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News Briefs: Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Two fires burn in NWT
There have been no fires reported in the North Slave region over the past 24 hours.
However, two lightning-caused fires occurred last night near Fort Smith that are keeping firefighters busy today. Both are less than a hectare in size and are about 12 kilometres from Fort Smith. Mike Gravel, territorial duty officer for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said the fires are being fought and there is no risk of them growing.
The fire that caused a voluntary evacuation in Wrigley is still burning and fire crews are assessing how to maintain the blaze by brush-burning around the fire's perimeter. Gravel said there is an expected shift in wind tomorrow, which will draw the fire and smoke northwest, away from the community.
- Candace Thomson
Yk airport seeing less activity
The Yellowknife Airport is seeing less activity than it was a year ago according to a Statistics Canada news release on Monday. The study found the airport saw 5,048 aircraft movements, which includes landings and takeoffs during May, representing a decrease of 23.7 per cent from the year before.
- Graeme McNaughton
City asks for help in business plan
The City of Yellowknife is creating a new five-year economic development plan, due in November, and it wants area businesses and residents to help.
The public is invited to comment on issues such as ways to revitalize Old Town and downtown until Aug. 1 and a public open house will be held Sept. 26 to discuss the responses.
- Daniel Campbell
Charity motorcyclist to arrive in Yk today
Renee Charbonneau, a.k.a. Belt Drive Betty, plans to arrive in Yellowknife today as part of her charity motorcycle ride across Canada in support of several organizations.
The Grande Prairie, Alta., woman is raising money for Veterans Emergency Transition Services, Military Relay Ride for Blind Children and Paws Fur Thought, a group providing service dogs to veterans.
Registration for the Yellowknife fundraising drive will start at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Co-op parking lot.
- Daniel Campbell
Fire at Holy Comforter Church
Rankin Inlet
A fire broke out at Holy Comforter Anglican Church two weekends ago after youth got in and splashed some gas in a corner of the building, according to Reverend Canon Paul Williams.
The fire, which happened in the evening, caused damage to part of the church floor and sub-flooring, he said.
Neither Williams or Ambrose Karlik, Rankin Inlet fire chief, had an estimate of the damage.
"(The incident) is under investigation now," said Karlik.
The church is planning to get a quote from a local company to find out what it would cost to fix the scorched area, said Williams. If the price is too high, the congregation may decide to do the work instead.
In the meantime, Williams is asking parents to keep an eye on their children.
"I know that building sites tend to be a tremendous draw for children but they're also very dangerous so I would just really invite people to be aware where their kids are."
Sealift season starting up
Nunavut
Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. (NSSI) is gearing up for another barging season.
The company has planned trips to all of the communities in the Kivalliq region and at this point the ships are on track for the first deliveries, said Waguih Rayes, general manager with Desgagnes Transarctik Inc.
"The ships are proceeding and should be there around mid-July in the communities, such as Arviat," he said. "This year we're operating six cargo ships from the beginning of the season, all the way to the end. This requires lots of planning and cool heads and I believe we are on the right track."
The ship schedule can be found on NSSI's website and is expected to be updated frequently to ensure accuracy.
Calm Air Cup returns
Kivalliq
Get out your bats and balls, Kivalliq residents!
The Calm Air Cup is set to return to Rankin Inlet this year and will run from Aug. 16 to 18.
Teams have until two days before the tournament to register. Players must be a minimum of 16 years of age and require a parental consent form if they're 18 or under.
Last year 10 teams and more than 140 players participated in the event. There was also a good turnout from the audience, said Robert Connelly.
"We had some really good weather last year, a little bit of rain Saturday morning but other than that it was a really good weekend," he said. "We're hoping for some of the same again this year obviously, but we're always prepared."
This year's Calm Air Cup will also feature a beer garden, a skills competition and a number of draws.
Whale Cove receives two visits from MP
Whale Cove
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq made an unexpected visit to Whale Cove July 3, after her plane was unable to land in Chesterfield Inlet due to weather.
When Aglukkaq arrived, she met with council to discuss community projects and future plans for Whale Cove, according to the hamlet's SAO Paul Kaludjak. They talked about infrastructure programs, road development and marine infrastructure, such as a docking facility.
The community also expressed interest in seeing a drop-in youth centre constructed in the community, added Kaludjak.
On July 4, Aglukkaq headed to Baker Lake and in the evening returned to Whale Cove for some festivities.
"We had hot dogs and burgers for everybody, including her," said Kaludjak. "She was able to meet with people on a casual basis, one-on-one sometimes, and talk about things."
The community also held a square dance for Aglukkaq and she saved a dance for the hamlet's mayor.
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