their sons, brothers and fathers in this very tragic accident.
  As a former hockey player, coach, referee and father, I rode many buses always thinking, come storms and bad driving conditions that the bus was a safe haven.
  This tragedy exemplifies how fragile life is. My prayers go out to all of the families involved.
  Darryl Havrelock, Oil Kings alumnus, Edmonton
  Thank you to first responders a
  
  Read more

• Opinion: Many First Nations quietly support pipelines contrary to media narrative

  10-04-2018 14:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  Alberta Premier Rachel Notley forgot one group of Canadians when she cheered a recent court ruling relating to the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
  “It wasn’t that we won the decision, it was the court wouldn’t even hear it. So, it was a pretty definitive victory for the pipeline and for the people of Alberta and Canada,” Notley said, after the Federal Court of Appeal declined to hear appeals to overturn the National Energy Board’s decision on the pip
  
  Read more

• Guest editorial: Canada unites in grief

  10-04-2018 14:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  “What unites us as Canadians?” is what we invariably ask as we search for connection and meaning to bind ourselves to those fellow inhabitants spread out across this huge, intimidating land we all call home.
  So often, with a sense of wry exasperation, we eventually come to agreement on one thing: hockey.
  There is no such amused exasperation today. Instead, there is only overwhelming grief, along with the sad knowledge that, in the end, we were right all along.
  The tragic collision th
  
  Read more

• Two towers and mixed-use site to go up at former Blue Chicago site

  10-04-2018 11:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  The site of the former Blue Chicago restaurant will be grassed over and fenced off until plans are ready to move forward with redevelopment, the property’s owner said Monday.
  Considered by many to be an eyesore, the building at 142 Street and Stony Plain Road was demolished Saturday.
  The area is surrounded by waves of construction and activity. At the kitty-corner West Block, formerly known as the Glenora Skyline, three residential towers alongside a mix of townhouses and commerc
  
  Read more

• Policing needs, cannabis regulation put pressure on Edmonton tax bill

  10-04-2018 11:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  Edmonton residents could see taxes increase next year specifically to cover the cost of regulating cannabis. 
  Eighteen new city staff and $4.3 million for 2018 alone will be required after cannabis is legalized this summer, say city officials, who are expected to place a funding request in front of city council for debate Tuesday.
  Council is trying to finalize the tax increase for 2018. It’s currently set at 3.2 per cent. That could drop to 3.1 per cent, but only if council leaves the
  
  Read more

• Government to announce pay rules for Alberta university top brass

  10-04-2018 11:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  University and college presidents will likely be bracing themselves Tuesday when the provincial government releases rules around how much they can be paid. 
  Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt and Finance Minister Joe Ceci will announce changes to executive salaries and benefits at post-secondary institutions Tuesday morning.
  Alberta university brass are among the highest paid in Canada.
  In July, Schmidt said compensation levels were “way out of line with the rest of the countr
  
  Read more

• Alberta's investments in the private sector have proven both rewarding and risky

  10-04-2018 11:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  As Kinder Morgan’s confidence in the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion appears shaken, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley has said the provincial government is contemplating a “public investment” in the project.
  “We of course will be a very, very, very determined investor, and we will succeed,” Notley said at a Monday cabinet meeting.
  Later Monday in Ottawa, federal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr said the Liberal government is also contemplati
  
  Read more

• Police set up command post in southeast Edmonton

  10-04-2018 06:55 via edmontonjournal.com
  Police were responding to an incident Monday night in a rural area of southeast Edmonton.
  Edmonton police and RCMP officers had set up a command post near Ellerslie Road SW and Meridian Street, just outside the city limits.
  Edmonton police Insp. Erik Johnson said the incident was being investigated by RCMP. 
  RCMP Sgt. Brad Golinsky could not provide an update just before 11 p.m. Monday. He said the RCMP major crimes unit was involved, but would not confirm if police were searching for
  
  Read more

• Why did the Oilers fail again? Asks Peter Adler

  10-04-2018 06:21 via edmontonjournal.com
  By Peter Adler
  Guest commentary:
  An excuse to end all excuses so, pray, why did the Oilers fail again?
  So far as excuses go, this one ranks with the lousiest of them: last October’s opening night convincing win by the Edmonton Oilers over their Alberta rivals, the Calgary Flames, has doomed their season.
  Huh?
  Did you notice the losing streak that followed the shutout victory?
  Even their coach, a usually logical and level-headed Todd McLellan, told a local TV station that he saw something w
  
