Here’s another story of a music festival gone horribly, horribly wrong.

I take you back to June 1970, for the Celebration of Life Festival, which was held on a farm in Louisiana. Promoters called it the South’s answer to Woodstock, which had happened a year earlier. The lineup included Pink Floyd, Ike & Tina Turner, the Beach Boys, and BB King. Local authorities wanted none of this, and two days before the show was supposed to start, cops moved in and shut everything down.

This left thousands of people with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Some sat in the field in the blistering heat and humidity. Others found abandoned farmhouses. There was no food, water, sanitary facilities, or medical care. Two people drowned while escaping the heat in the South Louisiana River, while others were injured in fights with police.

The Celebration of Life Festival of 1970 was a total disaster but has been largely forgotten. Good.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Whenever you get a bunch of music fans into a field and introduce alcohol, drugs, and dodgy weather, things can and will go wrong. The Powder Ridge Rock Festival, held at a ski resort in Middlefield, Connecticut, was one such event.

Local authorities tried to stop it, but 30,000 people showed up anyway. There was no music because everything had been cancelled. The promoter, the owner of the ski resort, was arrested for allowing people onto the property. Meanwhile, everyone had to deal with no music, no food, no water, no sanitary facilities, and some very bad drugs, especially the cheap dollar-a-tab acid.

The only artist to show up was Melanie, the folksinger, who performed an impromptu set powered by a couple of ice cream trucks that had been commandeered.

One more horror show festival next time.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

B.C. Premier David Eby travelled to the Interior on Wednesday to visit the areas that have been ravaged by wildfires.

Eby will hold a press conference at 3:15 p.m., which will be livestreamed above.

Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and Amelia Boultbee, MLA for Penticton-Summerland, will also be in attendance.

Thousands of people remain out of their homes due to the Bald Range wildfire that sparked on Friday evening.

Homes have been lost to the fire and it is unclear when the residents will be allowed home.

This story will be updated following the media availability.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Calgary police have charged a 26-year-old man more than a year after a horrific crash in northeast Calgary that killed a pedestrian and seriously injured three others, including himself.

Early in the morning of July 21, 2025, police were called to 52 St. NE near Temple Road, finding two severely damaged vehicles and a pedestrian who’d been struck.

The initial investigation determined a blue Ford F-150 pickup was travelling the wrong way down 52 St. NE when it hit the pedestrian, a woman in her 50s, as she was crossing the road.

The truck then continued, hitting a Jeep, before coming to a stop and bursting into flames.

“I went to check on the guy. He was still inside his vehicle,” nearby resident Ed Koelle told Global News following the crash.

“There was a fire that already erupted on top, and I was trying to get him to come out and I gave him a little bit of a hand, but he was bleeding all over the place.”

The pedestrian was declared dead at the scene. Two people inside the Jeep were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, and police also say the driver of the Ford was seriously hurt.

On Aug. 11, 2026, police charged the 26-year-old driver of the pickup with one count of criminal dangerous driving causing death and two counts of criminal dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

He’s scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 28.

Police are still accepting information about the crash and are urging anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Calgary Police Service is asking for your help solving an armed robbery at a restaurant in the Canyon Meadows area earlier this week.

Just before midnight on Aug. 10, police received reports of two masked men entering Austin’s Bar and Grill at 11625 Elbow Drive SW.

Police believe the men were brandishing a gun and ordered staff and guests to get on the floor before stealing money from the business.

Witnesses said the suspects fled the scene in a dark SUV.

Police are asking anyone in the area at the time of the robbery or anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell camera footage to contact them.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Bald Range wildfire has grown again, measuring 18,450 hectares on Wednesday morning.

However, for the first time since the wildfire started on Friday evening, Summerland, B.C., was visible across Okanagan Lake from Naramata.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (EOS) said on Wednesday that there are no changes to evacuation orders and alerts at this time.

Rapid Damage Assessments started in Trout Creek and North Beach on Tuesday. That work will continue as it is safe to do so.

The area remains unsafe with an active fire. EOC said there is no timeline for re-entry as many essential services need to be in place before any re-entry can be considered, such as utilities, power, waste disposal, roads and safety considerations.

BC Wildfire Service is expecting winds to pick up and the possibility of thunderstorms, which may create unstable winds that could potentially increase fire behaviour.

Highway 97 remains closed, EOS said.

Temporary Access Permits are being given out, but are in high demand, EOS said.

Applicants must have a valid reason to re-enter. Each request is reviewed case-by-case based on safety and individual circumstances.

 Statistics provided by the EOS:

• Current number of properties on evacuation order (451) and evacuation alert (1,065)

• The entire District of Summerland is on evacuation order (5,688 properties)

• Current number of Penticton Indian Band properties on evacuation order (38) and evacuation alert (1,082) 

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

New data from Statistics Canada has found that more Canadian youth are being charged for crimes, surpassing numbers from the past four years.

