Alberta will suspend its 13-cent provincial fuel tax from Oct. 1 until the end of the year, after the monthly average for Western Texas Intermediate crude reached $90.54 per barrel. The suspension was among the stories that drew strong interest from Edmontonians this week.

Residents of a seniors complex in Castle Downs say a neighbouring property closed by authorities this spring over drug activity is again seeing constant traffic. They describe the renewed activity as the latest part of a two-year period of concerns about safety, nuisance behaviour and enforcement.

Climate scientists say parts of Alberta could have warmer-than-average temperatures this winter because of a super El Niño, which could contribute to drier conditions by spring. El Niño occurs every few years when Pacific Ocean water warms more than half a degree above normal. The National Weather Service puts the chance that this year’s event will be historic at 75 per cent, with warming forecast to peak at 3.5 C.

A new campaign is putting Alberta’s referendum cost of $130 million in context. Calculations by the group Alberta’s Voice say the amount is equivalent to paying for 150 family doctors, 188 teachers, 794 educational assistants or two new schools, each with capacity for 900 students.

About 100 people gathered outside Rogers Place to protest the Edmonton Oilers’ signing of Alex Formenton before the team’s first of four pre-season games. Mary Loewen, known as “Mama Stanley,” joined the protest and told the crowd: “Before anything else, I am a survivor. We are standing here peacefully today because survivors have spoken. Fans have pleaded with Edmonton Oilers to listen, and this organization has chosen to move forward as though our voices do not matter,”

Formenton was one of five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team charged with sexual assault. He and the other players were later acquitted.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.