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News Briefs: Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Long-time lawyer dies
A long-time Yellowknife lawyer died suddenly on Dec. 15.
Paul N. K. Smith practised law in the NWT and Nunavut for 14 years, mainly as a labour and administrative lawyer, the Law Society of the NWT stated in a news release.
"The entire NWT legal community is shaken and saddened by Paul's death," stated Caroline Wawzonek, president of the NWT Law Society. "Paul was a consummate professional, committed to his clients and to the betterment of the practice of law."
Smith was 51 years old. His death is being called "sudden" and "unexpected" by his coworkers but the cause of death was not disclosed. A service in Smith's memory is planned for Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Yellowknife United Church.
Smith is survived by his wife, Kimberly Williams, and their son Zachary.
- Laura Busch
Skate with Santa Claus
Santa Claus is scheduled to be at the Shorty Brown Arena in the Multiplex from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. this evening during the annual free skate he hosts.
Along with free admission, refreshments, crafts and prizes will be available, according to a news release from the City of Yellowknife. The annual event is co-hosted by WIMPS hockey and the city.
- Laura Busch
Northland helps BETTY
Northland Utilities donated $7,726.84 to the BETTY House campaign Tuesday afternoon.
The donation comes from the Northland Utilities Employees Participating in Communities (EPIC) campaign. Employees raised $3,863.42 as part of the annual campaign and Northland Utilities matched what was raised.
When completed, the BETTY House will help single women and women with children who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, transition into permanent or market housing.
- Danielle Sachs
No need to plug meter
Free parking for the holiday season starts on Friday. From Dec. 21 until Jan. 1, parking in the city's central business district, including Franklin Avenue from 57 Street to 44 Street, will be free. Regular parking restrictions still apply, including no parking on Franklin from 3 a.m. until 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Public transit will also be free during the same period but buses won't run Dec. 25, 26 or Jan. 1.
- Danielle Sachs
Towtongie reelected
Nunavut
Cathy Towtongie of Rankin Inlet was handily reelected president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) on Dec. 10.
Towtongie, with more than 1,300 votes, outpaced her nearest competitor, Mikidjuk Akavak, who received more than 900 votes.
Nine others ran in the race, which saw a voter turnout of 35 per cent.
Copland named chair of review board
Arviat/Nunavut
Elizabeth Copland of Arviat has been appointed by the federal government to a threeyear term as the chairperson of the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
Copland has been the acting chairperson since March of 2012.
Change to liquor law
Rankin Inlet
The community of Rankin Inlet voted in favour of a change to liquor regulations governing the sale of beer in the hamlet this past week.
The plebiscite was held during the municipal election in Rankin.
A petition carrying more than 20 signatures initiated the plebiscite, which asked voters if they were in favour of removing the legal restrictions on the sale of beer in Rankin.
The Yes side carried the day when 359 people of the 545 who cast a ballot voted in favour (66 per cent).
A total of 184 (33 per cent) voted No to the question.
The Yes vote means organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion will be able to sell beer to patrons at their events as per the terms of their club licences.
Gender gap in labour studied
Ottawa/Kivalliq
Noel Kaludjak of Coral Harbour, who now resides in Rankin Inlet, travelled to Ottawa this past week to take part in a series of meetings aimed at better understanding why significantly more women than men are entering the workforce, and what can be done to help men get more education.
The study covers Nunavut, the NWT, Yukon and Labrador.
Kaludjak will be selecting one community in each of Nunavut's three regions and interviewing five men from each community.
Firearms charges in Coral Harbour
Coral Harbour
A Coral Harbour man is facing 21 charges in connection to a series of incidents involving a .22 calibre handgun earlier this month.
RCMP in Coral Harbour received information during the evening hours of Dec. 14 that a man was in possession of a handgun and using it to commit a number of indictable offences.
Police in Coral Harbour were assisted by the public in confirming the existence of the gun and the suspect's whereabouts.
The RCMP V Division emergencyresponse team, based out of Iqaluit, was sent to Coral Harbour to help.
Taylor Paniyuk, 20, was arrested during the late evening of Dec. 15.
Police subsequently recovered the .22 calibre handgun.
Paniyuk is being held in jail in Iqaluit and will appear before the Nunavut Court of Justice on Jan. 8, 2013.
- Darrell Greer
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News desk 