From April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, 56,956 Canadian youth between the ages of 12 and 17 at the time of their offences were charged with a crime. Nearly 13,000 of those were crimes “against property,” which Statistics Canada confirmed to Global News can range from motor vehicle theft, theft, break and enter, fraud, mischief and possess stolen property, among others.

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), youth sentencing can range from a judicial warning, a fine, community service and probation to intensive rehabilitative custody.

Nearly 10,000 male youths were charged with a crime against property during this time, compared with 2,301 female youths.

A July 2022 Statistics Canada study states that male youths (30 per cent) were “slightly more likely than girls (26 per cent) to report that they had committed acts against property.”

In addition, 22,042 youths were charged with crimes “against the person,” which include violent offences like criminal negligence causing bodily harm or death. Of those, 15,531 were male youths, while 5,002 were female youths.

More than 1,000 traffic charges were laid in the same time period, with 6,684 charges laid in “other Criminal Code” offences, which can vary from violations to the Customs Act, Employment Insurance Act, Firearms Act, Food and Drugs Act, Income Tax Act and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The 2019-2020 year was the highest recorded year for total youth offences at 74,551. In total, 18,024 of those were crimes against property, the second highest offence type.

Since then, crimes against property have not exceeded that number, dipping as low as 7,227 in 2022-2023.

Between 2009 and 2019, the rate of youth accused of crime fell 51 per cent and the youth crime severity index (YCSI) — which measures both the volume and severity of crime involving youth accused (charged and not charged) — fell 43 per cent.

A 15-year-old male youth and a 19-year-old man are currently facing dozens of charges in connection to a shooting outside the U.S. Consulate in Toronto late last month, with the city’s police Chief Myron Demkiw alleging the two suspects were criminals for hire.

Statistics Canada July 2026 figures state that while violent crime in Canada lowered last year for a second year in a row, Quebec saw a notable rise amongst youth.

The youth crime severity index in Quebec has been trending upward since 2015, according to Statistics Canada, with an increase of about 71 per cent over the past 10 years.

In addition, data from the Calgary Police Service and Statistics Canada show that youth crime has shifted away from property crimes and toward more violent offences.

While incidents of property crime decreased from 1,151 incidents in 2014 to 674 incidents in 2024, the number of violent crimes committed by youth nearly doubled from 685 offences in 2014 to 1,218 in 2024.

While robberies committed by youth decreased by six per cent and property crime declined by 15 percent, police said in approximately half of all youth crimes, the young offenders were also repeat offenders.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Alberta’s RCMP officers will soon be donning a new look.

Starting Aug. 15, front-line RCMP officers at Alberta detachments will begin to wear new navy blue shirts.

The changes have been rolling out across Canada since last October, when Mounties in Prince Edward Island began wearing the new look.

Earlier this summer, the RCMP also announced the upcoming modernization of their police vehicles featuring an industry-standard livery.

Alberta RCMP say officers may still be wearing the current grey uniform shirts during the transition period.

“The RCMP understands seeing a new uniform colour may cause confusion,” Mounties wrote in a statement Wednesday.

“There have been recent incidents of individuals impersonating police. If you have any concerns about the identity of a police officer you are interacting with, you can ask the officer for identification.”

Mounties also say you can contact your local detachment’s non-emergency line to determine if there is a police officer at your location.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Saskatchewan police are urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of missing 14-year-old girl Peyton Flett to contact authorities.

The Prince Albert Police Service said Flett was last seen between June 16 and 17 in the Marquis Road and Central Avenue area, as well as around the John Diefenbaker School, in a renewed request for information at a news conference Wednesday.

Police said Flett is five feet three inches tall, weighs approximately 110 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.

The teenager was wearing a dark hoodie with blue Christmas pyjama pants and a black fanny pack the last time she was seen. She was reported missing June 30, according to police.

“Our priority is to find Peyton and to bring her home to her family,” Prince Albert police Insp. Lisa Simonson told reporters. Simonson is in charge of the criminal investigations division at the Prince Albert Police Service.

“Someone knows what happened to Peyton and we need help finding her.”

Flett’s mother said she hopes to find her daughter ahead of her 15th birthday on Aug. 19.

“She should be at home with us celebrating her birthday,” Danica Moore, the mother of the missing teen, said at Wednesday’s news conference.

“Instead, there’s an empty space where she would sit, and our family is living nightmare.”

Moore said the family has been looking for Flett “every hour of the day” since she went missing in mid-June.

“I’m here today begging as a parent, please help us bring Peyton home,” she continued.

Flett’s mother is urging residents to stay vigilant and be on the lookout for her daughter. She also asked people in Prince Albert to check their surveillance footage, including dashcam and doorbell cameras, in the days since the girl was last seen.

