A look back at the most-read stories for Edmonton and northern Alberta in 2024

Esso on Connaught Drive in August 2022 from Google Street Views (left) and in July 2024 from Canadian TV Pool.

From the wildfire in Jasper to Danielle Smith and the United Conservative government and its policies to alleged and confirmed professional misconduct of police officers, teachers and doctors, these are the top 10 news stories for 2024.

1 - What is still standing in Jasper, including the town's namesake bear statue, and what isn't

Commercial buildings on Connaught Drive in August 2022 from Google Street Views (left) and in July 2024 from CTV News.

• In the days after the Jasper wildfire, residents and Albertans collectively waited to see what remained of the popular mountain town. As images started to come in they were collected in this article.

 

2 - Former Alberta teacher sentenced to 4 years for sexually assaulting student

Catherine Valiquette (Source: Facebook)

• Catherine Valiquette, a Parkland County teacher, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting one of her students.

 

3 - 'I'm upset, I'm mad': Boy killed by dogs was visiting Edmonton for spring break, grandmother says

Kache Grist, 11, was killed in a dog attack in Edmonton on April 1, 2024. (Supplied)

• The grandmother of 11-year-old Kache Grist shared her grief after her grandson was fatally mauled by two dogs in south Edmonton in April.

 

4 - Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault

Const. Bridget Morla speaks to CTV News Edmonton in June 2018. (CTV News Edmonton)

• A constable with the Leduc, Alta. RCMP detachment is accused of two counts of sexual assault in connection with a social gathering in Airdrie in 2022.

 

5 - 2 Albertans accused of threatening to kill Trudeau, Freeland, Singh

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland and cabinet ministers pose for a photo before the tabling of the federal budget on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

• Two men from Alberta are accused of threatening to kill some of Canada's top government leaders in separate investigations. Court proceedings for both men are ongoing.

 

6 - 'We're not the bad boy': Charity pushes back on claims made by 101-year-old widow in $40M will dispute

Mary McEachern holds a photograph of herself and her late husband Steve McEachern. She is currently fighting to change the charities that Steve's $40 million estate will benefit. (CTV News Edmonton)

• A legal dispute between a 101-year-old woman and the charity her husband left his money to. The case is ongoing.

 

7 - Alberta family home emptied, trashed during Airbnb booking

Jocelyn St. Onge's home and Airbnb property near Wabamun, Alta., was ransacked when she rented it out in January 2024. (CTV News Edmonton / Darcy Seaton)

• The owner of an Airbnb property west of Edmonton said she was out more than $200,000 after her property was ransacked during a booking.

 

8 - Alberta family doctor suspended for unprofessional conduct

• Physician and veterinarian Gina Arps was suspended by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta for unprofessional conduct. Among the allegations were that Arps had used needles from human patients on animals at her veterinary clinic.

 

9 - Smith tells Trudeau Alberta will opt out of federal dental plan

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks about introducing three new bills to do with transgender issues in Edmonton, on Thursday October 31, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the province would opt out of the federal dental plan.

 

10 - 'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray

Traffic on Memorial Bridge southbound on Highway 63 at 2:40 p.m. on May 14, 2024 after an evacuation order was issued for several Fort McMurray neighbourhoods due to wildfire. (Source: Alberta 511)

• A wildfire near Fort McMurray in May forced residents of four neighbourhoods to evacuate. They were ultimately allowed to return home and the fire did not breach the community.

 

These numbers are accurate as of Dec. 17, 2024.