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Well hello there,
2020 has been distressing, eh?
Yeah, what a ride! But one thing that's remained true is my passion for journalism, which is why I've curated some of my favourite articles of 2020.
Tried including as much 'good news' as possible. Hope you enjoy!
Well hello there,
2020 has been distressing, eh?
Yeah, what a ride! But one thing that's remained true is my passion for journalism, which is why I've curated some of my favourite articles of 2020.
Tried including as much 'good news' as possible. Hope you enjoy!
First, I want to thank all who supported my & our journalism @rdnewsNOW this year. Admittedly, it was very difficult at times wading through the endless COVID-19 news.
to health workers, teachers, scientists, truck drivers et al. for keeping the country moving.
to health workers, teachers, scientists, truck drivers et al. for keeping the country moving.
One more thing: You'll be able to find @rdnewsNOW's much more comprehensive year-in-review list sometime on Thursday, Dec. 31 at our website, http://www.rdnewsnow.com .
This personal list includes mostly stories you WON'T find in our main Year In Review.
This personal list includes mostly stories you WON'T find in our main Year In Review.
Jan. 2 – The stars were called into action to help name #RedDeer’s New Year’s baby (PS: AB Gov't says no NYD baby announcements coming for 2021) | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/01/02/the-stars-to-determine-name-of-red-deers-first-baby-of-2020/
Jan. 12 – A paralyzed dog named ‘Angel’ got a new home after being taken to the @cahumanesociety | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/01/12/paralyzed-sylvan-lake-dog-angel-enjoying-new-home/
Jan. 13 – The mother of a #Lacombe man who died from a gunshot wound the month prior told us about his life | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/01/13/mother-of-slain-ponoka-man-says-he-was-loving-and-courageous/
Jan. 17 – Amethyst House opens in #RedDeer, giving citizens like Wanda Essex a new lease on life | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/01/17/amethyst-house-a-fresh-start-for-permanent-housing-in-red-deer/ @CMHARedDeer
Feb. 14 – For various reasons, a proposed name change for the @rdcathletics Kings and Queens, and reaction to that change, wasn’t well received; the college eventually changed its mind | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/02/14/most-but-not-all-pleased-to-see-rdc-drop-team-name-change/
Feb. 23 – A couple from Joffre spoke to rdnewsNOW as they quarantined in Cornwall, Ontario following a cruise overseas | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/02/23/end-of-coronavirus-quarantine-in-sight-for-joffre-couple/ #COVID19AB
Mar. 6 – Community members were troubled after #RedDeer city council decided not to impose a municipal ban on conversion therapy | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/03/06/anger-confusion-after-city-councils-vote-on-conversion-therapy/ @KristopherWells @ShayRD
Mar. 21 – @TroubledMonk added hand sanitizer to their craft menu | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/03/21/local-brewery-takes-to-crafting-hand-sanitizer/ #COVID19AB #AlbertaBeer
Mar. 22 – A #RedDeer city councillor found himself in hot water after insensitive remarks related to COVID-19 | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/03/22/red-deer-councillor-apologizes-for-insensitive-covid-19-remarks/ #COVID19AB
April 2 – It was relief for local shelter operators as overflow space was created to help adjust to the pandemic | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/04/02/operators-insist-red-deers-overflow-homeless-shelters-safe-to-use-during-pandemic/ #COVID19AB
April 5 – A Penhold business owner began creating face shields to help prevent the spread of coronavirus | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/04/05/central-alberta-face-shields-garner-interest-from-the-u-s-and-newfoundland/ #COVID19AB
May 15 – A toddler in #RedDeer wound up in hospital after swallowing a button battery; we’ll have a second update on this in early 2021 | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/05/15/red-deer-toddler-recovering-in-hospital-after-swallowing-battery/ @StolleryKids
June 14 – The most electrified storm in years made its way through southern and central Alberta with 7,000+ strikes within 50km of #RedDeer alone | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/06/14/most-electrified-storm-in-years-environment-canada/ #abstorm #abweather
June 29 – [VIDEO] A shooting in north #RedDeer led police to the suspect vehicle that evening in Calgary | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/06/29/breaking-man-shot-in-north-red-deer/
Brief aside about this & my dumbest moment of the year: I didn't know where @ Parkland Mall the actual crime scene was, so I parked @ Village Mall, walked across w/ my big TV cam, got to other side of Parkland where things were, hit record, realized my memory card was in the car.
