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News Briefs: Friday, July 6, 2012
Chocolatier chopped
After five years in business The Chocolatier has closed its doors.
The lease expired at the end of June and a notice on the YK Centre website stated the 1,131-square-foot space is up for lease. The most recent owner, Chef Kaven Paradis, would not state why the shop was closing. Located in the lower level of the YK Centre, the specialty chocolate shop was bought by Paradis in January 2011. It was opened by Leanne Tait and business partner Claudia Richea in 2007.
- Danielle Sachs
Wireless investment
On Wednesday, NorthwesTel announced plans to invest $273 million over the next five years to bring high-speed Internet and wireless services to customers across the North.
The investment has the potential to bring the latest wireless technology, such as smart phones and tablets to 96 communities across the region.
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has to approve the modernization plan, which was submitted by NorthwesTel on Tuesday.
- Danielle Sachs
Leak damages city hall
A rainstorm on Monday caused minor damage to city hall after water seeped through the roof and onto some carpet and a box of papers.
A defective clamp on a new membrane caused the leak, said Mayor Gord Van Tighem.
"It's probably a good thing someone heard the water running and found the problem," he said.
City hall is in the midst of renovating its roof. Overall, changes are expected to cost approximately $3.5 million.
"It's not supposed to rain while we're putting the new roof in," Van Tighem joked.
- Myles Dolphin
Bellanca sits empty
There's a small sign advertising leasing opportunities in the Bellanca building, which is empty since the last occupant, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, moved out June 10.
The Government of Canada logo on the building will be removed within 30 to 45 days, said Sharon Nelson, a communications representative with Public Works and Government Services Canada. The Government of Canada occupied the building for 30 years before moving into the new Gallery Building on Franklin Avenue. Dundee Realty Management Corporation has the entire Bellanca building available for lease.
- Danielle Sachs
News Briefs: Thursday, July 5, 2012
Nahanni Butte residents return home
Nahanni Butte residents returned home on June 29 with help from the territorial government. The community was evacuated on June 9 due to flooding.
Airplanes were used to return the majority of the residents home, said David Maguire, a communications and website adviser with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Maguire said the territorial government is continuing to offer support to the community including assisting with remediation and mold abatement.
Thomas Simpson School a Drop the Pop winner
A school from the Deh Cho is among seven receiving certificates and cash awards for producing videos that promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyles.
Thomas Simpson School is one of the winners of this year's Drop the Pop campaign. The campaign followed a Spread the Word theme that encouraged students to do just that about the harmful effects of sweetened beverages.
In addition to the video contest, 39 schools in the territory received funding to participate in healthy eating activities in 2012.
Fewer forest fires
On July 3 the Deh Cho had the fewest forest fires this year of any region in the territory.
According to information from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, there have been three fires in the Deh Cho, including two that are being monitored and one that was fought and now under control, burning across 1,876 hectares. The South Slave, which includes Kakisa and Fort Providence, has had the second lowest number of forest fires with 17 over 4,788 hectares.
The Sahtu has been the most affected by forest fires this year with 26 fires on 22,889 hectares.
Annual golf tournament this weekend
There will be golfing action at the Seven Spruce Golf Course this weekend.
The annual Kingland Ford Tournament is taking place on July 7 and 8. The tournament will follow a two-day, four-person scramble format. Participants have until the morning of the tournament to register. There will be tee-off times at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
In addition to sponsoring the tournament, Kingland is also offering $10,000 in Kingland dollars as a hole-in-one prize. Golfers will have their chance at the prize during their last round on hole seven. Additionally, there will be prizes for all participants, said Roger Pilling, one of the tournament organizers.
Salary increase for mayor
Inuvik town council passed the third and final reading June 27 of a new bylaw that will increase the mayor's salary.
Currently, the mayor earns about $79,000 per year. Under the new bylaw, annual remuneration begins at $78,690 for the first year, and then increases to $82,607 in the second year, $86,525 in year three, $90,442 in year four, $94,360 in year five and caps at $98,278 during a mayor's sixth year in office.
"The mayor's salary has not changed since 2004 and the cost of living has increased substantially since then, so we felt that it was time from an administrative point of view to present the council with a proposed salary scale for the mayor's position," said Grant Hood, senior administrative officer for the Town of Inuvik.
The increase will take effect Nov. 1, after the upcoming municipal election.
Court dates set
A former Inuvik teacher accused of two counts of possessing child pornography and two counts of making child pornography will have a bail hearing on Aug. 9. That is to be followed by a three-day preliminary hearing in Inuvik Nov. 21 to 23.
Both proceedings, which were scheduled in Yellowknife Territorial Court on Tuesday, will be held in French, at the request of the accused, Hughes Latour.
- Lyndsay Herman
Food Bank seeks volunteers
The Inuvik Food Bank is looking for volunteers to help the cash-strapped organization with fundraising to keep its doors open.
"We're looking for people who are willing to help with fundraising who are willing to sit on a fundraising board that we're making," said Bob Mumford, president of the board of directors.
Currently, the food bank lacks funds to keep its shelves stocked for another month. Anyone interested in helping out should contact volunteer co-ordinator Zoila Castillo.
Voter turnout at 50 per cent
Fifty per cent of eligible voters cast ballots during the Gwich'in Tribal Council election June 22.
In Inuvik, turnout was slightly higher at 52 per cent. Robert Alexie Jr. is the organization's new president with 697 votes. Incumbent Richard Nerysoo was a distant second with 359 votes. Brenda McDonald finished third with 163 votes.
Norman Snowshoe was elected vice-president.
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News desk 
