In this Urban Brief Edmonton Edition…
Five Years. Two Courtrooms. One City Asking, Is Justice Being Served In Edmonton?
Friday March 6 was a big day for Edmonton's justice system, and not everyone left the courthouse feeling the same way.
A packed Edmonton courtroom filled with family and friends of 26 year old Tyler Johnson heard Justice James Neilson sentence his killer to life in prison with no chance of parole for 17 years. In a second separate case on the same day, a man who pleaded guilty to stabbing and killing a stranger in a road rage incident was sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
Here's what you need to know about the Tyler Johnson case:
Brianna Ruf-Deitz shot Johnson with a sawed off shotgun, then returned to the scene multiple times to try to burn his body. She later led undercover RCMP officers posing as criminals to the location in exchange for $2,000.
Johnson's mother Tina Kinnee-Brown said outside the courthouse, "The 17 years she got, I think that's fair. I think she's not remorseful at all".
Before sentencing, Ruf-Deitz addressed the court saying, "I'm sorry that I brought Tyler out there. I'm sorry that he's passed away".
In the road rage case, the killer pleaded guilty, meaning no trial, no full public account of what happened on that Edmonton street.
Two families got verdicts on the same day. Two very different feelings walking out of that courthouse.
Do you think our justice system is delivering sentences that match the crimes? Tell us what you really think 👇
109 Construction Projects Are Coming To Edmonton This Spring.
Summer in Edmonton means two things, sunshine and orange cones. Lots and lots of orange cones.
Road construction season is returning in full force and Edmonton drivers will face 109 road construction projects in 2026, though the city is delaying some work in an effort to ease congestion. The good news? The city actually has a plan this year.
Here's what's coming to streets near you:
The city is focusing work on the Wellington Bridge, 95 Avenue and Stage 2 of Terwillegar Drive, while deferring planned work on the Low Level Bridge and 107 Avenue to 2027 to reduce traffic chaos.
After a pilot project that closed intersections and allowed crews to work around the clock proved effective, seven of eight intersections finished ahead of schedule, Edmonton is expanding that approach across more projects this summer.
Terwillegar Drive remains a major focus, expanding from 2 to 4 lanes with new interchanges and intersection improvements affecting Riverbend, Terwillegar Towne and southwest Edmonton.
The Yellowhead Trail freeway conversion continues, and the Valley Line West LRT is still chugging toward completion
Edmonton is growing faster than almost any city in Canada. The construction headaches are the price of that growth.
Which construction zone has you pulling your hair out the most this year? Drop your most hated orange cone zone below 👇
These Young Latina Girls Are Building The Future Of STEM In Edmonton, And They're Just Getting Started
In a city that talks a lot about diversity in tech, one Edmonton program is actually doing the work.
A program dedicated to teaching young Latina girls STEM concepts began its third year of hands on workshops in Edmonton on Saturday, bringing coding, engineering and science directly to a community that has historically been underrepresented in those fields.
Here's why this program matters:
Women represent less than 25% of STEM workers in Canada, and Latina women face double the barrier of both gender and cultural underrepresentation
The program uses hands on learning, not just lectures, to show girls that science and technology are for them
Now in its third year, the program has gone from a small pilot to a growing community anchor with real momentum
The girls coming through this program today are the engineers, coders and scientists Edmonton will desperately need tomorrow
Edmonton is building a million person city. It needs every single talented young person it can find, and that starts with making sure no door feels closed.
Do you know a young girl who would benefit from a program like this? Share this story and let's get the word out 👇
A Man Is Dead. The Killer Got Five And A Half Years. Is That Enough?
A stranger was killed on an Edmonton street in a road rage incident. Friday, his killer was sentenced.
A man who pleaded guilty to stabbing and killing a stranger in his neighbourhood was sentenced to five and a half years in prison. No trial. No full testimony. A guilty plea, and a sentence that has Edmonton divided.
