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News Briefs: Friday, June 1, 2012
Lightning blamed for large forest fire
A 500-hectare forest fire which broke out near Highway 3 in the Behchoko area Thursday was caused by lightning, said Roger Fraser, manager of forestry for the territorial government. Officials were monitoring the blaze, which started three km from the highway and about 50 km south of Behchoko.
Fraser said the highway was not closed and there was good visibility on the highway. He suggested people take precautions while lighting campfires, adding officials have enough fires to deal with, without having to fight any man-made ones.
- Miranda Scotland
Bike skills and helmets
Organizers of the 28th annual Bike Rodeo are inviting everyone from kindergarten to Grade 6 to come test their bike safety skills.
Featuring an obstacle course and a barbecue, the event runs from noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the Multiplex Arena. Helmets and bikes are required, but BHP Billiton will be supplying helmets for anyone who needs one. Participants also have a chance to win one of approximately 30 bikes.
- Danielle Sachs
Cheek swab program
The fire division is inviting Yellowknifers to get their cheeks swabbed to save a life.
From Monday until June 10, the department will be registering residents for the National Stem Cell and Marrow Network with the hope they will be matched with someone in need of a bone marrow transplant. Healthy residents aged 17 to 50 interested in registering can visit the city hall lower boardroom Monday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Miranda Scotland
Raising voices
On Monday, Yellowknife organizations like Ecology North will join other Canadians by blacking out websites and letting their voices be heard.
The Black Out Speak Out campaign expresses concerns over the federal government's introduction of Bill C-38 about one month ago. The bill includes controversial changes to the country's environmental protection measures, old age security, and immigration policies.
Yellowknifers are invited to congregate outside the Greenstone building to show their support on Monday at 12:10 p.m.
- Katherine Hudson
News Briefs: Thursday, May 31, 2012
Deh Cho grads prepare for ceremonies
Graduation ceremonies are being planned for both Thomas Simpson School in Fort Simpson and Echo Dene School in Fort Liard.
Thomas Simpson School is holding its graduation ceremony on June 2. The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at 2 p.m. in the school's field.
The 18 graduands and their guests will gather again later in the evening for a dinner.
Echo Dene School will be recognizing its four graduates on June 7. The dinner and ceremony is at 6 p.m. in the community hall.
Fort Providence educator honoured
Margaret Thom of Fort Providence is one of seven new members of the territory's Education Hall of Fame.
The third annual induction ceremony was held in the legislative assembly, in Yellowknife, on Tuesday. The Hall of Fame identifies and celebrates outstanding commitment to education in the territory from educators, elders, custodians, administrators, volunteers, coaches, students, advocates, sponsors and businesses. Thom has been a community counsellor at Deh Gah School for more than 20 years.
Slow season for Paramount Resources
Paramount Resources Ltd. did limited work at its Cameron Hills project this winter because of internal budget decisions, according to a project update by the company.
Between December and March the company worked on existing wells using a service rig to do a variety of tasks including increasing well production, performing major maintenance and preparing wells for permanent closure. No new wells were drilled.
Two natural gas and five oil wells that are tied into the Cameron Hills gathering system are currently producing. Eight people are currently employed at Cameron Hills, working in two shifts of four people.
Celebrating education success
Kakisa Lake School will be holding an awards ceremony and celebration on June 18.
The event will recognize the achievements that the students have made during the course of the year.
Canada Day ideas
Deh Cho residents can suggest how they'd like to see Canada celebrate its 150th birthday in 2017.
The Canadian Capital Cities Organization (CCCO) is planning the big day by consulting with citizens. Go to the organization's website to make suggestions.
Plant sale Saturday
The Inuvik Community Greenhouse is holding its annual community plant sale this Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items for sale this year include lots of pansies, petunias, vegetables, herbs and basket stuffers. There are a few plots left for rent to individuals or free of charge to community groups or elders, said greenhouse co-ordinator Sheena Adams. The community plant sale is also the greenhouse's main fundraiser for the year, said Adams, so she hopes the community will show their support.
Dempster almost open
The Dempster Highway to Inuvik will likely open this weekend, says the Department of Transportation.
"We're waiting for the water. Whenever the water goes down, we will construct landings and the ferries will be operational," said Gurdev Jagpal, regional superintendent for the department.
Clean-up next week
The annual Inuvik Community Clean-up is scheduled for next week, June 3 to June 9. The town will provide the gloves, garbage bags, and instructions necessary to do the job, not to mention $400 per zone cleared by a group. All of the zones are currently taken, said Tony Devlin, director of community services.
Tailgate garage sale
Also in the spirit of spring cleaning, the Town of Inuvik has scheduled the third annual community tailgate garage sale for this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Midnight Sun Complex parking lot. There is no charge for tables at the event.
"It's been a roaring success in the past," said Tony Devlin, director of community services.
Break-up contest
The Inuvik Firefighters Association has declared a winner for its break-up contest. Chris Lennie made the winning guess, picking 5 a.m. on May 23 for the ice to break.
"It's funny May 23 was the day that had the most guesses by far," said Andrea Cardinal, president of the association. Out of about 375 tickets sold, 40 or 50 of the guesses were for that day. Lennie was the only one to guess early in the morning.
According to the association's measurements, the ice on the east arm of the Mackenzie River first shifted along the Inuvik waterfront at 6:17 a.m. last Wednesday.
Inuvialuit Day
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is hosting a barbecue lunch and other festivities from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. next Tuesday in front of the Inuvialuit Corporate Centre on Mackenzie Road.
The celebration will also include drum dancing and door prizes, and all are welcome. Motorists are advised that a section of Mackenzie Road will be closed during the event.
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