Fire threat reduced

The fire threat level for the Yellowknife area was reduced from extreme to high on Thursday and there are no forest fires in the Yellowknife area.

Even with the reduced threat level, Judy McLinton, manager of communications for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said Yellowknifers should still be careful.

"We haven't received much precipitation, so people still have to be very careful. Once it warms up again, I expect the threat level to return to extreme," said McLinton.

- Kevin Allerston

Budget input

The city is inviting help from the public in developing the 2012-2014 budget.

Residents with ideas as to what the budget should look like can submit input to city council in writing or by e-mail. Submissions must be in by 4:30 p.m. on June 17 and should be addressed to the manager of Taxation, Budgeting and Evaluation.

To see the 2011 budget, visit the city website.

- Nicole Veerman

Help tidy Tin Can Hill

Ecology North and the City of Yellowknife are holding a trail cleanup Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Tin Can Hill.

Bags will be provided for garbage, but cleaners are welcome to use buckets for glass. Everyone is encouraged to bring a pair of gloves and lend a hand to tidy up the recreational area.

The cleanup will begin at the School Draw Avenue entrance to the trail. There will be coffee, juice and cookies for all of the volunteers.

- Nicole Veerman

Mine rescue competition

Mining Week, which started on Monday, wraps up Saturday with the mine rescue competition at the Yellowknife Community Arena.

The event, sponsored by the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and has miners simulate a scenario where they have to rescue a co-worker.

There will also be a miner's picnic from 12 to 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to watch the best of the best compete in the annual event.

- Nicole Veerman

Ferries start

The Dempster Highway is open with both the Arctic Red River ferry and Peel River Cable ferry in daily operation.

The Arctic Red River ferry will leave from the Inuvik shore at 8:15 a.m., from the Fort McPherson shore at 8:30 a.m. and from the Tsiigehtchic shore at 8:40 a.m. The last trips will be from 11:15 p.m., 11:35 p.m. and 11:40 p.m., respectively.

The Peel River Cable ferry will run from 9:15 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. as needed.

Volunteer of the year

The Northern Games Society in Inuvik won 2011 Outstanding Group Volunteer of the Year.

The award goes to individuals or a group who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.

The Northern Games Society helps to keep the Inuit traditions of celebration, gathering and sharing alive through the annual showcase called the Northern Games.

The extensive planning, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and scheduling of contests, workshops and entertainment, as well as feeding hundreds of people creates a huge undertaking.

The Northern Games Society won the award because it has existed for more than 40 years and continues to exemplify volunteers who are passionate about what they do and have a belief in Northern culture and the importance of passing on traditions.

Beaufort Sea boundary Dispute

The morning before the Inuvik Petroleum Show starts, a presentation will be held on the Beaufort Sea boundary dispute.

Dr. Michael Byers, a professor and the Canada research chair at the Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia will speak about the law and politics of the current dispute between Canada and the United States. The presentation will explore the possible outcomes and explain the impacts on the oil and gas industry.

The presentation will be at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on June 13.

Midnight Sun Fun Run

Pre-registration is open for the Midnight Sun Fun Run.

The run will be held on Saturday, June 18, with the half-marathon starting at 11 p.m., 10-km run starting at 11:30 p.m. and the 5-km run starting at midnight. The cost for registration is $20 for adults and $15 for youth 15 years old and under.

Routes have been changed this year to give runners more variety, but all running will start and finish at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School.

Volunteers are also needed for various tasks. Registration forms are available at the recreation complex, or people can register that night at 10 p.m.

Bear complaints begin in Fort Simpson

Bear complaints in Fort Simpson have stayed within average numbers so far this spring.

Since early May the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the village has received approximately 10 complaints. One two to three-year-old male black bear had to be destroyed in Wild Rose Acres on May 17. The bear was going through properties and not leaving the area, said Doug Villeneuve, a manager of wildlife and environment with the department.

A second bear was caught in a live trap and relocated on May 24 after being a nuisance at Ndulee Crossing. Residents who see a problem bear can report it on the wildlife reporting line that is always open, Villeneuve said.

To minimize bear interactions, Villeneuve suggests residents place their garbage out the night before or the morning of their planned pick-up and avoid walking alone in the early mornings or evenings.

Mackenzie Days crown quest

The Mackenzie Days Committee is holding a princess and queen contest as part of this year's Mackenzie Days in Fort Providence.

The contestant who sells the most raffle tickets in their age group will be crowned and receive prizes on July 29. Contestants for the title of princess must be between the ages of seven and nine while the queens can be between 10 and 12.

Each participant, who must also be a student at Deh Gah School, will represent a sponsoring business or agency. The deadline for applying with Loretta Landry is June 17 at 4 p.m.

Fort Simpson on BizPal

A online service designed to make starting and running a business easier has been launched in Fort Simpson.

The village, along with Fort Smith and Hay River, are the three communities to date in the territory that have been included in BizPal. The website provides simplified access to information on the permits and licences that entrepreneurs need to establish and run a business.

Launched in 2005, BizPal is jointly managed by a partnership involving governments at the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal levels. Access to the website is planned to expand across the territory.

Slo-pitch season comes together

Two Rivers Slo-Pitch Association is holding a meeting on June 13 to organize the slo-pitch season in Fort Simpson. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. in the recreation centre. Everyone is welcome to attend.