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News Briefs: Friday, July 26, 2013
City annual report released
The City of Yellowknife's annual report is now available to the public, according to a city newsletter.
The report shares information on the city's activities and performance during the past fiscal year.
Hard copies of the report are available at city hall and the public library.
- Lyndsay Herman
Good behaviour at FOTR
Organizers and municipal enforcement didn't have too many problems at this year's Folk on the Rocks festival, with festival executive director Penny Ruvinsky saying it was "pretty smooth sailing."
Dennis Marchiori, director of public safety for the city, said he saw no increase in infractions or violations during the weekend.
Bylaw officers heard 14 complaints during the weekend, which is typical of any weekend, Marchiori said.
Two tickets were issued for vehicles parking on the highway alongside the festival grounds and those vehicles were later towed.
- Daniel Campbell
Final week for response
There is less than one week left to share input on the City of Yellowknife's economic development strategy through an online survey.
The city plans to keep the survey open until Aug. 1. Following the survey, an open house is planned for September to share the results of this and other initiatives with the public.
- Lyndsay Herman
High crime rates in Yellowknife
Yellowknife has some of the most severe crime in all of Canada, according to a recent Statistics Canada report on police-reported crime.
The city ranked fourth out of 297 metropolitan areas surveyed in Canada in 2012. North Battleford, Sask., was first on the list while Edmonton placed 79th.
The ranking is based on the crime severity index (CSI) which measures both the amount of crime in an area and the severity of the crimes being committed. Mischief, theft, disturbing the peace and assaults topped the list for crime in Yellowknife.
Yellowknife's CSI has risen by 15 per cent since 2002, while most of Canada has reported declines in both crime severity indexes and total crime rates over the last ten years. Yellowknife's total crime rate has increased by 48 per cent since 2002.
- Daniel Campbell
News Briefs: Thursday, July 25, 2013
Election and acclamation in Wrigley
The election for Pehdzeh Ki First Nation's chief in Wrigley was scheduled to be held on July 24 while the band council was chosen by acclamation.
Incumbents Elsie Hardisty and Lisa Moses, along with Mary Clillie, Gloria Hardisty, Michael Pellissey and Gaylene Moses, will take office as band councillors on July 25. They will each serve two-year terms.
The three candidates for the position of chief were David Moses, Joseph Lloyd Moses and Sharon Pellissey. The elected candidate will serve a three-year term.
Two more communities get cellphone service
Two Deh Cho communities now have cellphone service.
Northwestel has launched its 4G wireless service in Jean Marie River and Kakisa, making them the 11th and 12th NWT communities to receive the service this year.
A Northwestel representative was scheduled to be in the Jean Marie River gymnasium from July 23 to 24 and at the Kakisa community hall from July 25 to 26 to demonstrate devices and answer questions.
Safety stressed during Drowning Prevention Week
As part of Drowning Prevention Week, the territorial government is urging residents and visitors to practise water safety while boating, swimming and fishing in the NWT.
The nationally-recognized week runs from July 20 to 27. In the territory, alcohol is involved in one third of drownings, according to a news release by the Department of Transportation.
Residents are asked to avoid boating with an intoxicated, speeding or reckless boat operator and to wear a life-jacket or personal flotation device. Most drownings occur in the first few minutes after submersion as a result of the unexpected shock of cold water.
Weight restrictions lifted on Highway 7
The Department of Transportation has updated the seasonal load allowances for commercial drivers.
As of July 22, the entire length of Highway 7 was set at being able to take 100 per cent of the legal axle weight. Drivers are cautioned that if prolonged rain causes soft conditions, the highway could be closed to all traffic on short notice.
The Jean Marie River and Kakisa access roads are at 90 per cent of the legal axle weight until further notice.
AVIVA contest back
Inuvik charitable groups should be aware the fifth AVIVA Community Fund competition kicks off in September.
Unlike previous years, the AVIVA contest is not part of a large paid advertising campaign.
Instead, it's utilizing more of a social media campaign, stated Children First Society executive director Patricia Davison in an e-mail statement. The contest has $1 million to give away, and organizations such as the Children First Society have benefitted previously.
"There is a new category as of last year that might be of interest. A special prize of up to $150,000 returns this year for projects that support at-risk youth. All finalists in the competition are guaranteed a minimum award of $5,000," stated an AVIVA news release.
Town pays for claims
The Town of Inuvik will have to pay an extra premium to the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC).
"What happened was the WSCC has a range that they calculate that our claims should fall between," said senior administrative officer Grant Hood. "In 2011 there was a volunteer member of the fire department who had a number of claims that were finally paid out."
Volunteers are covered by WSCC when answering fire calls.
"It is my understanding this was a cumulative amount but because they were all paid out in 2011 it was considered completely for that year. In 2010 the town had no claims and in 2012 we had less than a $1,000 in claims."
Moses slams closure
Boot Lake MLA Alfred Moses is questioning a decision to close the NWT's only addictions treatment centre at the end of September.
Moses said he was surprised and disappointed by Health Minister Tom Beaulieu's announcement, saying he believes the decision will only make things worse.
The GNWT announced on July 11 it would not renew its contract with the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre on the Hay River Reserve.
Solar power project
The Arctic Energy Alliance has begun working with the Aurora Research Institute on a solar power project.
According to spokesperson Donald Andre, the SolarWall system is located on the penthouse façade at the back of the building. It preheats the ventilation air supplied to the building by capturing solar energy. The system only operates on cold, sunny days when pre-heating ventilation air is required.
The energy output of the SolarWall and available solar radiation are quantified by logging data hourly. The monitoring effort is funded by the GNWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
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