Those wanting to file nominations with the returning officer for the upcoming municipal election have until 3 p.m. on Monday. The last day for candidate withdrawals is Wednesday at 3 p.m. Anyone wishing to question a candidate's eligibility has until 5 p.m. on Sept. 20.
As of press time, there are three candidates running for mayor and 11 candidates for city councillors.
Devolution negotiations are scheduled for next week as the territorial government works to have the agreement finalized by the end of the year.
Chief devolution negotiator Martin Goldney and his team will represent the GNWT. The four aboriginal groups who have signed the devolution agreement-in-principal to date - the NWT Metis Nation, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Sahtu Secretariat and the Gwich'in Tribal Council - will each send representatives, the GNWT's devolution office stated in an e-mail.
Participants are scheduled to travel to Ottawa to participate in main table meetings with the federal government and bilateral meetings between the participating aboriginal governments and the GNWT.
The GNWT will be holding community consultations in various communities to discuss the upcoming budget. A meeting will be held on Oct. 23 at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre in Yellowknife. Residents will have an opportunity to share their thoughts on where the territorial government's priorities should be for upcoming programs and services.
The city's amnesty week for residential drop off will begin Monday. The usual fee at the solid waste facility will be waived but the tipping fees and the two-bag limit for curbside collection still apply.
The city is introducing a Hazardous Waste Collection Day tomorrow in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The collection site will be located at the Yk Arena parking lot. Residents may drop off their hazardous materials, such as batteries, paints, solvents and oils, between noon and 4 p.m Saturday. For more information, visit the city website.
Suspect connected to 14 break-ins
Police have caught a person they believe is responsible for 14 break and enters in Fort Liard over the past nine months.
Since December, there have been 22 break-ins into businesses and homes in the area. The last reported break and enter happened Aug. 9 at a residential home.
Cpl. Barry Ledoux, RCMP media liaison, said police have a suspect for some of the break-ins.
"This person falls under the age of 12 and therefore is exempt from prosecution but there are different agencies that are involved in working with the youth to try and curb his need, if you want to call it that, for breaking into businesses," he said.
Some of the break and enters are still under investigation, Ledoux added.
Construction to begin
Construction work on 97 Avenue in Fort Simpson is expected to take two or three weeks to complete, according to the city.
The $263,000 project to redo the road started more than a week ago but was put on hold when workers hit the NorthwesTel cable in front of the bank.
"Now that the cable has been repaired and we know where the cable is passing, I think the guys will be starting,” said Sebastien Goyer, Fort Simpson's senior administrative officer.
The village has identified five roads that need work done, including 97 Avenue. Goyer said the avenue was made a priority because of its condition and also because it is a well-used road and an emergency route for fire trucks.
Getting healthy
Fort Simpson residents are invited to get healthy Tuesday evenings at the Health Centre.
The centre will be running a healthy support meeting every week until the end of June. During the meeting participants are given information on how to live a healthier lifestyle. There will also be scheduled activities each night, such as yoga or a walk, and confidential weigh-ins.
The group is open to everyone and meets in the board room from 6 to 7 p.m.
Meeting to discuss GNWT budget
Michael Miltenberger, minister of finance, will be in Fort Simpson Wednesday to discuss the Government of the Northwest Territories' budget.
The meeting will take place at the Deh Cho First Nations office from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Residents are asked to come and share their ideas on the budget, such as what the government should prioritize.
Run to help beat cancer
The Terry Fox Run is next Sunday, Sept. 16.
Starting from the Midnight Sun Complex, everyone is invited to walk, run, cycle or volunteer at the event to raise funds to find a cure for cancer.
Registration starts at 12:30 p.m. and the run is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
Friendly pets are also welcome to come along with their owners.
There is a 2.5, 5 and 10 km route and on average 84 cents of every $1 goes toward cancer research.
Police complaints increase
RCMP Staff Sgt. Jerry McKenna said complaints to police in August totalled 574, up from 510 during the same period last year, during the monthly police report at the Sept. 10 Town of Inuvik Committee of the whole meeting.
McKenna is replacing Staff Sgt. Peter Pilgrim, who is leaving Sept. 20.
For the month of August, the RCMP detachment also helped with Operation Nanook and ran 10 checkpoints looking for impaired drivers. A total of four vehicles were taken off the road.
Going forward, Cpl. Mark Phillips said in conjunction with bylaw officers they are working on child restraint issues in Inuvik, making sure that kids are buckled up properly.
"We issue an option of an education system," said Phillips.
Instead of automatically issuing a ticket, offenders have the option of attending a training session.
Highway meetings upcoming
Public hearings will be held in Inuvik Sept. 18 and 19 for the proposed Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway Project.
The Environmental Impact Review Board of the Joint Secretariat will be hosting two sessions, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and Sept. 19 from 1:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
The proposed construction project would link the two communities by a 140 km all-weather road.
Centre celebrates
The Inuvik Youth Centre is holding its grand opening celebration Saturday.
The drop-in hours for the day will be 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
"We opened June 29 and now that we're finally sorted out, we wanted to have an open house for everybody," said executive director Samantha Stokell.
Chili and bannock will be served and the event is open for everyone to stop by and have a look.
"Parents bring your kids, kids bring your parents," said Stokell.
News desk 