July 11 – A truck driver who miraculously survived a crash on the QEII wants others to take better care of themselves | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/07/11/pay-attention-to-your-health-says-trucker-who-survived-qeii-crash/ @511Alberta
July 20 – #RedDeer sports organizations told rdnewsNOW they don’t plan to change their names as 'Redskins' and 'Eskimos' got the boot | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/07/20/no-name-change-plans-for-red-deer-sports-teams-at-this-time/
July 22 – Didn't write this, but one of my favourite occurrences of 2020 in #RedDeer was when @CentralABPride's rainbow crosswalk became permanent | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/07/22/pride-crosswalk-in-downtown-red-deer-becomes-permanent/ #LGBTQ
Aug. 11 – The Gutsy Walk went virtual this year as IBD patients (including myself walking 125km around #RedDeer in 24 days) look for a cure | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/08/11/25th-annual-gutsy-walk-virtually-raising-funds-for-crohns-and-colitis-research/ @GutsyWalk
Aug. 15 – There's something about consuming food or drink made with local ingredients, which a #RedDeer hops farm is providing to craft breweries | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/08/15/red-deer-farmers-proving-alberta-grown-hops-a-worthwhile-endeavour/ #abfarmdays @HardHels @RedHartBrewing #albertabeer #craftbeer
Sept. 17 – I think everyone's heads collectively shook when this happened on the QEII near #Ponoka | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/09/17/b-c-man-charged-after-tesla-clocked-at-150-km-h-near-ponoka/ #Tesla @511Alberta
Sept. 19 – [VIDEO] The Rope for Hope event in support of @MakeAWishNAB raised more than $100,000 thanks in large part to the efforts of two very special guys | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/09/19/rope-for-hope-raises-more-than-100000-for-make-a-wish/ @501stBadlands
Sept. 24 – Anti-racism advocates vowed to not let up following a violent clash in downtown #RedDeer that has since led to criminal charges | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/09/24/organizers-say-anti-racism-events-will-continue-in-red-deer/
Oct. 3 – It is an absolute privilege for me to speak with veterans of the two World Wars, and I thank Trooper Tommy Baker once again for the opportunity | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/10/03/wwii-veteran-gets-special-parade-for-97th-birthday/ #LestWeForget @RoyalCdnLegion
Oct. 10 – [VIDEO] Dennis Moffatt, always a great interview, gives us his final one after 50 years of running The Market at #RedDeer | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/10/10/dennis-moffatt-says-goodbye-to-the-market-at-red-deer-after-50-years/
Oct. 11 – Remember the little girl who swallowed the battery? The family paid it forward on her second birthday | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/10/11/family-of-red-deer-toddler-who-swallowed-battery-paying-it-forward/
Oct. 25 – [VIDEO] The music video about #SylvanLake featured here gave me an instant rush of positivity | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/10/25/music-video-about-life-in-sylvan-lake-goes-viral/
Nov. 23 – As you may recall, this story involved multiple marathon city council meetings (and Twitter sessions for me at home) as #RedDeer finally got a mask bylaw | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/11/23/red-deer-city-council-passes-mask-wearing-bylaw-takes-effect-nov-30/ #COVID19AB
In November, rdnewsNOW published a series of stories on #FamilyViolencePreventionMonth; links for all of them are in this story | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/11/28/red-deerians-encouraged-to-keep-shining-a-light-on-family-violence/ #FVPM @Womensoutreach @CASASC2 @CAWomensEmerg
Dec. 4 – Asked during budget talks, #RedDeer’s city manager said he completely rejects the concept of defunding the police | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/12/04/city-manager-rejects-concept-of-defunding-police/
Dec. 7 – In six years of covering $RedDeer city council, few items have consistently returned to the spotlight as much as the aquatic centre. As a citizen, I can’t wait to see it come to fruition (in probably about a decade) | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/12/07/council-approves-scope-design-of-future-aquatic-centre/
Dec. 30 – A feel-good human interest story to end the year with Ian McLaren, Bentley fire chief and Eckville Elementary principal | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/12/30/principal-writes-book-on-double-life-as-volunteer-firefighter/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Also took time this year to track #RedDeer's COVID-19 cases. Have a look:
Active cases:
Nov. 3: 60
Nov. 16: 100
Nov. 30: 200
Dec. 5: 300
Dec. 11: 400
Dec. 19: 434 (high to-date)
Dec. 22: below 400
Dec. 28: below 300
Dec. 30: 277
Active cases:
Nov. 3: 60
Nov. 16: 100
Nov. 30: 200
Dec. 5: 300
Dec. 11: 400
Dec. 19: 434 (high to-date)
Dec. 22: below 400
Dec. 28: below 300
Dec. 30: 277
Thanks again for following, reading & sharing the stories our team @rdnewsNOW have published in 2020. Again, a more comprehensive year in review post is coming Dec. 31 on our site.
Everything WILL be fine. Have compassion & take care of each other.
@BIG105 @1067RewindRadio
Everything WILL be fine. Have compassion & take care of each other.
@BIG105 @1067RewindRadio
Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't specifically mention or say thank you to all the ppl willing to share their personal stories with us day in/out, the comms folx, and news TIPS. We rely on all of you to make our local news as diverse as it is. Reach out to us anytime. Cheers!
NEW: Part 2 of our year-end interview with #RedDeer Mayor @TaraVeer; conversion therapy, crime, homelessness and the death of Dr. Reynolds | https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/12/31/mayor-veer-looks-back-a-final-time-at-2020-and-ahead-to-2021/ @BIG105 @1067RewindRadio
