Calgary Daily Digest — Feb 5, 2026

A former gymnast speaks up — Charlotte Innes, 21, says she started gymnastics at about age 3–4 and entered competition by 6–7, but quit at 14 after a toxic culture of harsh coaching and pressures. This week’s Artistic Elite Canada in Calgary comes as Gymnastics Canada rolls out safer-sport steps (public lists of sanctioned coaches, a national database and a new Safe Sport strategy) to prevent abuse and give athletes more support.

Deportation steps for Humboldt trucker — Lawyer Michael Greene says Immigration has denied Jaskirat Singh Sidhu’s refugee claim, putting the former Calgary trucker who caused the April 2018 Humboldt Broncos crash (16 dead) closer to deportation to India. Sidhu pleaded guilty, was sentenced to eight years, got full parole in 2023, and his lawyer plans possible appeals or a deferral while a bid to restore his PR status is considered; victims’ families want deportation to proceed.

Community alarmed over extortion shootings — Calgary police say since July 2025 there have been 12 reported extortion cases (nine involving shootings) targeting South Asian business owners, prompting a town hall at Dashmesh Cultural Centre in Martindale (5:30–7:30 p.m.). Officers and community leaders — including Deputy Chief Asif Rashid and Coun. Raj Dhaliwal — promise information-sharing and will take the issue to an interprovincial meeting next week in B.C.

Unseasonal heat raises wildfire worry — Record-high, Chinook-driven temperatures have helped spark five Alberta wildfires so far in 2026, including a roughly 3 sq km blaze near the Panther River about 150 km NW of Calgary. Counties including Rocky View have banned open fires and officials warn dry vegetation and warm winds mean residents should delay burning projects now; wildfire season officially starts March 1.

Safety warning after fatal helicopter landing — A TSB report on a July 2025 Bell 206L-4 crash near Benalto says a passenger (54) died after a practice autorotation went wrong and recommends pilots reconsider practising risky maneuvers with passengers aboard. The pilot (63) was seriously injured, had ~3,500 rotary hours, neither wore helmets, and the board notes private flights aren’t subject to the same rules as commercial operations.

Young hockey team honours crash victims — The U13 Airdrie Lightning ordered about 100 stickers to memorialize three Southern Alberta Mustangs players — JJ Wright (18), Cameron Casorso (18) and Caden Fine (17) — who died after a vehicle hit a gravel truck near Stavely. The Lightning will wear and hand out the stickers at a Regina tournament this week as a small gesture of remembrance.

Bail fight for man facing U.S. extradition — Allistair Chapman, 33, is asking to be released on $500,000 surety (parents as guarantors) while fighting U.S. extradition tied to an alleged international drug network led by Ryan Wedding. Crown calls him a flight risk and points to serious allegations (including arranging an informant’s killing); a bail decision could come before Chapman's Feb. 27 court date.

Human remains found after grass fire — Alberta RCMP Major Crimes investigators were called after fire crews extinguished a grass fire Feb. 4 south of Eden Valley (about 100 km SW of Calgary) and found a burned vehicle containing unidentified human remains. Authorities say no further details are available as the probe continues.

Tate McRae answers ad criticism — Calgary-born pop star Tate McRae, 22, faced online backlash for appearing in an ad promoting Team USA before the Winter Olympics; she posted a childhood photo waving a Canadian flag to remind fans she’s Canadian. The reaction split fans online amid wider, heated conversations in Alberta about identity and politics.

Huberdeau to miss rest of season for hip surgery — Flames say 31-year-old Jonathan Huberdeau will have season-ending hip surgery in March and is expected to be ready for the 2026–27 NHL season. Huberdeau had 28 goals and 34 assists (62 points) in 81 games last season and was at 10 goals and 15 assists in 50 games this year; GM Craig Conroy called the move best for his long-term health.

Cooley shines in Flames’ 4–3 win over Oilers — Rookie goalie Devin Cooley stopped 36 shots in Calgary’s 4–3 victory and improved to 7–6–3, posting a .921 save percentage (No. 1 among goalies with five+ starts). Coach Ryan Huska praised his composure, and the win sends the Flames into the Olympic break on a bright note.

Flames clinch season series against Oilers — Matvei Gridin had a goal and an assist in Calgary’s 4–3 win over Edmonton, with Ryan Lomberg scoring the game-winner and Jonathan Huberdeau also netting one. The Flames improved to 23–27–6, the Oilers fell to 28–22–8, and Leon Draisaitl moved past Mark Messier into fourth on the Oilers’ all-time points list (1,036).