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7/30/2010 Tribute for victim killed at Big Valley Jamboree 2009 7:01am Country music fans will be gathering by the thousands in Camrose this weekend for the Big Valley Jamboree. It's been a year since strong winds caused the main stage to collapse at the concert, killing Donna Moore. The 35-year-old Lloydminster woman was an avid country music fan. An outpouring of support from the country music community followed Moore's tragic death last year, with big stars such as Johnny Reid and Big and Rich staging benefit concerts. A trust fund was also set up in the name of Moore's teen son. A tribute will be held at 6:00pm Saturday night at the BVJ festival in honour of Moore. (sb, ccg) Details...
7/30/2010 Embattled RCMP Commissioner responds to critics - exclusive 6am RCMP Commissioner William Elliott and his senior executive have sent an internal memo to all members of the Force in response to claims of turmoil at the top. In the RCMP memo obtained by 630 CHED News the Commissioner and half a dozen Deputy Commissioners and several other key players say of the unprecedented workplace assessment: "We welcome this assessment and are committed to cooperating fully and with candor. We look forward to the helpful recommendations which will follow." The memo to Mounties coast to coast makes this bid to rally the troops: "We are part of the RCMP family. As with any family, there are occasions where we have difficulties By working together as a team, the senior leadership of the Force intends to address the challenges we face while continuing to work together in the best interests of the RCMP, the communities and the Canadians we serve." Maybe the most interesting aspect of the memo is that it is supported by, at last on paper, Deputy Commissioners Tim Killam and Raf Souccar...the two most senior RCMP officers who are said to have complained about the leadership of Commissioner Elliott. The statement concludes: "We are confident that the pace ... Details...
7/30/2010 Stabbing victim may have been robbed 6am A man suffered three stab wounds during what may have been a personal robbery in southwest Edmonton early today (Friday). Police were called around 2:45a.m. to 172nd Street and 69th Avenue. They found a man who had been stabbed but he wasn't in any condition to tell them very much. They think he may have been set upon by robbers but will wait until after he's patched up to gather more information. The victim's wounds are not life threatening. EM Details...
7/30/2010 Hunch leads to big meth bust 6am A police officer's "spidey senses" led to a significant meth bust in southwest Edmonton. The officer was on patrol when a suspicious vehicle caught his attention near Gateway Boulevard and 51st Avenue late yesterday afternoon (Thursday). The truck was pulled over and the occupants...a man and a woman...turned out to have a history with police. A search of the vehicle uncovered more than half a pound of crystal meth. Considering the stuff is sold in very tiny doses...the seizure is considered significant by police. The man and woman were arrested and face an assortment of drug related charges. The investigation continues. EM Details...
7/30/2010 Trouble over bridged water 6am Some people do strange things after a few cool ones on a hot summer night. Police and paramedics scrambled to the north end of the High Level bridge after reports someone had jumped or fallen a little before 4a.m. Friday morning. Turns out several young people were on the streetcar tracks on top of the bridge when a woman tried to help a man she feared was in danger of going over the side. Instead, she took a tumble and although she didn't fall very far, she landed hard and hurt herself. Her friend was gone before emergency workers arrived. Apparently, it's not uncommon for people...many with alcohol on board...to climb the gates that are meant to keep everyone off the High Level bridge streetcar tracks. One wobbly slip in the dark and the results could be tragic. EM Details...
7/30/2010 Province wide Check Stops ready for long weekend 1 am A web of day and night Check Stops will be laid out across the province over the long weekend. August is impaired driving awareness month and RCMP Staff Sergeant Jamie Johnston with K-Division says we haven't seen significant drops, as we would hope, with impaired driving. "We can't have a police man on every corner, everywhere," states Johnston. "But we have now entered into a strategic intelligence led program where we look at what the causal factors of our crashes are, along with when and where they're occurring. And we are honing our enforcement techniques to deal with those primary causal factors. Impaired driving being one of the big ones." Sergeant Johnston says as the population increases, the volume of impaired driving related collisions has remained relatively stable over the years. But he says officers are aggressively trying to reverse that trend with the help of the public. Johnston tells 630 CHED News you never forget having to knock on someone’s door to tell them their loved one has just been killed by a drunk driver. "The role of the police doesn't just end with the picking up of the wrecks on a highway. We also have the horrible task ... Details...
7/30/2010 Crash near Big Valley, sends four to hospital 12:40am Four people were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, after a three vehicle crash near Big Valley yesterday. It is believed that an east bound semi trailer was traveling slowly, about to turn north into the Big Valley Landfill site when an east bound Dodge Durango struck the rear of the semi. The Durango then drove into the oncoming lane and struck a west bound Jeep Cherokee head on. Only the driver of the semi trailer was not injured. Charges have not been laid. (jc) Details...