Here's the bigger picture:
Road rage incidents involving weapons have been rising across Edmonton and Alberta
A guilty plea avoids a lengthy trial but also means the full details of what happened never become public record
Five and a half years with parole eligibility at one third means this man could be free in less than two years
The victim's family must now carry this loss, while watching the legal system move on
Edmonton's streets deserve better. And so do the families left behind.
Is five and a half years enough for taking someone's life in a road rage attack? 👇
They Were Heading Home After Hockey Practice. They Never Made It. Hinton Is Still Grieving
Two weeks ago, two best friends left the ice in Jasper for the last time. On Friday, hundreds of people made sure they would never be forgotten.
Hundreds showed up at a vigil for Kayla Peacock and Danica Hills the two Hinton hockey players killed in a highway crash while travelling home from practice in Jasper. The whole Alberta hockey community has been shaken to its core.
Here's who these two young women were:
Best friends who dreamed of moving to Edmonton together after graduation. Hills had been accepted into the University of Alberta's faculty of engineering and Peacock had plans to attend MC College to become a hairstylist.
On the night of February 23, their pickup collided with a semi truck on Highway 16, approximately 10 kilometres east of Jasper. Both were declared dead at the scene.
Kayla was proud to hold the title of Rimbey Rodeo Queen. Danica loved to fish. They did everything together.
Hinton Mayor Brian LaBerge said, "These are two really young people who are just ready to set the world on fire and they haven't had their turn".
Two seats empty at Harry Collinge High School. Two families forever changed. Two young lives that deserved so much more time.
Hug the people you love a little tighter tonight. And if you want to support the Peacock and Hills families, share this story so their names are never forgotten 💙👇
Day Eight. 1,332 Dead. Oil At $91 A Barrel. And Nobody Knows When It Ends.
What started eight days ago as a targeted military operation has spiralled into the most dangerous global conflict since World War Two, and every single Canadian is already feeling it.
Huge explosions hit multiple locations across Tehran early Saturday as the US and Israel intensified their campaign, codenamed Operation Epic Fury, now entering its second week. The death toll has risen to at least 1,332 people killed in Iran alone, with more than 200 dead in Lebanon and six US soldiers also killed.
Here's what you need to know right now:
Oil prices have surged 31% this week, reaching $91 a barrel for the first time since 2023, with shipping giant Maersk becoming the second major company to suspend Middle East operations as oil storage tanks fill up across the region.
Qatar's Energy Minister warned that Gulf energy exports could halt "within weeks" if the war continues, "everybody's energy price is going to go higher. There will be shortages of some products, and there will be a chain reaction of factories that cannot supply".
The first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury alone cost $3.7 billion, roughly $891 million per day with most of it unbudgeted.
Russia is reportedly providing Iran with intelligence on US military positions, and the Kremlin says the war has caused a "significant increase in demand" for Russian energy products.
Trump is demanding Iran's unconditional surrender, making it completely unclear when the fighting will end and how many more nations will be pulled in.
For Albertans, rising oil prices cut both ways. Energy sector revenues go up. But so does everything else you pay for.
While You Were Watching Washington, Colombia Held The Most Unlikely Election In The World
A former guerrilla fighter who spent 40 years hiding in the jungle went to the ballot box today. And Colombia held its breath.
Luis Albán, 68, spent 40 years as a high ranking member of the FARC Colombia's most feared guerrilla group. Today, he is on the campaign trail in a coffee shop asking for votes to keep his seat in Congress. "I never thought I'd be a congressman," he told NPR.
Parliamentary elections are being held in Colombia today March 8, and the FARC's guaranteed congressional seats expire this year, meaning former guerrillas must now win votes on their own merits for the first time.
Here's why this story is so extraordinary:
Albán joined a clandestine communist youth group at age 12 and spent the next four decades on the run, learning to write legislation only after the 2016 peace treaty gave him a congressional seat.
The FARC made a critical early mistake by keeping their feared name for their new political party, "they shot themselves in the foot," said one Colombian political analyst, and are now paying the price at the ballot box.
