Alberta News Roundup: Referendum Advance Vote, Edmonton Crash, Pacific Link
It's Thursday, October 15, 2026, and this is your Alberta Radio news roundup: crime and police, politics, local news from towns and cities across the province, entertainment, events, and news from First Nations and Métis communities.
Everyone charged below is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Crime and police
Edmonton: rider charged after deadly bus-shelter crash
A motorcycle slammed into a bus shelter on 97 Street near 120 Avenue Tuesday night. A 21-year-old man was killed, and a 10-month-old baby was rushed to hospital with injuries that may be life-threatening. Edmonton police say the 18-year-old rider was racing a BMW at the time. He's charged with dangerous operation causing death. Investigators still want to find that BMW, and they're asking witnesses and anyone with dashcam video to come forward. (Source: Edmonton Police Service)
Edmonton: charge in day home sexual assault case
Michael Doucette, 54, is charged with sexually assaulting a child in 2022 at Shining Stars, an unlicensed day home that has since closed. Police believe there may be more victims and are asking anyone with information to call 780-423-4567, or dial pound-377 from a mobile phone. (Source: Edmonton Police Service)
Edmonton: charges after Heritage Festival tent slashed
Abdimalik Jama, 29, faces charges of mischief and possessing a weapon after the Israel pavilion tent was slashed at Heritage Festival. Police say the evidence does not show it was a hate crime. (Source: Edmonton Police Service)
Southern and central Alberta
In Calgary, Tristien Cheeseman, 22, is now charged with hit-and-run causing death, a year after a 79-year-old woman was struck and killed on Riverbend Drive S.E.
On the Piikani Nation, RCMP have recovered about $72,000 in stolen property and are trying to return it to its owners. A warrant is out for Adam Filipcic, 37, of Claresholm.
And Didsbury RCMP have charged housekeeper Ann Carveth, 69, again. Police allege she pawned about $87,000 worth of gold and silver taken from a home in Carstairs, and they're looking for other possible victims.
Politics: referendum countdown
Albertans head to the polls Monday, October 19, and turnout at the advance polls has been strong. More than 174,500 people voted on the first day alone, and advance voting continues through Saturday.
Premier Danielle Smith says she voted for Alberta to stay in Canada, and she's urging Albertans to vote yes on the nine other questions on the ballot, which deal with immigration and the constitution. Former premiers Rachel Notley, Ed Stelmach and Alison Redford are campaigning for no votes on the immigration questions.
A survey by the Alberta Medical Association found 55 per cent of doctors who responded say they'd leave the province if Alberta separates.
At city hall, Edmonton council holds a special meeting Friday on the province's order to roll back the city's zoning bylaw. In Lethbridge, council has sent a stay-in-Canada motion to committee, which will hear from the public on October 20.
Local news
Grande Cache area: Earthquakes Canada has recorded 10 small earthquakes since September 30 that it believes were caused by industrial activity. No damage or injuries have been reported.
Grande Prairie: On Tuesday, October 13, just over a dozen students walked out at St. John Paul II Catholic High School to protest online comments a teacher in the district allegedly made denying residential schools and the harm they caused. The school told parents the posts don't reflect its values.
Also in Grande Prairie, the Drop & Swap clothing drive is taking donations at the Ernie Radbourne pavilion in Muskoseepi Park through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone can pick up clothing for free Saturday, October 17, from noon to 4 p.m.
Medicine Hat: Finlay Bridge closes to vehicles October 21 so crews can replace its lights.
Edmonton: Police say crime severity in the downtown enforcement zones is down 13.6 per cent this year, and the patrols are expanding to more areas, including Stony Plain Road. (Source: Edmonton Police Service)
Entertainment
Alberta artists brought home five Western Canadian Music Awards. Mariel Buckley won Songwriter of the Year, ARDN took Rap/Hip Hop, and Calgary's Jairus Sharif won the first-ever Meridian Prize.
Eyes in the Woods, a series filmed in and around Sundre, has picked up eight Rosie Award nominations. The Alberta screen industry awards are November 7 at Calgary's Jubilee Auditorium.
Events this weekend
Calgary: The Hitmen play Lethbridge October 16 and Red Deer October 17. The Stampeders host BC on October 17, and the Flames host Carolina on October 18. Screamfest runs October 16 and 17 at GMC Stadium, and Pumpkins After Dark at WinSport runs to October 31.
Edmonton: The Elks take on Winnipeg in the United in Pink game October 16. Picklefest is October 17 in the ICE District, the free Galactic Atmosphere light art show lights up Churchill Square October 16 to 25, and the Powersports Show is at the EXPO Centre October 16 and 17.
Edmonton area: The Haunted Pumpkin Festival at Prairie Gardens near Bon Accord runs October 17 and 18, and St. Albert's Halloween Haunt is October 17.
Red Deer: The Powwow Dance Championships are October 24 at Red Deer Resort & Casino, featuring the Bullhorn Singers of Kainai Nation, with a free Indigenous Market on October 23.
First Nations
Chiefs and grassroots organizers, including in Maskwacis, are working to get First Nations voters to the polls for Monday's referendum. Rallies are planned on nations across the province October 17 and at the Legislature October 18.
Siksika Nation: RCMP Major Crimes investigators are looking into the suspicious death of a 17-year-old found October 9. Anyone with information is asked to call Gleichen RCMP at 403-734-3923.
Cold Lake First Nations: On October 8, the nation filed in Federal Court asking a judge to overturn Ottawa's decision to fast-track the Pacific Link pipeline as a national priority. The nation says it wasn't properly consulted. Chief Kelsey Jacko says the nation supports responsible development and is open to talks, but that it's up to Canada to make the first move.
Bearspaw First Nation: The nation's internet company, Bearspaw Network, is receiving about $21.9 million to connect up to 1,099 households in Kehewin Cree Nation, Foremost, Rocky Rapids and Buck Lake to high-speed internet, with work expected to wrap up by March 2028.
Métis
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government has released a referendum guide for citizens. It says the Métis Nation's future is in Canada and that the Métis citizenship card is accepted as voter ID. (Source: Otipemisiwak Métis Government)
Derrick Campbell has been named Ombudsman, and Katelynn Witts joins the Judicial Tribunal for the North Saskatchewan River Territory. (Source: Otipemisiwak Métis Government)
District elections are underway in Calgary Nose Hill and Jasper House. Some mail-in ballot packages in Nose Hill had a problem.
On Pacific Link, six Métis nations in Wood Buffalo say they were left out of consultations while First Nations leaders were invited to meet Ottawa. They're not suing and say they don't oppose the pipeline. They want a meeting with both the federal and provincial governments. Willow Lake Métis Nation President Stella Lavallee argued that the promised 10 per cent Indigenous ownership stake means little for Métis communities if they end up with no share of it.
That's your Alberta Radio news roundup for Thursday. If you have information on any of the crimes above, contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Have a good day, Alberta.
Sources
— Alberta Radio