7/30/2010 Kevin Costner remembers BVJ 2009 1130pm Country music fans are gathering at the Big Valley Jamboree near Camrose this weekend, one year after a terrible storm chased so many away. Kevin Costner's band "Modern West" will play again this year in memory of what happened and to celebrate life. Costner says it's a blessing that more people weren't hurt but it's a tragedy that Donna Moore was lost.   To see more of Kevin Costner and his band's thoughts, click here to see a blog from CISN's Mike McGuire. (rw)         Details...
7/29/2010 Libs wonder about plans for nurses 10:05pm The Alberta Liberals are accusing the provincial government of damaging the health-care system by recently laying off, then rehiring nurses. The Liberals say documents show 450 nurses were bought out last year at a cost of $23 million. But now, they say, the province is planning to rehire about 900 nurses. Liberal health critic Kevin Taft says it's not like there's a lot of extra nurses around. He says instead of paying $23 million to let them go, why not assign them to jobs that need to be filled. Alberta Health says the buyout was necessary when the province posted a deficit budget.(CTV/The Canadian Press/bp) Details...
7/29/2010 Envision Edmonton calls for runway closure postponement 9pm Envision Edmonton has provided us with a letter to Mayor Stephen Mandel, asking that next week's closure of a runway at the City Centre Airport be delayed. Improved poll results are cause for optimism for the group that wants to keep the airport open. It needs to collect 80,000 signatures on a petition by the middle of next month, to force a plebiscite on the future of the airport in this fall's municipal election. As of Thursday, it had about 45,000. Envision Edmonton's Chuck Allard thinks the publicity is working. All that face time at various festivals is paying off. "The undecided level has got off the fence and started siding with us so it's gone from 46 to 52 (%)," says Allard, "but when you add some of the other subject matters, then it goes up to 70-74 (%) and then the democracy argument is very, very high." The letter, which we've posted, touts those poll numbers, stresses the need for medevac and asks for time to let the petition drive run its course. And, while we have a copy of the letter to the mayor, seems the mayor's office doesn't. Mandel's chief-of-staff says at the end of the ... Details...
7/29/2010 Child sex predator deported 7:45pm A convicted child predator is back home in the U.S. RCMP confirm that a former Olds resident has been deported, after serving a three-and-a-half year prison term. William Arthur Maguire, 45, an American citizen, did time for sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching. This followed an investigation by the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit. He returned to Portland, Ore. this week, after his release. Meantime, a second man charged in this case -- Eugene David Maguire, 50 -- is still in prison.(bp) Details...
7/29/2010 Tragic end to search for plane 8:40pm It's a sad ending to the search for an American pilot, whose plane crashed while headed to Peace River. The military confirms the wreckage has been found southeast of Norman Wells, NWT, about 800 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife. It was found mid-morning Thursday. The pilot was found dead. The Edmonton Journal is reporting the victim is Colorado resident Terry Johnson. Johnson, 75, was headed from Norman Wells to Peace River, when his plane disappeared from radar last Saturday.(The Edmonton Journal/bp) Details...
7/29/2010 Boutilier still independent 4:45pm Guy Boutilier is looking out for the interests of his staff, by remaining an independent MLA prior to joining the Wildrose Alliance. Speaking on 630 CHED's "Rutherford" Thursday, he said he intends on writing the speaker, the day before the legislature reconvenes that he's joining the party.   However, until then he's seeking information from the member services committee on funding because, as he sees it, he'll collect less with the Wildrose than he does now.   "Remember, I'm still using the research funding with the people that work in my office as an MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo," he said. "They are using that funding, and by the way, I am using that funding for policy stuff, on seniors, on health-care, on education, and I'm going to continue to do that."   Boutilier has sat as an independent for a year, after he was booted out of the PC caucus over a disagreement with Premier Ed Stelmach over funding for a seniors complex in Fort McMurray. (sj/bp) Details...
7/29/2010 Auto insurance rates to fall 4:30pm Drivers are getting a break on auto insurance. Following its annual review of rates, the Automobile Insurance Rate Board is directing insurers to reduce premiums on mandatory insurance by 5%. This will save drivers, on average, $30. It takes effect November 1st.   The board expects drivers to be good, so the rates are going down.   "This reduction is primarily the result of a projected decline in the number of bodily injury claims in the province this coming year," said board chair Alfred Savage in a release Thursday.   The Insurance Bureau of Canada has some concern about the ruling.   "It is critical to remember that the most important goal of any auto insurance system must be to ensure consumers are well-served by a healthy and competitive marketplace," said the bureau, in a release of its own. "This means, in part, maintaining premiums that are affordable for drivers, but are also adequate enough to keep the insurance companies solvent and able to pay claims."   This is only for the mandatory part of the insurance you get. It doesn't include optional collision or comprehensive coverage.(bp) Details...
