Police disrupt major liquor distribution network

New release submitted by The Edmonton Police Service

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged 10 people in relation to a major liquor distribution network investigation.

In late 2020, the EPS Focused Intervention & Apprehension Team (FIAT) initiated an investigation in response to the growing trend of liquor theft. During the investigation, a large market for stolen liquor was uncovered, along with a coordinated distribution network that was supplying the liquor to legitimate local businesses. Alongside the liquor theft, investigators also determined the individuals involved were trafficking illegal drugs and unmarked cigarettes and were in the possession of stolen property. Over the course of several months, search warrants were executed at multiple residences and businesses across the city. This resulted in the seizure of:

Approximately $130,000 of liquor
350,000 unmarked cigarettes (approximate value of $35,000)
730 fentanyl pills (approximate street value of $73,000)
1.49 kg of cocaine (approximate street value of $185,000)
270 Xanax pills (approximate street value of $5,400)

Photos of some of the seized items are included below

Police have since arrested and charged 10 people and are looking to arrest and charge four additional individuals. These individuals include business owners and those involved with the distribution network, and they are facing a combined total of 40 charges, including conspire to possess property obtained from crime for the purpose of trafficking over $5,000, traffic in a controlled substance, conspire to sell/distribute unstamped tobacco products, attempt to possess property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking over $5,000, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

To date, the following ten individuals have been arrested and charged:

Steven Dahrouge, 39
Julien Roussel, 65
James Cermak, 41
Cara Yaremchuk, 34
Michael Gennaro, 51
John Berg, 67
Harkamal Singh Kahlon, 45
James Burns, 42,
Thomas Areekadan, 57
Raj Sony Jalarajan, 46

Related Topics:#IllegalLiqourDistributionNetwork feature

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From Underdog to Top Broodmare

Published on October 31, 2025

Todayville

WATCH From Underdog to Top Broodmare (video)

Executive Producers Jeff Robillard (Horse Racing Alberta) and Mike Little (Shinelight Entertainment)

What began as an underdog story became a legacy of excellence. Crackers Hot Shot didn’t just race — she paved the way for future generations, and in doing so became one of the most influential producers the province has known.

The extraordinary journey of Crackers Hot Shot — once overlooked, now revered — stands as one of Alberta’s finest success stories in harness racing and breeding.

Born in humble circumstances and initially considered rough around the edges, Crackers Hot Shot overcame long odds to carve out a career that would forever impact the province’s racing industry. From a “wild, unhandled filly” to Alberta’s “Horse of the Year” in 2013, to producing foals who carry her spirit and fortitude into future generations.

Her influence ripples through Alberta’s racing and breeding landscape: from how young stock are prepared, to the aspirations of local breeders who now look to “the mare that did it” as proof that world-class talent can emerge from Alberta’s paddocks.

“Crackers Hot Shot, she had a tough start. She wasn’t much to look at when we first got her” — Rod Starkewski

“Crackers Hot Shot was left on her own – Carl Archibald heard us talking, he said ‘I’ll go get her – I live by there’. I think it took him 3 days to dig her out of the snow. She was completely wild – then we just started working on her. She really needed some humans to work with her – and get to know that people are not scary.” — Jackie Starkewski

“Crackers Hot Shot would be one of the top broodmares in Albeta percentage wise if nothing else. Her foals hit the track – they’re looking for the winners circle every time.” — Connie Kolthammer

Visit thehorses.com to learn more about Alberta’s Horse Racing industry.

Alberta

Province orders School Boards to gather data on class sizes and complexity by Nov 24

Published on October 31, 2025

Government of Alberta

Better data, better outcomes for Alberta students

To help schools address classroom complexity, Alberta’s government will begin collecting annual data on class size and composition.

Over the past three years, Alberta has welcomed more than 80,000 new students. With this unprecedented growth, classroom complexity and class sizes are among the biggest issues facing schools and teachers across the province.

To meet this challenge head on, Alberta’s government will work with school boards to gather yearly data on class sizes and composition. This information will be used to better understand staffing, student needs and classroom complexity. School boards will be required to submit data on Alberta classrooms by Nov. 24, and by January, this data will be made publicly available and will then be released annually.

Data collected on classroom complexity will help the province understand and address issues in schools, including class sizes, and support strategic investments in classrooms. Over the next three years, school boards will be provided with funding to hire 3,000 teachers and 1,500 new education assistants to support students with complex needs.

“We are ready to work with school boards and teachers to address classroom complexity and class sizes. We have heard them loud and clear and we are taking bold action to address these issues.”

Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare

Alberta’s government is establishing a Class Size and Complexity Task Force to begin work immediately on identifying solutions to the challenges facing Alberta classrooms. Alongside new annual data collection, the task force will ensure every student gets the attention and support they need to succeed. Details about the task force will be shared in the coming weeks.

“This data will provide essential insight into classroom realities, guiding evidence-based decisions and advocating for sustainable funding to address complexity, ensuring every student and educator in Alberta has the support to thrive.”

Mike McMann, College of Alberta School Superintendents

Quick facts

To inform decisions on addressing classroom complexity, data will be collected on total numbers of:

all staff, per school, including roles
substitute teachers
district staff, listed by job title
students, per classroom, per school
severe, mild/moderate, and gifted/talented students, per classroom, per school
English as an additional language (EAL) students, per classroom, per school
refugee students, per classroom, per school
First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, per classroom, per school
Individualized Program Plans, per classroom, per school
students waitlisted for assessment, per classroom, per school
incidents of aggression and violence

$55 million was provided in Budget 2025 to address classroom complexity.
8.6 billion is being invested to build and renovate more than 130 schools across the province.
Budget 2025 is investing $1.6 billion in learning support funding to help meet students’ specialized learning needs.
Budget 2025 is investing $1.1 billion to hire more than 4,000 teachers and educational staff.