Edmonton Daily Digest — Feb 11, 2026

Quick heads-up: On Wednesday just before 10 a.m., Strathcona County RCMP got a report of a person with a possible firearm at Strathcona Athletic Park in Sherwood Park (east of Edmonton); Bev Facey Community High went into lockdown and F.R. Haythorne Junior High was put on hold-and-secure. Police searched, found the man had no gun and no offence was committed, and school restrictions were lifted around noon — a tense moment coming after the Tumbler Ridge tragedy.

Tough court outcome: A 13-year-old was sentenced Wednesday to three years in an Intensive Rehabilitation and Custody Supervision program (two years secure custody + one year conditional supervision) after pleading guilty to attempted murder for repeatedly stabbing his 7-year-old brother last August when he was 12. Justice Ryan Anderson handed the sentence (recommended by both Crown and defence); the youth will give a DNA sample, has a 10-year weapons ban, and the court noted serious mental-health issues cited by Crown lawyer Lauren Atkinson.

Feel-good moment: Ninety-year-old Louise Barnett’s “living wish” came true Wednesday when Rocky Ridge Retirement Community and the Calgary Flying Club flew her from Springbank Airport to see Ha-Ling Peak near Canmore — the resting place of her late husband and daughter. It was a gentle, meaningful outing reported by Global’s Drew Stremick.

Serious allegation: Edmonton police say 48-year-old Frezghi Zerezghi — who was a deacon at a church leasing space near 121 Avenue and 103 Street in Nov. 2025 — was arrested Dec. 12 and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference involving a minor. Police later corrected an initial news release naming a specific church; Zerezghi was released on conditions, investigators believe there may be other victims and are asking anyone affected to call EPS at 780-423-4567 (or #377) or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Why gun laws keep changing: Mass shootings, including the recent Tumbler Ridge attack that left nine people dead, have repeatedly pushed changes to Canada’s gun laws — RCMP say two firearms (a long gun and a modified handgun) were recovered in that incident. Since May 2020 the federal government has prohibited about 2,500 firearm types (including AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14) with an amnesty deadline of Oct. 30; debates over the SKS rifle, handguns, trafficking penalties and the legacy of the firearms registry continue.

Hockey for hope: Players at the World’s Longest Hockey Game in Strathcona County are aiming to raise $1 million for equipment to make a CAR T‑cell therapy trial permanent at Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute. Don Goss (diagnosed with AML in 2019) received CAR T in Feb. 2022 and says it changed his life; the funds would allow local production of personalized cells, cut costs and expand access — the event has helped raise more than $8 million for cancer work so far.

Big local debate: After two days and 70 speakers, Edmonton’s urban planning committee sent proposed infill zoning changes to city council for further hearings — key proposals include reducing the maximum number of midblock units from eight to six and increasing minimum unit size. Councillor Aaron Paquette and residents such as Kathy Hawksworth and Beverly Zubot highlighted competing concerns about affordability, building massing, sunlight, parking and neighbourhood character.

Devastating news from B.C.: B.C. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger called the Tumbler Ridge killings “one of the worst” in the province and country after a mass shooting on Tuesday left nine people dead (including the suspected shooter) and 25 others injured in the small town of about 2,000. RCMP found six victims at the school and others elsewhere; officials praised first responders who were on scene within two minutes and leaders like Premier David Eby urged Canadians to support the grieving community.