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News Briefs: Friday, August 26, 2011
Ramsay seeks re-election
Two more names have been added to the growing list of those officially seeking election to the territorial legislature this October.
Two-term Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay confirmed his intentions after hinting at such in his spring newsletter. Ramsay took 81 per cent of the vote in the 2007 election.
Bernard LeBlanc, 61, who works at the Diavik mine, is running in Frame Lake.
- Casey Lessard
Cooler but drier fall expected
Yellowknifers can expect a cooler than average fall with less rain and snow than usual, Environment Canada predicts.
Warning preparedness meteorologist Natalie Hasell says temperatures and precipitation levels will be at or below normal levels for September, October and November.
- Casey Lessard
Yellowknifer Canada's top doc
Yellowknife resident and emergency physician at Stanton Territorial Hospital, Dr. Anna Reid, was elected president of the Canadian Medical Association on Aug. 23.
The election occurred at the association's 2011 annual meeting in St. John's, N.L. Reid has been practising medicine since 1988.
- Heather Lange
No suspects yet in Canadian Tire theft
There are no updates from the police on the investigation into an Aug. 14 theft at Canadian Tire.
"There is nothing else new that can be released," said Const. Kathy Law.
Two people wearing masks entered Canadian Tire after disabling the alarm and took six hockey bags full of store goods and Canadian Tire money before leaving the building from the cargo bay in a Dodge Ram staff vehicle.
The vehicle was recovered last week on a road close to Lakeview Cemetery.
RCMP are asking anyone to come forward who may have seen suspicious activity around Canadian Tire that morning, or any unusual activity near the cemetery to call the Yellowknife RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
- Heather Lange
News Briefs: Thursday, August 25, 2011
New report looks at residents' health
The territorial government has released the latest Health Status Report.
The report, which is published every five years, contains statistics that provide a picture of the well-being and health of the territory's population. The last report was published in 2005. Key findings in the new report include that only 41 per cent of the NWT population participates in enough physical activity to maintain or improve their health compared to 53 per cent of other Canadians. The report also shows that 63 per cent of NWT residents are overweight or obese compared to 51 per cent of other Canadians.
Between 2005 and 2007 the leading causes of death in the territory were cancers and cardiovascular diseases followed by injuries and respiratory diseases. Complete copies of the report can be found on the Department of Health and Social Services' website.
Second year of women's tournament
Women will be taking over the fairways of the Seven Spruce Golf Course in Fort Simpson on Aug. 27.
The course is the site of the second annual Golf Fore the Cure Tournament. The women-only tournament will follow a four-person best ball format. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and tee-off will be at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed team, the lowest score and multiple other categories. All of the money raised through the tournament will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Two fires out of control
The Deh Cho region has had a total of 27 forest fires so far this year, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The fires affected 10,529 hectares and were all out as of Aug. 23. The South Slave region, which includes Fort Providence and Kakisa, has had 61 fires covering 236,390 hectares. There were three fires being monitored and two out of control as of Aug. 23.
In total, the territory has had 202 fires so far this year.
Jean Marie River holds annual general meeting
All members of the Jean Marie River First Nation are being encouraged to attend the band's annual general meeting.
The meeting will take place from Sept. 3 to 4 beginning at 10 a.m. both days. Agenda items are expected to include management reports, capital plan ideas, audit financial statements and possible changes to the band's election code.
Quilting workshops
The Inuvik Quilting Guild will be holding a quilting workshop for beginners from Sept. 17 to 18.
Over the course of two days, participants will learn the basic techniques needed to make the top of a lap-sized quilt in the Bento Box pattern.
Participants must supply their own fabric.
The guild will also be starting regular Monday night quilting sessions on Sept. 12. On Sept. 19, the guild will be holding its annual general meeting.
For more information, contact the Inuvik Quilting Guild.
– Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Yoga teachers wanted
This fall, Sheena Adams will offer yoga teacher training – a 200-hour program designed for those who want to teach yoga themselves, or learn more about it.
The course includes 15 hours of Ayurvedic study, as well as 100 hours of yoga practice, 25 hours of teaching methodology, 20 hours of anatomy and physiology study, 30 hours of yoga philosophy and ethics, and a 10-hour practicum.
Upon completion of the course, students can register as certified yoga teachers with Yoga Alliance.
For more information, contact Adams at the greenhouse.
– Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison
Cultural Circle Award winner
Abel Tingmiak of Inuvik has received the Cultural Circle Award in the elder category for his contributions to Inuvialuit culture.
The award provides recognition of those contributing to the preservation and promotion of culture and heritage in the NWT. Tingmiak teaches Inuvialuit traditions to younger generations and is founder of the revitalization of Inuvialuit/Inuit games, demonstrating them and offering lessons.
He teaches drum dancing skills and songs to students at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School and taught Grade 5 students to make drums.
– Samantha Stokell
Motor Vehicle Act
The third reading to amend the Motor Vehicle Act in the GNWT Legislative Assembly passed on Aug. 23.
The change to the act is designed to reduce the number of drivers using electronic devices while driving. Drivers are banned from using a cellphone, a device for sending or receiving data, a device for playing audio or video recordings or a handheld GPS receive.
Motorists may use these devices if they are hands-free.
Drivers with a learner's permit are restricted from using any electronic device while driving.
The bill will be in place on Jan. 1, 2012.
– Samantha Stokell
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News desk 