7/29/2010 Envision "vision" for airport unveiled 5:45pm Envision Edmonton has bold plans for City Centre Airport, should its drive to keep the airport open be successful. During an open house at the airport Thursday, the group unveiled schematics to show what it believes can be done with the property. The cornerstone of Envision's vision, is a new terminal in the northeast corner. This would become a hub for air, rail, bus, and private vehicle. Envision Edmonton's Ed Shlemko says the goal is to service rural northern communities. "By having all those things centered in that one area, we'll have synergies to create an economic cluster up in that north east corner," said Shlemko. However, Shlemko couldn't put a price tag on the cost of a terminal, saying the uncertainty of the airport's future is hampering efforts to attract developers. Envision Edmonton is trying to garner 80,000 signatures on a petition to force a plebiscite on the future of the airport this fall. As of Thursday, 45,000 had signed. The city plans to close it down. However, Envision Edmonton has written the mayor's office, asking for a postponement of the first runway shut-down, which is planned for Tuesday.(sj/bp) Details...
7/29/2010 Call for donation to PC puzzles local 2:40pm An Edmonton woman says she got a most unusual phone call from a telemarketer Thursday. "Michelle," who did not want her last name given, says someone called, claiming to represent the Tory party, and asking for a $250 donation to, quote, keep the Liberals in check. Michelle says she was so dumbfounded at the reason, she didn't even notice whether the person was calling on behalf of the federal or provincial party. "I was more concerned about what I was going to say back to her, which was, 'No, I think I'll be voting Liberal just to keep your Conservatives in check,'" she jokes. Michelle says, the $250 donation would get her a tax receipt for half that amount. A call from 630 CHED to the number on Michelle's phone was picked up by an answering machine at the P.C. Association of Alberta. As of mid-afternoon, our call was not returned.(dl/bp) Details...
7/29/2010 MADD launches report impaired driver program in Alberta 1:31pm The group Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants people throughout Alberta to report suspected impaired drivers to police. MADD has launched a new program along with the Alberta government and RCMP that calls on people to dial 911 when they see a suspected impaired driver. Similar province-wide reporting programs are in place in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. Some cities including Edmonton, Calgary, St. John's and Nanaimo, B.C., already have their own reporting systems. Denise Dubyk with MADD lost her son Darryl to a drunk and says having thousands of people watching out for impaired drivers could help save a life. MADD says such programs have been shown to increase the arrest rate for impaired driving by an average of 30 per cent. (CHUB, ccg) On the Net: MADD.ca/Campaign911 Details...
7/29/2010 Mounties seek drug store robbery suspect 12:35pm Fort Saskatchewan RCMP are hoping a sketch of a suspect, will lead them to the person responsible for an armed drug store hold up this week. It was about 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, when the Rexall Pharmacy at 9425 94th Avenue in Fort Sask was held up by a suspect with a knife. Police say the suspect fled with Morphine and Oxycontin. The suspect is described as a 20-25-year-old tanned man, standing about 6"0, and weighing about 175 pounds. A royal blue-coloured car may have been involved in the robbery. Anyone with information is asked to call Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, (780) 992-6100, or Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-8477. (bp, ccg) On the Net: CrimeStoppers.ab.ca Details...
7/29/2010 Food Bank celebrates 25 years at Heritage Festival 12:00 pm If you're headed to the Heritage Festival this weekend don't forget your non-perishable donation. The Edmonton Food bank is celebrating 25 years at the Festival and is hoping to make this one the best yet. Executive Director of the Food Bank Majorie Bencz says this event is huge for them. "Its is the single largest food drive over the course of the year, last year we reached our goal of over 50 thousand kilograms of food." Says Bencz. This years goal again is 50 thousand. Bencz reminds that donations are needed all year round not just at Christmas time. The Heritage Festival gets underway on Saturday at noon and goes until Monday at Hawrelak Park. (ls) Details...
7/29/2010 Plea reserved in foster child's death 11:30am There is still no plea from the woman charged with murder in the death of a 21-month-old foster girl in Morinville earlier this year. The accused, who can't be named under a publication ban, will return to court September 2nd. Plea was reserved Thursday morning in a Morinville courtroom. The child died last March. The official cause of death has not been released.(bp) Details...

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