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Nenshi warns economy could be ‘gone’ if COVID not contained

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Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said if the city moves back into a full COVID-19 outbreak, the economy will be “gone.”

Nenshi told a Friday press conference it is time to end the debate that it’s either the economy or COVID-19 restrictions.

“If we get into full outbreak mode … the economy is gone,” said Nenshi, noting 163 Calgarians have died from the virus.

“It is absolutely critical we take action now as individuals … don’t wait for the government to tell you what to do.

“Our choice is to have a smaller Christmas … or a Christmas with empty chairs that won’t be filled.”

Nenshi made the comments the day after Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced a daily record of 860 cases. Friday cases hit another record of 907.

Kenney also announced a new set of restrictions that will be in place until Nov. 27.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Chief Tom Sampson said new rules requiring pubs and restaurants to shut down bar service at 10 p.m. may need “enforcement.”

Sampson said he wrote a letter to the province Thursday night calling on them to allow police officers to have the ability to write enforcement tickets relating to these restrictions.

As of Friday, all group fitness and indoor sports are banned in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge Red Deer and Grande Prairie.

Amateur theatre, dining and singing is also banned in those locations.

Kenney also urged everyone in an enhanced watched communities, including Calgary and Edmonton, not to host parties at their homes. He said 40 per cent of cases have been caused by transmission in the home or social gatherings.

Kenney said if people don’t follow the guidelines, penalties and enforcement could become “harsher.”

A 50 person limit has been placed on funerals and wedding and churches must only be filled to one-third of capacity.

And Kenney urged businesses to continue to make it possible for employees to work from home.

Alberta Chief Medical officer of health said 73 percent of the 70 ICU beds in the province set aside for COVID-19 are currently filled.

Kenney said 30 per cent of elective surgeries have recently been cancelled in Edmonton.

This week, Manitoba moved into a full lockdown but with school remaining open.

Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard
dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com
TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694

Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard. He has served as the City Editor of the Calgary Sun and has covered Alberta news for nearly 40 years. dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com

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Kenney hits out against anti-mask protesters

Kenney has been under fire for not condemning the 500 protesters who showed up in Calgary to protest mandatory mask regulations. Rallies were also held in Red Deer and Edmonton.

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Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has lashed out at protesters who refuse to wear masks – telling them to visit his friend in ICU if they think COVID-19 is a hoax.

Kenney has been under fire for not condemning the 500 protesters who showed up in Calgary last weekend to protest mandatory mask regulations. Rallies were also held in Red Deer and Edmonton.

“If you think this is a hoax, talk to my friend in the ICU, fighting for his life,” said Kenney during a live Facebook stream Thursday night.

“If you’re thinking of going to an anti-mask rally this weekend, how about instead send me an email, call me all the names you want, send me a letter, organize an online rally.”

Another rally is planned for Saturday in Calgary. The province has currently outlawed public gatherings of more than 10 people.

If you refuse to wear a mask, Kenney said: “Don’t go where you have to wear a mask.”

On Thursday, Alberta announced a new record daily figure for new coronavirus cases at 1,854. There were also an additional 14 deaths reported.

Alberta has had 63,023 cases of COVID-19 resulting in 575 deaths.

The province currently has the most active cases and second highest hospitalization rate of any Canadian province.

Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard
dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com
TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694

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Edmonton server glassed after mask dispute with female customer

“I’m going to have a helluva scar on my face – and it all started over a stupid mask” says Erin Shaw

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An Edmonton pub server was glassed in the face after asking a female customer to put on a facemask.

Erin Shaw, a server at the Crown & Anchor Pub & Grill needed 14 stitches to close facial wounds after the Saturday attack.

“I’m going to have a helluva scar on my face,” Shaw told CTV. “And it all started over a stupid mask.”

The drama began after the attacker was asked to put on a mask as she walked around the pub visiting. She finally agreed and sat back down.

Tensions escalated when the woman tried to order booze after the province’s 10 p.m. cut-off.

Another customer then openly questioned how a person could not know the mask mandatory mask regulations. Shaw said the woman went and begin yelling at that customer.

“She got into a regular’s face, calling her the b-word and the c-word and all this and saying how she’s a young Black woman with rights.”

Shaw intervened and a verbal exchange ensued during which the female allegedly accused Shaw of being racist.

“No one brought up race but her.”

Later on surveillance camera footage at the family-owned pub shows Shaw motioning for the woman to leave. The two then approach each other and the fight is on.

“She stood on her tippy toes and got right in my face and I pushed her back and I said, ‘Please do not touch me. You need to leave. Have a good night. You are not welcome,’” Shaw told CTV.

“But she came up and went right for my throat. I said, ‘Do not effing touch me,’ pushed her back into the corner and said, ‘You need to leave.’”

It was then the woman grabbed a glass and smashed it into Shaw’s face. The server was then able to take the woman to the ground.

“I didn’t notice until after she got up and ran out that I was bleeding,” said Shaw.

“I wanted people to know this is happening and I wanted the government to take note of it and make sure that the workers who are working are safe.”

“I’ve had people saying my guardian angels were there. She didn’t break my nose, she didn’t give me a concussion, and she didn’t hurt my eye.”

But Shaw added she is worried about continually trying to help enforce provincial health restrictions.

“If the government wants me to keep policing people still and doing this, then they’re going to need to start paying me.” said Shaw.

Edmonton police are investigating the attack.

Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard
dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com
TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694

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Violent Calgary killer on the run

Louis Bear now has more than 80 criminal convictions.

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Calgary police are warning that a violent killer – who was once shot by city police – is on the run.

On Wednesday, Louis Henry Bear, 42, failed to return to his approved halfway house in Calgary, said the Calgary Police Service in a release. Police added Bear’s current whereabouts are unknown, however, it is believed he may still be in the Calgary area.

Bear was previously convicted in the hit-and run deaths of Grant Liu, 26, and Brian Suh, 29, both of Calgary. The two men were standing beside parked cars outside the Whiskey nightclub on August 4, 2007, when Bear ran into them with a stolen vehicle.

He was sentenced to four years in prison, but because of time already served, he was released immediately.

In September of 2010, Calgary police shot Bear twice in the northeast community of Bridgeland. In that incident, he tried to mow several police officers down with his vehical. Police fired, stopping him. Bear survived the shooting.

He served three-and-a-half years in prison for that crime.

In 2018, Bear was put on statutory release even though the Parole Board of Canada said his “risk for violent and general reoffending is assessed as very high.” The parole board called Bear “reckless” and said he has “a pattern of escalation” with “risk-taking” fantasies, Global reported at the time.

The board said he has “historically viewed police and authorities as the ‘enemy,’ therefore justifying the use of violence.”

He now has more than 80 criminal convictions.

Bear is 5-ft.- 5ins., 170 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. If spotted, citizens are asked not to approach Bear and to call the police immediately. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact police by calling the non-emergency number at 403-266-1234.

Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard
dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com
TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694

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