Karen Bartko

Online Journalist

Author Archives

• Sticker shock: Edmonton homeowners feeling impact of 5% city tax increase

  Over 400,000 notices were sent out this week, the city said, after assessments were sent in January, when property owners were told to expect a tax increase for 2023.

  Consumer

  May 26
• Man seriously injured during random Churchill Square stabbing in downtown Edmonton

  Police said a fight reportedly took place between two men who didn't know each other, and one stabbed the other before heading towards the Churchill LRT station.

  Crime

  May 26
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• Alberta Election: How parties beyond the NDP and UCP could affect the outcome

  Political scientist Lori Williams said choices besides the NDP and UCP — such as the Alberta Party and Green Party — may make a difference in ridings where the vote will be close.

  Politics

  May 23
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• Heavy rain expected across northern, western Alberta: Will it be enough to dampen wildfires?

  Between 50 to 75 mm of rain is expected and Alberta Wildfire is hoping for a long, steady shower that will soak in, rather than short bursts that could bring lightning.

  Weather

  May 22
• Charges pending after man rescued by helicopter from Fox Creek wildfire evacuation zone

  RCMP said the man allegedly took a gravel road around a checkpoint near Fox Creek, became stuck in mud and surrounded by flames, and had to be rescued by a forestry helicopter.

  Crime

  May 22
• Alberta wildfires: Evacuation order expanded again near Shiningbank Lake

  The evacuation zone is: north of the CN Rail line, east of Highway 32, south of Township Road 570 east to Range Road 130, south to Township Road 561, west of Range Road 110.

  Fire

  May 19
• WestJet and its pilots reach 11th-hour deal to avoid strike

  WestJet said Friday morning it was re-starting operations as quickly and efficiently as possible, however the full resumption of flights will take time.

  Canada

  May 19
• Alberta election: Smith, Notley face off in debate, ask voters who do they trust

  United Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith and Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley squared off in a debate hosted by a media consortium on Thursday.

  Politics

  May 18
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• Alberta parks closed over wildfire risk, Crown land campers urged to be smart May long weekend

  'I know this is disappointing for many, but it is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfire,' Alberta's minister of forestry and parks said of bans ahead of the May long weekend.

  Fire

  May 18
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• Cat tortured, found dead in microwave after northwest Edmonton break-in

  Erica Piche was away on a camping trip on the last weekend of April when she says her Edmonton home was invaded, trashed and her cat Cheech tortured and killed in a microwave.

  Crime

  May 16
• Suspects sought after man injured trying to stop grocery store theft in north Edmonton

  Two suspects are believed to have stolen groceries and assaulted a man outside a store near Castledowns Road and 153 Avenue in north Edmonton back in February.

  Crime

  May 16
• Alberta wildfires: Evacuation order for Shining Bank Lake area in Yellowhead County

  A wildfire in Yellowhead County west of Edmonton grew on Monday, prompting an evacuation order for a rural area halfway between Highway 16 and Whitecourt.

  Fire

  May 15
• Alberta students affected by lengthy wildfire evacuations exempt from diploma exams

  If an Alberta student has been displaced from school because of the wildfires for 10 or more school days, they'll automatically be exempt from writing their diploma exams in June.

  Education

  May 15
• Evacuation order lifted in Leduc County after wildfire near Devon prompts alert

  The wildfire broke out Saturday three kilometres west of the town of Devon and three kilometres south of the North Saskatchewan River.

  Fire

  May 13
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• Edmonton Oilers watch parties back to being all-ages events

  'With great weather forecasted and a pivotal Game 6 on Sunday, we encourage all Oilers fans to come cheer the team on in the greatest outdoor fan forum in the NHL.'

  Sports

  May 13
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• Man charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of Paul Band First Nation woman

  Saundra Bearhead, who was 33, was rushed to an Edmonton hospital with serious knife wounds on May 2, but died of her injuries five days later.

  Crime

  May 10
• Boy on scooter, 11, seriously injured after north Edmonton crosswalk collision

  Edmonton police said the the boy and a friend were attempting to cross 153 Avenue in the unmarked crosswalk when he was hit by an eastbound vehicle.

  Traffic

  May 10
• Alberta wildfire: Drayton Valley fire chief issues emotional plea for evacuees to be patient

  'This fire could become very active again in a flip of a switch. It's solely dependent on the wind and how fast we can get the hot spots under control.'

  Fire

  May 9
• Athabasca County evacuation order issued due to wildfire northeast of town

  An Alberta Emergency Alert issued around 11:30 p.m. Thursday said there was a wildfire about 10 kilometres northeast of Athabasca, east of Camping Lake and moving west.

  Fire

  May 5
• Alberta is on fire: The wildfire situation Sunday and where to find evacuation orders

  Officials said Friday that despite more seasonable weather conditions, the big wildfires burning in Alberta will take months to put out. 

  Canada

  May 4
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• Helicopter fighting Alberta wildfires crashes at Edson Airport, pilot walks away

  RCMP said the helicopter was helping fight wildfires in western Alberta when it crashed at the Edson airport on Thursday evening.

  Fire

  May 4
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• Backcountry around Brazeau Dam being evacuated again due to several raging forest fires

  Alberta Wildfire said several large wildfires west of Lodgepole around the Brazeau Dam primarily affect the oil and gas industry but anyone within the area must leave.

  Fire

  May 4
• Alberta Wildfire: Cold Lake First Nation evacuation order rescinded

  Everyone south of Township Road 614 and up to Range Road 24 in Cold Lake First Nation was told to flee immediately and head to the Dene Hotel and Conference Centre.

  Fire

  May 4
• Drayton Valley residents flee central Alberta town amid wildfire evacuation order

  Evacuees were told to head to Edmonton and register at the Edmonton Expo Center (7515 118 Ave.) in Hall C.

  Fire

  May 4
• Alberta wildfires: Lac Ste. Anne County reissues evacuation order

  An evacuation order was issued Thursday afternoon for part of Lac Ste. Anne County, where officials said a wildfire was burning near Range Road 60 and Township Road 560.

  Fire

  May 4