Results for: Crime

Former Global Calgary and CHQR radio host Gord Gillies has been recognized with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Mount Royal University for his contributions to the community and his work in news media. Gillies spent 25 years as an anchor at Global Calgary before moving to 770 CHQR in 2017. He retired from broadcasting in 2019. Gillies’ wife, Kandi, worked at MRU’s wellness services for many years, and his son, Liam, attended the university. He is known for his advocacy for compassion for people struggling with addiction and depression and encourages men to seek counseling for deep grief. Five other prominent Albertans will also receive honorary Doctor of Laws degrees during Mount Royal University’s spring convocation ceremonies next month.

The City of Calgary has announced the permanent closure of the Inglewood pool, effective December 22. The decision was made after an assessment revealed that the aging facility is in need of major electrical repairs estimated to cost $600,000. While there is no immediate risk to the public, the city cited the potential for a sudden closure and the impact it would have on customers and swim clubs.

As the last remaining Canadian team in the NHL playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers face the task of garnering support from Canadians across the country. However, regional loyalties and cultural factors present significant hurdles. Assistant professor of sport management Mac Ross believes the long drought since a Canadian team’s Stanley Cup victory may help overcome regional barriers, while professor Lynda Harling Stalker is less optimistic. Geography plays a significant role, with geographic boundaries tending to foster stronger connections with neighboring American teams due to shared industries and social customs. Additionally, time zone differences create challenges for fans in eastern Canada who may not be able to watch late-night games. While Oilers fans may be disappointed, experts emphasize the importance of passionate support for specific teams in maintaining the culture of hockey in Canada.

Negotiators for the City of Calgary have improved their offer to 10.5% over three years in response to an overwhelming strike vote by the union representing 5,600 city workers. However, the union says the city has failed to address other critical issues, such as work from home. Discussions are ongoing, and a meeting with a provincial mediator is scheduled for June 5.

Despite advancing to the semifinals, Vancouver Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini expressed disappointment with his team’s 1-0 loss to Cavalry FC on Tuesday. After securing an away victory in the first leg, the Whitecaps’ lackluster performance in the second match resulted in an own goal and a loss. Sartini criticized the team’s casual attitude, acknowledging that a tiebreaker based on penalty kicks might have been more appropriate given the Whitecaps’ performance. Cavalry FC celebrated their second win at BC Place against an MLS team, with coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. praising defender Daan Klomp as their best player. The Whitecaps now prepare for the semifinal round of the Canadian Championship, aiming for their third consecutive title.

Two students in Calgary have found an innovative housing solution by moving into a local retirement home as part of a new intergenerational program. The program, funded by a federal grant, aims to provide affordable housing for students while also addressing the social isolation faced by many seniors. The students will pay only $500 per month for their rooms and dining privileges, in exchange for volunteering 30 hours a month. The program has been met with enthusiasm by both the students and the seniors, who say it is a win-win situation for all involved.

WestJet has announced a six-month delay in its planned integration of Sunwing Airlines. The Calgary-based carrier acquired Sunwing last year and initially set the integration date for October 2023. However, the integration has now been pushed back to April 27, 2025, due to pilot training and cockpit measurement unit issues. Despite the delay, both airlines will continue operating independently for their winter flight schedules.

A Shaw outage in northwest Calgary affected approximately 5,000 customers on Tuesday, marking the second outage in May. According to a Rogers Communications spokesperson, a fiber cut caused by vandalism and suspected copper wire theft was responsible for the disruption. The outage impacted several neighborhoods, including Balmoral, Brentwood, Bridgeland, and more. Vandalism-related outages are reportedly increasing rapidly year over year, and repair times can be extended due to the severity of the damage.

Four Indian nationals charged in the murder of British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are scheduled to appear in court today. Amandeep Singh, Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Nijjar, an advocate for an independent Sikh state in India, was shot and killed in the parking lot of a Surrey temple in June 2023. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suggested Indian government involvement, but India denies any involvement.

Suncor Energy Inc. has announced that it will withhold major investments in securing additional bitumen supply for its Base Plant oilsands mine for the next five years. The company, based in Calgary, has been exploring options to maintain the supply of crude to its upgrading facilities north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, as the Base Plant mine is expected to be depleted by the mid-2030s. Suncor has proposed a new open-pit oilsands mine expansion with a capacity of 225,000 barrels per day, but the project’s regulatory approval is uncertain. Executives at Suncor stated that they are evaluating various options to secure alternative bitumen sources and emphasized that significant spending on this front should not be anticipated before the end of the decade.