  Read more

• Trans Mountain pipeline battle not 'too far off' from constitutional crisis: Rachel Notley

  10-04-2018 06:04 via edmontonjournal.com
  Alberta MLAs from all sides of the political divide spent Monday talking about repercussions for British Columbia over the increasingly bitter pipeline standoff, but took no concrete steps to do anything about it. 
  It’s likely that won’t happen for days, when the government introduces measures to diminish the flow of oil west, as promised during last month’s throne speech.  
  The lack of action followed Monday morning comments by Premier Rachel Notley that British
  
  Read more

• Bateman towers approved for former Wild Earth site in Old Strathcona

  10-04-2018 05:34 via edmontonjournal.com
  Two new towers approved Monday for Old Strathcona would keep townhouses and shops at street level with apartments up to 18 storeys high. 
  The new plan replaces the original 31-storey tower pitched for the Wild Earth Bakery and former Wild Earth Foods grocery store site on 99 Street at 89 Avenue.
  City officials backed the proposal because it will support more people living in the core while encouraging street life through the many at-grade entrances. The height is the same or less than tower
  
  Read more

• Shooting took place outside community hall party in wee hours, says neighbour

  10-04-2018 05:32 via edmontonjournal.com
  A shooting that claimed the life of a man in north Edmonton happened outside a rowdy community hall party, says a neighbour who lives nearby. 
  Homicide detectives were called after northeast division officers responded to a weapons complaint near 145 Avenue and 91 Street at around 3:35 a.m. Sunday. 
  Police arrived at the scene outside the Evansdale Community League hall and learned an injured male had been rushed to hospital by family members, a police news release said. He later
  
  Read more

• Humboldt Broncos bus crash: Former teammates gather in Stony Plain to mourn dead player originally believed alive

  10-04-2018 03:32 via edmontonjournal.com
  Stony Plain — As news spread that an 18-year-old goaltender from Alberta was in fact among those killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, a memorial began to take shape outside Parker Tobin’s family home in Stony Plain.
  Family and officials originally believed Tobin survived the Friday crash between the team bus and a semi that killed 15 people. However, Saskatchewan RCMP issued a statement Monday saying the coroner had mistaken Tobin for another player, survivor Xavier Labelle, 18.
  
  Read more

• Ottawa considers public investment in Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

  10-04-2018 03:18 via edmontonjournal.com
  Alberta MLAs from all sides of the political divide spent Monday talking about repercussions for British Columbia over the increasingly bitter pipeline standoff, but took no concrete steps to do anything about it. 
  It’s likely that won’t happen for days, when the government introduces measures to diminish the flow of oil west, as promised during last month’s throne speech.  
  The lack of action followed Monday morning comments by Premier Rachel Notley that British
  
  Read more

• Edmonton's top 10 neighbourhoods might be unexpected gems

  10-04-2018 00:45 via edmontonjournal.com
  Just toss Avenue Edmonton’s best neighbourhood list — that’s Janna Bradshaw and Stephanie Kovach’s best advice for a millennial who is house hunting.
  The two University of Alberta human geography and planning students set out to use Edmonton’s Open Data catalogue to analyze the best neighbourhoods for the generation born between the early 1980s and 2000s, the millennials. For fun, they compared it to the annual ranking in the local monthly lifestyle magazine.
  The li
  
  Read more

• Jason Kenney will abstain from abortion clinic buffer zone vote

  10-04-2018 00:42 via edmontonjournal.com
  The provincial government’s bill to create a protest-free zone around abortion clinics is a political game that doesn’t deserve a vote, says United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney.
  Kenney, a vocal abortion opponent, told reporters on his way into the legislature Monday he will abstain from voting on the legislation, and most of his caucus will follow his lead. 
  Kenney said the NDP didn’t campaign on the rule change, and it is only being introduced now as a &ldq
  
  Read more

• Humboldt Broncos bus crash: Families of misidentified victim, survivor 'grieving together'

  10-04-2018 00:19 via edmontonjournal.com
  Parker Tobin’s former hockey club is planning a vigil for the young man who was Monday named as a victim of the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy.
  It had been thought Tobin survived the Friday crash between the team bus and a semi that killed 15 people, however Saskatchewan RCMP issued a statement Monday morning saying the coroner had misidentified Tobin with another player, 18-year-old Xavier Labelle. 
  Labelle, from Saskatoon, was initially identified as one of the fatalities in
  
  Read more

Follow @StAlbertNews on Twitter!