Colombia's current president Gustavo Petro was himself a former rebel fighter who successfully made the leap to elected office, proving it can be done
Results are expected within 48 hours
From jungle hideouts to congressional debate chambers. Colombia's peace deal is being tested, one ballot at a time.
Could a former enemy of the state ever earn your vote if they genuinely changed? It's a bigger question than Colombia. Share the story 👇
Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬆1° higher than historical avg, Night Same as historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather - Sunday March 8
A mild 2°C today with only a 15% chance of snow, practically a spring teaser! ☀️ Enjoy it while it lasts though, because winter isn't done with us yet, snow returns Monday through Wednesday with temps dropping back to the minus zone. Classic Edmonton, one day of hope, three days of reality! 🌨️😄
📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonton
🎭 FAVA New Media & Film Festival Details
🗓 March 8 · ⏰ Various times
📍 Venues across Edmonton
Screenings, workshops, and talks showcasing film, video, and media art from local and international creators, plus chances to meet the artists.🎭 SkirtsAfire Festival 2026 Details
🗓 March 8 · ⏰ Various times
📍 Old Strathcona & other venues
A women‑led theatre and arts festival with performances, exhibits, and events tied to International Women’s Day.🍅 Bountiful Farmers’ Market Details
🗓 March 8 · ⏰ 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (typical Sunday hours)
📍 3696 97 St NW, Edmonton
Indoor market with local produce, prepared foods, artisans, live music, and a kids’ area—an easy way to stock up and support local vendors.🍴 NOSH Food Fest – Sherwood Park Details
🗓 March 8 · ⏰ From 10:00 a.m.
📍 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park
A massive indoor food and makers’ market with 100+ vendors, giving you two days to snack, shop local, and discover new Alberta food businesses.🎟 Teatro Live! “I Meant What I Said” Details
🗓 March 8 · ⏰ 2:00–3:00 p.m.
📍 Varscona Theatre, Old Strathcona
A new Stewart Lemoine play about a “genial philosopher” swept into an unexpected birthday adventure—perfect for a Sunday afternoon outing🛍 Edmonton’s Biggest Shopping Event Details
🗓 March 8 · ⏰ 12:00–9:00 p.m.
📍 Vivann (formerly Maharaja Banquet Hall), Edmonton
A large indoor market with clothing, jewelry, décor, and more from multiple vendors—good for fashion, gifts, and small‑business browsing🦒 The Wildlife Festival — Last Day! Tickets
🗓 March 8 (final day) 🕙 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre Last chance to meet rescued sloths, kangaroos, capybaras and porcupines up close! Animal encounters and photo ops available as add ons.
🎭 The Wizard of Oz – Live Musical Tickets
📅 March 7 – April 12, 2026
🕢 Evening shows: 7:30 PM | Matinees: 1:30 PM
📍 Citadel Theatre, 9828 101A Ave, EdmontonThe Citadel Theatre brings the classic story of Dorothy and her journey down the Yellow Brick Road to life in a vibrant stage musical featuring iconic songs, colourful characters, and a magical adventure for all ages
It is a crisp Monday morning and you have the whole day to yourself. Which one are you choosing?
📸 Spotted in Edmonton
Edmonton is full of hidden gems, unexpected moments and scenes that make you proud to call this city home, and WE WANT TO SEE THEM! 👀
Here's how it works:
Snap a photo of something uniquely Edmonton this weekend, a stunning river valley view, a random act of kindness, the most creative snowman you've ever seen, a local business window that made you smile, or anything that says "this is MY city", and send it to us!
The best submission gets featured right here in Issue 6, with a shoutout to YOU and your local business or community page! 🏆
📩 Send your photo to [email protected] with the subject line "Spotted in Edmonton", and tell us in one sentence what made you stop and take the picture!
Because Edmonton's best stories aren't always in the headlines, sometimes they're right outside your front door 📸