Calgary Daily Digest — 2026-01-05

Water-main rupture, ongoing repairs and public warnings

• Bearspaw South Feeder Main ruptured near 16 Avenue and Sarcee Trail (Dec. 30). The pipe normally supplies about 60% of Calgary’s treated drinking water for a city of ~1.6 million people.
• The break flooded several busy streets, forced emergency crews to rescue more than a dozen people from vehicles, and left roughly 2,000 homes and businesses temporarily without water.
• Mayor Jeromy Farkas warned the shortage could enter “loss-of-life territory,” saying firefighting and emergency response may be compromised if residents don’t conserve water.

Boil-water advisories lifted for nearby neighbourhoods

• Advisories affecting nearly 3,000 people in Parkdale, Montgomery, Point McKay and West Hillhurst have been lifted after tests by the city, Alberta Health Services and Alberta Environment.
• Residents who haven’t run taps in 24 hours are asked to flush home systems before using. City officials say conservation must continue while repairs proceed.

Calgary police seek suspect in violent Fish Creek Park assault and robbery

• Incident occurred Oct. 23, 2025, between 5 and 6 p.m. near Bow Bottom Trail and 153 Avenue SE.
• Victim approached from behind; suspect demanded belongings, produced a knife, stabbed and robbed the victim before fleeing.
• Suspect described as late 40s, about 6'2" (188 cm), slim, ~170 lb (77 kg), wearing a dark hoodie, black baseball cap, blue jeans and blue Adidas shoes.

Alberta fatal crashes spike in December: RCMP

• Preliminary K Division data: 20 fatal collisions in December 2025 vs 10-year average of 16.7.
• Four fatal collisions (four deaths) reported in the first four days of January; weather believed a factor in at least three January crashes.

Edmonton "frostbite capital": efforts to reduce amputations

• Shelters and clinics treating severe frostbite among people experiencing homelessness; cases include recent amputations and ongoing wound care at Hope Mission.
• Health workers emphasise infection control and early interventions to prevent further amputations.

Sports notes: McDavid/Poulin jersey campaign & Micah Johnson retires to coach

• Connor McDavid and Marie-Philip Poulin donated jerseys to The Great Canadian Jersey campaign; patchwork designs will be worn by Canada’s top players.
• Micah Johnson, 37, retired after 13 CFL seasons and will become Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive-line coach. Last season: 20 tackles, six sacks.