Child drowns, WestJet pickets & $8.5M freeze — Calgary Tuesday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. 7-year-old girl drowns in Legacy storm pond. Drihanna Matamona, described by family as autistic and non-verbal, left her southeast Calgary home and was found in a nearby Legacy storm pond on Sunday; her parents were at home (father in the garage, mother at work) when she disappeared and were informed after emergency responders located her. The family has spoken publicly about her love of drawing and puzzles.
2. Massage therapist charged after alleged sexual assault in Glendale. Calgary police charged a 52-year-old massage therapist following an allegation of non-consensual sexual touching during a massage on Aug. 9, 2025; a search warrant was executed at Kinesio Massage Therapy, 3949 17 Ave. S.W., and the accused is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 16, 2026.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Judge freezes up to $8.5 million of lawyer Jeffrey Rath’s assets. Alberta Court of King’s Bench Justice Marion granted an interim Mareva freezing order on July 10 that restrains exigible property up to $8,518,075 belonging to Rath and his professional corporation; the order remains in effect until a further hearing on July 15 and covers bank accounts, vehicles, real estate and shares. The order arises from a trust-money dispute with Tallcree First Nation.
2. WestJet flight attendants stage information pickets in Calgary amid strike vote. About 4,400 members of CUPE Local 8125 are voting on a strike that began July 8 and ends July 15, with results expected the same day; pickets were held outside the WestJet Campus and Calgary International Airport while negotiations continue after roughly 10 months of talks about the airline’s flight credit system.

🌦️ Environment

1. Alberta facing a prolonged mosquito season after heavy rains. Entomologists report sustained mosquito activity in central Alberta since late June following heavy rainfall, with the last comparable season said to be 1990; City of Edmonton technician Mike Jenkins and Olds College entomologist Ken Fry described widespread biting and increased consumer demand for repellents.
2. Extreme heat and humidity can fuel more dangerous storms and tornadoes. University of Toronto atmospheric physics professor Kent Moore said heat waves increase the risk of severe afternoon thunderstorms and possible tornadoes, and Environment Canada warned parts of Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba of 30–40 C temperatures with humidex; Moore added current extremes are about two to three degrees warmer than they'd be without global warming.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. Ohio Buckeye trees planted in Cambrian Heights dog park raise pet-toxicity concerns. Residents and Cambrian Heights Community Association president Daryl Connolly report Ohio Buckeye nuts in the dog park can cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested, and parks staff say their planting specialists are aware but do not see the issue as major; veterinarian Dr. Julie Schell urged more cross-disciplinary planning for flora in public spaces.
2. Alberta program helping inmates with FASD credited with reducing reoffending. Katlin Sharko, who attended an FAS seminar at Edmonton remand, described learning how Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder related to his behaviour and sought support from Willow Winds Support Network in Edmonton; the program is presented in the article as helping people with FASD adjust to community life after incarceration.

📰 Also Today

• ARC Resources shareholders approve Shell’s $22B acquisition proposal.
• Hundreds of up-and-coming baseball players gather in Okotoks for new tournament.
• Eight people plead guilty to illegal cougar and Canada lynx hunting.
• Investigation alleges lawyer Jeffrey Rath faced client challenges over fees and conduct.
• One person dead after northeast Edmonton apartment fire, multiple crews responded.
• Company pleads guilty in trench-collapse death, fined $330,000.
• Manitou Stone to be moved to new home in Elk Island National Park.
• Canadian trips to U.S. inch up despite months-long travel boycott.
• Assembly of First Nations summer assembly addresses water bill and major projects.
• Study finds temporary migrant workers in Canada are deskilled and precarious.
• Family who lost 12-year-old to cancer shares his passion while choosing to live.
• Immigration is on the ballot; Alberta multicultural communities weigh referendum.
• Fort McMurray and Cold Lake mayors celebrate Pathways carbon capture agreement.
• (duplicate investigation) Jeffrey Rath’s past First Nations work draws new client disputes.
• (duplicate) Mareva order freezes $8.5M of Jeffrey Rath’s assets until July 15 hearing.