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Daily Calgary Aug 17 - Aug 17, 2026

Byelection Called, Olds Power Plan Rejected & Grizzly Escape — Calgary Monday

14 articles 1 week ago 228

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

  1. Edmonton homicide unit probing suspicious death of 16-year-old after early-morning shooting. Police responded to a reported shooting near 139 Avenue and 32 Street around 6:50 a.m. and began first aid before EMS pronounced the girl dead; homicide investigators have taken over and police seek tips at 780-423-4567 or #377 and Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
  2. Canmore RCMP investigating sudden death after body found in Bow River. Officers were notified at about 9:50 a.m. Sunday after a 52-year-old Canmore man was located near the Three Sisters boat launch; RCMP ask anyone with information to call Canmore RCMP at (403) 678-5519 or Crime Stoppers.

🏛️ Government & Politics

  1. Premier Danielle Smith has called a Calgary-Shaw byelection for Sept. 14. The riding was vacated in May after UCP minister Rebecca Schulz resigned; the UCP named Mike Derry and the NDP named Kyle Campbell, and Elections Alberta will post unofficial results after polls close on voting day.
  2. Alberta government praises Ontario appeal court ruling and plans provincial bike-lane powers. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said the Aug. 14 decision clears the way to remove bike lanes and the province is drafting fall legislation to give itself more authority while running an online complaint system about routes.
  3. Grand chief Joey Pete says Alberta’s absence at Treaty 6 150th event signals disrespect. The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations’ grand chief spoke at an Edmonton city-hall ceremony and raised concerns about the province’s engagement ahead of an Alberta separation referendum and pipeline discussions.
  4. Alberta Utilities Commission denies Synapse plan for a 1.4 GW gas-powered data-centre plant at Olds. The commission said the site, proposed to include 1.8 GW of backup diesel generation, is “not suitable”; Olds residents numbered about 1,500 parties seeking standing and more than 900 were granted participation in the hearings.

🎨 Community & Culture

  1. City of Calgary seeks feedback on Max Bell Park redevelopment before 2028 construction. Plans cover roughly 4,000 sq. metres (about one acre) for amphitheatre seating, an open plaza and an overhead framing structure; the public comment window closes Aug. 27 and renderings are on the city website.
  2. Calgary-born musician Jann Arden announced her wedding to Icelandic author Thordis Elva on Instagram. Arden posted photos showing the couple together and wrote “Wife and wife,” noting they were engaged over New Year’s Eve and have discussed wedding plans on Arden’s podcast.

📰 Also Today

  • Neighbour accounts describe shots and screaming near 139 Avenue and 32 Street in Edmonton.
  • Grizzly bear escapes enclosure at Calgary Zoo.
  • Inflation rate rose to 3% in July as gas prices climbed again.
  • Southeast Calgary residents pressing city to repair Glenmore Trail noise barrier.
  • 'Fed up' Canadians push to oust U.S. ambassador in an unnamed campaign.
  • Australian beef is cheaper option in Canadian grocery stores, according to reporting.

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Source Articles (14)

Grizzly bear escapes enclosure at Calgary Zoo

One-year-old grizzly bear Fitz escaped his enclosure at the Calgary Zoo Sunday morning. The zoo says the bear was safely returned to his enclosure.

General Aug 17, 2026

Why is Australian beef the cheaper option in Canadian grocery stores?

Australian beef is on supermarket shelves across Saskatchewan now, and the prices are much lower than for Canadian beef.

General Aug 17, 2026

'Fed up' Canadians' push to oust U.S. ambassador

Nearly 200,000 Canadians have signed a petition calling on the federal government to expel Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada.

General Aug 17, 2026

Southeast Calgary residents calling on city to fix noise barrier along part of Glenmore Trail

Some residents in the southeast community of Riverbend are raising concerns about traffic noise along Glenmore Trail, saying the existing sound wall is no longer doing enough to block the noise.

General Aug 17, 2026

Inflation rate rose to 3% in July as gas prices climbed again

The resumption of hostilities in the Middle East in July sent gas pump prices back up, after a brief ceasefire cooled them in June. Inflation for food bought from stores cooled in July, with fresh vegetable and chicken prices driving the decline.

General Aug 17, 2026
Government of Alberta praises Ontario court ruling on bike lanes

Government of Alberta praises Ontario court ruling on bike lanes

Alberta's Transportation Minister has welcomed an Ontario court ruling upholding the province's efforts to remove several bike lanes, calling it 'a win for common sense.'

Politics Aug 17, 2026
Jann Arden shares pictures of wedding to Icelandic author Thordis Elva

Jann Arden shares pictures of wedding to Icelandic author Thordis Elva

The Calgary-born singer, author and actor announced her nuptials on Sunday in an Instagram post with the caption, 'Wife and wife.'

Entertainment Aug 17, 2026
Edmonton police investigating suspicious death of teen

Edmonton police investigating suspicious death of teen

Homicide investigators have been called in to investigate the suspicious death of a 16-year-old girl in northeast Edmonton early Sunday morning.

Crime Aug 17, 2026
Canmore RCMP investigating after body found in Bow River

Canmore RCMP investigating after body found in Bow River

Canmore, Alta., RCMP are investigating a sudden death after the body of a man was found in the Bow River near the town Sunday morning.

Crime Aug 17, 2026
Smith calls byelection in Calgary-Shaw, vote to take place Sept. 14

Smith calls byelection in Calgary-Shaw, vote to take place Sept. 14

Residents in Calgary-Shaw have been without a legislature representative since May, when former United Conservative Party cabinet minister Rebecca Schulz resigned her seat.

Politics Aug 17, 2026
Edmonton police continue to search for answers in death of 16-year-old girl

Edmonton police continue to search for answers in death of 16-year-old girl

Investigators with the Edmonton police homicide unit were back on scene Monday at Park Hill Condominiums searching for clues in the suspicious death of a 16-year-old girl.

Crime Aug 17, 2026
‘Not suitable’: Utilities commission rejects power plant for Olds, Alta., data centre

‘Not suitable’: Utilities commission rejects power plant for Olds, Alta., data centre

A setback for plans to build a massive data centre complex near Olds, Alta. after the Alberta Utilities Commission denied an application to build a huge natural gas power plant .

Tech Aug 17, 2026
Chief calls for respect from Alberta after government misses Treaty anniversary event

Chief calls for respect from Alberta after government misses Treaty anniversary event

First Nations are calling for more respect from the Alberta government after the Indigenous relations minister missed a celebration marking the 150th anniversary of Treaty 6.

Politics Aug 17, 2026
Calgary’s Max Bell Park and pathway being redeveloped, city seeks feedback

Calgary’s Max Bell Park and pathway being redeveloped, city seeks feedback

The City of Calgary is soliciting public feedback on plans to development a piece of greenspace and trails on the east side of Max Bell Arena.

Politics Aug 17, 2026