“Peyton, if you can hear me, we love you more than life itself. We miss you so much, it hurts to breathe. You are not in any trouble. We just need to hear your voice. We just need to know you are safe,” Moore said.

“We just want to hold you again. We want to celebrate you turning 15. Our only wish for her birthday is to have her home safe.”

Information on Flett’s disappearance should be forwarded to Prince Albert police or the Prince Albert Grand Council, police said.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

There’s a very simple explanation for Justin Rankin’s rushing struggles of late.

Four of the five times Rankin has registered 10 or more carries this season, he’s cracked the 100-yard rushing plateau. He ran for over 100 yards in four of Edmonton’s first five contests, the last being a 14-carry, 107-yard effort with two TDs in a 40-17 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on July 9.

The only time he didn’t log 10 or more carries over that span was Edmonton’s 36-24 loss to the B.C. Lions on July 4. Rankin had seven attempts for 19 yards as quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for 395 yards with three TDs and three interceptions.

But since the Ottawa win, Rankin has had 10-or-more carries just once, that coming in Edmonton’s 36-34 road win over Saskatchewan on July 23. He rushed for 39 yards on 12 attempts as Fajardo threw for a career-high 510 yards and four TDs.

But in the other four games Rankin didn’t reach 100 yards, he logged seven carries three times and eight in the other. Last week, Rankin ran seven times for 62 yards in Edmonton’s 48-30 loss to the Montreal Alouettes.

According to the CFL, over Edmonton’s last three games, receiver Austin Mack is averaging 5.7 catches, 120 yards and a TD. The Elks (6-3) are also allowing 36.7 points per game over that span.

Rankin is still having a solid season with 651 rushing yards on 101 carries (6.4-yard average) with seven TDs. He has also registered 37 catches for 418 yards and a touchdown.

More importantly, Edmonton is at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday to face the Toronto Argonauts (4-4). The home team has won the last four matchups between these two teams.

Edmonton is 3-1 at home this season. However, the Elks lost their last game at Commonwealth 28-26 versus Saskatchewan before a season-high gathering of 31,757.

Toronto comes off a 33-30 win over Calgary, its first game this season at BMO Field, despite starter Chad Kelly throwing four interceptions. But after the Argos’ defence made a crucial third-down stop with 1:32 remaining, Kelly drove the offence from its 54-yard line to the Stampeders’ four-yard line, setting Brady Lidster’s winning 11-yard field goal.

Kelly threw for 349 yards and a TD in his first home start since October 2024. Edmonton’s Tyrell Ford is tied for the league-lead in interceptions (five), all coming over the Elks’ last five games.

Pick: Edmonton.

B.C. Lions vs Calgary Stampeders (Thursday night)

At Calgary, the Stampeders (4-5) return home after going 2-1 on the road. Starter Vernon Adams Jr. was intercepted twice last week in Toronto, his first two of the season. But according to the CFL, the Alberta squad has scored 30-plus points in eight straight games and faces a defence in B.C. (3-5) that’s forced the fewest turnovers (eight). Starter Nathan Rourke is 4-1 versus the Stamps and threw for 462 yards and three TDs in the Lions’ 41-33 loss to Calgary in June. Receiver Justin McInnis had five catches for a season-best 159 yards and a TD in last week’s home win over Hamilton.

Pick: B.C.

Ottawa Redblacks vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Friday night)

At Winnipeg, veteran starter Zach Collaros is expected to return from a neck injury but running back Brady Oliveira (CFL’s third-leading rusher with 658 yards) has been limited in practice with an ankle ailment. The Bombers have won four straight against Ottawa (0-8) and since 2018 are 16-4 coming off a bye week. But they allowed a franchise-worst 377 rushing yards in a 35-19 loss to B.C. on July 30. These are tough times for the Redblacks, who are 0-5 versus West Division teams this season. Following last week’s 42-20 road loss to Saskatchewan, the club released veteran defensive backs Demerio Houston and Amari Henderson.

Pick: Winnipeg.

Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Saturday night)

At Hamilton, the Ticats (3-6) have lost three straight and it doesn’t get any easier facing the defending Grey Cup champions. Rookie Harrison Frost was 20-of-33 passing for 239 yards with a TD and interception in last week’s 27-24 road loss to B.C., his first CFL start.  Veteran Trevor Harris threw for 401 yards and two TDs to lead Saskatchewan (6-2) past Ottawa for its second straight win. Both KeeSean Johnston (11 catches, 133 yards, TD) and Johnny Johnson III (seven catches, 117 yards) cracked the 100-yard receiving plateau. The Riders have won the teams’ last five matchups.

Pick: Saskatchewan.

Last week: 4-0.

Overall: 23-15.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press