Stephanie Swensrude

Edmonton, Edmonton International, Alta.

Multimedia Journalist and Reporter at CFJC-TV (Kamloops, BC)

Curator/reporter at Taproot Edmonton, formerly CHED/Global Edmonton & CFJC in Kamloops. @nait RATV grad. Get in touch: [email protected]

Articles

On the agenda: Tax increase, integrity commissioner, sidewalk improvements

2 days ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude

This week, council will meet to finalize the 2025 property tax increase, hear from the integrity commissioner, and vote on spending money to improve sidewalks in Overlanders. There is a city council meeting scheduled on April 22 and 23. Here are key items on this week's agenda: Council is scheduled to finalize the 2025 and 2026 tax levy budget and property tax increase that was approved in December.
Paquette wants to pause transition to mobile payments for parking

2 days ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude

Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette wants to hit the brakes on the city's transition from physical machines to mobile payments for parking in city-owned spots. On March 28, the city announced that it will transition all EPark to a mobile-only payment system for city-owned spots across Edmonton. Crews started removing physical EPark machines starting on April 14. Drivers must now use the HotSpot parking app, a desktop, or a phone call to pay for parking.
The Pulse: April 22, 2025

2 days ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude |Mariam Ibrahim |Tim Querengesser |Debbi Serafinchon

On the agenda: Tax increase, integrity commissioner, sidewalk improvements By This week, council will meet to finalize the 2025 property tax increase, hear from the integrity commissioner, and vote on spending money to improve sidewalks in Overlanders. There is a city council meeting scheduled on April 22 and 23.
Homeward Trust grapples with changing municipal, provincial funding systems

1 week ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude

The provincial government's move to "take out the middleman" from its funding of organizations that serve those experiencing homelessness could disrupt the sector's ability to respond nimbly to people in need, according to the head of an organization that currently disperses those funds. In December, the province announced it will start to send money directly to service providers in the province's cities instead of through organizations like Homeward Trust.
Parkland County's new land use bylaw proposes more density

1 week ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude

Proposed amendments to Parkland County's land use bylaw would allow for denser development in larger hamlets, add regulations for short-term rentals, and protect prime agricultural land. A public hearing for the updated land use bylaw is scheduled for April 22 at the Parkland County Council Chambers at 53109A Hwy 779. Residents can sign up to speak or submit a written comment until April 18 at 4pm.
The Pulse: April 17, 2025

1 week ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude |Mariam Ibrahim |Ben Roth |Debbi Serafinchon

Homeward Trust grapples with changing municipal, provincial funding systems By The provincial government's move to "take out the middleman" from its funding of organizations that serve those experiencing homelessness could disrupt the sector's ability to respond nimbly to people in need, according to the head of an organization that currently disperses those funds.
Council's decision on Nordic spa erodes public access to river valley: Advocates

1 week ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude

A Nordic spa that city council recently approved breaks the city's own policies meant to enhance public access to the river valley, an advocate says. "This is exactly the kind of private encroachment that the river valley bylaw and the top of bank policy were designed to prevent," Rocky Feroe, with the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition, said.
The Pulse: April 11, 2025

2 weeks ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude |Kevin Holowack |Scott Lilwall |Debbi Serafinchon

Council's decision on Nordic spa erodes public access to river valley: Advocates By A Nordic spa that city council recently approved breaks the city's own policies meant to enhance public access to the river valley, an advocate says. "This is exactly the kind of private encroachment that the river valley bylaw and the top of bank policy were designed to prevent," Rocky Feroe, with the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition, said.
Several central neighbourhoods to see on-demand buses replace regular service

2 weeks ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude

Edmonton Transit Service is set to cancel regular bus service in three core neighbourhoods, primarily due to low ridership, and replace it with on-demand service. Route 725, which runs through Lendrum and Malmo, route 726, which runs through McKernan, Belgravia, and Windsor Park, and routes 111 and 131, which run through Riverdale will each be replaced with on-demand service at the end of June.
The Pulse: April 10, 2025

2 weeks ago | edmonton.taproot.news | Stephanie Swensrude |Kevin Holowack |Debbi Serafinchon

Several central neighbourhoods to see on-demand buses replace regular service By Edmonton Transit Service is set to cancel regular bus service in three core neighbourhoods, primarily due to low ridership, and replace it with on-demand service.