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Lockdown at St. Joseph School

A lockdown was initiated at St. Joseph School on Wednesday afternoon due to an "external incident," said school principal Gillian Dawe-Taylor.

"It had nothing to do with the students whatsoever. But I will tell you that coincidentally, at the same time, a student did injure themselves in the gym and an ambulance had to be called," said Dawe-Taylor, adding that some concerned parents had questions after seeing the RCMP and an ambulance at the school at the same time. Dawe-Taylor would not say what the "external incident" was that prompted the lockdown.

The RCMP could not be reached to comment on the incident.

- Laura Busch

Snowfall deteriorates driving conditions

Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning in the Yk area on Thursday, calling for 10 cm of precipitation throughout the day and another two to four cm overnight. The weather forecast also calls for a 40 per cent chance of flurries throughout the morning Friday.

"The road conditions throughout the NWT are in poor to fair driving conditions," said Earl Blacklock, communications manager for the Department of Transportation. "It means that there's snow on the highway, there's blowing snow, some drifting (snow), low visibility. The conditions are producing slippery sections. You should not be going out without winter tires. All-season tires are not sufficient to drive in these conditions."

- Laura Busch

Know your home

The City of Yellowknife and Arctic Energy Alliance want to help people learn about their homes with a program called Know Your Home.

The three-part course is for people interested in home renovations, energy efficiency and operating wood stoves. The class runs on Tuesdays from Nov. 8 to 22 from 7 to 9 p.m at he Arctic Energy Alliance building on 51 Street.

- Kevin Allerston

Santa Claus Parade set for Nov. 19

Float applications for this year's Yk Santa Claus Parade are due Monday, Nov. 14 and can be dropped off at city hall until 4 p.m., said Yellowknife Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

The 24th annual parade is to be held Saturday, Nov. 19, beginning at 6 p.m. Floats will be judged at 5:45 p.m. so must be complete and all participants must be on board by then.

This year's theme is A Timeless Christmas.

-Laura Busch

Jean Marie River First Nation election

The election for Jean Marie River First Nation's band council is taking place on Nov. 3.

Eight candidates are seeking a seat on the six-person council that will serve for three years.

Incumbents Gerald Grossetete, Gladys Norwegian, Yvonne Norwegian and Angus Sanguez will be seeking re-election. Aggie Hardisty, Fabien Hardisty, Debbie Matheson and Aaron McNab are also vying for a

seat.

The polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Band members who are out of town can phone the band office to request a ballot.

Abandoned trailer burns in Fort Simpson

An abandoned trailer burned to the ground in Fort Simpson early Tuesday morning.

Six members of the Fort Simpson Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call at 1 a.m. When the department arrived at the trailer, located on top of the hill beside the radio tower, the fire had already burned most of the structure, said Roger Pilling, the deputy fire chief.

"Those old trailers go up pretty quick," he said.

The department briefly monitored the fire to ensure it didn't spread.

Pilling said he suspects the fire was a result of arson.

Ferry season ending

Two ferries in the Deh Cho are down to their final days of operation this season.

As of Nov. 1, the Johnny Berens ferry at the N'Dulee crossing between Fort Simpson and Wrigley was expected to end operations as early as Nov. 2.

If conditions permit, the ferry may run for a bit longer, said Earl Blacklock, the manager of public affairs and communications with the Department of Transportation.

The Lafferty on the Liard River near Fort Simpson was expected to shut down on Nov. 4.

As a result of a problem with the engine, the Lafferty did close for approximately five hours on Oct. 31 beginning at 3 p.m.

Service resumed after repairs were made, Blacklock said.

Archery workshop in Fort Simpson

Two local instructors are offering an archery workshop in Fort Simpson.

Gary Scarfe of Fort Simpson and Edward Landry of Fort Providence will be leading the two-day workshop on Nov. 4 and 5 at the recreation centre from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The workshop, sponsored by the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT, is open to any interested community members.

A time to remember

Remembrance Day celebrations will be hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School on Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m.

The theme for this year is "The Price of Freedom," to remember those who have died during times of conflict today and in the past.

Organizations wishing to purchase a wreath to be laid in remembrance can contact the Royal Canadian Legion in Inuvik. Poppy sales will soon start and donations go to provide assistance to ex-service members and their dependents in times of distress.

A reception will be held at the Legion after the services.

Wind those clocks back

The time will change on Nov. 6. Remember to set your clocks back one hour.

In 2007, Canada moved its Daylight Savings Time by three weeks to align with the United States, in an attempt to save on energy.

The time change officially happens at 2 a.m.

Don't forget to switch back wall clocks, alarm clocks, microwaves, stoves, watches, desk clocks and televisions and VCRs. Check to make sure your computers and cell phones have also changed.

During next week, there will be less than seven hours of daylight.

Curlers head to Dominion

Two club teams from Inuvik will head to Richmond, B.C., later this month to compete at a national curling championship.

The men's team, comprised of Mel Sittichinli, George Greenland, Herbert Blake and Conrad Bourque and a women's team of Diane Baxter, Stephanie Crocker, Marjorie Baetz and Leah Bishop will represent the NWT at the Dominion National Curling Championship. The competition is the top event for club teams.

All teams are asked to raise funds for the British Columbia Paraplegic Association and the team that raises the most money will win money for renovations of their club. Contact a member of the team to learn how to donate.

The Dominion will run from Nov. 21 to 26.

Musique Francais

The Igloo Church will host the Quebecois folk band De Temps Antan on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

The trio will visit Inuvik, Hay River and Yellowknife as part of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre tour. The group blends traditional Quebec music with a bit of contemporary styling to create songs from the past.

The group's second album titled Les Habites de Papier was nominated for Traditional Album of the Year by the Association Quebecoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle, et de la video.

De Temps Antan means The Time Past.

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