Search for Missing Boy, Hazardous Smoke & Paddleboard Critical — Calgary Friday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Command post moves to Nose Hill as search for missing 11-year-old Parker continues. Calgary Police said Friday the search command post moved about one kilometre west to Nose Hill Park after a search that began July 16; teams include more than 500 officers, hundreds of SAR volunteers, CPS mounted and canine units, drones and RCMP. Parker, non-verbal and autistic, was last seen between 11:08 a.m. and 11:41 a.m. on July 16 near Connaught Drive and captured on video at Travis Crescent around 12:52 p.m.
2. Paddleboarder in critical condition after collision with 85 Street bridge abutment. Calgary Fire Department’s aquatic rescue pulled a man from the Bow River around 1:10 p.m. Thursday; CFD began CPR before AHS paramedics transported him to Foothills Medical Centre in critical condition. An 11-year-old who floated downstream after the collision was rescued by a bystander and had no medical concerns; CFD warned against ankle leashes on moving water.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Elections Alberta verifies nearly 223,000 signatures on separatist petition. Elections Alberta said it validated about 223,000 of almost 280,000 names Friday, surpassing the roughly 178,000 signatures needed; the petition remains subject to a May court quashing that is under appeal. Premier Danielle Smith has cited both the separatist petition and a pro-Canada petition in putting an Oct. 19 referendum question on the ballot.
2. Premier Smith questions disclosure rules for third-party ‘Forever Canadian’ ads. Smith said she’s surprised Elections officials told her the Forever Canadian campaign need not disclose donor sources; Thomas Lukaszuk, a Forever Canadian representative, called the premier’s comments “despicable.” Elections Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act guidance and recent amendments mean Elections Alberta says the group is following current rules.
3. WestJet flight attendants vote 99.4% in favour of strike; Aug. 2 strike date possible. CUPE Local 8125 said about 4,400 members voted 99.4% in favour of strike action on July 15, with a central complaint of unpaid work; WestJet gave passengers booked July 30–Aug. 4 a one-time free change or cancellation.

🌦️ Weather & Roads

1. Calgary’s AQHI hit 10+; city ranked among world’s worst air quality Friday. Environment Canada listed Calgary at “very high risk” (AQHI 10+) Friday, while IQAir ranked Calgary among the worst global cities that day; Airdrie placed third-worst in Canada and Ashcroft, B.C., was listed worst. Environment Canada’s heat and smoke guidance notes higher risk for people aged 65 and older and lists symptoms of heat stroke and smoke-related respiratory irritation.
2. CTrain staff report seeing man ‘joyriding’ on CPKC train before Calgary derail. CTrain operators reported a person seen on a CPKC freight train prior to a derailment in Calgary, according to staff reports; the item remains under local investigation and transit agencies are coordinating with police and railway officials.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Charges laid against two hikers after grizzly followed them in Banff National Park. Parks Canada laid Canada National Parks Act charges Friday against two hikers who had an off-leash dog while a tagged female grizzly (Bear 142) followed them on Taylor Lake trail on July 19; Parks Canada said off-leash dogs can provoke wildlife and cause injury or death.
2. Judge finds four men guilty over 2023 Falconridge riot. A court convicted four men for participating in the 2023 Falconridge riot, according to the justice ruling; sentencing details were provided in the decision.

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• Falconridge riot: judge convicts four men in 2023 disturbance.